Celebrations/Beliefs
Growth and change permeate life. Those of the Kisetsu tribe understand and celebrate this. To them the seasons help show the stages of life. These stages aren’t simply cut and dry like kit, to child to adult. Rather these stages can be emotional as well, such as learning to deal with the loss of a loved one, or a mother learning to handle motherhood with its many responsibilities..
Spring is the season of births and beginnings.This would be all new births and additions to the tribe by the way of new foxes joining. This is important because its the celebration of life and new beginnings. They new members will be introduced in front of the whole tribe along with any of the babies to show the tribe its a new beginning. Everyone gathers at the waterfall in a shallow pool. New members are submerged and brought back up. Show a new start in case anything bad happened in the past its to ward off future harm. The BCRs have water sprinkled over them. Than they all go to the clearing where the flowers will be in bloom and pray to Kisetsu. For this was the time when she came to them when it all began. The foxes help the flowers grow and dont hunt during this time. Most food is fish and berries. Two or three days before the actual event day arrives all the kits are gathered up and are to pick a plant. The kits are then to plant them in the newest area designated for the planting ceremony and are to tend their little plants over the next couple days. When the spring celebration date has arrived everyone will gather in the area of the kits plants and watch the wonder that will happen.
Summer is the growth and youth. The change from spring to summer allows for growth and for the young to experience youth and life under the watchful eye of those more experienced in the tribe. This is a celebrated time to help transition from one stage to another and also a kit finding a place in the tribe. Since its summer they have a great feast and invite relatives out side the tribe and even extend that invite to other tribes if they wish to join. Food is saved and gathered. Kits get to have their last day of mostly play before they take on more responsibility. This is the time that they will pick what they want to be and an older member that does that job will train them. Things like relay races, scavenger hunts and obstetrical courses are part of the celebration. There of course will be more serious tests so that the new adults can find their places in the tribe.
Autumn is a time of maturing and preparation.Possible a time for finding a mate and making a family or finally understanding what they want to do with their life. Both for the cold winds of winter, but also for the next generation to come. This is when maturity hits and the member's that studied under another for a job are now fully capable of doing it on their own. They no longer need guidance and this is the time they show it. It is generally celebrated with a great hunt for all tribe members that are able to. Careers take the kits on a smaller hunt for a rabbit or a bird. After that the ones that have found mates earlier in the year present their mates to the tribe and they get honored by the tribes great hunt. Romance is in the air and everyone is twitterpated. Mates are looking lovingly at each other and bcr's are on the way. New loves are found by the young adults as the begin a new life with someone else. A party is held were the young adults meet and greet one another and try to wooh each other over while dancing.
Winter is a time of endings and of rest. This is not a sorrowful time along, more like the bittersweet moment that you know cannot be avoided. It comes in many forms such as death or a child leaving home for the first time to venture forth into the world. In case of a death the will morn on the east side of the mountain towards the rising sun. The have a wake for 3 hours if need be. In case of a child finally grown up and is ready to move out on their own the tribe will light their way with fireflies until they hit the edge of the tribe land. All the while singing to their goddess for safe passage of the tribe member and a happy life.
The tribe elder Ava does not have all the answers but with the help of the modeity she will learn and grow until she is prepared to be a elder fit to leading and protecting the tribe.
Actual dates of celebrations and festivals are as follows..
Summer - June 21 festival of growth
Autumn - September 21 Festival of maturing and preparation
Winter - December 21 festival of endings and of rest
Spring - March 21 festival of births and beginnings
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