Figuring Out Solstices, Equinoxes, and Lunar Cycles

[JBCrowson]

One of the other things that makes the calendar dates of full moons vary in RW is the fact that calendar months vary in length from 28 to 31. That is something you could easily reproduce in your story world.

I also have to opine readers are not going to be whipping out their calculators while reading your book and saying "Mmmm, that full moon was a whole two days early! If a full moon fell on the equinox last year, I find it disturbingly implausible that there was also one on the solstice this year. I refuse to read more of this calendrically challenged nonsense."

So maybe don't sweat it?

 

[Patrick-Leigh]

One of the other things that makes the calendar dates of full moons vary in RW is the fact that calendar months vary in length from 28 to 31. That is something you could easily reproduce in your story world.

I also have to opine readers are not going to be whipping out their calculators while reading your book and saying "Mmmm, that full moon was a whole two days early! If a full moon fell on the equinox last year, I find it disturbingly implausible that there was also one on the solstice this year. I refuse to read more of this calendrically challenged nonsense."

So maybe don't sweat it?

They don’t need to break out the calculators, they just need to notice discrepancies in the calendar regarding when certain groups hold certain rituals, like evil, religiously fanatical Werewolves, who perform rites on the solstices, equinoxes, and full moons. That’s why I need a way to keep track of this stuff. Some people can pick up on that sort of discrepancy quite easily.

 

[pmmg]

I might notice if a werewolf story starts off on a full moon, and a week later, its still a full moon. But it would have to be glaring.

For one of my books, I did go and figure out the phase of the moon for various scenes, just cause the timing was important.

 

[Patrick-Leigh]

I might notice if a werewolf story starts off on a full moon, and a week later, its still a full moon. But it would have to be glaring.

For one of my books, I did go and figure out the phase of the moon for various scenes, just cause the timing was important.

The timing is going to be VERY important in several stories and the characters are going to be making plans based around how much time they will have before the next overlap of a full moon with an equinox or solstice. As I said, certain rites are performed during such events. Rites that may be able to summon certain entities or enhance the powers of certain creatures temporarily so they can launch an attack. Thus, I need to be able to keep track of this stuff.

 

[pmmg]

The timing is going to be VERY important in several stories and the characters are going to be making plans based around how much time they will have before the next overlap of a full moon with an equinox or solstice. As I said, certain rites are performed during such events. Rites that may be able to summon certain entities or enhance the powers of certain creatures temporarily so they can launch an attack. Thus, I need to be able to keep track of this stuff.

I make a lot of spreadsheets when its important.

I actually worked out your math with a spread sheet. When I had it in front of me, I saw it was actually not hard to do.

 

[Patrick-Leigh]

I make a lot of spreadsheets when its important.

I actually worked out your math with a spread sheet. When I had it in front of me, I saw it was actually not hard to do.

Is there an online spreadsheet I can use? My current computer doesn’t have any spreadsheet programs on it.

 

[pmmg]

Ohhh....Google docs, I think. I just use the one on my PC.

I see there is Freeoffice... Maybe it is what open office became. No certification from me, its just what I found with google.

FreeOffice: The best free alternative to Microsoft Office