Mesopotamian Calendar

The Mesopotamians were the inventors of both astrology and astronomy who created the first Zodiac based on the lunar cycles, which was divided into twelve months.   Because the lunar calendar has about 354 days and a year is made up of about 365 days, the calendar fell out of sync with the seasons.   In order to correct this problem the Priest-King, with the advice of a royal astronomer-scribe, would add an additional month around every three or four years, which came after either Ulûlu or Addaru .   These scribes were called tupšar Enûma Anu Enlil by the Babylonians (“followers of Enuma Anu Enlil”—a collection of celestial omens), and were able to plot the movements of the planets, stars, and heavenly bodies with an amazing degree of accuracy.   This knowledge was likewise used to divine omens foretell the future.   The scribes compiled detailed diaries recording information about events on earth and in the heavens, which could be referenced by later astronomers to aid in the interpretation of their own observations and records.   Those knowledgeable in these areas have come to be called Chaldeans; however, Chaldea was originally a specific city-state that was made up of “New Babylonians” who had displaced the Semitic peoples that had taken power in the area.

 

The Mesopotamians were also the first to record celebrations such as the Sabbats, which were held in accordance with the lunar calendar.    The very word Sabbat (or Sabbath) derives from the Assyrian word Sabattu, which means “a day of rest for the heart,” while the Akkadian equivalent meant “a day of completion of labor.”

 

The following is a table of correspondences for the Babylonian calendar:

Babylonian	Jewish	Persian	Approx. Julian
Nisannu	Nisan	Adukanaiŝa	March/April
Aiaru	Iyyar	Thûravâhara	April/May
Simanu	Siyan	Thâigaciš	May/June
Du’ûzu	Tammuz	Garmapada	June/July
Âbu	Ab	Turnabaziš	July/August
Ulûlu	Elul	Karbašiyaš	August/September
(Second Ulûlu—Approx. every 17 years.)
Tašrîtu	Tishri	Bâgayâdiš	September/October
Arahsamna	Marheshvan	Markâsanaš	October/November
Kislîmu	Kisley	Âçiyâdiya	November/December
Tebêtu	Tebeth	Anâmaka	December/January
Šabatu	Shebat	Samiyamaš	January/February
Addaru	Adar	Viyaxana	February/March
(Second Addaru—Approx. every 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, and 19 years; after which the count starts over.)

 

Written by
Lord Awen Eldorath
High Priest-Cove of Light
High Priest - ORRAR - Mother Goddess Gnostic Society

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