There are twelve months, each twenty five days long in the Gorean year, in most calendars of the various cities. Each month contains five, five day weeks, and is separated from the previous month by a five-day period called the Passage Hand. There is one exception, the last month of the year is separated from the first month of the year (which begins with the Vernal Equinox), not only by a Passage Hand, but by another five-day period called the Waiting Hand. During this time doorways are painted white, little food is eaten or drunk and no singing or public rejoicing is done. It is similar to a period of mourning for the old year.

On the Vernal Equinox which marks the first day of the New Year there is great rejoicing, the doors are painted green. There is song, games, contests, visiting of friends and feasting which lasts for the first ten days of the month, doubling the period taken by the Waiting Hand. Month names differ from city to city, but among the civilized cities there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices and the great fairs of the Sardar.

GOREAN YEAR