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Reply [Private Herd Forum] Followers of the Moon Herd
Beliefs, Traditions and Ceremonies

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FollowersofTheMoon Herd

PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:31 pm


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:39 pm


Herd Beliefs

The Followers of The Moon believe that everything in nature is sacred. They have a strong connection to the plants and animals around them and always treat them with respect. The Followers believe that Spirits guide their every move, leaving nothing to chance. The elders of the herds or Grove Keepers as they are called are the oldest and wisest of their kind and have the deepest connection to the Spirits. They speak with the Spirits constantly seeking their guidance but also making sure to keep them happy. Angering the Spirits can result in catastrophe for the herds if they are not appeased again.



Sacred Plants

While all plants are sacred to this herd there are some of which are held in higher regard than others. These particular plants are used in ceremonies, add in healing or are a symbol representing the herds beliefs.


Oak Tree – The Oak Tree is by far the most sacred plant to the herd due to its size, longevity and nutritious acorns. It is often referred to as the “King of Trees” in a grove. Acorns from the tree that are gathered at night are believed to hold the greatest fertility powers. The Grove Keepers and Spirit Walkers often listen to the rustling leaves of the tree for messages from the Spirits. Burning the leaves of an oak tree can cleanse the area or the soul of a horse. A branch of an oak tree is laid with a deceased member during the Death Ceremony.

Fir Tree – This plant is particularly important at the birth of new foals. The needles are burned to bless and protect the mother and foals, ensuring that no harm will fall upon them.

Mistletoe – Sprigs of mistletoe are used during the pairing ceremonies that occur during the Winter Solstice. Great care is taken in picking the sprigs of mistletoe as any that are incorrectly harvested can have a great impact on the couples ability to travel into the Spirit Dream world to see their future together. It is important to note that while the Mistletoe is used in this all too important ceremony that consuming more than two of it’s berries can not only cause the horses to not enter the dream world but also in some cases cause great sickness and even death.

Lobelia flowers – This plant is used by the Spirit Healer to cure coughs. It should be taken in small doses over several days to prevent overdosing. Should a horse take in too much at once they may become extremely sick and in some cases can result in death.

Downy Wood Mint – This plant is used by the Spirit Healers to help alleviate aches. It should be taken in small doses over several days to prevent overdosing. Should a horse take in too much at once they may become extremely sick and in some cases can result in death.


Sacred Animals

Much like their beliefs about all plants being sacred, the Followers of The Moon believe that all creatures are sacred as well. Each animal has a meaning behind it and having that particular animal appear to one of the herd’s members is often a sigh of things to come.


Owl (Cailleach): Wisdom, Change and Detachment.
The owl is one of the most sacred of animals. It is the embodiment of wisdom and discernment. Being a creature of twilight the Cailleach teaches you how to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Change is inevitable in the world, and you must detach yourself from what you have come to know in order to accept these changes. It is said that the screech of an owl foretells of a coming birth or death. The owl is also often referred to as Lady Moons Hunter. Through the owls wisdom we learn that death is not an end but a beginning.

Wolf (Faol): Learning , Intuition, and the Shadow.
The wolf represents and strong sense of faithfulness, intuition and inner strength. Faol will teach you to take risks, learn, cross barriers and push yourself beyond your normal limits in order to grow. Through the wolf we learn to trust ourselves, not to reject or fear the parts of us which me are not yet familiar.

Hawk (Seabhac): Recollection, Nobility and Cleansing.
The hawk is said to have a knowledge that extends back to the beginning of time. Seabhac can help you recall missing pieces of your memories so that you may assemble all the details which are significant.

Raven (Bran): Initiation, Healing, Protection and the gift of Prophecy.
The raven is said to mark the death of one thing and the rebirth of another, this can mean the death of your old self and the rebirth of the new or entering a new relationship. With it’s connection to the Otherworld the raven can offer instructions for healing others or help resolve a long buried conflict within ones self.

Fox (Sionnach): Diplomacy, Cunning and Wildness.
The fox represents cunning and trickery as it can move swiftly and without being seen to steal items from others. Sionnach helps you release your wild side, which can allow you to accept who you are and what you may become. It is believed that finding a fox is a sign that good fortune will come your way.

FollowersofTheMoon Herd


FollowersofTheMoon Herd

PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:42 pm


Celebrations/Festivals/Traditions


Bonding Ceremony

These happen only during the Solstices. The Grove Keepers from each herd meets at the Sacred Grove, hiding themselves for up to a week to speak with the Spirits. During their seclusion they speak at long lengths to the Spirits asking for their guidance in matching pairs of future mates together. Once the pairs have been decided the herds will gather near the grove with those who are participating in the ceremonies to stand the closest. A Seer, or Spirit Walker, will then tied a ribbon around the tail of those mares awaiting their chosen. This is a sign to other herd members to not talk to this mare as it may sway her away from her chosen which would have dire consequences for the herd.

One by one the mares are called into the Sacred Grove where the Grove Keepers will give her the name of her chosen, a sprig of mistletoe and the important instructions of how to properly perform the ceremony. The mare must then seek out her intended, drop the sprig of mistletoe in the exact middle between them and utter these words:
"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One."

At which point the male must say:
“I give ye my Spirit, ‘til our Life shall be done.”
Then taking the sprig of mistletoe he leads his mare to a nearby small grove. There he will consume two berries from the mistletoe, no more, no less. The mare will follow suit, being sure to bury the sprig before eating her berries. The berries will send the pair into the Spirit Dream World where they will see a small part of their future as determined by the Spirits. This glimpse into the future can be as detailed or as vague as the Spirits decide to make it. Once the trip to the Dream World is over the pair must return to the Sacred Grove where a Spirit Walker awaits to hear whether they had a successful vision. No details of the vision are to be spoken to anyone as this could anger the Spirits. That information is to be kept a secret between the mare and stallion.


Breaking Ceremony

Info coming soon

Naming Ceremony

Info coming soon

Death Ceremony

Upon the death of a herd member the horses will gather around the deceased. A Spirit Talker, or Spirit Healer, will then lay an Oak branch on the horse’s body. The following words will then be said:

"Go easy to the land of the ancestors. Let the winds carry you up to the Blessed Stars where your family and loved ones await. May you see with eyes of light in ever-dark, may your mind walk free and unfettered amongst all, touching wisely and well, may you go in peace."

These words are meant to help the spirit of the departed travel to the Otherworld, a realm that the horses believe contain the Spirits of their ancestors. In some cases when a Spirit Ovate is not available to perform the ceremony it may be done by a family member. Should one other than a Spirit Ovate or a family member perform the ceremony then the deceases spirit may not be able to make the journey to the Otherworld.


Moon Festival

Each year in mid-winter the herd celebrates the Moon Festival. It is a time to honor Lady Moon and her Hunters for blessing the herd with their new home. The herd stays awake all night sharing stories, feasts on rare plants and pays homage to Lady Moon and her hunters. It is said that during this night the Spirits in the Otherworld may freely communicate with members of the herd. This is an extremely special event as normally the Spirits only talk to those of the highest ranks within the herd. This allows the horses to speak with departed loved ones or friends, or ask for any guidance, though the Spirits may choose to not relieve things at this time.

During the festival the horses make an offering of meat to Lady Moons Hunters. Should the owls accept these offerings it is a sign of prosperity for the remainder of the year. In the event the owls decline the offering it is seen as a sign that the herd will go though some sort of hardship or event that will drastically change their lives.

Oak leaves are burned when the moon it at its highest point in the sky. The resident Spirit Walker then purifies the grove in which the horses have gathered in and then each individual horse. This ensures that they enter the year with unburdened souls.
PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:00 am


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FollowersofTheMoon Herd

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[Private Herd Forum] Followers of the Moon Herd

 
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