Carp Moon was the third month in the year after the Kurchal Calendar and thus the equivalent of March. It was referred to as Sap Moon throughout Briar's Book, however a preface to Will of the Empress declares it to be called Carp Moon. The blue pox epidemic was discovered on the fifth day of Carp (or Sap) Moon in 1036 KF. That year the weather in Sap Moon was particularly bad even for that month. It was cold, rainy and windy which made Briar Moss determined not to pick a birthday in Sap Moon.