Sept

In this timeline's societies, the year is divided into 13 months of 28 days each, rather than the 12 months used in the Gregorian calendar of our world. As the 9th month in this 13-month system, Sept holds a special cultural and religious significance, being the time of the autumn equinox and the associated harvest festivals.

Calendar and Time Measurement

The 13-month calendar used in this world has several key differences from the Gregorian system:

• Each month has 28 days, for a total of 364 days in the year. An extra "leap day" is added every 4 years.
• The 13 months are named: Primo, Secundo, Tertio, Quarto, Quinto, Sexto, Septima, Octo, Sept, Decimo, Undecimo, Duodecimo, and Tredecimo.
• Sept falls between the 8th month of Octo and the 10th month of Decimo in the calendar.
• Time is measured in a 24-hour cycle, but with a decimal system of 100 "ticks" per hour rather than 60 minutes.

This 13-month system has ancient origins in various agricultural and astronomical traditions around the world. It helps synchronize key seasonal events like the equinoxes and solstices with the calendar.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Sept is a time of transition, harvest, and spiritual renewal across many cultures in this world. The autumn equinox, which falls in the middle of the month, is celebrated as a major holiday marking the end of summer and the start of the cooler months.

Harvest festivals honoring the bounty of the land are common during Sept. Many faiths also observe important religious observances - for example, the Autumnal Communion in the dominant Unitarian religion, and the Harvest Moon Rites of traditional Pagan belief systems.

Sept is seen as a time of balance and introspection, as daylight hours become shorter and the natural world prepares for winter. Traditional art, music, and literature often reflect this seasonal change and the spiritual themes associated with the month.

Major Holidays and Festivals

The most prominent Sept holiday is the Autumn Equinox, which falls on the 14th of the month and is celebrated with feasts, rituals, and community gatherings across the world. Other major events include:

• Harvest Festival - A multi-day celebration of the annual crop yields, with parades, food, and traditional ceremonies.
• Rememberance Day - A solemn holiday to honor those who have passed, often involving visits to cemeteries and memorials.
• Autumnal Communion - A religious service in the Unitarian faith marking the change of seasons.
• Harvest Moon Rites - Traditional Pagan festivals honoring the autumn moon cycle.

Regional variations and local traditions add further richness to the Sept calendar of events.

Weather and Seasonal Changes

The 13-month calendar system results in a slightly different climate and seasonal cycle compared to our world. In Sept, average temperatures begin to cool and days become shorter as the autumn equinox approaches. Harvests of many crops reach their peak, and many animals begin preparing for winter hibernation or migration.

Weather patterns can vary, but Sept is typically characterized by clear skies, breezy conditions, and a range of vibrant fall foliage colors. Rainfall is moderate, often associated with the equinoctial storms that mark the transition to the colder months.

These seasonal changes have shaped the agricultural practices, cultural traditions, and even architecture and clothing styles that emerge during Sept in this timeline's societies.