Parthalan Time: The Calendar of Aldudenie

The world of Parthalan is divided into eight months, each with twenty-eight days. Days last for twenty-four hours, with High Sun being noon and High Moon being midnight. The year starts at the Spring Equinox (approximately March 21st in our world). Each season takes up two months almost exactly, though the harshness of winter seems to dominate most obviously. The months are as follows:

1. Cunbolc

• Buergsonndeg (1 Cunbolc): Starting on the Spring Equinox, Nerthus' Spring welcoming celebration is one of peace. Weapons are not allowed, at least not on the first day (as the celebration has been known to last up to a week), and the bonfires begin at sunset. The holiday is a celebration of new life and rebirth, and as such, windows are opened, fires are lit, and much of the celebration takes place outdoors. Color shows up in a great revival and dyes are among the most sought items in the days preceding the celebrations. Children born during this festival are thought to posses great, often magnetic power.

2. Giostara

3. Belturns

• Beltane (1 Belturns): Taking place during the Summer Solstice, this festival is held to celebrate the beginning of summer and open pasturing. Due to the dual control of the Spring gods in combination with Belenus' temporary rule, the lines between Parthalan and the arcanaic realm are thin. Mages are more powerful on this day, and the local fae take it upon themselves to try to join in the festivities. The Fires of Bel are lit with the intent of keeping these tricksters at bay, as well as to purify both worshipers and livestock alike. Fire becomes akin to a toy on this day (with fire dancing and throwing being common entertainments), though it is also set up like a gateway to be passed through to the pastures.

4. Haf'equos

• Lughnasdh (1 Haf'equos): The midpoint of summer, the festivities for this holiday are held to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season. Among the revelries of the occasion are athletic competitions (Highland Games), drinking, feasts, and trade. Named after and presided over by the Lugh, the jack-of-all-trades trickster, the day shares similarities to April Fool's day on its less mature side and a great celebration of art and agriculture on the other.

5. Elemodon, which starts on the Autumnal Equinox

6. Samhinios

• Samhain (1-2 Samhinios): The second break in the arcanaic barriers, Samhain marks the end of both the harvest and the pasturing time. Fires are once again lit, this time as wards, for warmth, and to later be used to cook the meat after the slaughters. Also used for cleansing, these fires work as temporary alters where sacrifies from the year's blessings are offered to the gods. After all is said and done, the fires are used to light personal hearths to guard against the coming winter. For children, this celebration echoes the tomfoolery of Halloween.

7. Cantlas, which starts on the Winter Solstice

8. Yules

• Imbolc (1 Yule): The midpoint of winter, Imbolc is a much quiter celebration. In each home, a room is prepared, complete with a meal. Tradition holds that these rooms are prepared for Brigit, whose followers prepare dolls in the likeness of the goddess. (Each has a pendant bearing the sun and moon symbol of Albiorix and his unnamed bride. )The followers go door to door with these dolls, leaving them for any young girl within. These tokens are also handed out to travellers, and any who request lodging on this day are offered Brigit's room in her honor. Inns, for this reason, are often closed to avoid losing money. If the weather on this day appears fair, then Cailleach has awoken to gather wood for her fire, meaning that winter is to last longer and be harsher. If the sun is eclipsed in blizzards, the storm will be the worst and last of the year, due to Cailleach being asleep and unable to gather wood for her dying flame. On these years, spring arrives early, though never before Yuletide.

• Yuletide (18 Yules): Roughly the Aldudenie equivalent to Christmas, Yuletide is a time of celebration and gift giving. Due to the harshness of the winters, small gatherings are held indoors. Some families choose to hold great feasts; some even take hunting trips to track down great deer, elk, or moose for their meals. Perhaps the most looked forward to event is the gift exchange, which is often the only time children get new clothes or toys. Some only get these every few years.

Birthdays
Birthday celebrations differ between the races. For the immortal elves, decades and centuries are the focus, but for the fleeting lives of the humans, every year counts. True celebrations take place when a child reaches six months, ten years, and thirteen years of age. For adults, the age markers are sixteen, twenty-five, thirty, and forty. Elders are marked at fifty, sixty, and seventy-five. Celebrations include small gatherings, gifts, and occasional feasts, should the family be lucky and able.