Author Topic: Hellenic New Year questions (Read 1864 times)

Juni · « **on:** April 22, 2012, 11:13:00 am »

I apologize if this is rambly.

I'm trying to research new year observances in the cultures of my gods, and I'm hitting a wall on the Hellenic front. I'm aware there are multiple calendars, but since Athene is one of my deities I figure I might as well stick with the Attic calendar.

I know the new year begins on the sighting of the new moon after the summer solstice, but did they have a specific term for a new year? (Akin to Noumenia, I guess?) From what I can tell, none of the Greeks had a New Year festival that we know of- I've read through Burkert's "Greek Religion" and Harrison's "Prolegomena" for the subjects, and found a few festivals that occur around that time of year that have cleansing/renewal aspects, but nothing that doesn't occur in other parts of the year.

So I guess what I'm looking for is: a) is there anything that marks the period of the new year as different? and b) is there any term/phrase indicating the new year? Thanks!

RandallS · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2012, 08:04:14 am »

Quote from: Juni;51345

So I guess what I'm looking for is: a) is there anything that marks the period of the new year as different?

As far as I know/remember, there really isn't anything -- either religion or secular -- that really marks the new year. At least nothing major like our secular new year celebrations or the Wiccan Samhain.

Juni · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2012, 10:24:54 am »

Quote from: RandallS;51475

As far as I know/remember, there really isn't anything -- either religion or secular -- that really marks the new year. At least nothing major like our secular new year celebrations or the Wiccan Samhain.

Thanks, Randall. I just wanted to confirm with someone who knew that they were doing!

RandallS · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2012, 06:26:52 pm »

Quote from: Juni;51486

Thanks, Randall. I just wanted to confirm with someone who knew that they were doing!

The Hellenic festival calendar is pretty bare of special festivals (as opposed to regular monthly "holy days" for the various gods) in our Winter holidays season. There's simply nothing there to celebrate as Winter Solstice/Christmas/New Years.