13-Month Year & Why we should try it!

The idea of a 13-month calendar has been proposed by various individuals and organizations throughout history. The most common version of a 13-month calendar is known as the International Fixed Calendar, which was first proposed by Moses Cotsworth in 1902.

What is an almanac?

Oxford defines an almanac as an annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as astronomical data and tide tables.

Almanacs are used for a variety of things including up-to-date facts about the world, current events, countries, sports records, economics, astronomy, and so much more.  A common use of an almanac is for farmers to have weather predictions so they know when the best time is for planting their crops.  Astrologists may use almanacs to determine the dates of the solar and lunar eclipses, phases of the moon, and position of planets when determining energy forecasts and horoscopes.  Brides-to-be might pick up an almanac to try to avoid a rainy wedding day!

While there are many people that use almanacs both professionally or personally, one thing that is interesting is that the almanacs have to be updated each year because of our use of the Gregorian Calendar—the calendar that is most widely used.

So when did we start using this?  And why?

The Gregorian calendar was introduced by—you guessed it—religious proclamation!  In 1582, with the decree from the Council of Trent, Pope Gregory XII declared that this would be the new calendar for the Christian church.  The history is quite fascinating if you would like to read more about:  Ten Days That Vanished.

With all of the efforts involved in calculating the months, Moses Cotsworth later argued that it could be easier to have one universal and non-changing almanac—the Rational Alamanac.

The Rational Almanac

Moses Cotsworth wrote the book, The Rational Almanac:  Tracing the Evolution of Modern Almanacs From Ancient Ideas of Time, and Suggesting Improvements.  While this book is not an almanac itself, it more of a history of almanacs as early as the Egyptian almanacs.  He even proposed to move certain holidays to months with more agreeable weather.

Cotsworth proposed a 13-month calendar with the additional month (Sol – summer solstice) would be inserted between June and July.  Under this calendar, each month would have exactly 28 days, resulting in a total of 364 days in a year. To account for the extra day, a "year day" would be added as a holiday at the end of the year.  A leap year meant that every four years, a 29th day preceded Sol 1.

Would a 13-month calendar work or are people too superstitious?

Many ancient cultures including the Scots, Norse, and Ploynesians knew the wisdom of the sea turtle following a 13-month calendar.  With the 13 moons cycles in a year, it makes sense that wildlife (who does not create time in the ways that humans do) would follow the natural cycles of the Earth.

This calendar system would have the benefit of having each date fall on the same day of the week each year, making planning and scheduling easier.

Eastman Kodak (yes, the inventor of the Kodak camera) divided his year into 13 months to help his financial planning by equally diving resources on an equal monthly template.

Overall, having a template for each month because it is divided almost equally every time can reduce stress and confusion that humanity puts itself through each day.  How easy it would it be to know that every 1st of the month is a Sunday or 20 of every month is a Friday?  Imagine how much easier it would be to pay bills, plan financial goals, and create a life of work-life balance!

The Number 13 and the Catholic Church

The number 13 has long been associated with superstition and fear in many cultures.  In the Catholic Church, the number 13 has been seen as a symbol of bad luck because of the story of the Last Supper.  According to the Bible, there were 13 people present at the table when Jesus had his final meal with his disciples before his crucifixion. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to arrive at the table.  This association has led to the belief that having 13 people at a table or in a group is unlucky.

In addition to the Last Supper, there are other instances in Catholic history where the number 13 has been viewed negatively.  For example, the Knights Templar, a Catholic military order from the Middle Ages, were arrested on Friday the 13th of October 1307, which led to the belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day.

Friday the 13th – Every Month!

The number 13 is often associated with mystery and darkness.  In many cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky as mention in the previous section.  Perhaps it is because it is one more than the number 12, which is often associated with completeness (12 months in a Gregorian year, 12 zodiac signs, etc.).  However, in some spiritual and mystical traditions, the number 13 is seen as powerful and significant.  In some nature-based and pre-patriarchal cultures, the number 13 is often associated with feminine power.  It was considered a day of the Goddess and used to honor the cycles of death and rebirth.  As mentioned earlier, there are 13 lunar cycles in a year, and most females experience an average of 13 periods in a year.

There is no need to be afraid or superstitious of the number 13 or of Friday the 13th.  Embrace your feminine energy!

The Mayan Calendar

The Maya used two different calendars:

-Tzolk’in - a sacred year of 260 days (13 months of 20 days)

-Haab - a vague year of 365 days (18 months of 20 days)

The Tzolk’in formed many of the foundations of the Mayan magic and rituals.  Could it be because of the 260 day pregnancy cycles?  Or how long is takes to grow and harvest corn?  Read more about the Maya here.

Should we change our calendar system to the International Fixed Calendar?

Implementing a new calendar system would require significant changes to the way we currently organize our lives.  It would require adjustments to business and financial systems, as well as changes to school calendars and other institutions that rely on the current calendar system.  Additionally, some people may resist the change due to cultural and religious traditions that are tied to the current calendar system.

Should we do it?  My opinion is yes!  If not, just to try something new to create a more harmonious life.  Remember that each of us makes choices that build and define the reality around us.  Each and every single thing that you recognize as “normal” or “the way it is done” was decided sometime in the past.  We can adjust, evolve, and create a new and better Earth for all that live here.

For a better tomorrow. ♡