A triëteris is the Greek name for the period within 3 tropical years where the Moon phase occurs around 3 days earlier.

It corresponds to 37 synodic months,

39.9914087638034 sidereal months, 40.152246109637005 draconic months, 39.653405866893394 anomalistic months, and 1,092.6317546296311 days.

It intercalates 3 lunar years (which’s 38.910559878295196 sidereal months,

39.067050268836 draconic months, 38.5816921948152 anomalistic months,

and 1,063.101166666668 days).

Though if you intercalate a triëteris, you get a long triëteris, which’s 38 synodic months, 41.072257649311595 sidereal months,

41.237441950438004 draconic months, 40.7251195389716 anomalistic months, and 1,122.162342592594 days, and is nearly 3 synodic periods of Saturn, making it useful for calculations new/full moons in opposition/conjunction with Saturn.

The triëteris is also useful for Greek festivities on a regular basis.
Ben: Did you see that blue moon at the end of August 2023.
Gregory: Well yeah.
Ben: It was besides Saturn.
Gregory: And?
Ben: It was in Bebe Rexha’s 34th birthday.
Gregory: Yeah?
Ben: And in a long triëteris, a full moon will meet up with Saturn toward my sister’s 29th birthday on September 2026.
Gregory: That’s cool.
Ben: And it’s Jenna Ortega’s 24th birthday that year.
Gregory: I see.
Ben: Though it would’ve been Olivia Newton-John’s 78th birthday.
Gregory: She will be missed.
Ben: Yeah, and August’s full moon in 2026 will mark what would’ve been Paul Reubens’ 74th birthday.
Gregory: Didn’t he play Pee Wee Herman.
Ben: Yeah.
Gregory: Sad.
Ben: May they rest in peace.
Gregory: R.I.P.
Ben: But at least Shania Twain is still alive and turns 61 in 2026.
Gregory: Congrats for her.
Ben: She makes me feel like a man.
by gregben October 3, 2023
Get the Triëteris mug.