or NOUMENIA, a festival of the ancient Greeks, at the beginning of every lunar month, which was, as the name imports, observed upon the day of the new moon, in honour of all the gods, but especially Apollo, who was called Neomenios; because the sun is the fountain of light, and whatever distinction of times and seasons may be taken from other planets, yet they are all owing to him as the original of those borrowed rays by which they shine.