Post by Admin on Mar 9, 2015 18:46:22 GMT -5
Emphasizing their cultural and religious focus on the cyclical nature of life, holidays in Vulcanis are strongly seasonal. They follow a regular pattern throughout the year and the lifes of the Clansfolk. Unless otherwise noted, each festival actually starts on the eve before the day it is celebrated.
February 1: Imbolc or Spring’s Birth
May 1: Beltain
May 1 – May 15: Grand Gathering of the Clans
August 1: Lunasath or Harvest Day
November 1: Samhain or Winter’s Fall
November 30: Start of the Yule Pilgrimage
December 21 – January 1: Maker’s Yule
January 1: Resolution Day
Imbolc or Spring’s Birth – 1st of February. The Festival of Imbolc marks the beginning of the planting season. It is strongly associated with the element of water, and water is brought down from holy wells in the mountains to be sacrificed to the Maker and, after being sanctified, ritually sprinkled on the first crops ceremonially planted and the assembled clansfolk. The eve of Imbolc is known for its tradition of ringing the Church bells for a full hour from sunset and again at sunrise the following morning to mark the transition from Winter to Spring. Feasts in the Clan Halls are customary on the Festival itself. Imbolc is celebrated with particular ardour in Llwyn Newyth, which considers it to be its Founding Day.
Grand Gathering of the Clans and Beltain – 1st of May – 15th of May. The Grand Gathering of the Clans is held at Llwyn Newyth in the two weeks following Beltain, the first day of May. At Beltain, the Clans celebrate the coming of summer, and its association with the Grand Gathering points to the possible origin of the assembly as an exchange of lifestock. Beltain is associated slightly with the element of Air, present in the songs usually sung at the Festival. For sure, trading is still a staple of the Grand Gathering, but the great number of clansfolk setting up tents in the Grove at Llwyn Newyth also come for fellowship and politics. Many marriages are arranged at the Grand Gathering, as it serves the social function of acquainting the elites of the Clans. The Grand Gathering also acts as the common legislature of the Clans and elects a new High Laird when a vacancy occurs.
The Grand Gathering is opened on the eve of Beltain with a traditional ritual that is mirrored across the region. Upon arrival, each Laird and his company surrender their weapons and lay them at the feet of the altar in the Church. The Lairds then proceed to Cadag’s Henge, erected to mark the holy site of the Grove itself. There, as the officiating Priest, usually a different abbot each year, says a prayer at the centre of the henge, those present form two circles, holding eachother’s hands with crossed arms in a fraternal gesture of friendship, the inner circle consisting of the Clan Lairds and the outer circle of the rest. This marks the start of the Sacred Peace, which lasts for the entire duration of the Grand Gathering. During the Sacred Peace, clan feuds and wars are suspended across Vulcanis. The end of the Sacred Peace is marked by a similar ritual.
On the morning of Beltain, the Grand Gathering is opened as the Priests light a lamp with the help of the rising sun and hands it to the Convenor of the Grand Gathering, the presiding Laird, a position held by Laird Cadag of Llwyn Newyth. He uses it to light a bonfire at the henge that is kept burning for the entire duration of the Grand Gathering. That same day, he opens proceedings.
The Grand Gathering is Vulcanis’s chief political body, making and interpreting the laws of the Clans. It is presided over by the Lord Convenor, a position held by Laird Cadag of Llwyn Newyth. Each member who attends may speak, of whatever social status, but since it is in the midst of summer, it is usually the nobles of the Clans who attend. The Clans vote by block, with each Clan having a single vote decided by discussion among its members.
Though the Grand Gathering is the main event, similar smaller gatherings of all families comprising a Clan are held in each Clan for a number of days following Beltain that serve a similar purpose and mirroring similar customs. They lack a political function, as the Clan Laird usually attends the Grand Gathering.
Lunasath or Harvest Day – 1st of August. The Festival of Lunasath marks the beginning of Harvest Season. The first fruits are offered to the Maker on the Eve of Lunasath. Associated with the element of Earth, Lunasath is a day of thanksgiving for the fruits of the soil and of labour. Traditional Highland games are common at Lunasath, coupled with fairs, honouring the strength of youth that brings in the harvest. The most prestigious of such competitions are held at Llwyn Newyth, where the High Laird calls them for the region’s best.
Samhain or Winter’s Fall – 1st of November. To the Clans, Samhain – the first day of Winter – is strongly associated with the volcano and its cyclical eruption and therefore with the element of fire. The eve of Samhain is used to commemorate the last eruption and the deaths it has left, and honour the spirits of dead ancestors more generally. After the sunset service on the last day of October, a silent procession is held with torches lit from the Holy Flame, ending with the lighting of a bonfire to the singing of hymns. The bonfire is kept burning as long as possible, and it is traditional to dance around it wearing masks and costumes, often depicting ancestors or spirits. Ashes from the Samhain bonfire are preserved for use to bless pilgrims at the start of the Yule Pilgrimage. Samhain day proper is a day of general folk celebration, similar to most festivals.
Maker’s Yule (or simply “the Yule”) – 21st of December – 1st of January. The Vulcanis form of the Faith’s Festival of the Architect starts approximately three days earlier than its Faucheux counterpart, on the winter solstice, exactly between Samhain and Imbolc. Reflecting Vulcanean Makerism’s focus on redemption and renewal, the separation between solemnity and celebration is far less strict than in Faucheux. During the Yule, well-attended services are held at sunrise and sunset each day, with the time in between reserved for celebration with traditional activities for the whole Clan. The last day of the Yule is “Resolution Day”, in which the Maker’s plan is invited and it is tradition for each individual to commit an offering of a good resolution for the new year to the Maker. On the eve of Resolution Day, huge bonfires are lit from the Holy Flames of the Churches, signifying the passing of the old. An associated tradition is the “Yule Pilgrimage”, which starts 3 weeks before the Yule. Originally a monastic tradition that spilled over into mainstream practice, this can be an actual pilgrimage, undertaken to a holy site or monastery to attend the Yule celebrations there, or a metaphorical one. Both focus on preparation for the revelation of the Maker’s plan for the next year. Pilgrims are expected to use their pilgrimage to reflect on their lifes and prepare their resolutions for Resolution Day.
February 1: Imbolc or Spring’s Birth
May 1: Beltain
May 1 – May 15: Grand Gathering of the Clans
August 1: Lunasath or Harvest Day
November 1: Samhain or Winter’s Fall
November 30: Start of the Yule Pilgrimage
December 21 – January 1: Maker’s Yule
January 1: Resolution Day
Imbolc or Spring’s Birth – 1st of February. The Festival of Imbolc marks the beginning of the planting season. It is strongly associated with the element of water, and water is brought down from holy wells in the mountains to be sacrificed to the Maker and, after being sanctified, ritually sprinkled on the first crops ceremonially planted and the assembled clansfolk. The eve of Imbolc is known for its tradition of ringing the Church bells for a full hour from sunset and again at sunrise the following morning to mark the transition from Winter to Spring. Feasts in the Clan Halls are customary on the Festival itself. Imbolc is celebrated with particular ardour in Llwyn Newyth, which considers it to be its Founding Day.
Grand Gathering of the Clans and Beltain – 1st of May – 15th of May. The Grand Gathering of the Clans is held at Llwyn Newyth in the two weeks following Beltain, the first day of May. At Beltain, the Clans celebrate the coming of summer, and its association with the Grand Gathering points to the possible origin of the assembly as an exchange of lifestock. Beltain is associated slightly with the element of Air, present in the songs usually sung at the Festival. For sure, trading is still a staple of the Grand Gathering, but the great number of clansfolk setting up tents in the Grove at Llwyn Newyth also come for fellowship and politics. Many marriages are arranged at the Grand Gathering, as it serves the social function of acquainting the elites of the Clans. The Grand Gathering also acts as the common legislature of the Clans and elects a new High Laird when a vacancy occurs.
The Grand Gathering is opened on the eve of Beltain with a traditional ritual that is mirrored across the region. Upon arrival, each Laird and his company surrender their weapons and lay them at the feet of the altar in the Church. The Lairds then proceed to Cadag’s Henge, erected to mark the holy site of the Grove itself. There, as the officiating Priest, usually a different abbot each year, says a prayer at the centre of the henge, those present form two circles, holding eachother’s hands with crossed arms in a fraternal gesture of friendship, the inner circle consisting of the Clan Lairds and the outer circle of the rest. This marks the start of the Sacred Peace, which lasts for the entire duration of the Grand Gathering. During the Sacred Peace, clan feuds and wars are suspended across Vulcanis. The end of the Sacred Peace is marked by a similar ritual.
On the morning of Beltain, the Grand Gathering is opened as the Priests light a lamp with the help of the rising sun and hands it to the Convenor of the Grand Gathering, the presiding Laird, a position held by Laird Cadag of Llwyn Newyth. He uses it to light a bonfire at the henge that is kept burning for the entire duration of the Grand Gathering. That same day, he opens proceedings.
The Grand Gathering is Vulcanis’s chief political body, making and interpreting the laws of the Clans. It is presided over by the Lord Convenor, a position held by Laird Cadag of Llwyn Newyth. Each member who attends may speak, of whatever social status, but since it is in the midst of summer, it is usually the nobles of the Clans who attend. The Clans vote by block, with each Clan having a single vote decided by discussion among its members.
Though the Grand Gathering is the main event, similar smaller gatherings of all families comprising a Clan are held in each Clan for a number of days following Beltain that serve a similar purpose and mirroring similar customs. They lack a political function, as the Clan Laird usually attends the Grand Gathering.
Lunasath or Harvest Day – 1st of August. The Festival of Lunasath marks the beginning of Harvest Season. The first fruits are offered to the Maker on the Eve of Lunasath. Associated with the element of Earth, Lunasath is a day of thanksgiving for the fruits of the soil and of labour. Traditional Highland games are common at Lunasath, coupled with fairs, honouring the strength of youth that brings in the harvest. The most prestigious of such competitions are held at Llwyn Newyth, where the High Laird calls them for the region’s best.
Samhain or Winter’s Fall – 1st of November. To the Clans, Samhain – the first day of Winter – is strongly associated with the volcano and its cyclical eruption and therefore with the element of fire. The eve of Samhain is used to commemorate the last eruption and the deaths it has left, and honour the spirits of dead ancestors more generally. After the sunset service on the last day of October, a silent procession is held with torches lit from the Holy Flame, ending with the lighting of a bonfire to the singing of hymns. The bonfire is kept burning as long as possible, and it is traditional to dance around it wearing masks and costumes, often depicting ancestors or spirits. Ashes from the Samhain bonfire are preserved for use to bless pilgrims at the start of the Yule Pilgrimage. Samhain day proper is a day of general folk celebration, similar to most festivals.
Maker’s Yule (or simply “the Yule”) – 21st of December – 1st of January. The Vulcanis form of the Faith’s Festival of the Architect starts approximately three days earlier than its Faucheux counterpart, on the winter solstice, exactly between Samhain and Imbolc. Reflecting Vulcanean Makerism’s focus on redemption and renewal, the separation between solemnity and celebration is far less strict than in Faucheux. During the Yule, well-attended services are held at sunrise and sunset each day, with the time in between reserved for celebration with traditional activities for the whole Clan. The last day of the Yule is “Resolution Day”, in which the Maker’s plan is invited and it is tradition for each individual to commit an offering of a good resolution for the new year to the Maker. On the eve of Resolution Day, huge bonfires are lit from the Holy Flames of the Churches, signifying the passing of the old. An associated tradition is the “Yule Pilgrimage”, which starts 3 weeks before the Yule. Originally a monastic tradition that spilled over into mainstream practice, this can be an actual pilgrimage, undertaken to a holy site or monastery to attend the Yule celebrations there, or a metaphorical one. Both focus on preparation for the revelation of the Maker’s plan for the next year. Pilgrims are expected to use their pilgrimage to reflect on their lifes and prepare their resolutions for Resolution Day.