Sirvikalender
Traditional Estonian lunar calendar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sirvikalender, also called sirvilauad (singular: sirvilaud), or runnikalender[1] refers to a pocket-sized Estonian lunar calendar, traditionally carved into small wooden tablets. These calendars are used by Estonians to track seasonal changes.[2] The calendar uses symbols to denote moon phases and holidays, which is typical of runic calendars used throughout Northern Europe.[3][4]
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Structure
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The name comes from the Estonian words sirvima, which means to flip through or browse, and laud, which means a board or tablet.[5][6]
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The calendar is made of several thin wooden boards tied together with a cord. This creates a small bundle that is easy to carry. The design is different from the wooden staves (like primstav) often used for calendars in Scandinavia. Instead, the sirvikalender is similar to calendars used by the Sámi people, which are also held together by a cord.[7]
Signs that looked like objects were used to mark holidays on the sirvikalender.[7] The markings on the boards utilize runic-like symbols to indicate the days of the week, lunar cycles, and important agricultural dates.[3]
Function
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The logic of the sirvikalender is based on dividing time into hard (kõva aeg) and soft (pehme aeg) periods, and it suggests that certain jobs are more successful at certain moon phases due to observable factors in nature.
Hard times happen during the new moon, full moon, and old moon. These times are good for tasks that need strength or durability. For instance, people traditionally believed that wood cut during a hard time would last longer and not rot, making it better for building houses.[8]
Soft times occur when the moon is growing or shrinking. These periods are linked to growth and flexibility. Modern users of the calendar suggest that planting to match these phases can help their crops grow better.[8]
These cycles guided everyday life and spiritual beliefs. A new moon (noorkuu)[9] is the best time to start new projects or build things that need to last. The growing waxing moon (kasvav kuu)[10] is a time of increasing energy. The full moon (täiskuu)[11] is a time of high energy, often chosen for picking medicinal herbs for potency. The waning or shrinking moon (kahanev kuu)[12] is considered a better time for domestic cleaning and tasks intended to reduce or stop growth, and useful for processes that require breakdown. The old moon or vana kuu[13]is considered better suited for finishing tasks or resolving problems, such as tasks like to clearing brush to prevent regrowth.[8]
History
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The current dating system used in sirvikalender publications mark time since the Billingen event (sometimes referred to as the "birth of the land").[8] This event occurred roughly 10,000 years ago and led to the drainage of the Baltic Ice Lake, connecting the Baltic to the broader world ocean and exposing significant portions of Estonian land that had previously been underwater. [3]
These calendars have been promoted through the Estonian native religion movement, Maausk.[2] Since 1978, the Maavalla Koda, an organization promoting Maausk, has printed annual, modernized versions of the calendar that include traditional holiday names and moon phases.[3]
While today’s calendars are printed on paper instead of carved into wood, they still use the traditional names for holidays and the moon-based system. Members of Maausk have promoted its use in modern contexts, noting that the sirvikalendar may reflect the surrounding energy in nature. For example, meetings intended to launch a project might be scheduled during the new moon, whereas those focused on overcoming obstacles should ideally be deferred to the old moon.[8]