Calendar

The calendar of Once is divided into twelve named months, each of thirty days. Days within each month are named for elements cycling through a ten-day week: Sun, Moon, Stars, Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Wood, Metal, Paper. Three independent calendar systems (G, M, C) track different lunar cycles. Major festivals are noted below.

MonthSeason / CharacterNotable Festivals & Events
ReapHarvest — warm, golden, smelling of ripe grain and bonfiresReaping Festival (Day 7 — Air): Kicks off the last days of harvest. Threshing Day (Day 14 — Earth): All hands in the fields, including nobility. Harvest Festival (Day 16 — Water): Feast day, great celebration.
LeafMid-autumn — crisp air, falling leaves, the world quietingNo major festivals. A month of travel, preparation, and reflection. Adventurers often set out in Leaf.
WitherEarly winter — bare trees, cold rain, the world going greyFestival of Dormius (Days 1–10): Honours Dorminus, the god of gifts and generosity. The Grand Gift of Dormius—a massive ornate present—is displayed in town squares. Winter Nights Festival (Day 20 — Paper): Honours Aphrodite through feasts and gift-giving.
ChillDeep winter — frost, stillness, long nightsCold month. Hearth season. Some say spirits walk more freely in Chill.
SnowLate winter — heavy snowfall, the year at its darkestFestival of Inari begins on Day 30 (Paper): A week-long celebration of the fox deity Inari. Celebrated most fully in Rekai; outsiders are welcome during this time.
WindLate winter into early spring — thaw begins, fierce stormsFestival of Inari continues (Days 1–10). Xander’s birthdate falls on Day 9 (Metal). The world begins to wake.
SproutEarly spring — first buds, new lambs, mud everywhereKuso’s birthdate falls on Day 30 (Paper). A month of beginnings. Planting season.
BloomFull spring — flowers, warmth, bees, travelling weatherSolar Festival of Kinich Ahau (around Day 10 — Paper): Celebration of the Sun God, particularly in the southern realms (Valle De Cocora, Micchu, Santa Cecelia) and among Carra’s people.
TendEarly summer — warm, long days, the crops growing tallAphrodisia (Day 1): Devotees of Aphrodite celebrate with offerings, festivals, and ritual. Elora’s birthdate falls on Day 4 of Wither (noted here as her birth year is 91429).
RainHigh summer — storms, heat, rivers fullMaevis’s birthdate falls on Day 7 of Leaf (Air). Pirate Festival in Pegport (Neverland): Raucous annual competition. Maevis’s birth year: 91427.
SunLate summer — hot, dry, festival seasonNo specific festival noted. Market season across most of Once.
HeatEnd of summer — harvest preparations beginThe world prepares for Reap. Merchants stock for the winter months.

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