Precycle Eve

Precycle Eve is a harvest festival held the day before harvest is set to begin in Cosonia, although its celebration has bled into southwestern Reisouth as well. The exact date varies depending on the community due to differences in crops grown, environmental situation, labor availability, and logistics. Failing to partake in any sort of festivities, even a single Ispelpus-laced moresel, is considered bad luck to the Rinduma. In Rinduma tradition, the harvest of the first crop marks the beginning of the new yearly cycle--clearing out the old to make way for the new--and failing to properly celebrate the growth of the year or the changes to come spits in the face of the Cycle Keeper.   The timing of Precycle Eve falls in line with the approximate amount of time it takes to prepare fresh ispelpus following the Chalini transformation period of that year. When that period falls later than normal, it is seen as a sign to delay harvest. It is believed that ingestion of fresh ispelpus, a halucinogenic powder traditionally made by the Rinduma, brings visions of the cycle to come, allowing a person time to correct their path or make preparations. During Precycle Eve, individuals induldge in ispelpus-laced foods (usually sweets or punches) until they feel the effects of the drug and retire to somewhere more comfortable to experience the hallucination. In many places this is done privately, but in some tight-knit communities the public square is crowded with couches, chairs, and mattresses for people have their experiences together and share them immediately afterward.   Once the hallucinations have passed, the rest of the day is spent further in the company of friends and loved ones chatting, playing games, and eating regular food. If someone is particularly distraught by their visions or has further questions, local religious leaders are available to talk things through or use their connection with the Cycle Keeper to seek clarity through further ispelpus-induced hallucinations.