The month Tammuz continues to occur up to 16th July 2015 ushering in Av, the fifth (5th) month of the Biblical Sacred calendar in the second half of July from 17th July to 15th August.  It will be the eleventh (11th) month of the Biblical Civil Calendar. It remains the seventh (7th) month of the Gregorian calendar.

In ancient Roman calendar, July was the fifth month so it was called “Quintilis mensis” in Latin, meaning “fifth month”. March was the beginning month of the year before it was changed to January. The name “Quintilis” was changed to “Julius” in honor of Julius Caesar who was born in the that fifth month, and was the one who assigned 31 days to the month in the year 46 BC,  hence the name JULY.

July is the warmest month in most of the northern hemisphere where it is the 2nd month of summer and the coldest, in much of the southern hemisphere where it is the 2nd month of winter.

It was on the first day of Av, at YHVH’s command, that Aaron the high priest went to mount Hor and died there (Num 20:22-29; 33:38). The religious observance of the Islamic calendar, the fasting season of Ramadan 2015 continues through this month up until 17 July 2015 tentatively when the adherents will break the fast with the Idd Ul Fitr based on sightability of the new moon. The last 10 days of the Ramadan will feature intense prayer as they observe the Night of Destinies. It is a season for heightened intercession for Kingdom citizens.

The Hebrew  holiday of Tzom Tammuz, begins at dawn on 5 July 2015 (18th Tammuz). The fast of the 17th of Tammuz, known as Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, is the start of a three-week mourning period for the destruction of Jerusalem and the two Holy Temples. During those weeks the Jewish adherents mourn the loss of the vision of Israel as a holy nation set apart for the LORD. The Jews observe the Fast of Tisha B’Av 2015 commencing on 25th July and end on 26th July. It is referred to as the saddest day of Jewish history.

UnGODly mythology around this month has to do with the festival of Tammuz. The summer solstice on June 21st commenced the festival of Tammuz derived from the mythology of a sun-god who is in charge of fertility.  In Egypt he was known as Osiris, to the Greeks he was called Adonis (a name derived from the Phoenician and Hebrew word for “Lord”). His consort or spouse was the goddess Ishtar (Astarte or Ashtoreth, Venus).

Adonis’ death is believed to set off the onset of winter while his restoration symbolizes the return of the sun. Celebrations marking this started off with lamentation and was followed with wild revelry.  Tammuz was dedicated to him.

The second half of the Gregorian year commences in July.