The Kingdom of Ecstasy
Page 24
The peoples of Dyjian enjoy a routine and predictable, albeit irregular, calendar. The six days of Dyjian reflect the common values of the Xei, the Kyusoa, and Humankind. For that reason the calendar is unique in that it combines Gyutic and Tswaa words take for example, the first day of the week, Schiivas, literally meaning 'A Day for Work.' Schii is the short form of Schiitevni, meaning 'At my task' in Tswaa'ii. It is shortened so that it may be joined with Vas, meaning 'Day-span' in Gyton. Hence, Schiivas.
The days and their meanings are as follows:
The months of Dyjian's calendar are broken down into nine weeks each month. This makes for a total of 54 days in a typical month, and because of the way that the weeks are done, each day will always correspond to a specific day-number in the month. For example:
Regardless of what month, the days corresponding with Schiivas will always be the 1st, 7th, 13th, so on and so forth. It is the same with all the days.
The calendar is divided into 27 months; 9 for the three seasons. The first season is Istapalmaureng, correlating loosely to Earth's spring. Istapalmaureng comes from two Gyutic words — Ista, a prefix meaning 'Start Anew'; and Palmaureng which means 'Celestial Dance.'
The nine months of Istapalmaureng are:
The second season can be likened to something like summer. Temperatures across Dyjian rise, and even Malzeyur, the Bog of Perpetual Rain, gets a little dryer. However, the new-growth aspects of Earthen-spring are still long into effect, even months into the second season. This is why the second season is called Dauremzgelpakte. And like the previous season, Dauremzgelpakte is a compound — Daure, meaning 'Promise'; Mzgel, 'Lengthsome'; and Pakte, 'Revival.' Hence the summer-like season of Dauremzgelpakte features brief spurts of autumn-like dormancy and natural decay.
The months of Dauremzgelpakte are:
In the final season, Dyjian does experience drops in temperature. Being a tropical planet, this drop is no where near as significant as what we know of Earth — that the world can go from near-boiling to below freezing in the northern and southern hemispheres. The world of Dyjian falls into what appears to be a quiet, peaceful — albeit deep — slumber. During this time, the dormancy of plant life is inescapeable, sewing of new crops is impossible, and for the next nine months, the indigenous rely on a surplus of gathered resources, as well as hunting to survive.
This is why the third season is called Nai-Yiim Suuleitaad, meaning 'I am Fatly Slumbering' in Tswaa'ii. It marks the waning of the celestial cycle — a full year having gone two-thirds by, and is a time primarily of enjoying the fruits of one's labors. Of course, this season is simply referred to as 'Withering'.
The months of this season are:
In relation to Earth's time, Dyjian's years are significantly longer. To compare the planets side-by-side is to suggest a fixed relativity in which an Earthling can comprehend a Dyjiling's perception of time. But, alas, because they exist in Yrell Aiene Tautom, we are unable to factually measure Dyjian's time in comparison to our own. Besides, what shared perception is there to be had between mortal men and men who live forever? We are defined by our brief number of years; they are delimited by something else entirely.
From S. R. Laubrea
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Thanks again,
Shiri. R. Laubrea