The calendar is in the background of the world and not specifically referenced except where it occurs accidentally. We don't dwell on the calendar and neither do the folks in Turgany. In this world the Celtic names for things have slipped and are rarely used. The common language is English.
Seasons:
Winter ("Geimhreadh") – December, January, February (Nollaig, Eanair, Feabhra)
Spring ("Earrach") – March, April, May (Marta, Aibrean, Bealtaine)
Summer ("Samhradh") – June, July, August (Meitheamh, Luil, Lunasa)
Autumn ("Fomhar") – September, October, November (Mean Fomhair, Deirreadh Fomhair, Samhain)
Time Frames:
Day – dia
Night – nocht
Week – 8 days and nights – deug
Fortnight – 15 days and nights – cola–deug
Month – mios
Days of the Week:
Sunday – Domhnaich
Monday – Luain
Tuesday – Mairt
Wednesday – Ciadain
Extra – Durdaoin
Thursday – Ardaoin
Friday – Aoine
Saturday – Sathurna
Breakdown of a Year:
365 days in a calendar year for which only 360 are provided actual dates. Extra 5 days per year (see Solstices/Equinoxes) are used as celebration days and are known by their title rather than a calendar date. Rather like there being a December 24th, followed by Christmas Day, which is then followed by December 25th.
24 fortnights (24x15 days) per year
45 weeks per year
3 weeks and 6 days per month (totalling 30 days per month)
Solstices (longest/shortest day of year)/Equinoxes:
Vernal Equinox is the day after March 19th (or Marta 19) and is celebrated for 1 day as Ostara Day (non–calendar day).
Estival Solstice (Summer) is the day after June 20th (or Meitheamh 20) and is celebrated for 1 day as Litha Day (non–calendar day)
Autumnal Equinox is the day after September 21st (or Mean Fomhair 21) and is celebrated for 2 days as First Mabon Day (harvest) and Last Mabon Day (feast) (non–calendar days).
Hibernal Solstice (Winter) is the day after December 20 (or Nollaig 20) and is celebrated for 1 day as Yule (non–calendar day).
Holidays:
1.Samhain. Nov 7 (Samhain 7). Midpoint between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Celebrates the last harvest, the cycle of life and gifts for passing spirits. Preparation to survive winter, confront the possibility of death. Colours: black, brown, reds, oranges. Opposite to Bealtaine.
2.Yule. Dec 21 (Nollaig 21). Shortest day and longest night of the year. Celebrates the end of darkness, the return of light to the earth. Herbs are at their least potent. Colours: green, red, white, silver, gold.
3.Imbolc. Feb 1 (Feabhra 1). Midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. Celebrates the quickening of spring, the end of winter, time of planning and hopes. Colours: red, orange, white.
4.Ostara Day is the day after March 19 (Marta 19) and is a non–calendar day. First day of Spring, the night and day stand equal. Celebrates the birth of spring, rebirth. Time of planting. Colours: red and yellow.
5.Bealtaine. May 6 (Bealtaine 6). Midpoint between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Time of rebirth. Colours: blue, pink, yellow, green. Opposite to Samhain.
6.Litha Day is the day after June 20 (Meitheamh 20) and is a non–calendar day. Summer solstice, first day of summer, longest day of the year. Celebrates the light and the sun without there would be no life. Time of strengths and accomplishments. Gather herbs as "herb night" is when they are at their most potent. Colours: blue, yellow, green.
7.Lammas. Aug 1 (Lunasa 1). Midpoint between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. First harvest festival. Celebrates the beginning of harvest season, the decline of summer to winter. Time to dismiss regrets, farewells, preparation for winter. Ceremonies involve breads, grains and corn dolls. Colours: oranges, greens, browns.
8.Mabon Days are the two days after September 21st (Mean Fomhair 21) and they are non–calendar day. Referred to as First Mabon and Last Mabon. Autumn Equinox, first day of Autumn. Celebrates harvest. First Mabon is harvesting time and Last Mabon is the feast. Time for thanks and learning, repairing all things. Colours: dark reds, yellows, browns.
Important Calendar Dates Summary:
February 1 (Feabhra 1) – Imbolc
March (Marta) – Ostara Day (Vernal Equinox) is the day after March 19th
May 6 (Bealtaine 6) – Bealtaine
June (Meitheamh) – Litha Day (Estival Solstice (Summer)) is the day after June 20th
August 1 (Lunasa 1) – Lammas
September (Mean Fomhair) – First/Last Mabon Days (Autumnal Equinox) is the two days after September 21st
November 7 (Samhain 7) – Samhain
December (Nollaig) – Yule (Hibernal Solstice (Winter)) is the day after December 20th
Currency
1 crown (large round gold coin) = 36 groats = 144 pence
1 half–crown (large round gold coin with centre hole) = 18 groats = 72 pence
1 mark (small gold coin) = 9 groats = 36 pence
1 groat (silver rectangular coin) = 4 pence
1 tuppence (small silver coin or large copper coin) = 2 pence
1 pence (copper coin) = 1 pence
1 half–pence (copper coin with centre hole) = 1/2 pence
1 farthing (small rectangular copper coin) = 1/4 pence
Coins are measured by known weights that are in accordance with the Turgany Weights and Measures Act. For example, a full crown must weigh exactly one royal ounce (28 grams). A half–crown weighs a half ounce (14 grams). And a mark weighs a quarter ounce (7 grams) which means it is a bit heavier than a quarter but sized about the same. A groat weighs the same as a mark (but is larger), and a tuppence weighs half that of a groat (hence if it is made of copper it will be larger). Typically wealthy merchants will carry coin scales to verify that they are not being cheated with counterfeit coins. The habit of biting a gold coin was to prove that it was indeed gold – which is soft – and not some impostor.
Author's Notes
Washington, DC, June 2015
WHEN I WAS in the fourth grade, at the General Vanier Public School in Ottawa, Canada, my teacher sent me home with a note for my mother. In it, she complained that I was spending too much time in the library reading. My mother laughed and ignored it. I know why the teacher complained. The problem was that I used to sneak off to the library ALL the time. At the expense of everything else. Nothing else mattered to me.
Today, I still prefer the written word over pretty much every other kind of entertainment or media source. It is my escape from the harsh realities of life and reading lets me explore all the worlds that can be imagined. I'm proud to say that my children read and love it almost as much as I do. If I have a legacy to leave behind it is this: my children love to read. That puts a smile on my face.
I've been trying to write a novel since fourth grade. Or I should say I've wanted to write a novel. It's hard. It's hard because there is so much more to a story than just the story you've just read. I've had to build an entire world in my head and then tell a story from it. In doing so I've accidentally written two other stories. They come next.
So, my acknowledgements:
I must first acknowledge my family. My wife, Marilyn, my son, James and my daughter, Katherine. They supported me like no one else during all my writing attempts. My life is so positive and filled with joy because of their love. I do my best to be a husband and loving father – it's not easy and I am probably not doing it well, but I try so very hard all the time. It's all I have to offer you in return: my love and my effort.
I also must acknowledge my mom and dad, Senga and Hector, who immigrated to Canada from Scotland in the early 60s. My mom passed away just recently and I had so wanted her to see this work. I missed that opportunity and that saddens me. I miss my mother.
On writing this book I was assisted by many people. They took the time to read it, provide feedback, and correct my many errors. Special thanks go out to my wife Marilyn, my sister Heather, my best friend Gord, and my "Aunt" Emmy for providing constructive criticism and praise when I needed it most. And lastly, thanks to my editor, Nikki Rae, over at Metamorphosis Editing Services. Any errors that remain in the novel are mine.
About the Author
DONALD D. ALLAN was born in Ottawa, Canada in 1965 to Scottish immigrants. If you have ever watched the movie "So I Married An Axe Murderer" you will understand the upbringing he was used to.
He loves dogs and wants one, hates cats but misses the last one, and loves his family more than anything. He is a geek and a mild nerd and finds solace in all things science and science fiction/fantasy.
Donald lives with his wife Marilyn, son James and daughter Katherine.
Connect with Donald D. Allan:
BLOG: http://donalddallan.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/donalddallan
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/@donalddallan/
EMAIL: [email protected]
Duilleog (A New Druids Series Book 1) Page 35
