Wistanian Calendar

The Wistanian Calendar is a lunisolar calendar used by the inhabitants of Wistania to organize their days and years. The calendar is primarily based on the phases of the two Vaalan moons, Auvilu and Lauri, with additional important holidays and events mapped on the solar year, such as the solstices, equinoxes, and the rainy and dry seasons. The lunar year begins when both moons are full, which occurs every 324 days, and the solar calendar begins on the Northern Solstice, every 297 days. The lunar and solar new years align every 3,564 days (11 lunar years and 12 solar years), which begins a new cycle of 11 lunar years.

The lunar year is broken into 12 months, each lasting 26 or 27 days. These months are loosely based on the seasons of the 11 constellations in the Wistanian zodiac. The months are then further broken into weeks each lasting 6 days.

Two major holidays, Gaaj Ihai and Gaaj Auzna, last three days each and contribute six leap days, which are counted as unique days not part of any month or week. Gaaj Ihai is a three day celebration of the new lunar year when both moons are full. It begins the day after the 27th day of Udaumijadd and ends the day before the 1st day of Ablijadd. Gaaj Auzna is another three-day celebration that occurs when both moons are new. It begins the day after the 17th day of Ddiblijadd and ends the day before the 18th day of Ddiblijadd.

Cycle
The largest unit of time in the Wistanian calendar is one cycle, which lasts 3,564 days. It begins when the lunar new year occurs on the same day as the Northern Solstice, which is considered the solar new year. Each lunar year is given a name based on the constellation of the zodiac on which it begins and ends:


 * Year I: Zauraddin, the Year of the Flower
 * Year II: Ura Mauz, the Year of the Windstorm
 * Year III: Yuha, the Year of the Guardian
 * Year IV: Ya Zibi Ya Avdi, the Year of the Towers
 * Year V: Zuyaggi, The Year of the Giant
 * Year VI: Zamara, The Year of the Falcon
 * Year VII: Adav, The Year of the Gate
 * Year VIII: Jij, The Year of the Lizard
 * Year IX: Izari, The Year of the Heart
 * Year X: Luj Vungiya, The Year of the Boat
 * Year XI: Aumul, The Year of the Lantern

The beginning of each year is largely celebrated the same, although many decorations and events will be themed on the year's associated constellation. It is also common for storytellers and elders to recite the myths and legends associated with each constellation on their years.

Gaaj Ihai on Year I, tends to be larger and more spectacular than other celebrations with extra traditions and customs to welcome the beginning of a new cycle.

The Lunar Year
The lunar year is separated into twelve months that last 26-27 days and two festivals that each last three days. They are:


 * Gaaj Ihai (3 days)
 * Ablajadd (26 days)
 * Hyaujadd (27 days)
 * Ggaugujadd (26 days)
 * Labrijadd (27 days)
 * Ddiblijadd (17 days...)
 * Gaaj Auzna (3 days)
 * Ddiblijadd (cont.) (...9 days)
 * Jujadd (27 days)
 * Inauglajadd (26 days)
 * Igwinijadd (27 days)
 * Vanijadd (26 days)
 * Zagrijadd (27 days)
 * Arijadd (26 days)
 * Udaumijadd (27 days)

Gaaj Ihai
Gaaj Ihai ("The Celebration of Brightness") is the largest and most important holiday in the Wistanian calendar. It lasts three days and marks the beginning of the lunar new year when both moons are full. Since these three days are not considered as part of the week or month, they are typically only referred to as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of Gaaj Ihai. There are traditional costumes, music, foods, and decorations that are typically prepared and showcased weeks beforehand.

The first day is also the First Festival of Lauri, which celebrates food with large public potlucks during the day. At night, family, friends, and neighbors gather around bonfires to hear stories and myths from their elders. One of these stories is usually associated with the first constellation of that year. This day is primarily themed on tradition and honoring the past.

On the second day, Wistanians are challenged to try something new and seek out brand new experiences as a way to push themselves out of their comfort zone. This can include tasting a new food, travelling to a new place, or meeting new people. Many Wistanians also choose to lose their virginity on this day. At night, friends, families, and neighbors gather around a bonfire again to share about what they had tried and learned. This day is primarily themed on the present.

On the third and final day, most Wistanians gather to attend religious services and pay homage to the ajma and ask for their blessings in the coming years. This is also a common time for people to apply to new jobs or schools. Again, they gather around a bonfire and discuss their hopes and resolutions for the upcoming year, many choosing to bury or hide mementos or notes to dig up and find before the next Gaaj Ihai. This day is themed around the future.

Gaaj Auzna
[x] idk yet lol

Festivals of Lauri
Lauri makes four revolutions around Vaal each lunar year, and on the first day of her new moon phase, Wistanians celebrate with a different festival, each celebrating a basic human need.


 * The First Festival of Lauri, also known as the Festival of Food, occurs on the first day of Gaaj Ihai. It is celebrated with large, all-day public potlucks, usually by blocking off streets and parks to set up tables and dining facilities for anyone to join as they please. All for-profit markets and food stalls close, and it is expected that any food offered on this day will be free of charge to consumers.
 * The Second Festival of Lauri, also known as the Festival of Water, occurs on the 26th day of Ggaugujadd, and activities are typically hosted in and around local water shops. The festival is celebrated through all-day swimming, water games, drinking, and volunteering to gather and distribute water throughout the community.


 * The Third Festival of Lauri, also known as the Festival of Shelter, occurs on the 25th day of Jujadd. This festival is celebrated through deep cleaning and elaborately decorating the family home. Many neighborhoods even host competitions for the best house. At night, children are celebrated for their contributions to housework and chores by letting them go from house-to-house to collect treats and sweets from neighbors and vendors.


 * The Fourth Festival of Lauri, also known as the festival of clothing, occurs on the 26th day of Vanijadd. This day is celebrated through fashion contests, parades, theater, and any other activity that showcases and displays clothing. Many young men and women are also given traditional garments as a rite of passing into adulthood on this day.

Other Lunar Holidays
There are several holidays that celebrate important historical events in Wistania:


 * Wistanian Day of Treaty (2nd day of Vanijadd) celebrates the first signing of the Wistanian treaty that politically united the Bwolotil, Taliv, and Nati-Katapu peoples.
 * Uzin Day of Treaty (9th day of Zagrijadd) celebrates the day that the Uzin people were officially included in the Wistanian Treaty, about forty years after the initial treaty was signed.

The Solar Year
[x] tbc