Druid/Indo-European Zodiac Constellations/Months (Monaths, Tungels)

(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)

Anglo-Saxon Name: Giuli (Other Latin copy: Giuli)
Akkadian Phrase: G.IW.U.LY meaning time when "Energy is redirected by the layout (of 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

2) February

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

3) March (Spring Equinox Month)

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

4) April

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

5) May

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

6) June (Summer Solstice Month)

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

7) July

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

8) August

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

9) September (Autumn Equinox Month)

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

10) October

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

11) November

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

12) December (Winter Solstice Month)

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

Since the earth's axis swings in a circle of 26000 years, the ecliptic position also changes in the sky. As a result, the time of the Sun arriving at a constellation would delay about one month every 2000 years.

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

Druid/Indo-European Constellations

(January 11, 2025) While these are Druid Akkadian phrases they have been condensed into their later Anglo-Saxon/Norse names. Star chart from: https://in-the-sky.org/data/constellations_map_equ110112.png

Hreth is the Greek constellation Leo
Litha is the Greek constellation Taurus
Haleg is the Greek constellation Ophiucus and Scorpio (It has the large antlers or claws. The Greek name Ophiucus means “serpent bearer” so it also represents Kate/Hekate)
Guili is the Greek constellation Aquarius plus the circle in Pieces for its head

Notice the Druid/Indo-European months/Zodiac signs are about 3 months out of phase with today's Zodiac. Since the earth's axis swings in a circle of 26000 years, the ecliptic position also changes in the sky. As a result, the time of the Sun arriving at a constellation would delay about one month every 2000 years. This means the Druid/Indo-European months were defined about 4000 BCE, about the time the Indo-Europeans were entering Europe and when the largest stone henges (like Stonehenge) were built.

Kate/Hekate was associated with the claw of Scorpio (in red). (constellation Ophiuchus). We can only speculate on why this is so. In the Anglo-Saxon set of constellations this is the constellation of the Haleg the stag where the claw was seen as a large antler. This constellation represented the Autumn Equinox month of September. The word "Haleg" in Akkadian is Ḫ.AL.EG meaning time of "Hu and Alu's neglect"

A Clawed Roman Selene, Ayu, Kate/Hekate Triple Goddess 100s CE

Roman carved gem (heliotrope) with lobster (Scorpio) claws. Notice that the gem is mostly black. Now at British Museum

Label is Druid Akkadian sentence Mu IRu Ṣu meaning "Fertility-fluids are activated by astrological-fate-powers." This text confirms these sort of double and triple goddess seals represent the integrations of life with motion/emotion powers.

Classical Sources Linking Kate/Hekate with Torches and a Constellation

(January 12, 2025)

Hesiod, Theogony 404 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.) : "Asteria (starry-one) of happy name, whom Perses once led to his great house to be called his dear wife. And she conceived and bore Hekate (Hecate) whom Zeus the son of Kronos (Cronus) honoured above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honour also in starry heaven, and is honoured exceedingly by the deathless gods.
Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 19 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th or 6th B.C.) : "Queenly Deo wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands [after the abduction of Persephone] . . . But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hekate, with a torch in her hands, met her . . . [and] sped swiftly with her, holding flaming torches in her hands. So they came to Helios (the Sun), . . . and stood in front of his horses"
Sappho or Alcaeus, Fragment 23 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric I) (Greek lyric C6th B.C.) : "[Hekate] the golden-shining attendant of Aphrodite." [N.B. As a goddess of the night Hekate is here associated with Aphrodite, for intercourse is more often than not a nighttime activity.]
Bacchylides, Fragment 1B (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric IV) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) "Torch-bearing Hekate holy daughter of great-bosomed Nyx (Night)."
Orphic Hymn 1 to Hecate (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) : "Hekate . . . pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade . . . nightly seen."
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3. 840 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) : "Propitiating the only-begotten Maiden (Koure mounogeneia) [Hekate] with a midnight offering . . . Brimo [Hekate], nurse of youth (kourotrophos), Brimo, night-wanderer of the underworld (nyktipolis khthonie), Queen of the dead (anassa eneroi)."
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3. 1194 ff : "Hekate Brimo . . . hearing his words from the abyss, came up . . . She was garlanded by fearsome snakes that coiled themselves round twigs of oak; the twinkle of a thousand torches lit the scene; and hounds of the underworld barked shrilly all around her."
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 55 ff : "[Selene the Moon laments :] ‘How many times . . . have you [the witch Medea ] disorbed me with your incantations, making the night moonless so that you might practice your beloved witchcraft undisturbed.’" [N.B. Hekate gave witches with the power to draw the moon down from the sky.]
Ovid, Metamorphoses 7. 162 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) : "In the deep stillness of the midnight hour . . . she [Medea] stretched her arms to the stars . . . ‘O Nox (Night) [Nyx], Mother of Mysteries, and all ye golden Astra (Stars) who with Luna (the Moon) [Selene] succeed the fires of day, and thou, divine three-formed (triceps) Hecate, who knowest all my enterprises and dost fortify the arts of magic.’"
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 403 ff : "Out of Erebos and Chaos she [the witch] called Nox (Night) [Nyx] and the Gods of Night (Di Nocti) and poured a prayer with long-drawn wailing cries to Hecate."
Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 7. 515 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) : "Hecate, queen of the night."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44. 198 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) : "Dionysos waited for darksome night, and appealed in these words to circle Mene (Moon) in heaven : ‘O daughter of Helios (the Sun), Mene (Moon) of many turnings, nurse of all! O Selene, driver of the silver car! If thou art Hekate of many names, if in the night thou doest shake thy mystic torch in brand carrying hand, come night wanderer, nurse of puppies because the nightly sound of the hurrying dogs is thy delight with their mournful whimpering.’"

Reference

Thoi.com at: https://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/HekateGoddess.html

The Anglo-Saxon Months as Described by Bede (673-735 CE)

(April 6, 2024, Updated January 11, 2025) Zodiac houses, like planetary deities, seem to have been a characteristic of the Indo-European culture. Yet because Druid culture had the concept of astrological fate powers they two ideas seem to have merged prior to Druid literacy.

"Monath" is an Akkadian phrase M'.N.A.Ṭ meaning "Pushing the revelations resulting from Thu." Thu is the motion/emotion power manifestation deity. Revelations are generally the revelations of fate from the astrological fate powers which Thu would manifest. So a month represents a zodiac house which pushes its own astrological revelation.

In olden times the English people - for it did not seem fitting to me that Ishould speak of other nations’ observances of the year and yet be silentabout my own nation’s - calculated their months according to thecourse of the Moon. /330/ Hence, after the manner of the Greeks andthe Romans, [the months] take their name from the Moon, for theMoon is called mona and the month monath.
The first month, which the Latins call January, is Giuli; February iscalled Solmonath; March Hrethmonath; April, Eosturmonath; May,Thrimilchi; June, Litha; July, also Litha; August, Weodmonath;September, Halegmonath; October, Winterfilleth; November, Blodmo-nath; December, Giuli, the same name by which January is called. Theybegan the year on the 8th kalends of January [25 December], when wecelebrate the birth of the Lord. That very night, which we hold sosacred, they used to call by the heathen word Modranecht, that is,‘‘mother’s night’’, because (we suspect) of the ceremonies they enactedall that night.
Whenever it was a common year, they gave three lunar months toeach season. When an embolismic year occurred (that is, one of 13 lunarmonths) they assigned the extra month to summer, so that three monthstogether bore the name ‘‘Litha’’; hence they called [the embolismic] year‘‘Thrilithi’’. It had four summer months, with the usual three for theother seasons. But originally, they divided the year as a whole into twoseasons, summer and winter, /331/ assigning the six months in whichthe days are longer than the nights to summer, and the other six towinter. Hence they called the month in which the winter season began‘‘Winterfilleth’’, a name made up from ‘‘winter’’ and ‘‘full Moon’’,because winter began on the full Moon of that month.
Nor is it irrelevant if we take the trouble to translate the names of theother months. The months of Giuli derive their name from the daywhen the Sun turns back [and begins] to increase, because one of [thesemonths] precedes [this day] and the other follows. Solmonath can becalled ‘‘month of cakes’’, which they offered to their gods in that month.Hrethmonath is named for their goddess Hretha, to whom they sacri-¢ced at this time. Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated‘‘Paschal month’’, and which was once called after a goddess of theirsnamed Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month.Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys ofthe new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance. Thri-milchi was so called because in that month the cattle were milked threetimes a day; such, at one time, was the fertility of Britain or Germany,from whence the English nation came to Britain. Litha means ‘‘gentle’’or ‘‘navigable’’, because in both these months the calm breezes aregentle, and they were wont to sail upon the smooth sea. Weodmonathmeans ‘‘month of tares’’, /332/ for they are very plentiful then. Halegmo-nath means ‘‘month of sacred rites’’. Winterfilleth can be called by theinvented composite name ‘‘winter-full’’. Blodmonath is ‘‘month ofimmolations’’, for then the cattle which were to be slaughtered wereconsecrated to their gods. Good Jesu, thanks be to thee, who hastturned us away from these vanities and given us [grace] to offer to theethe sacrifice of praise. (Pages 53 to 54)

References

Bede mentioned Yule in chapter 40 of his book "The Reckoning of Time." entitled "of the Months of the English." Online at: http://www.nabkal.de/beda/beda_15.html

Caput XV: De mensibus Anglorum

Antiqui autem Anglorum populi (neque enim mihi congruum videtur, aliarum gentium annalem observantiam dicere, et meae reticere) iuxta cursum lunae suos menses computavere; unde et a luna Hebraeorum et Graecorum more nomen accipiunt. Si quidem apud eos luna mona, mensis monath appellatur.
Primusque eorum mensis, quidem Latini Januarium vocant, dicitur Giuli. Deinde Februarius Sol-monath, Martius Rhed-monath, Aprilis Eostur-monath, Maius Thrimylchi, Junius Lida, Julius similiter Lida, Augustus Vueod-monath, September Haleg-monath, Oktober Vuinter-fylleth, November Blod-monath, December Giuli, eodem Januarius nomine, vocatur. Incipiebant autem annum ab octavo Calendarum Januariarum die, ubi nunc natale Domini celebramus. Et ipsam noctem nunc nobis sacrosanctum, tunc gentili vocabulo Modranicht, id est, matrum noctem, appellabant, ob causam, ut suspicamur. ceremoniarum quas in ea pervigiles agebant.
Et quotiescunque communis esset annus, ternos menses lunares singulis anni temporibus dabant. Cum vero embolismus, hoc est, XIII mensium lunarium annus occurreret, superfluum mensem aestati apponebant, ita ut tunc tres menses simul Lida nomine vocarentur, et ob id annus ille Thri-lidi cognominabatur, habens IV menses aestatis, ternos ut semper temporum caeterorum.
Item principaliter annum totum in duo tempora, hyemis, videlicet, et aestatis dispartiebant, sex illos menses quibus longiores noctibus dies sunt aestati tribuendo, sex reliquos hyemi. Unde et mensem quo hyemalia tempora incipiebant Vuinter-fylleth appellabant, composito nomine ab hyeme et plenilunio, quia videlicet a plenilunio eiusdem mensis hyems sortiretur initium.
Nec ab re est si et caetera mensium eorum quid significent nomina interpretari curemus. Menses Giuli a conversione solis in auctum diei, quia unus eorum praecedit, alius subsequitur, nomina accipiunt. Sol-monath dici potest mensis placentarum, quas in eo diis suis offerebant; Rhed-monath a deo illorum Rheda, cui in illo sacrificabant, nominatur; Eostur-monath, qui nunc paschalis mensis interpretetur, quondam a dea illorum quae Eostre vocabatur, et cui in illo festa celebrabant, nomen habuit, a cuius nomine nunc paschale tempus cognominant; consueto antiquae observationis vocabulo gaudia novae solemnitatis vocantes.
Tri-milchi dicebatur, quod tribus vicibus in eo per diem pecora mulgebantur. Talis enim erat quondam ubertas Britanniae, vel Germaniae, de qua in Britanniam natio intravit Anglorum. Lida dicitur blandus, sive navigabilis, quod in utroque mense et blanda sit serenitas aurarum, et navigari soleant aequora. Vueod-monath mensis zizaniorum, quod ea tempestate maxime abundent. Halegh-monath mensis sacrorum. Vuinter-fylleth potest dici composito novo nomine hyemeplenilunium. Blot-monath mensis immolationum, quia in ea pecora quae occisuri erant diis suis voverent. Gratias tibi, bone Jesu, qui nos, ab his vanis avertens, tibi sacrificia laudis offere donasti.

But the Latin Source for Bede Has Slightly Different Spellings for the Months

(January 11, 2025)

Chapter 40 Of the Months of the English

But the ancient people of the English (for it does not seem appropriate to me to say the annals of other nations, and to withhold mine) reckoned their months according to the course of the moon; whence they take their name from the moon, after the manner of the Hebrews and Greeks. If, indeed, among them the moon is a moon, the month is called monath.
And the first of their months, indeed the Latins call January, is called Giuli. Then February Sol-monath, March Rhed-monath, Aprilis Eostur-monath, Maius Thrimylchi, Junius Lida, Julius likewise Lida, Augustus Vueod-monath, September Haleg-monath, Oktober Vuinter-fylleth, November Blod-monath, December Juli, in the same His name is January. And they began the year from the eighth day of the calendar of January, when we now celebrate the birthday of the Lord. And the night itself, which is now sacred to us, was then called by the gentiles by the term Modranicht, that is, the mother night, for the reason that we suspect it. of the ceremonies which the watchmen performed in it.
Also, in the main, they divided the whole year into two seasons, namely, winter and summer, assigning those six months in which the nights and days are longer to summer, and the remaining six to winter. Hence the month in which the winter season began was called Vuinter-fylleth, a compound name from winter and the full moon, because it was the full moon of the same month that marked the beginning of the winter.
Nor is it out of the question if we take care to interpret the names of the rest of their months as well. The Julian months, from the revolution of the sun to the length of the day, because one of them precedes and another follows, receive names. Sol-month may be called the month of the cakes, which they offered to their gods in it; Rhed-monath is named after their god Rheda, to whom they sacrificed there; Eostur-month, which is now interpreted as the month of Easter, once had a name from their goddess, who was called Eostre, and in whom they celebrated festivals, from whose name they now call the Easter season. calling the joys of the new solemnity by the usual term of the ancient observance.
It was called the tri-milchi, because the cattle were milked in it three times a day. For such was once the wealth of Britain, or of Germany, that the nation of the English entered into Britain. Lida is said to be pleasant, or navigable, because in both months the calmness of the winds is pleasant, and the seas are used to sail. Vueod-month of the month of weeds, which are most abundant in that weather. Halegh-monath, the holy month. Vuinter-fylleth may be said to be compounded of the new name of winter-full moon. Blot-Monath, the month of the sacrifices, because in it the cattle that were to be killed were vowed to their gods. Thank you, good Jesus, who, turning us away from these vain things, gave you sacrifices of praise.

References

"The Saturnalia." Online at: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/L/Roman/Texts/Macrobius/Saturnalia/1*.html

Graphical representation of the “Nordic” quarters in the year’s cycle, which occurred about four weeks after the astronomical solstices and equinoxes. (Quote from page 36 of Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

Quarter Festival Dates in the Julian calendar. Read as day/month. (Quote from page 42 of Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

Converting those quarter festival dates from the Julian calendar of that era to dates of the modern Gregorian calendar.

The Quarter Festivals Introduced With the Fixed Roman Julian Calendar After 1200 BCE

(April 6, 2024) With the sun-fixed months of the Julian calendar the quarter festivals were developed to better align with the climate.

In addition to the quarterly division that followed the annual division of the Julian calendar which may possibly have coincided with the astronomical solstices and the equinoxes in the pre-ecclesiastical time reckoning, reminiscences are found of another quarterly system in the Nordic countries. This annual division also seems to have been of importance to both the legal and the religious organizations. (Quote from page 35 of Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

Pre-Christian Yule-months are found in Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon and Gothic sources. During the first century AD the Goths inhabited the lands surrounding the mouth of the river Wisla, south of the Baltic Sea, while the Angles and Saxons inhabited the areas around the present Danish-German border. This, together with the Nordic examples, presents a concentrated geographical area containing evidence of the Nordic, Anglo-Saxon and Gothic Yule-months. (Quote from page 23 of Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

How the Names of Two Early Nordic Months Were Found

(April 6, 2024) Quote from Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006) Chapter 1

When in 1927 the collection of dialect words in upper Dalarna was started and one of the sent out questionnaires asked for old month names. From several parishes, answers were received which showed that time according to old popular reckoning could be measured with the help of the moon's course in the firmament. It appeared that the lunar months that were remembered occurred mainly during the first quarter of the year. The names of the lunar months could differ somewhat in different parishes and with different informants, but two lunar months kept repeating the same name. The first of these was called jultungel and the other was called distingstungel. (Quote from chapter 1 of Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

Tungle is the Akkadian phrase T.UN.G.EL meaning "Astrology-magic's resistance with life-energy. Yet tradition uses it as a word for "month" or for a house in the zodiac, the path which the life giving sun moves through the astrological night sky. "Tungel" most likely meaning is the later.

When was the Pagan Calendar Replaced by the Christian Roman Calendar?

It probably took a relatively long time, maybe as long as 150 to 200 years, to the level that the Nordic countries officially had Christian holidays and the Julian calendar was taken seriously by ordinary men with the intention of carrying out a regular events. It is usually assumed that the change took place room in the middle of the 12th century. (Quote from page 24 of Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

(April 7, 2024) A Yule Full Moon

The earliest calendars were fixed into year by one of the sun's equinox's or solstices (usually winter solstice). The months themselves were then counted down relative to that time by the new moons after that events Consequently, the full moons then always occurred on the 13th day of the month. (this is the source of the unlucky number 13 and is the Ides in the Roman calendar). The months were then counted down until harvest time. Not until the Roman Julian calendar which fixed everything to the sun cycle were the fall months added

Abstract of Book "Yule, Disthing and pre-Julian Time-Reckoning - Calendars and Calendric Rituals in pre-Christian Scandinavia" by Andreas Nordberg

(April 7, 2024, Updated January 10, 2025) This 2006 book by Andreas Nordberg is the most detailed investigation into this Nordic month question to date. A "Disablot" is a ritual festival (blot) aimed at keeping away the powers of fate (death). It is mentioned in Hervarar saga, Víga-Glúms saga, Egils saga and the Heimskringla. This book falls short from the author not knowing the Akkadian connection but it still provides insights.

Like most spiritual nouns in Norse, this phrase is Akkadian. Dísir as D.IŠ.IR means "manifesting confusion in the astrological-fate-powers." Blot as B.L'.T means "Nourishing the layout with astrology-magic." So "Disablot" is like a Trojan horse festival in which confusion is sown within the astrological fate powers. This sounds similar to Halloween. This is also called "Distings" from D.IŠ.T.IN.G meaning "manifesting confusion with astrology-magic's Moon-Eyed energy" where the "Moon-Eye is the dark new moon and motion source god Su.

The abstract of the book by Andreas Nordberg describes the Nordic Yule ritual-festival as Yule Tungel or the "High-power's astrology-magic resistance by energizing high-life-powers." (T.UN.G.EL means "Astrology-magic's resistance with life-energy). This is a more direct assault on the astrological-fate powers by confronting them with the life powers and explains the feasting tradition of Yule.

The books introduction is:

The study starts with a discussion of two ancient lunar months called Jultungel ‘Yule moon’ and Distingstungel ‘Dis-thing’s moon’. There is evidence of the Jultungel throughout the Nordic region – the earliest in a source dating from the 12th century, while the Distingstungel has been pre-served in local dialect in central Sweden. The author argues that both lunar months constitute remnants of a pre-Christian time-reckoning system. The Distingstungel is linked to the time of the major Disablot sacrifice in Uppsala and the Jultungel with the pre-Christian feast, Yule. Further, the Jultungel should be linked to the old Germanic month names: Jólmánuðr and Ylir in Old Norse, the Anglo-Saxon Giuli and Geola, and Gothic Jiuleis.
The study then discusses the calendric structure of the pre-Christian year. The argument is that there were two parallel calendars before the introduction of the Julian calendar. The weeks were calculated in a week year, in which each week was fixed to established dates in the solar year. The week year also determined the quarters of the year; the idea was that each quarter would start four weeks after the astronomical solstices and equinoxes. It is suggested that this week calendar was developed in conjunction with the Germanic peoples adopting Roman culture. Another (probably older) calendar was used alongside this week year and was based on lunar months that were linked to the solar year by being rectified in relation to the winter solstice. This lunisolar calendar seems to have dictated the time for several feast days, thing meetings and markets, and the author argues that the Jultungel and Distingstungel were originally part of this particular system. The pre-Christian Yule feast occurs at the first full moon after the first new moon following the winter solstice, while the disting took place at the third full moon according to the same method of calculation. The study concludes with three appendices; the first on etymological issues concerning the words jul and hokunótt, the second on identification of the enigmatic figure Mundilfœri in Old Norse mythology, and the third about the 300-year-old king, Aun, in Uppsala, mentioned by Olof Rudbeck in the late 17th century. (Quote from Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006).

References

Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006) Yule, Disthing and pre-Julian Time-Reckoning. Calendars and Calendric Rituals in pre-Christian Scandinavia. Acta Academiae Regiae Gustavi Adolphi 91. 169 pp. Uppsala. ISBN 91-85352-62-4.
Andreas Nordberg (Jan 1, 2006) Jul, disting och förkyrklig tideräkning - Kalendrar och kalendariska riter i det förkristna Norden. ACTA ACADEMIAE REGIAE GUSTAVI ADOLPHI 91. 169 pp. UPPSALA . Online at: https://www.academia.edu/1366945/Jul_disting_och_f%C3%B6rkyrklig_tider%C3%A4kning
Robert Sass (Feb 18, 2019) The Old Saxon Heathen Calendar. Online at: https://www.aldsidu.com/post/the-old-saxon-heathen-calendar

Yule as a Specific Festival Mentioned in Icelandic Egil's Saga (Written ~1150 CE about Events 200 Years Earlier

(May 17, 2024) This story is about a clan's coming to Iceland after being outlawed by King Harald of Norway. It came to focus on a clan member who, when young, was a spoiled brat with a quick temper named Egil. Because of his rashness he had lots of adventures and went on many raids which were no doubt exaggerated in the retelling. He ended up for a while in the service of King Athelstan of England where he was a successful field commander. His remaining life was full of more adventures and quarrels over property. The quote from this text is:

(Chapter 70) In the winter Egil went southwards to Sogn to collect his land-rents, staying there some time. After that he came north again to the Firths. Arinbjorn held a great Yule-feast, to which he bade his friends and the neighbouring landowners. There was there much company and good cheer. Arinbjorn gave Egil as a Yule-gift a trailing robe made of silk, and richly broidered with gold, studded with gold buttons in front all down to the hem. Arinbjorn had had the robe made to fit Egil's stature. Arinbjorn gave also to Egil at Yule a complete suit newly made; it was cut of English cloth of many colours. Friendly gifts of many kinds gave Arinbjorn at Yule to those who were his guests, for Arinbjorn was beyond all men open-handed and noble.

Reference

Green, Rev. W.W. (1893) An Icelandic Family History of the Ninth and Tenth Centuries, Translated from the Icelandic. LONDON: ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

https://sacred-texts.com/neu/egil/egil71.htm

Silver Drachma Shows Goddess Ayu from Stratonikeia Turkiye - 25 CE

(April 13, 2024, updated January 1, 2025) The goddess on this coin face is Ayu identified by the crescent moon above her head. Coin is 1.58 grams being 16 mm in diameter.

Ths coins should date to between 25 BCE and 25 CE based on the history of Stratonicea but its letter style is the earlier Aegean Island which existed prior to that Hellenistic era. Consequently, we must assume this choice of lettering was a deliberate ruse to convince people that this coin dated to an earlier time.

Translation in Akkadian (Text Med 62)

(read left to right (Counter-clockwise). Capital letters on stone. Inner vowels inferred)

Ṭu AGu YaYa ABu
KaYu Qu ARu

In English

Thu is being angered by the pain of the life-priests.
Prod the life-threads with the Motion-Controllers ( Su, Selene)

Reference

Numista Coin Catalog. Online at: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces152472.html

Reverse Side Of Stratonikeia Silver Drachma Shows Ayu and References Hekate - 25 CE

(April 13, 2024, updated January 1, 2025) The image shows a middle aged Ayu (identified by her wings) reaching out towards the 7-starred Pleiades constellation while holding a wheat stalk over her shoulder. The Pleiades represents the astrology-fate-powers. Stratonikeia had a temple devoted to the triple-road (Latin: Trivia) goddesses which are a reference to the life-power Druid goddesses of Kate/Hekate, Ayu, and Asher.

Translation in Akkadian (Text Med 62)

(read left to right (Counter-clockwise). Capital letters on stone. Inner vowels inferred)

Bu IRu A Ta'u
Nu IKu EṢu

In English

Nourishments for the astrological-fate-powers are a result of the pasture (starry night sky)
Revelations (of souls by Kate/Hekate) can be irrigated by the shedding.

Reference

Numista Coin Catalog. Online at: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces152472.html

Snow Leopard in Chauvet Cave, France 22,000 BCE

Snow leopards were common in Europe until the last ice age retreated around 10,000 BCE. Remains of leopards have been found across Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Caucasus. Photo from https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCENyy4XcAIMapF.jpg

Snow Leopard, Louisville Zoo, USA

Snow leopards now exist only in lands east of Europe suggesting their

Rok Runestone: Left Side Ogham

The bottom part just repeats the words "anointed" 19 times. This is a reference to emotion/motion magic rituals in which scented oils are used. This is in contrast to life power rituals which use waters for cleansing and purification.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:R%C3%B6kstenen08.JPG

Swedish Rok Runestone: Left Side View With Celtic Ogham Markings Lists Norse Pagan Nature Festivals (1100 CE)

(December 13, 2024, Updated January 10, 2025) The top part of the Celtic Ogham on this Swedish runestone lists the Pagan Nature festivals and provides the Viking interpretation of them.

List of The 4 Norse Festivals (Ogham Text 8)

The top part is a listing of the nature quarter festivals in Druid Akkadian (read from top to bottom). The first half of the year is a time of settling accounts while the second half is a time of feasting.

ᚃ ᚇ = ṢaDu = Feasting
ᚄ ᚈ = ŠeTu = Time
ᚁ ᚈ = ReTu = Settlements. (Spring Equinox, Celtic Ostara, Easter)
ᚃ ᚆ = ṢaḪu = Rendering
ᚁ ᚈ = ReTu = Settlements. (Summer Solstice, Mid-Summer, Celtic Litha)
ᚅ ᚈ = NaTu = Nature's
ᚃ ᚆ = ṢaḪu = Rendering
ᚃ ᚇ = ṢaDu = Feast. (Fall Equinox, Thanksgiving, Celtic Mabon,)
ᚂ ᚇ = PaDu = Breeding
ᚃ ᚇ = ṢaDu = Feast. (Winter Solstice, Celtic Yule, Christmas)

This means the 4 Norse Festivals can be summarized as:

Spiritual Settlements - (Ostara): March 21, Spring Equinox
Worldly Settlements - (Litha): June 22, Summer Solstice
Spiritual Thanksgiving - (Haleg): September 21, Autumn Equinox
Worldly Thanksgiving - Yule (Giuli), December 22, Winter Solstice

"Nature's rendering" references the successful growth of plant-life. It is nature giving-up plant food. In contrast "Breeding" reference the successful production of young animals for food.

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