EGYPTIAN RELIGIOUS CALENDAR

(by Kartikeya Senapati)

CDXIII Great Year of Ra (2012 CE)

WP-RENEPET

Part I: the Calendars of Ancient Egypt

Throughout all the millennial history of the Two Lands of Egypt, from the most ancient time of the

I Dynasty (founded by King Menes, the Horus Narmer in ca. 3300 BC) down to the Reign of the

last Sovereign of Egypt, Queen Kleopatra VII (69-30 BC) of the Ptolemaic Dynasty (the XXX

Dynasty of the Two Lands), two has been the calendars always and continuously used in Egypt,

without changes nor modifications:

-the Civil Calendar

-the Religious Calendar

The Civil Calendar:

The Civil Calendar has mainly administrative functions.

It is composed by three seasons:

Akhet, the season of the Nile's inundation

Peret, the season of growing

Shemw, the season of the harvest

Each season has four months, and each month has always 30 days: therefore the Civil calendar

consists exactly of 360 days plus the five epagomenal days (dedicated to the birth of the sons of the

Goddess Nut: Osiris, Horus the ancient, Seth, Isis and Nephthys).

The Egyptian civil year was called by the Romans “annus vagus” (“the wandering year”) for its

characteristic feature of wandering across the seasons. There is no correspondence between the

"seasons" of the Civil calendar and the natural seasons: in fact the Egyptian civil year is not fixed

always to the same days nor to the same seasons , but it goes backwards across the natural seasons

(and also across the Religious calendar), due to the difference of days with the cycle of the sacred

star Sirius/Sothis.

The Sothic cycle in the ancient city of Memphis has a period of 365.2507 days, while the Civil

calendar is always composed by 365 days: therefore every 4 years the beginning of the new civil

year recedes by one day in respect to the previous year and also to the heliacal rising of Sothis.

Every 1460 years the beginning of the civil calendar, after completing a full circle backwards across

the year, comes back to match exactly to the day of heliacal rising of Sirius: this cycle of 1460 years

was called by the Egyptians the “Great Year”, and it corresponds to the life cycle of the sacred

Phoenix (the Benu, bnw) of Heliopolis (Tacitus, Annals VI. 28). The “Great Year” was also called

“the Year of Helios” and “the Year of the God” (Censorinus, De die natalis 18, 10).

According to Censorinus, who wrote in 239 CE , “one hundred years ago (139 CE) under the

second consulate of the Emperor Antoninus the Pius and that of Bruttius Praesens", on the XIII

calens of August (20 July) the first day of the first month of the new civil year fell exactly on the

same day of the heliacal rising of Sothis.

Furthermore thanks to Censorinus it is known that in the Two Lands of Egypt the years were

reckoned also according to the cycle of Sothis: “we are today (239 CE) in the 100th year of that

Great Year”, the Year of Helios-Ra. Hence it is possible to date the end and the beginning of the

Sothic cycles not only before, but also after the year 139 CE: before our current era the last Sothic

cycle has begun in 1599, and the next one will fall on 3059.

The importance of the Civil Calendar for all that concerns strictly the Ancient Egyptian religion

hence do not lies in determining the religious festivities, that are instead fixed according to the

Religious Lunar Calendar, but in dating the current year of the “Great Year, the Year of Helios

(Ra)”, and the five epagomenal days devoted to the celebration of the birth of the Sons of Nut,

Osiris, Horus the ancient, Seth, Isis and Nephthys.

The Religious Calendar:

The Religious Calendar is based on the phases of the Moon and on the heliacal rising of Sirius at

Memphis. All the religious festivities of the Two Lands of Egypt are dated according to this

calendar. The religious calendar is connected to the Moon, hence the religious year is composed by

12 months, each month has 29/30 days, and every 3/4 years must be added an intercalary month .

Wp-rnpt (Wp-renepet), the last month (when there is the intercalary month Wp-rnpt is the XIII

month, otherwise it is the XII month) of the religious calendar, it is sacred to the God Ra-Horakhty,

Ra-Horus of the Two Horizons, and it is the month in which falls the heliacal rising of Sirius, and in

fact its name means “Opening of the Year”.

Thanks to the inscriptions from the Temples of Egypt, mainly from the Temple of Horus at

Apollinopolis Megale (Efdu) and from the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, it has been possible to

reconstruct the names of the months, the names of the days of the months (each day is called “Feast

Day of ...”), the names of the Gods of each month, the names of the Gods of the Feast of each

month's day, and the names of the Gods of each month's day.

The month of the Religious Lunar Calendar begins on the day of the invisibility of the Moon, the

“New Moon Day”, as an inscription from the Temple of Khonsu in the highly sacred Precinct of

Amon-Ra at Ipet-Sut (Karnak) testifies with complete clarity:

"He (Khonsu, the Moon God) is conceived on the Feast of the First Day of the Month (the day of

the darkness of the Moon), He is born on the “Feast of the New Crescent Day” (the II day), and He

grows old after the Feast of the XV day (the day of the Full Moon).”

Another calendar used in Egypt is the so-called “Alexandrian calendar”, imposed by Octavian to

Egypt despite the strong hostility of the Egyptian priests, and it is the same calendar, of course

somewhat changed, used today by the coptic christians. The only difference between the

Alexandrian calendar and the Egyptian Civil calendar is that the former provides that every four

years the epagomenal days are 6 (an extra day every four years), and not always 5 as it is in the

Civil calendar: This intercalary day fixes the calendar always to the same identical date, eliminating

completely the main feature of the Civil calendar, its "wandering" across the year, and altering even

the dates of the epagomenal days, and hence also the dating of the “Great Year of Ra”.

The dating of the Heliacal Rising of Sothis/Sirius and of the “Great Year of Ra”:

Since the Sothic cycle depends on the place of observation (longitude and latitude) of the heliacal

rising of Sothis, it is very important to remember that only at Memphis the Great Year of Sothis is

of 1460 years, and also that only at Memphis the year of Sothis is composed of 365, 2507 days. In

all the other places on Earth the years of the Sothic cycle (1460 years) and the days of the Sothic

year (365, 2507 days) are different, and there is no exact correspondence with the above mentioned

data of Memphis: hence it is necessary to date both the Egyptian Calendars (the Civil and the

Religious Calendars) always and only according to the heliacal rising of Sothis at Memphis,

otherwise all the countings of the days and of the religious festivities would be dated to the wrong

days, without correspondence with the phases of the Moon, nor with the periods of Years and Great

Years of the sacred Star Sothis.

To determine and date exactly the day of the heliacal rising of Sothis at Memphis it is necessary to

compare the times of the rising of the Sun and of Sirius: the first day in which Sothis rises before

the Sun (during the civil twilight, that is the dawn, and obviously not before it) it is the day of the

heliacal rising of Sothis.

In the current year 2012 the heliacal rising of Sothis has occurred on the 25 July:

the 25 July at Memphis the Civil Twilight (dawn) was at 4:44, the Sun rose at 5:10, while Sirius

rose at 5.05. (data from http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/mrst.php )

Since the current year is the 2012, and the last Sothic cycle has begun on 1599, and the heliacal

rising of Sirius at Memphis is fixed to the 25 july 2012, the first day of the Civil Calendar's new

year can be dated to the 5 April 2012, and the five days before it (31 March, 1-2-3-4 April) were the

epagomenal days dedicated to the celebration of the birth of the Sons of Nut; and since 413 years

have passed from the beginning of the last Sothic cycle in 1599, the current year 2012 is the 413th

year of the Great Year, the Year of Helios-Ra.

the Benu, the Sacred Phoenix of Heliopolis

Bibliography:

Thesaurus Inscriptionum Aegyptiacarum: Altaegyptische Inschriften, Heinrich Karl Brugsch, Publisher: J.C. Hinrichs, 1883

Lexikon der ägyptischen Götter und Götterbezeichnungen, (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta), Herausgeber Christian Leitz; bearbeitet von Dagmar Budde ... [et al.], Peeters Publishers, 2003

Ancient Egyptian Chronology, edited by Erik Hornung, Rolf Krauss, and David A. Warburton, Brill, 2006

The Calendars of Ancient Egypt, Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization, 26, Richard A. Parker, University of Chicago Press, 1950

Ancient Egyptian Science, Marshall Clagett, American Philosophical Society, 1995

Eye of the Sun: The Sacred Legacy of Ancient Egypt, Kerry Wisner, Hwt-Hrw Publication, 2000

Temple Festival Calendars of Ancient Egypt, S. Sabban, Liverpool Monographs in Archaeology & Oriental Studies, 2000

Revolutions in time: Studies in ancient Egyptian calendrics, A. J. Spalinger, Van Siclen Books, 1994

Civil Calendar And Lunar Calendar In Ancient Egypt, (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta), L. Depuydt, Peeters Publishers, 1997

Ceiling of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera: the 14 Gods of the Waning Crescent Moon

Part II: Religious Lunar Calendar of the month of Wp-renepet,

CDXIII year of the Great Year of Ra

Ra-Horakhty (Ra-Horus of the Two Horizons) over the entrance of the Great Temple at Meha (now called Abu-

simbel), the "Temple of Ramses, beloved of Amon". Ra-Horakhty is flanked by two images of the King Ramses II

giving salutations, prayers, and "Maat-offerings" to Him

19 July 2012, New Moon

Wp-Renepet (“Opening of the year”)

I Day, “Feast of Psedje(n)tyw/"Feast of the First Day of the Month”

The I day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Montu-Ra-Horakhty.

The God of the “Feast of the New Moon” is Thoth

- Festival of Horus the Elder

- Festival of Osiris Onnophris

- “The sending of offerings to those in Heaven”

- Feast of Khnum-Ra (Esna)

- V day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve-day festivity)

- III and last day of the “Feast of Mut feeding the Netjeru” (three-day festivity)

20 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

II Day, “Feast of the New Crescent Day”

The II day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Atum

The God of the “Feast of the New Crescent Day” is Horus the Avenger (Protector) of His father

- “Feast of Isis the Bright-One”-VI day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera”(twelve-

days festivity

21 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

III Day, “Feast of the First Arrival”

The III day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Shu

The God of the “Feast of the First Arrival” is Osiris

- Feast of Raet (the female counterpart of the God Ra)

- Procession of Ra Lord of Heliopolis

- Feast of Hathor as Sothis/Sirius

- VII day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve-day festivity)

22 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

IV Day, “Feast of the Going Forth of the Sem-priest”

The IV day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Tefnut

The God of the “Feast of the Going Forth of the Sem-priest” is Imseti, one of the Four Sons of

Horus

- Procession of the Goddess Sothis

- VIII day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve-day festivity)

23 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

V Day, “Feast of the Offerings on the Altar”

The V day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Geb

The God of the “Feast of the Offerings on the Altar” is Hapi, one of the Four Sons of Horus

- Procession of Min

- IX day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve-day festivity)

24 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

VI Day, “Feast of the Sixth Day of the Month”

The VI day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Nut

The God of the “Feast of the Sixth Day of the Month” is Duamutef, one of the Four Sons of Horus

- “Transporting the Rejuvenated-One (Osiris) to the Netherworld”

- X day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve-day festivity)

25 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

VII Day, “Feast of the Part-Day”

The VII day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Osiris

The God of the “Feast of the Sixth Day of the Month” is Qebehsenuf, one of the Four Sons of

Horus

- Heliacal Rising of the Star Sothis at Memphis:

Wpet-Renepet , “Festival of the New Year”

“Feast of Sothis Opening of the Year”

“Appearance of Horus as Lord of Ombos” (two-day festivity)

Festival of Nehebkau and Khnum-Ra and His Ennead at Esna

Procession of Ra

The next "New Moon" (17 August 2012) will be the beginning of the I Lunar Month of the New

Religious Year

- XI day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve-days festivity)

26 July 2012, First Quarter Moon

Wp-Renepet

VIII Day, ”Feast of the First Moon”

The VII day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Isis

The God of the “Feast of First Moon” is Maaitef (“the One observing His Father”), one of the

Seven Spirits (Akhu) of the entourage of Anubis

- II and last day of the “Feast of Sothis Opening of the Year”

- II and last day of the “Appearance of Horus as Lord of Ombos” (two-day festivity)

- XII and last day of the “Procession of Hathor, Lady of Dendera” (twelve -day festivity)

27 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

IX Day, “Feast of the Veiling”

The IX day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Horus son of Isis

The God of the “Feast of the Veiling” is Irdjetef (“the One Who creates His Eternity”)

28 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

X Day, “Feast of the Tenth Day”

The X day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Nephthys

The God of the “Feast of the Tenth Day” is Irerenef-djesef (“the One Who created His own

Name”)

- “Day of the Entering of the Eye of Ra”

29 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

XI Day, “Feast of the Sun's Rays”

The XI day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Hathor of Dendera

The God of the “Feast of the Sun's rays” is Nedjety-wr (“the Great Protector”)

30 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

XII Day, “Feast of the Paths of the Ancestors”

The XII day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Horus of Apollinopolis Megale, Wetjeset-Hor,

(“the place of extolling Horus”)

The God of the “Feast of the Paths of the Ancestors” is Nedjsesh (“the One Who protects the

writing”)

31 July 2012

Wp-Renepet

XIII Day, “Feast of Seeing the Rays of the Sun”

The XIII day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Tjenenyet, Goddess of Hermonthis (Iuny,

the modern Armant) associated with the Goddess Raet (the wife of Ra). She is one of the two

wives of the God Montu

The God of the “Feast of Seeing the Rays of the Sun” is Tekenw

- “Feast of the Shemsu-Hor (the Followers of Horus)”

1 August 2012

Wp-Renepet,

XIV Day, “Feast of Recognition”

The XIV day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Iunyt (“She of Iuny”). Goddess of

Hermonthis(Iuny), Iunyt, like Tjenenyet, is associated with the Goddess Raet (the wife of Ra), and

She is one of the two wives of the God Montu

The God of the “Feast of Recognition” is Hem-Ba (“the Servitor of the Ba”)

2 August 2012, Full Moon

Wp-Renepet

XV Day, “Feast of the Full Moon Day”

The XIV day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Thoth

The Goddess of the “Feast of the Full Moon Day” is Irmaway

- Festival of Horus Maw (“Horus the Uniter”)

3 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XVI Day, “Feast of the Second Arrival”

The XVI day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Qebehsenuef, one of the Four Sons of Horus

The God of the “Feast of the Second Arrival” is Shedefmedef (“the God Who pronounces His Own

Words”)

4 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XVII Day, “Feast of Recognition”

The XVII day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Duamutef, one of the Four Sons of Horus

The God of the “Feast of Recognition” is Horus Hrywadjef (“Horus who is on His papyrus”)

5 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XVIII Day, “Feast of the Moon”

The XVIII day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Hapy, one of the Four Sons of Horus

The God of the “Feast of the Moon” is Iah, the God of the Moon

6 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XIX Day, “Feast of Hearing His Words”

The XIX day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Imsety, one of the Four Sons of Horus

The God of the “Feast of Hearing His Words” is Horus Iun-mut-ef , “Horus Pillar of His Mother”

- “The Udjat Eye (the Eye of Horus) Returns Complete”

- “The Praises to Mut” (three-day festivity)

7 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XX Day, “Feast of Choice”

The XX day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Horus in the Great Palace

The God of the “Feast of Choice” is Upuaut

- “Feast of Purification, Cleansing, and Renewal”

- “The Praises to Mut” (three-day festivity)

8 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXI Day, “Feast of Providing”

The XXI day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Nephthys

The God of the “Feast of Providing” is Anubis

- last day of the “The Praises to Mut” (three-day festivity)

9 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXII Day, “Feast of the back of Sothis”

The XXII day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Isis

The God of the “Feast of the back of Sothis” is Nay

10 Auust 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXIII Day, “Feast of the the Part-Day”

The XXIII day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Horus

The God of the “Feast of the Part-Day” is the Great Nay

11 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXIV Day, “Feast of the Shadows”

The XXIVday of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Nut

The God of the “Feast of the Shadows” is the Flaming Nay

12 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXV Day, “Feast of the Sun's Rays”

The XXV day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Geb

The God of the “Feast of the Sun's Rays” is the God Shemaa

13 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXVI Day, “Feast of the Going Forth”

The XXVI day of the lunar month is sacred to Osiris

The God of the “Feast of the Going Forth” is the God Maaitef (“the One observing His Father”),

one of the Seven Spirits (Akhu) of the entourage of Anubis

14 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXVII Day, “Feast of Answering”

The XXVII day of the lunar month is sacred to the Goddess Tefnut

The Goddess of the “Feast of Answering” is Tunabwy

- “Hathor in the Hall of Appearances”, at Dendera

15 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXVIII Day, “Feast of the Jubilee of Nut”

The XXVIII day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Shu

The God of the “Feast of the Jubilee of Nut” is Khnum

16 August 2012

Wp-Renepet

XXIX Day, “Feast of the Attender”

The XXIX day of the lunar month is sacred to the God Atum

The God of the “Feast of the Attender” is Utet-tefef

- Feast of Khnum, night procession (Esna)

- “Feast of the Robing of Horus of Apollinopolis Megale”