The people of Theligose use a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months, each beginning with the New Moon and lasting for 28 days. The name of each month is taken from the names which the
Khensu people used to refer to that month's Full Moon, though the names of some months have changed over time. These names are associated with natural events that occur at specific times of year.
Newborn Moon
So-called because it is the first month of the year. Some people suggest that the name also refers to the unusually high number of babies that are born during this month in some areas, perhaps because it falls roughly nine months after the Flood Moon
lunar festival. There is also a lunar festival during the Newborn Moon, when the inhabitants of Theligose welcome the New Year.
Hyena Moon
During this month food is scarce and the howling of hyenas, jackals and other scavengers can be heard. Superstition, and perhaps common sense, dictates that it is foolish to travel at night during the Hyena Moon.
Cloud Moon
The wettest month, the Cloud Moon is a poor time for travel due to heavy rains and winds as clouds are blown inland from the western seas.
Flood Moon
Following the rains of the Cloud Moon, rivers swell and burst their banks. This influx waters the land and nourishes crops, with a lunar festival being held to celebrate the coming of spring. Tides are also at their highest point of the year during this full moon.
Flower Moon
Plants bloom and crops rapidly grow during the Flower Moon. Though few people know it now, the Khensu called this month the Flower Moon because there is a particular
cactus, found in rocky areas of the desert and mountains, that only flowers at this time of year.
Moth Moon
The abundance of plants during this month leads to more insects, giving the Moth Moon its name. Also called the Cicada Moon because of the chirping insects that can be heard during the warm summer evenings.
Golden Moon
Known to farmers as the Harvest Moon for self-evident reasons, this month was originally called the Hunter's Moon due to the abundance of deer and other game animals, fattened from their feasting during earlier months. Long days and the bright moonlight mean that farmers and hunters can continue their work well into the night. The Golden Moon lunar festival is held to celebrate crops being gathered and the longest day of the year.
Viper Moon
Also called the Egg Moon, during this month snakes, lizards and other reptiles lay their eggs.
Mirage Moon
This month's name refers to the heat haze that can be seen in the desert by weary travellers as temperatures continue to climb.
Flame Moon
This moon occurs during the hottest month and is reddish in colour. Its name also refers to the wildfires that can occur, with desert grasses and plants burning due to the arid heat. A lunar festival is held during the Flame Moon and in some areas involves the practice of intentionally burning back the cut remains of harvested crops.
Cracked Moon
Though temperatures start to drop during this month, winds from the Red Sands bring sandstorms blowing across Theligose. As the most violent storms can be accompanied by thunder, lightning and huge hailstones, the name Cracked Moon is thought to refer to their destructive power, with crashing thunder that can be heard far across the desert and bolts of lightning splitting the darkened sky.
Cold Moon
As its name suggests, this month is the coldest time of year. It also has the longest nights. Sometimes called the Owl Moon as these birds can often be seen at dawn and dusk, hunting lizards and snakes that have grown sluggish in the chill temperatures. Also known as the Campfire Moon among the Khensu people, particularly the Jackal tribe, as it is a month when extended families gather together in preparation for the New Year festivities during the Newborn Moon lunar festival.
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