Metonic Cycle

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The METONIC CYCLE is the Moon’s 19 year cycle where the Moon returns to exactly the same place (at the same longitude and against the same constellation) in the sky with the same phase.

An ordinary calendar is a solar (Sun) calendar. It keeps the dates in sync with the Sun. For instance, the Sun is at its highest point as we view it around the 21st of June – the summer solstice. The solar cycle (a year) takes 365 and a quarter days to complete. Every four years is a leap year when an extra day is added to the year. This accounts for the quarter day and keeps the date nearly in sync with the seasons. The cycle is not quite 365 and a quarter days. The error is 3 days in 400 years.

A lunar (Moon) calendar keeps the lunar dates in sync with the Moon. For example, the 1st of the month could be on the new Moon. Then the 8th of the month would fall at the waxing half Moon. The dates vary for different types of lunar calendars, Muslim, Chinese, Buddhist, Jewish etc. Some have the 1st on the full Moon. However, ALL follow the Metonic Cycle which keeps the lunar dates in sync with the Moon.

Tropical Lunar Month
The Moon returns to the same spot in the sky (against the backdrop of the same constellation) every 27.322 days which is called the Tropical Lunar month. However, the Moon’s phase is not the same for two days.

Synodic Lunar Month
The Moon returns to the same phase every 29.5306 days and is called the Synodic Lunar month.There are 12 synodic months and 13 tropical months (returns) in one year. See diagram showing how the Metonic Cycle is calculated.