Ocarran Spirituality

Ocarran spirituality consists of a range of folk beliefs and traditions centering around the belief in spirits, and deities who are often associated with land, natural phenomena, or family lineage.

Most regions and families will have their own traditions regarding which deities or spirits are considered the most important or powerful, however there is much consistency across the planet regarding the basic structure of the pantheon and which gods are roughly in charge of what.

Ocarran folk religion also has syncretized with several other more organized religions, such as Daanism, resulting in a uniquely Ocarran interpretation of them.

There is no official hierarchy of religious leaders in Ocarran spirituality, with leaders typically . being those considered to have spiritual power such as elders, shamans, and those devoted to religious study. It is believed that the older one gets and the more they study the world and religion, the more powerful they will become.

When Ocarran spirituality is syncretized with outside religions, such as daanism, there are often some form of religious hierarchy -whether that means priests depends on the religion- but when combined with Ocarran tradition the hierarchy tends to be weakened with more community decision making.

Beliefs

Afterlife & Ghosts

Ocarran religion includes the belief that after death a person's spirit will linger for a time before passing on to the afterworld, a cosmic realm from which the spirits of the dead may still influence the living world.

It is believed that if a person passes with some sort of unfinished purpose or grudge they may linger for longer as a restless ghost. Restless ghosts are believed to cause misfortune and illness where they linger, with special rituals being done to placate them and encourage them to move on.

The spirits of people who pass on to the afterworld are often prayed to for guidance and protection, which they are believed to be able to give from the afterworld. They are also believed to be able to intercede with the deities on the living’s behalf.

Practices

Prayer & Offerings

Prayers and offerings are often given as a periodic ritual, being offered to specific spirits or deities at places dedicated for the purpose. 

Many of these dedicated places are natural landmarks, often those associated with a spirit or deity, as well as at man made places like altars which can be placed in the home as well as out in nature. Coloured pigment is often used at these dedicated places, both as an offering as well as a way to distinguish it as special.

Prayers are often chants or songs beseeching or placating the deity or spirit in question. They often use traditional Ocarran music and dance traditions, but often include more trance characteristics.

Offerings are often items considered to be spiritual and/or important to the devotee, which are left at the altar or dedicated place as a gift or sacrifice to the deity or spirit being worshiped. Besides physical items and food, offerings of song and dance may also be given.

Talismanic Symbols

There is a strong superstition about the unseen being the cause of bad events like illness, crop failure, and general bad luck. There is also a strong belief that certain symbols and talismans can ward off these bad events and the supernatural things that cause them as well as bring good luck.

One of the most popular talismans is called a Kimun, which is a triangle shaped amulet decorated with protective symbols and dangling pendants on the bottom edge.