10. But in the text of G the calendar moves on beyond day number 420 and the joining of the '7th flame of Sun' with the '6th flame of Moon'. 16 * 29.5 = 472 is measured out, and we can add 52 more days beyond Jupiter in Gb7-9:
Or we can add 8 weeks beyond Sun in Gb7-5. Or we can add 73 days beyond Jupiter in Gb6-16:
Counting in lunar months is the natural choice in G, though, i.e. to count 59 nights from tamaiti in Gb7-3. The creator of the G text certainly used the surface of the tablet in front of him to the best of his ability. Instead of ending with Jupiter in Gb6-16 he went on. He must have perceived the possibility to reach 16 also as counted by Moon. 16 is equal to twice 8 and therefore a desirable number. As to why it is number 8 which should be counted twice we probably can assume Venus to have played the decisive role. Because between her appearances as evening and morning star she stays away invisible for 8 nights. The dark 29th night of Moon is the time when she is bathing in the rays from Sun in order to once again come into a growing shape. The 8 black nights of Venus will therefore acquire a similar meaning - these nights are presumably there in order to revitalize her.
Mauga in Hb9-49 is a day of Mars, and maybe his forceful spring rays are needed. |
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