There are 12 lunar months of alternate 30 and 29 days, closely averaging the 29 d 12.7 h lunar cycle, making the year only 354 days long, so the months move backward through all the seasons and complete a cycle every 32 1/2 years, emphasizing the pivotal position of the moon in the Arabic consciousness.
(the months; complete; a cycle; T:every 32 1/2 years)
the months
complete
a cycle T:every 32 1/2 years