c. 1997 Religion News Service

UNDATED _ Time is a mirror of eternity for followers of most of the world’s major faiths. The moments of each day and the days of each year are believed to be intangibly _ but inseparably _ tied to deeper spiritual realities that transcend both space and time.

As folks near the end of another calendar year, many are wondering where time has gone as it seems to have passed so quickly. Others are inspired to reflect on ways they can do a better job next year of distinguishing between those things that are truly important and those which are merely urgent.

For millions, this process involves consulting faith-based calendars that let them keep track of daily necessities while helping them remember holy days and other opportunities to connect with the divine.

While most Americans follow the Gregorian calendar, which was formulated by Pope Gregory XIII in the 1580s, followers of many faiths use more ancient calendars based on the movements of the moon, sun and planets.

This year, publishers are offering new faith-based calendars to an already plentiful mix of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, astrological and other calendars.

Judaism teaches that God has been involved in human history since the Creation, which, according to Jewish tradition, was exactly 3,760 years and three months before the time of Jesus. The current Hebrew year of 5758 began last September.

Based on ancient agricultural cycles, the Jewish calendar features lunar months and a solar year. One of the most popular and attractive Hebrew calendars is”The Jewish Year,”which features artwork from the collection of New York’s Jewish Museum and is published annually by New York-based Universe Publishing.

The calendar follows the Gregorian system, but adds Jewish dates. For example, December 23 is also the 24th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which is also the beginning of Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights. This year’s edition of the calendar features artwork and photos celebrating the theme of food and tradition, as well as a listing of Jewish holidays through the year 2002.

The Islamic calendar begins with the Prophet Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina in 622, so Muslims are currently in the year 1418, which began back in May.”Hijrah Calendar 1418″is published by the Islamic Society of North America.

This year’s edition focuses on Allah’s _ or God’s _ role as creator of the universe, and features brilliant color photos of flowers, along with relevant readings from Islam’s holy book, the Koran, such as,”Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible.” Because the Islamic calendar is a 355-day lunar system based on the movements of the moon, Muslim holidays and festivals recede through the seasons of the Gregorian year. This year, the holy month of Ramadan, during which many Muslims fast, begins December 31 and continues through January 28.

Astrology depends on the movement of the planets through the skies for its predictions, and Llewellyn Publications, founded in 1901, has produced an annual”Astrological Calendar”since 1932. This year’s edition, featuring paintings by British occultist Nigel Jackson, has already sold more than 70,000 copies.

In addition to detailed horoscopes and planetary information, the calendar also features more than 20 pages of additional information, including an introduction to astrology and suggestions for travel, finances and gardening. There are also predictions for the coming year (such as, the United States will resume commercial and diplomatic relations with Cuba, and there will be a new pope).

Llewellyn’s newest offering,”Witches’ Calendar 1998,”is already a hit with 50,000 copies in print.”The calendar is a direct result of the rising interest and growth in our Wiccan/Pagan area,”says Llewellyn spokesman Maynard Friesz.”Sales of products in this area have grown by 50 percent over the past year. We credit this increased demand to the `re-discovery of the Goddess within’ movement which affirms the self-identity and power of every woman.” In addition to attractive artwork, astrological information, recipes (such as house purification incense, compost tea fertilizer) and details on the pagan holidays of Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain, the calendar includes information about dates (February 22 is the birthday of both George Washington and witch Sybil Leek) and essays about Wiccan and pagan traditions.

DaySpring, Christian publishing’s answer to Hallmark, expects to sell a combined 300,000 copies of its 16 different 1998 wall calendars, featuring quotes from popular personalities like Billy Graham, James Dobson and Charles Swindoll.

Its newest release is”Forgiven,”featuring the stunning work of artist Thomas Blackshear II accompanied by excerpts from the books of best-selling author Roy Lessin.”What our customers are wanting is daily encouragement and inspiration, with a strong devotional content, including Scripture,”says Sharon Gibson, product manager of calendars for DaySpring, a division of Colorado Springs-based Cook Communications Ministries.

For example, one calendar features this reading on God’s sovereignty:”You can rest in knowing that He will make all things beautiful as you wait for His time. He does give the best to those who leave the choice to Him. Never trust a timetable, trust God.” If you want to keep track of many faiths’ holy days, but you don’t want to buy dozens of calendars, one of your best bets is”The Multifaith Calendar 1998,”which keeps track of the major sacred events in aboriginal spirituality, the Baha’i faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Unitarianism and Wicca.

This year’s edition is called”Spirit Sounds,”and features attractive artwork exploring the musical traditions of various faith groups, as well as an overview of the 12 major faith groups.

Presbyterian minister Charles White, whose Multifaith Resources distributes the calendar in the United States, has been trying to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding for 30 years. Increasingly, it’s been business leaders and personnel managers who have been using the calendar to keep track of the various religious holidays of their increasingly diverse workforces.”Faith is real for so many of us, but the traditions which form our faiths are different,”says White.”Because of that, we need to know more about each other’s traditions, and that includes festivals and holy days.” (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM)

Finally, Religion News Service has produced a printed version of its 1998 calendar of religious holidays and events. Designed primarily for reporters and religious professionals, the calendar lists major upcoming meetings, conferences and events in the world of religion as well as holy days and observances.

Eds: Where to get the calendars:

_”The Jewish Year”costs $11.95 and is available at mainstream and Jewish bookstores.

_”Hijrah Calendar 1418″is available at local mosques and Islamic bookstores or from Islamic Book Service, 2622 East Main St., Plainfield, Ind., 46168. Phone: 317-839-8150, fax: 317-839-2511. Cost is $6 plus $2 shipping and handling.

_ Llewellyn books and calendars are available in local New Age and some mainstream bookstores, or by writing P.O. Box 64383, St. Paul, Minn., 55164-0383, or by calling 800-THE-MOON (800-843-6666).”Astrological Calendar 1998″and”Witches’ Calendar 1998″are $12 each. Shipping and handling is $4 for orders under $15 and $5 for orders over $15.

_”Forgiven”and other DaySpring calendars and planners are available at local Christian bookstores and some mainstream stores. Most wall calendars are $9.95.

_”The 1998 Multifaith Calendar”($9.95 plus $3 shipping and handling), and other interfaith calendars and products, are available from Multifaith Resources, P.O. Box 128, Wofford Heights, Calif., 93285-0128. Phone/fax: 760-376-4691 or http://www.multifaith.com.)

_”1998 Calendar: Religious Holidays and Events”($25), from Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036. Fax: 202-463-0033 or relnewssvcaol.com).

MJP END RABEY