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Equinox
Literally, Latin for ''equal night". The moment at which the Sun crosses the celestial equator. At this point, the duration of night and day are equal. The plural is equinoces. There are two equinoces, the vernal (spring) around 21 March and the autumnal (fall) around 22 September. |
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Era
A period of time measured beginning with a specific epoch, and within which years are sequentially numbered. Also used in the sense of epoch to mean a date that begins a new period. |
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Fast
Distinguishes a type of day of observance. In Western ecclesiastical and Jewish tradition, the term fast specifically refers to a day set aside to commemorate an event regarded with sorrow or grief. Abstinence of one sort or another is typically part of the observance. Abstinence normally refers to food and may involve all food for certain designated periods or certain kinds of food for certain periods. Abstinence often, but not always, is extended to sexual relations or other activities. In this tradition, fast is specifically distinguished from feast. |
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The term fast does not necessarily commemorate sorrow in other cultural traditions. The Baha'i faith regards a day of fast, for example, as an opportunity to focus on spiritual matters. |
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Feast
Distinguishes a type of day of observance. In Western ecclesiastical and Jewish tradition, the term feast specifically refers to a day set aside to commemorate an event regarded with joy. These days are traditionally celebrated by sharing food in a communal setting. Again, the term feast is not necessarily defined in the same way in all cultural traditions. |
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Ecclesiastical tradition distinguishes three kinds of feasts: |
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1.) Sunday. The weekly observance of the Resurrection, and the first day of the week. |
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3.) Feast of obligation. Also termed Holy Day of Obligation. In the Roman Catholic Church, it is a feast day of outstanding importance, which the laity as well as the clergy are obliged to observe by hearing Mass and abstaining from servile work. |
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First point of Aries
The position on the celestial sphere of the vernal equinox. |
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FM
Abbreviation for Full Moon. |
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FQ
Abbreviation for First Quarter. |
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Gibbous
A term applied to the Moon whenever the phase is greater than 0.5. |
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