The length of a lunar month is the same today as it was in Ancient Greece. The summer solstice was around three days later than it is currently, but that isn't the exact start of the year, it starts with the new crescent after the solstice, so there is actually no impact to the dates of the calendar on most years, and very little impact otherwise. The reconstructed calendar in use today is virtually the same as the ones used by the ancient Greeks.Raven At Heart wrote:I disagree with this statement right here by Siona. The event on the calander may noit be the same as in the ancient past, but it could be a deliberate clue regardless, and is also when alot of ppl will be trying to connect with the triple goddess. Not to mention celestially, orbit of earth and the moon shift. Just look at the new zodiacs. Not even the universe stays the same.
As for lots of people connecting to Hekate on that date, I suppose it depends on what community one is looking at... While I'm sure some do, personally, I have never seen any emphasis put in the 16th of November, but I do tend to frequent recon and otherwise non-Wiccan groups, where instead people celebrate the monthly deipnon, and also the modern Rite of Her Sacred Fires, in May.
As I said, something being modern doesn't mean it has no value, but it's important to understand where the information comes from. Example, as mentioned, the Rite of Her Sacred Fires is a modern celebration many of Hekate's devotees participate in and find meaning in, and it is completely modern... but at the same time, it never presents itself as anything but a modern invention, and the history behind it, who established it, why it was established, etc, is all very clear.
In my opinion, it's important to really look into what 'facts' one brings in to their practice. Where did this date originate from, and who first put the information out there? Why is it being presented as something ancient, when it is not? A mistake, a misunderstanding, something else? There seems to be a lot of copy and paste going on when it is mentioned. Why are some such sources ignoring the actual historic celebrations of Hekate? If you are going to incorporate it into your practice, that's fine, but it's good to dig into the roots of it, and understand it for what it actually is.