Herthe 3340

Herthe begins almost exactly at the beginning of Nativity: 11 of the 12 Days of celebration are held in the month of Herthe. The Day for Sai Herthe (or Hestia), the same Janya this month is named for, is held on 6 Herthe (31 Dec).

The Nativity season ends on 11 Herthe with Duodecima, though we also mark the 13th day after Nativity with solemnity and a fast: just as the Star was visible for 12 nights, but not the thirteenth, "a sign of things...to come." It is possible to see each of the twelve days of Nativity as representing a month of the year; this thirteenth day marks Moura, and can be observed as a 'mini-Moura' -- which can be exceptionally easy, as traditionally all Nativity decorations are taken down by midnight on Duodecima!

[12 Herthe, the 13th Day, is also known as Epiphany or Princess Day, and may be a celebration of the showing-forth of the Daughter, rather than a sombre event.]