Farlian Spirituality

Farlian Spirituality centers mostly around spirit worship -the most important being ancestry spirits- with many practices and rituals focused keeping said spirits placated, and ridding oneself of malevolent ones. 

Some varieties of Farlian Spirituality are more religious than others, with some also believing in an all powerful primordial creator deity or force, often believed to be a part of every living thing. There are also more agnostic forms, where the worship of spirits is seen more as a tradition and sign of respect than a belief in an afterlife.

Since the destruction of the Farlian Planet, much religious knowledge has been lost and new ideas developed. One of the biggest shifts has been the shift towards public ancestor worship where the deceased are celebrated and worshiped by a community as a whole rather than just their families. The most obvious form of this change is the large ancestor memorials dedicated to the worship and remembrance of those killed during the destruction of the planet Farlia.

Religious leaders are typically those who perform professional rituals associated with the worship of the deceased like cleansings, exorcisms, consecrations, and other ceremonies. Many of these religious leaders also practice herbal and folk medicine, but this is not universal. Religious leaders living in and are associated with temples are called priests, while those who don’t live or are associated with a temple are called shamans. 

Farlian religious leaders are typically also very knowledgeable of Farlian traditions and culture and are generally seen as a symbol of Farlian cultural pride. 

Beliefs

Spirits & Ancestral Spirits

Spirits and ancestral spirits are the main focus of Farlian spirituality, with the worship of them being the driver of most of the rituals and traditions.

Most of the spirits worshiped are those that are the spirits of deceased people, with the deceased still believed to be able to influence the living world from the realm of the dead. It is important that families give offerings to their deceased relatives or else their spirit may become malevolent and dangerous.

Some forms of Farlian spirituality also believe in spirits that are considered to be parts of nature, having only ever been a cosmic being. These are believed to develop from the emotions and intentions of people and thus it is important that people keep a harmonious and calm attitude or else they may cause the creation of a chaotic malevolent spirit.

Practices

Shrines, Rituals, & Offerings

Household shrines are commonplace for those who follow traditional Farlian spiritual practices, with larger shrines being located in temples that the public can visit and pay respects at. Household shrines typically focused on the worship of ancestral spirits and any patron spirits the family may worship. Temples tend to have a main patron spirit worshiped there, but will often have multiple shrines to various other spirits including ancestral spirits.

Shrines often hold images and objects relating to the spirits of the shrine. In household shrines these objects include images and name tablets of the spirits. In larger shrines in addition to the images and name tablets, they may also keep relics and holy items related to the spirit of the shrine.

Offerings and rituals are often performed at shrines, with almost all visitors praying to the spirits of the shrine, lighting incense, or leaving a physical offering of valuables or food. Rituals to consecrate a new shrine or to maintain and cleanse a preexisting one, are often performed with many prayers and offerings as well as singing and dancing involved.