Solstices and equinoxes are also celebrated. This causes seasons which are dependent on equinoxes and solstices. It is generally brighter near solstices and dimmer at equinoxes. The Maya were aware of the solstices and equinoxes. He calculated the duration of the year and the timings of the equinoxes and solstices. Their starts are related to equinoxes and solstices. Other holidays celebrated by members include the two solstices, the two equinoxes, and Yule. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. Dionysius then applied another astronomical timing mechanism based on precession of the equinoxes. Because of Earth's precession of the equinoxes, this point moves back slowly along the ecliptic. Astrological ages are taken to be associated with the precession of the equinoxes. Their combination was named general precession, instead of precession of the equinoxes. This phenomenon is called the precession of the equinoxes. At the time, it is assumed, the precession of the equinoxes was unknown. The precession of the equinoxes takes about 25,770 years to complete a cycle.