(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.
Anglo-Saxon Name: Giuli (Other Latin copy: Giuli)
Akkadian Phrase: G.IW.LY meaning time when "Energy redirecting fate" This redirection of energy is done by the celestial light goddess Selene
Norse Name: unknown
Zodiac Image: Woman having a radiant head representing Selu/Selene.
Greek Constellation: Pisces
Anglo-Saxon Name: Sol (Other Latin copy: Sol)
Akkadian Phrase: S'.L meaning time when the "Inhibition (of-life-powers) is being reduced"
Norse Name: unknown
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.
Greek Constellation: Ares
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/)
Akkadian Phrase: RḪ.ED meaning time of "Anointing movement" (using the Latin source which makes more sense)
Norse Name: unknown
Zodiac Image: Bull (represents the chaotic rainstorm bringing form of Hu)
Greek Constellation: Taurus
Anglo-Saxon Name: Eostur (Other Latin copy: Eostur)
Akkadian Phrase: E.AŠ.T.U.R meaning time of "Disabling the spewing-forth of astrology-magic and eagle-vultures" (anti-life powers declining)
Norse Name: unknown
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.
Greek Constellation: Gemini
Anglo-Saxon Name: Thrimilchi (Other Latin copy: Thrimylchi)
Akkadian Phrase: ṬR.IM.IL.ŠY meaning time when "Impressions emotionally-triggering the high-power's strength"
Norse Name: unknown
Zodiac Image: An animal driver (man with a rope) indicating the increasing motion of life
Greek Constellation: Cancer
Anglo-Saxon Name: Litha (Other Latin copy: Lida. The Latinized Anglo-Saxon ð can be either /th/ or /d/)
Akkadian Phrase: LY.D.A meaning time when the "Layout (of fate) results in life-manifestations" (The other Latin version makes more sense)
Norse Name: unknown
Zodiac Image: Lion (represents the orderly, healing sun god Hu)
Greek Constellation: Leo
Anglo-Saxon Name: Litha (Other Latin copy: Lida. The Latinized Anglo-Saxon ð can be either /th/ or /d/)
Akkadian Phrase: LY.D.A meaning time when the "Layout (of fate) results in life-manifestations" (The other Latin version makes more sense)
Norse Name: unknown
Zodiac Image: (missing)
Greek Constellation: Virgo
Anglo-Saxon Name: Weod (Other Latin copy: Vueod has a doubling up of the first letter which is an error)
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)
Norse Name: unknown
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.
Greek Constellation: Libra
Anglo-Saxon Name: Haleg (Other Latin copy: Haleg)
Akkadian Phrase: Ḫ.AL.EG meaning time when "Hu and Alu are neglected (by the powers of fate)"
Norse Name: unknown
Zodiac Image: Elk Stag horns. The Classical world saw this as the claw of Scorpio.
Greek Constellation: Ophiucus
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)
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"
Norse Name: unknown
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.
Greek Constellation: Sagittarius
Anglo-Saxon Name: Blod (Other Latin copy: Blod)
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.
Norse Name: Distings (from Akkadian D.IS.T.IN.GS meaning "Manifestations becoming scarce from astrology-magic's moon-eye (Su) blessings"
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)
Greek Constellation: Capricorn
Anglo-Saxon Name: Giuli (Other Latin copy: Giuli)
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.
Norse Name: Yuli/Yule (from Akkadian IW.LY meaning "Redirection from the layout (of-fate)"
Zodiac Image: Snow Leopard
Greek Constellation: Aquarius with head of Pisces
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
(January 29, 2024) The earliest time keeping of the Romans was for the purpose of knowing when to plant crops. Hence it was based on the lunar calendar between the Spring equinox and the Winter solstice. Because 12 Luner cycles equaling 354 days are shorter then the 365 plus days of the solar cycles, time keeping during the winter was ignored. Nature based agricultural festivals were then based on this time keeping scheme.
Calendars really began with efforts to merge the lunar cycles with the solar cycle. The calendar which the world uses today is based upon the Roman calendar introduced during the time of Julius Caesar which is a reform of earlier less accurate versions. It is called the Julian calendar and it took effect in the Roman empire on January 1, 45 BCE by a decree from Julius Caesar.
The Julian calendar has two types of years: a normal year of 365 days and a leap year of 366 days which occurs every 4th year. giving an average year that is 365.25 days long. That is more than the actual solar year value of approximately 365.2422 days which means the Julian calendar gains one day every 129 years. In other words, the Julian calendar gains 3.1 days every 400 years.
The Romans preserved the shell of the lunar system by labeling the key phases of the moon within the new months. These are:
Nones - first quarter, religious festivals can safely start after this event
Ides - full moon occurring 8 days after the first quarter.
Kalend - new moon, All the Kalends were sacred to Juno.
The Roman week or nundinal period was eight days which is indicated in all the calendars by the letters A to H. The Nundinae were market days, on which the farmers came into Rome. Whether these should be considered as feast days (feriae) was a disputed question even in antiquity.
January became the first month of the year around turn of the millennium as Rome became an empire. The rationale for the transition from March to January is give by the Roman poet Ovid (43 BCE to 18 CE) (Fasti, ii 47 foll.)
In Latin
In English
The deity Janus was the deity of transitions who was often thought of as a gate or door. Hence this property of being transitional was thought more appropriate throughout the empire for representing the start of the year.
(February 1, 2024) Akkadian MuR meaning" Rainstorms/Storms" as an epithet for conflict
March 1 Kalends/New Moon, Emotional: Feriae Marti (Festival of Mars) - Patriotic parade of the 12 bronze shields (ancilia) lead by the Salli (young leaping/dancing warrior priests of Mars). The shields seem to have been left on display for about a week.
March 7: Vediovi (Widows) - honoring widows of fallen soldiers
March 9: Moving the 12 bronze ancilia shields back to temple storage
March 14, Emotional: Feriae Marti (Festival of Mars)
March 14 Emotional: Equirria (for the Nobility, the equestrian class) On this day the sacred fire of Vesta was renewed, and fresh laurels fixed on the Regia (House of chief priest), the Curiae (courthouse), and the houses of the flamens (lead priests for each of the deities having temples in Rome).
March 19 Purification: Quinquatrus - This is the 5th day after the Ides by Roman inclusive numbering scheme , that is, 3 days separate the Ides and Quinquatrus. 3 days defines the spiritual separation between events. Hence the time is now right for purification rites after the emotional celebrations. This is when the temple of Minerva was consecrated on this day.
March 19 Purification, Serious: Feriae Marti (Festival of Mars)
March 23 Emotional: Tubilustrium (Tubas) - Roman tubas were horns used to call public assemblies. This was a time of preparation for various public committees to meet the next day.
March 15 Emotional: Feriae Annae Perennae (Perennial Anna's Feast) - Anna Perennae seems to be a personification of the circle (Latin annus) of life probably referring to the concept of reincarnation.
March 17 Emotional: Liberalia Agonia (Liberation from struggle) - Ritual celebrating the spring equinox with the end of winter food struggles.
Calendar Months from: Fowler, W. Warde (1899) The Roman Festivals of the Period of the Republic - An Introduction to the Study of the Romans. MacMillan and Co, Limited. London, New York. Online at: https://archive.org/details/romanfestivalsof00fowluoft/romanfestivalsof00fowluoft/page/74/mode/2up
(February 1, 2024) Akkadian A.PaR.L meaning "Those.Forces.Not-having" or "Those not having forces" as a description of non-motion powers, that is, the life powers.
April 1 Kalends/New Moon, Serious: Fortunae Virili (Luck with Men)
April 4: Matri Magnae (of the Great Mother) - This is the Anatolian goddess Cybele who was viewed as saving Rome from the Carthaginians after a stone sacred to her was imported into Rome in 204 BCE. The stone was placed in the temple of victory on this date.
April 4: Ludi Megalesiaci (Great Festival) - the festival honoring Cybele.
April 5 Nones: Fortunae publicae citeriori (Ritual bringing the state's luck closer)
April 12-19: Ludi Cereales (Games of grains/cereals) - This was a time of fun and games centered around planting. According to Roman author Ovid, a fox with a torch attached to its tail was set loose in the circus (large oval track for processions and races). This was a way in which the stubble left in the grain fields was set on fire to clear it for planting. This also killed any new weeds.
April 15, Emotional: Fordicidia - ritual in which a pregnant cow was sacrificed in Rome and each of its 30 ancient divisions. The calf fetus was then burned at an altar. This seems to be an ancient Indo-European ritual.
April 23, emotional: Vinalia (of Wine) - During this event large amounts of last years wine were consumed in order to motivate mating. This wine was stored or at least distributed from temples of Venus yet the magic crafters of Jupiter who would have represented the state (the Flamen Dialis) supervised this event. The earliest temple of Venus on Palatine hill was called Venus Erycina. Erycinae are a class of burrowing non-venomous snakes also known as sand boas who mainly lie in wait for rodents.
April 25, emotional: Robigalia - Robigo is a red rust disease which attacks wheat. Robigus was the spiritual personification of this plant rust. Sacrifices on animals accompanied by a festival occurred at this time. What these were exactly is unknown.
April 28-May 3, emotional: Ludi Florae (Festival of Flowers) - May Day, A festival to celebrate the first signs of fertility in the land. Ovid relates that sexuality was let loose by the copious amount of wine consumed. The prostitutes of Rome hailed this as their feast-day, as well as the Vinalia on the 23rd.
April 21, emotional: Parilia - This is a ritualized activity of cleaning out the stables once the animals have been set out to graze on spring grass. It is well described by Ovid whose description is summarized below:
Pales was a deity of shepherds, flocks and livestock. The primary Roman hill, the Palatine hill, was named for him. Akkadian Palu means "ruler" which includes ruling over animals. This is an epithet for the Druid hermaphrodite emotion/motion power deity Thu. Minerva is another epithet the Romans used for Thu which means "supporter of the shepherds" (Akkadian MN.RW) where "shepherds" can also mean "magic crafters."
Urban areas not having sheep or other livestock abstracted Parilia into a celebration of a person's birth city calling the event "natalis urbis" (city of birth).
Instead of incorporating livestock into the fire ritual they added bones to the fires. These community bone fires became the word "bonfire." In the center of Rome on the Palatine hill the ashes of the calves from Fordica were used instead of bones.
(February 1, 2024) Akkadian M.Y ("Fertility-Fluids.Not Affected by" or "Not being affected by fertility-fluids" as an epithet for those not physically alive by being connected to the life network)
May in Italy seems to have been a month of erratic unpredictable weather. This characteristic was applied to the unpredictability of death.
May 1 Kalends/New Moon: Laribus (for the Lares) - Lares were the spirits of place, often the protective spirits of home and family
May 9, 11, 13: Lemuria (Spirits of the Dead Still Walking the Earth) - this is some event dealing with those lost spirits
May 15 Emotional: Feriae Iovi Mereurio Maiae (Festival of Jupiter's mercurial May
May 21 Emotional: Agonia (struggle) - probably of family members after the death of a loved one
May 23 Emotional: Tubilustrium, Volcano - Roman tubas (tubilustrium) were horns used to call public assemblies. This was a time of preparation probably for unexpected death while remembering the sudden eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Pompei and Herculaneum.
May 25: Fortunae Publicae Populi Romani (Public Fortune of the Roman People) - An event about keeping luck for the Romans. It was the dedication-day of one of three temples of Fortuna on the Quirinal.
(February 1, 2024) Akkadian IN ("Moon-Eyed-Ones" which is an epithet for astrological magic crafters who attempt to affect fate)
June 1 Kalends/New Moon: Iunoni Monetae (Money of June) - apparently and event to promote the good fortune of wealth
June 3: Bellonae in circo (Bellona at the circle) - An event about keeping the good fortune of peaceful relations with outsiders. Bellona was a goddess who had a temple at an outside gate of Rome which was used to receive ambassadors of unallied people. She was often shown as a warrior to symbolize the strength of Rome.
June 5: Dio Fidio in colle (Fidelity to the divinity on the hill) - this is an event promoting fidelity to the divine powers on "the hill" which is presumably the palatine hill. Fidelity promoted favor from the gods.
June 8: Menti in Capitolio (Minds in the Capital) - event about promoting the good fortune of intelligence among the Roman leadership
June 9: Vestalia (for the Vestals) - this is an event promoting the health and well being of the Vestals, Rome's official community daughters. These priestesses, the Vestal Virgins, were tasked with keeping an eternal fire. This derived from the ancient practice of having the community's daughters keep a central fire going to use as a starting fire for any family who needed to restart their own fire.
June 11: Matralia (Mothers Holiday) - an event promoting successful motherhood
June 13 emotional Ides/Full Moon: Fariae Iove (Festival of Jupiter) - Jupiter was the main god of early Rome.
June 18 Annae Sacrum (Sacred Anna) - Anna seems to be a personification of the circle (Latin annus) of life probably referring to the concept of reincarnation.
June 20: Summano ad circum maximum (Summer at the Circus Maximus) - Summanos was a god whose characteristics are unknown because a statue of his was hit by lighting. The temple of Summanus in Rome was dedicated during the Pyrrhic War c. 278 BCE. It stood at the west of the Circus Maximus, perhaps on the slope of the Aventine. Summanos later became notorious when one of his statues on the roof of some temple was struck by a lightning. This event overshadowed all other discussions about him in our sparse historical sources although he must have represented the mid-summer solstice.
June 24: Forti Fortunae (Strong Fortune) - an event about promoting the fortunes of Rome
(February 1, 2024) The was soon to be renamed July after Julius Caesar. Harvests begin. The wheat harvest in Italy occurs between late June and early July.
July 5, emotional: Poplifugia (the fleeing people) - This likely relates to the fact that during harvest time everyone in the villages goes out into the fields to bring in the crops. In 42 BCE the Senate passed a decree that Caesar's birthday should be celebrated on this day.
July 6-13: Ludi Apolli Nares (Games of Apollo's Nostrils) - Apollo was the connective life god represented by the sun (Druid Hu). Breath represents him incorporating emotion/motion powers (spirit). So this is an event promoting an active life power during harvest apparently to avoid destructive pestilence from rodents and insects).
July 7, Nones: Nonae Caprotinae (9th goat) - this is probably an epithet for a scapegoat. This is not found on the oldest calendar fragments yet is likely relates to a ceremony driving evil from the fields near harvest time.
July 9: Vitulatio (of the calves or herd) - an event for promoting livestock births.
(Lucaria is equivalent to the August 1 Lammas Celebration in Northern Europe)
July 14-19: Mereatus (Deserved) - preparation leading up to the main harvest festival of Lucaria.
July 18: Deis Aliensis (Alien gods) - probably thanking alien gods for not interfering
July 19, emotional: Lucaria - Apparently the main harvest festival of the month. This seems to be the Akkadian phrase L.KaR (Lack.Reduction) so this event celebrates a full harvest not reduced by any negative influences.
July 21, emotional: Lucaria - probably a continuation of the first Lucaria.
July 23: Neputunalia (for the lakes/sea) - celebrating the harvest from these sources.
July 25, emotional: Furrinalia - "Fa" is Indo-European meaning to protect and feed. So this must be the final feast of thanksgiving for the month.
July 30: Fortunae huiusque diei in campo (Fortunes of this day in the fields) - event celebrating or promoting harvest luck
(February 1, 2024) The was eventually renamed August after Augustus Caesar. This was the month in which the summer fruits and vegetables were harvested.
August 1 Kalends/New Moon: Spei ad forum holitorium (Hope for the forum's vegetables)
August 5 Nones: Saluti in collo Quir (Keeping safe on the capable roads) - capable roads are the roads which can accommodate trade carts.
August 8: Soli Indigiti in colle Quir (Only for the indigent on the capable roads)
August 12: Herculi invicto ad circus maximus (Invincible Hercules at the circle maximus) - Event involving Hercules protecting the food supply
August 13 emotional Eides/Full Moon: Feriae Iove, Dianae in Aventino, Vortumino in Aventino (Celebrations of Jupiter, Diana in Avento, and Vortumino in Avento) - Vortumino ins Akkadian WR.TaM meaning Dawn's.life-curse. Dawn is the time when motion powers were thought to affect life powers. So this is a festival celebrating Jupiter's ability to keep the life powers represented by Diana from being cursed by the motion powers.
August 17, Emotional: Portunalia - possibly and event involving ports and harbor trade
August 19, FP: Vinalia - Event involving the grape harvest and vinegar. Also possibly brand new wine.
August 21, emotional: Consualia (Custom holiday) - what this involves in unknown. It seems to be something situational. This also occurs in December just before Saturnalia.
August 23, emotional: Volcanalia - This is a fire festival represented by the Indo-European god Vulcan. This is the hottest time of the year in Italy.
August 25, emotional: Opiconsivia - An event involving agricultural overseers and planners ("Opicons")
August 27, Emotional: Volternalia - Volter means "to turn" in Latin so this event marks the turning of the harvest season into the season of plenty.
(February 1, 2024)
September 4-12: Ludi Romani (Games of Rome)
September 13, Ides/Full Moon: Iovi Epulum (Jupiter's Meal), Feriae Iovi (Festival of Jupiter) - A time of thanksgiving for a good harvest
September 14: Equorum Probatio (Trial of Horses)
September 15-19: Ludi Romani (Games of Rome)
September 2023: Mercatus (Annual Market) Fall Equinox
(February 2, 2024) This month is the end of the warring season so it deals with putting away the weapons of war.
Events of
October 1 Kalends/New Moon: Tigillo sororio ad compitum Aeili Fidei in Capitolio (Beams, a sister to quick crossings, Fidelity toward the Capitol) - What "Beams" is referencing is unknown. It may be wagon tongues or bridge elements, things having to do with quick transportation home.
October 5: Mundus patet (The world's appearance) - An event taking stock of Rome's security situation
October 7 Nones: Iovi fulguri Iunoni Curriti in campo (Jupiter's lightning Juno running from the field)
October 11 emotional: Meditrinalia (Mediterranean Holiday) - This was an event involving drinking new and old wine for healing disabilities from being away. Varros says this: "In the month of October on the Mediterranean days, ... the usual wine, new and old wine, was used as medicine to be tasted and tasted: that even now many are wont to do as they say: The new is the old I will drink wine, I will cure old disease with new wine." (L. L. vi. 22. Cp. Festus, 85)
October 13 emotional: Fontinalia (Fountain Holiday) - According toe Varro (L. L. vi. 22. Cp. Festus, 85) coins were thrown into fountains on this day. This seems to be the source of that practice which continues to this day.
October 15 Ides/Full Moon: Feriae Iovi (Festival of Jupiter) - also with the sacrifice of the October horse - This horse was a war horse and its sacrifice ended the waring season.
October 19 emotional: Armilusrium (Armory) - an event dealing with putting away and properly storing the weapons of war
(February 2, 2024)
November 4-17: Ludi Plebeii (Games of the Farmers)
November 13 emotional Eides/Full Moon: Feriae Iove, Iove epulum (Feast of Jupiter, Jupiter's food), Feroniae in campo (Feasts in the fields), Fortunae Primigeniae in colle (Luck for the first peoples on the hill, that is, the original Romans)
November 14: Equorum probatio (Testing of horses)
November 20 Mereatus (Meritorious)
(February 2, 2024)
December 1 Kalends/New Moon: Neptuno Pietati (Neptune's Piety), Fortunae Inuliebri (Luck of the Inuliebri) -"Inuliebri" is not a Latin word so it must be the Akkadian phrase IN.L.IB.R meaning "moon-eye.administer.See" or "Moon-eye (Druid dark new moon god Su) sees the administration-of-fate. This was a day promoting their luck in keeping Neptune's ground water flowing.
December 3 Sacrae Bonae Deae (Sacredness of the Good-Deeds from the Goddesses) - This would be a life power goddess (probably the Druid crescent moon goddess Ayu) which brings fertility to the land.
December 5 or 9 Nones: Faunalia rustica (Rural Animal Holiday) - this would be an event promoting the preservation of animals through the winter. Roman poet Horace (65-8 BCE) (iii, 3) wrote a poem about this holiday in which all animals live together in harmony under the powers of the personified animal god Faune: "He plays with the grassy cattle in every field, December returned with thee on the Ninth; The festival is spent in the meadows with idleness, With the oxen of the village; The wolf wanders among the brave lambs; ..."
December 8: Timberine in Insula (Timberine on the island) Timberine is another non-Latin word which must be the Akkadian phrase TM.BR.IN meaning "Life-curse.See.Moon-eye" or "Life-curses seen by the Moon-Eye (Druid dark new moon god Su)." The astrological magic crafters must have had a temple on an island in the middle of the Tiber.
December 11 emotional: Agonia (struggle) - the winter struggle of survival begins
December 12: Telluri et Cereri in Ceriuis (Terra and Ceres with beeswax candles) - An event involving the Indo-European elemental earth god Terra and the Druid life manifestation goddess Ceres who opens up the processes to manifest life on earth.
December 15 emotional: Consualia (Custom holiday) - what this involves in unknown. It seems to be something situational. It also occurs in August.
December 17 emotional: Saturnalia (Holiday of Saturn) - Ringing out the old year after the last of this year's olives had been processed. This was a time when the farmer's market was closed so it was also a time of one last feast and well wishes for getting through the winter. While this was not the winter solstice it had most of the activities seen at Christmas today.
December 19: Opalia - involving the Indo-European root "op" meaning to work together.
December 21 emotional: Divalia (Holiday of the Divine)
December 23 emotional: Laurentalia (Lares entering holiday) - probably an event re-welcoming the household protection deities back into the house after summer absences.