Other Pagan Calendars

(January 12, 2025) Image from: http://hullvalley.blogspot.com/2013/04/so-thats-who-it-is-goddess-of-beauty.html. Numbers added by Olmsted.

This Anglo-Saxon themed mosaic came from the largest room in a Roman villa built during the late 300's CE near Rudston in East Yorkshire, England. The intact mosaic with its oblong side-panels would have measured 4.67m x 3.2m.   http://museumcollections.hullcc.gov.uk/collections/subtheme.php?irn=419

At the center of this image is the earth realm with its sky shell surrounding a middle aged goddess Ayu representing dry land and a merman representing the sea. Ayu is shown being tickled by the merman holding some wheat stalks causing her to drop her mirror. Her other hand is holding a rattle or something meant to represent the circle of life. Compare this image of Ayu with the one on the coin below.

Surrounding the earth realm are 12 symbols representing the Druid zodiac houses/months as mentioned by Bede (below). The better known Greek zodiac seems to derive from this Druid Zodiac traditions as this Druid tradition contains the snow leopard which no longer existed in Europe during historic times. A festival honoring a zodiac houses is called a Blot in Norse lands.

Notice that solstices and equinoxes are symbolized by animals.

1) January (right corner in photo, zodiac read moving clockwise)

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Giuli (Other Latin copy: Giuli)

2. Akkadian Phrase: G.IW.LY meaning time when "Energy redirecting fate"  This redirection of energy is done by the celestial light goddess Selene

3. Norse Name: unknown 

4. Zodiac Image: Woman having a radiant head representing  Selu/Selene.

5. Greek Constellation: Pisces

2) February 

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Sol (Other Latin copy: Sol)

2. Akkadian Phrase: S'.L meaning time when the "Inhibition (of-life-powers) is being reduced" 

3. Norse Name: unknown 

4. Zodiac Image: White Eurasian Collared Dove tossing a flower over its back indicating the end of the wintery fallow part of they year. This Dove's cooing call represents sadness and loss from the past winter.

5. Greek Constellation: Ares

3) March (Spring Equinox Month)

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Hreth (Other Latin copy Rhed seems shows one word has a simple transposition error between HR and RH, The Latinized Anglo-Saxon ð can be either /th/ or /d/)

2. Akkadian Phrase: RḪ.ED meaning time of "Anointing movement" (using the Latin source which makes more sense) 

3. Norse Name: unknown  

4. Zodiac Image: Bull (represents the chaotic rainstorm bringing form of Hu)

5. Greek Constellation: Taurus

4) April

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Eostur (Other Latin copy: Eostur)

2. Akkadian Phrase: E.AŠ.T.U.R meaning time of "Disabling the spewing-forth of astrology-magic and eagle-vultures" (anti-life powers declining)

3. Norse Name: unknown   

4. Zodiac Image: Turtle Dove looking at a flower indicating the beginning of a new part of the year (the life part). Turtle doves are the symbol for fidelity and love due to mating for life. They also migrate departing in the mid-late summer and return the following spring. 

5. Greek Constellation: Gemini

5) May

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Thrimilchi (Other Latin copy: Thrimylchi)

2. Akkadian Phrase: ṬR.IM.IL.ŠY meaning time when "Impressions emotionally-triggering the high-power's strength" 

3. Norse Name: unknown   

4. Zodiac Image: An animal driver (man with a rope) indicating the increasing motion of life

5. Greek Constellation: Cancer

6) June (Summer Solstice Month) 

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Litha (Other Latin copy: Lida. The Latinized Anglo-Saxon ð can be either /th/ or /d/)

2. Akkadian Phrase: LY.D.A meaning time when the "Layout (of fate) results in life-manifestations"  (The other Latin version makes more sense)

3. Norse Name: unknown    

4. Zodiac Image: Lion (represents the orderly, healing sun god Hu)

5. Greek Constellation: Leo

7) July 

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Litha (Other Latin copy: Lida. The Latinized Anglo-Saxon ð can be either /th/ or /d/)

2. Akkadian Phrase: LY.D.A meaning time when the "Layout (of fate) results in life-manifestations"  (The other Latin version makes more sense)

3. Norse Name: unknown    

4. Zodiac Image: (missing)

5. Greek Constellation: Virgo

8) August

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Weod (Other Latin copy: Vueod has a doubling up of the first letter which is an error)

2. Akkadian Phrase: W.E.AD meaning time when a "Curse disables the Instigator" (who is the motion source god Su, not much movement during hot August days)

3. Norse Name: unknown    

4. Zodiac Image: Turtle Dove tossing a flower over its back  indicating the end of growth. Turtle doves are the symbol for fidelity and love due to mating for life. They also migrate departing in the mid-late summer and return the following spring. 

5. Greek Constellation: Libra

9) September (Autumn Equinox Month) 

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Haleg (Other Latin copy: Haleg)

2. Akkadian Phrase: Ḫ.AL.EG  meaning time when  "Hu and Alu are neglected (by the powers of fate)"

3. Norse Name: unknown    

4. Zodiac Image: Elk Stag horns. The Classical world saw this as the claw of Scorpio.

5. Greek Constellation: Ophiucus 

10) October

1. Anglo-Saxon Name:  Winterfilleth (Other Latin copy, Vuinter-fylleth, has a doubling up of the first letter which is an error but they hyphen seems correct)

2. Akkadian Phrase: W.IN.T.ER - E.IL.EṬ meaning time when "Curses on the Moon-Eye (Su) harbor astrology-magic - which disables the high-power's movement"

3. Norse Name: unknown  

4. Zodiac Image:  White Eurasian Collared Dove looking at a flower indicating the start of a new part of the year (the wintery fallow part). This Dove's coong call represents sadness and loss and foreshadows tough times ahead.

5. Greek Constellation: Sagittarius

11) November 

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Blod (Other Latin copy: Blod)

2. Akkadian Phrase: B.L.AD meaning time when "Nourishments are lacking for the Instigator (Su)."  Su provides the power which pushes the life powers through the life network. The letter "O" is the Akkadian letter ayin which is dual use either being ' or A.

3. Norse Name: Distings  (from Akkadian D.IS.T.IN.GS meaning "Manifestations becoming scarce from astrology-magic's moon-eye (Su) blessings"

4. Zodiac Image: Woman with staff (darker than others so this is the goddess Kate/Hekate representing the growing darkness. She is also holding a staff of authority)

5. Greek Constellation: Capricorn

12) December (Winter Solstice Month) 

1. Anglo-Saxon Name: Giuli (Other Latin copy: Giuli)

2. Akkadian Phrase: G.IW.LY meaning time when "Energy is redirected by the layout (of fate)." This redirection of energy is done by the celestial light goddess Selene. Thus the snow leopard is her animal form.

3. Norse Name: Yuli/Yule (from Akkadian IW.LY meaning "Redirection from the layout (of-fate)"

4. Zodiac Image: Snow Leopard

5. Greek Constellation: Aquarius with head of Pisces

Reference for Bede

Bede The Reckoning of Time - translated, with introduction, notes and commentary by FAITH WALLIS (1999).  Online at: https://ia601403.us.archive.org/12/items/bede-the-reckoning-of-time-2012/Bede%20-%20The%20Reckoning%20of%20Time%20%282012%29.pdf