Shulanite Spirituality

Shulanite spirituality has a variety of religious systems, pantheonic structures, and traditions but main themes of fertility, mother goddesses, and monastic asceticism are common in mainstream Shulanite spirituality.

The specifics about the mythology and pantheon vary from place to place, but there is typically continuity across the planet regarding the worship of a mother goddess as a central deity. There also is a common belief in pluriform monotheism where all the deities are considered aspects of a supreme deity. This has all helped the development of a more universal religion surrounding a Great Mother Goddess considered to be the supreme deity and source of all other deities and the universe.

The organizational structure of Shulanite spirituality tends to be very patriarchal, much like other parts of shulanite society, with religious leaders like priests or monks, typically being men. Women may be religious leaders, but only in specific circumstances or for certain rituals; women taking on what is considered men’s religious roles is generally frowned upon.

Religious leaders are often responsible for knowing and recalling scripture or myths, for performing and leading spiritual rites, and diagnosing and treating spiritual problems.

Beliefs

The Mother Goddess

The worship of a mother goddess as a supreme deity and central religious figure, is a common element in Shulanite religious systems. Different religious systems and subcultures have different mother goddesses, with there being some conflict between different regions regarding specifics, but across the planet the worship of the mother goddess is very common. 

Many of the diverging traditions of the various mother goddesses, have been unified or syncretized into the worldwide cult of the great mother goddess, a primordial supreme deity that combines elements of many different mother goddesses into one holy figure.

Most shulanites, if they are spiritual, will believe in the great mother goddess or in some other mother goddess. The belief in other deities and spirits is also common, but is often categorized as Shulanite folk religion.

Pluriform Monotheistic Beliefs

Many of the more scholarly and philosophical aspects of Shulanite religious systems hold the belief that all deities are aspects or manifestations of a supreme deity, typically a Mother goddess. 

Which deity is considered the supreme deity varies from religious system to religious system with the Cult of the Great Mother Goddess being a way that many of the various religious systems have become more syncretized while still allowing everyone to focus on the deity they favor. In this case, the Great Mother Goddess is considered the supreme deity with all other deities being manifestations that all stem from her.

Practices

Monasteries & Monastic Organizations

The presence of monastic organizations and monasteries attached to temples is quite common on Shulon, with many being devoted to specific main deities such as the great mother goddess. 

The majority of these monasteries are male only, with families often sending their youngest ‘extra’ sons to the monasteries to take them out of the inheritance equation.

The monastic organizations are often ascetic, based around a simple life and serving the community, with members often living in secluded monasteries and living a celibate lifestyle. They are also often very focused on religious devotion, community service, and performing religious rituals for the temple and community.

Celibacy is common in monastic traditions, with some traditions -mostly historical traditions- practising castration or other forms of sterilization so that the monastics will have no distractions or worldly ties. Those who break these rules of celibacy will often be cast out from the monastery and have to fend for themselves.

Some groups are more secluded than others, and there are a variety of different orders and rules across the planet.