Santorec
In Sanith, Santorec is an annual holiday that occurs during the week prior to the winter solstice. The holiday is marked by mixing two of the four major elements: fire and water. Each night, families come together to perform a small ceremony, followed by hours of food and festivities meant to remind one another of the bonds most important to them during the cold and often isolating months of year.
Execution
On the first night of Santorec, a patch of dirt is cleared early within the day. Sometimes, this practice takes more time than others, given the adversial weather, but the work put into clearing the space is meant to represent the necessary work to create something powerful.
As the day continues, time and energy must be put into ensuring the patch stays clear. This practice is more important during winters with a lot of snow, but it also ensures that the next step of the tradition will go more smoothly. Once the sun starts to set, a bonfire is lit on that patch of dirt. Each family is meant to bring a piece of wood to add to the fire, symbolizing each individual part of the community and its contribution to the whole. Families who do not bring wood for the fire are often ostracized from Santorec, seen as a drain on the community, especially when little value is placed on the size nor quantity of said contribution.
The festivities begin as the bonfire is lit. People from the community gather and be merry, often with copious food and drink. The expectation is that craftsmen provide something of their trade to share with the community, whether that be food, clothes, or something more extravagent. These goods are seen as a gift to the community, which will then be given back through sharing other goods and being loyal to these local craftsmen. One person's success can then more effectively become the community's success.
Later in the night, after everyone is full on food and drinks, people start to gather around the bonfire. A small basin of water is then poured over the fire, not enough to put it out, but symbolizing a joining of the elements: earth from the dirt, wood for the kindling, the fire itself, the air from the cold winter breeze, and the water from the basin. This joining of the elements is seen as the strongest state, a type of magic that cannot be overriden.
As the day continues, time and energy must be put into ensuring the patch stays clear. This practice is more important during winters with a lot of snow, but it also ensures that the next step of the tradition will go more smoothly. Once the sun starts to set, a bonfire is lit on that patch of dirt. Each family is meant to bring a piece of wood to add to the fire, symbolizing each individual part of the community and its contribution to the whole. Families who do not bring wood for the fire are often ostracized from Santorec, seen as a drain on the community, especially when little value is placed on the size nor quantity of said contribution.
The festivities begin as the bonfire is lit. People from the community gather and be merry, often with copious food and drink. The expectation is that craftsmen provide something of their trade to share with the community, whether that be food, clothes, or something more extravagent. These goods are seen as a gift to the community, which will then be given back through sharing other goods and being loyal to these local craftsmen. One person's success can then more effectively become the community's success.
Later in the night, after everyone is full on food and drinks, people start to gather around the bonfire. A small basin of water is then poured over the fire, not enough to put it out, but symbolizing a joining of the elements: earth from the dirt, wood for the kindling, the fire itself, the air from the cold winter breeze, and the water from the basin. This joining of the elements is seen as the strongest state, a type of magic that cannot be overriden.
Observance
Santorec is observed throughout the week prior to the winter solstice. The main ritual is celebrated every night of the week before culminating in a community-wide celebration, often featuring an entire town or village. Within those communities, one covenant or religious group will often lead the Santorec rituals. However, larger cities have segmented these celebrations, instead having everyone within a covenant be invited to a Santorec celebration.
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