Neptune's Dolphins

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.”

 

On the 18th day of this month, the statue of Istar (Dumuzi’s wife) is washed, and Dumuzi’s one is anointed in oil. Starting on the 25th day, people honored his death. On the “Day of the Striking,” Dumuzi’s statue is displayed. During “The Day of the Screaming,” people wailed for Him. On“The Day He is caught,” barley is burned and his statue is thrown out the main gate. (This refers to the Galla coming from the Underworld to fetch the God.) On the “Day of the Stall (where He was captured),” Dumuzi’s statue lies in state. At this time, a priest whispers prayers into the statue’s ears.

 

Meanwhile, in Sumer, the month is called “Su-numum” after the Akiti Su-numum (the Ploughing Festival). Ploughing has begun and will continue for four more months. This month is also referred to the “Month of the Barely Seed,” reflecting the preparation for the planting season. Stones and stubble are removed, and the rows are ploughed. Burnt offerings of fruit and oil are made to the plough. (Traditionally, the festival is started at the full moon after the summer solstice.)

 

Since Su-numun is also the onset of summer, there also rituals that focused on death and mourning. The first day of the month is “The Festival of the Canebrake (Apum).” (This was traditionally held on the new moon after the summer solstice.) “Canebrake” refers to the burial practice of wrapping the corpse in a shroud and laying it in the burial marshes. “In the reeds of Enki” refers to the canebrake receiving the body. Burial marshes were common. During the festival, it is customary to read laments such as “Lament over the Destruction of Ur” and “Lament over the Destruction of Ur and Sumer.” The “Time of the Great Wailing” commemorates when Ur was destroyed by the Elam and Sua peoples in 2004 BCE.