Cycle

This article contains lore taken from Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

A cycle is a measure of time used by orcs. Young orcs do not get named until the Naming Day of the cycle they were born in.

Azeroth's moons

As Thrall was about to attack an internment camp during their liberation, one of his men informs him that both moons are full and that maybe they should attack when it is darker. Thrall states that they cannot wait two more weeks to attack. It would seem that two weeks elapse between a full moon and a new moon.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

A cycle may be the equivalent of a year for orcs. However, they never used it in that context on Draenor or Azeroth, simply referring to years as years. It is more likely a reference to a lunar cycle, which goes through noticeable phases.