How the months of the year were structured
The Anglo-Saxon year was divided into 12 lunar/solar months. A lunar cycle however, is only about 29.5 days long, which results in a 354 day year. Every few years they would have a 13 month year to re-align the lunar and solar cycles. This extra month was always put into the summer season.
The year began on the 25th of December, a day of celebrating the goddesses and was know as Modranecht, Mothers Night. This festival was in the season of Geola (this word later became the more familiar Yule), which started at the winter solstice and ended 12 days later.
Aefterra Geola |
After Geola |
Solmonath |
Usually known as Mud month, but was more to do with the name of the cakes that were made at this time as offerings to the gods than actual mud. |
Hrethmonath |
This was the month of the goddess Hretha, who was said to battle winter. |
Eostremonath |
This was the month of the goddess Eostre |
Thrimilci |
This month literally means three milkings, cows could now be milked three times a day |
Aerra Litha |
Litha was a time of calm and gentle weather, ideal for sailing. Aerra, once again meaning, before. There is some speculation that Litha means the summer solstice as the naming of this month and the next would then mimic the months surrounding Geola. However there is no known word in the Anglo-Saxon language to link the meaning of Litha to the sun, so it can only remain speculation. |
Aefterra Litha |
The month after Litha |
Weodmonath |
This means month of the weeds |
Haligmonath |
Holy Month, and a month of offering to the gods in thanks for the harvest. |
Winterfylleth |
The month that marks the end of summer and the start of winter. It is thought that winter officially started on the first full moon of this month |
Blotmonath |
Blood or sacrifice month |
Aerra Geola |
The month before Geola |
There were only two seasons to the Anglo-Saxon year, summer and winter, the months of which are shown below:
SUMMER |
WINTER |
Eostremonath |
Winterfylleth |
Thrimilci |
Blotmonath |
aerra Litha |
aerra Geola |
summer solstice |
winter solstice |
aefterra Litha |
aefterra Geola |
Weodmonath |
Solmonath |
Haligmonath |
Hrethmonath |