Babylonian Gods: February/March

Since the Babylonian year starts at the Spring Equinox, the period starting from the Winter Solstice could contain from three to four months. The lunar months of the Babylonian calendar have to fit within the solar year of equinoxes. The fourth month (intercalary) was usually inserted by a decree from the King.

 

In the Standard Mesopotamian Calendar (Note 1), the month is called “Addaru.” (Note 2) According to Astrolabe B, in the month of Addaru, “the vast fields of Ningirsu (Lord Flood) the sickle is not left behind.” When the reaping is done, the Barley Consumption Festival starts. People feast, drink beer, visit each other, and play table games.

 

Meanwhile, preparation for the Festival of Dumuzi (Note 3) is underway, which happens at the end of the month. Offerings of fruit, cheeses, honey, and oil are placed on boats, and sent downstream. The boats fetch Dumuzi, the Shepherd God, (Note 4) from the Netherworld, so that He can prepare for his marriage to Inanna. His Sister, Gestinana goes to take his place in the Netherworld.

 

The Festival of the Carnelian Bed celebrates the marriage of Ninlil (Lady Wind in the Grain) and Enlil (Lord Wind). Since Addaru is the month of Enlil’s happiness, hymns are sung before the Bed. (Note 5) Then beer, incense, and goat meat are offered for the happiness of these Two Gods, who often interceded in the behalf of humans.

 

Notes:

 

Note 1. The Standard Mesopotamian Calendar has a nineteen-year cycle. One month is added in the 17th year before the Autumn Equinox – Ululu 2. In the 19th year, one month is added before the Vernal Equinox, Addaru 2. Each month has 29 or 30 days, which gives a year of 354 days. Therefore, intercalary months are needed to keep the lunar calendar in sync with the solar year. These months usually had the festivals held in either Ululu or Addaru.

 

Note 2. The name of the month could have come from Ugarit (Canaan) as the “rains of Addaru.”

 

Note 3. In some parts of Southern Mesopotamia (Umma), the twelfth month was called “Dumuzi,” which ends with the Sacred Marriage of this God. For the Standard Mesopotamian Calendar, “Dumuzi” was the fourth month.

 

Note 4. Not all Gods were immortal. Dumuzi, considered to be a Dead God, was seized by the gallas and dragged into the Netherworld.

 

Note 5. The Carnelian Bed, like Boats, has the essence of the Gods.

 

Source: Mark Cohen, “Festivals and Calendars of the Ancient Near East.”