To help with this difficulty, I have created this page to help you with some of the simpler time conversions, so you can know when to expect them.
Some Things to Keep in Mind
The first thing to remember is that most pagans live on a lunar schedule. This month does not mean "this calendar month." If it is the twentieth of June and a pagan says he'll get back to you later this month, it will by July 10th, before the next moon cycle begins.
The next thing to remember is that the new year begins on November 1. So if a pagan says "this year" in December, it could be any time from now to October.
Also be aware that most pagans know that time is merely an illusion and it does not require much attention. Modern people are too obsessed with being on time, and it is important to take a more relaxed view of things. Hence, even using these conversion factors, you must allow for a considerable margin of error, say two weeks.
Remember that the word "around" changes everything, as well. If you friend says "around five o'clock" rather than "at five o'clock," he means to add three hours on either side as a margin of error.
The Conversion Factors
If the unit of time involved is less than an hour ("I'll be there in five minutes."), multiply this period of time by five, divided by two (always round up) and add three. You now know that the person will be there in about sixteen minutes.
If the unit of time involved is between one and four hours (It is three o'clock. "I'll be there at five."), add thirty minutes, plus five minutes for each day of the week since the weekend. Suppose the earlier comment was made on a Wednesday. Expect them at five forty-five. If it is the weekend, add an extra half hour to make up for moonlight skyclad dancing till two a.m. On a Saturday, they will arrive at about six.
If the time unit involved is between four hours and a day (It is noon. "I'll be there at seven."), you must divide the unit of time by five, subtract twenty minutes, and add this number to the time they claim to be arriving. This pagan will arrive at about 4 minutes after eight.
For longer periods of time, don't bother with conversion factors. It gets too messy. Be aware that they will show up on the day they state, but when that day is uncertain.
One last thing: I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings. I'm a pagan myself, and lots of pagans are perfectly prompt. I know most of you will find this as funny as I intended it to be, because nearly every pagan I've met can take a joke.
