The precession of the equinoxes seems to me a possible explanation.
Another candidate might be a “lunisolar” calendar in which years are mainly computed on the basis of lunar months, with “adjustments” to synchronize the cycle with that of the Sun. This practice could cause errors in the long run.
This passage from the Paschal Canon of Anatolius of Laodicea (AD 270 ca) is often quoted (this fragment by Anatolius was transmitted in Eusebius' writings):
“Those [Christians] that place the first month in it [i.e. in the 12th segment of the zodiac, that precedes the equinox] and that fix the 14th of the month [i.e. Passover] by it, commit, as we think, no little and no common blunder. For this [i.e. the rule of the equinox] is not our own reckoning, but it was known to the Judeans long ago even before the Messiah and it was carefully observed by them”.
The rule of the equinox states that "Passover should always occur on or after the vernal equinox".
I found the quote above in “Intercalation and the Rule of the Equinox ” (the notes in square brackets above also are from that this source):
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Full text of the Canon here:
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As Eusebius writes, we “enter this most deep and unforeseen sea of the obscurest calculation, in which swelling questions and problems surge around us on all sides”. I might easily have misunderstood something. Anyway, it seems clear that there were people who shifted the beginning of the year to Pisces (the last of the 12 signs of the zodiac). The Paschal Canon is too ancient to be of likely direct relevance, but at least it's a precedent.
Another item which seems interesting to me is the attached table from 'Tractatus quadrantis veteris' Harley MS 3735 (England, 1264-1293). As you can see, it lists the position of the sun at the beginning of each month. The list of months starts with March, so the first sign in the list is Pisces.
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Apparently, a similar table was included in French manuscripts:
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Another candidate might be a “lunisolar” calendar in which years are mainly computed on the basis of lunar months, with “adjustments” to synchronize the cycle with that of the Sun. This practice could cause errors in the long run.
This passage from the Paschal Canon of Anatolius of Laodicea (AD 270 ca) is often quoted (this fragment by Anatolius was transmitted in Eusebius' writings):
“Those [Christians] that place the first month in it [i.e. in the 12th segment of the zodiac, that precedes the equinox] and that fix the 14th of the month [i.e. Passover] by it, commit, as we think, no little and no common blunder. For this [i.e. the rule of the equinox] is not our own reckoning, but it was known to the Judeans long ago even before the Messiah and it was carefully observed by them”.
The rule of the equinox states that "Passover should always occur on or after the vernal equinox".
I found the quote above in “Intercalation and the Rule of the Equinox ” (the notes in square brackets above also are from that this source):
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Full text of the Canon here:
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
As Eusebius writes, we “enter this most deep and unforeseen sea of the obscurest calculation, in which swelling questions and problems surge around us on all sides”. I might easily have misunderstood something. Anyway, it seems clear that there were people who shifted the beginning of the year to Pisces (the last of the 12 signs of the zodiac). The Paschal Canon is too ancient to be of likely direct relevance, but at least it's a precedent.
Another item which seems interesting to me is the attached table from 'Tractatus quadrantis veteris' Harley MS 3735 (England, 1264-1293). As you can see, it lists the position of the sun at the beginning of each month. The list of months starts with March, so the first sign in the list is Pisces.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Apparently, a similar table was included in French manuscripts:
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
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