Bonfire Sol
When the rivers run dry under our failing sun, we beseech thee listen to the hymns of our voices. To grant us strength, to renew our vow, to breath life again to the world. Without the repetition of of tide, without the virtue of our souls, without the knowledge that we are the masters and creators of it all, we are nothing. So sing with us, sing and praise again the glory of our lost mothers. For the bounty they gave us, give us still is rekindled in our efforts. Take our growth, and sequester them for the long winter of time. When spring returns we shall grow again, and we shall give honor to those we still need. For growth is not in slavish maintenance, but in renewal. So Last Mother of ours, take the growth of our souls and breath new life into this patchwork world. For you Last Mother, are not alone. Your Children remain by your side, your children love you and the efforts you have made. Let us take your burden, let us take the world from your shoulders for a time, let us breath life into this world together once more.Opening Prayer at the beginning of the the Sol, led by the Magnus or Magna.
History
The Nature of The Elsewhere is based on the fact that the entire dimension is maintained by the Queen of the Fae to provide a Safe Haven from The Shadows the surviving Children as well as herself. She is the main component that provides much of the power and energy in maintaining balance and stability for the realm. This act alone involves an incomprehensible amount of attention to detail for the many hundreds of millions of processes actively proceeding, the nature of the pocket dimension is one built on the fact that there is no new energy or material coming in from the Great Tree.
As such, on the main floating continent that was built by the Queen specifically for farming, and agriculture, Aleglsia, she spent a massive amount of time and energy regenerating spent soils and ground waters for the Children to use. It did not take more than a few seasons for the Children to recognize a few things; The Queen was exhausting herself in this task, as well as the divine energy born into the souls of the Children continued to grow endlessly, though slowly. The Fae that worked their wonders on the vast fields of golden wheat, the expansive orchards and endless plots of staple food crops, brought an idea to Anlyth, First Son of Syn, Taneth The Navigator and Y'vitol.
This idea was made because the Queen was still doing so much for them, they felt guilty continuing to take and while giving back. They brought this concern to the Three Fledgling Gods, as they had become defacto points of leadership and authority while Alnya spent much of her time in the Tower maintaining this world, unable to enjoy the fruits of her labor. The Fledgling Gods were responsible for helping create The Elsewhere as much as Alnya had been, Anlyth had created the sun, Y'vitol had stabilized the floating continents, while Taneth aided in created the physics that governed this dimension.
Thus, a ritual was created without Alnya knowing, a gift to her, an easing of her burdens. The Children would choose a Champion to be their Magnus or Magna to be the Conduit, at the end of the year's harvest the entire population of The Elsewhere would give a portion of their Divine Spark that had growth throughout that year, back to Alnya. While the remaining amount would be funneled back into the dying star that graced their sky to nourish the depleting soils and water.
The first time the Children conducted this ritual, the shock it sent through their Last Mother was felt in the fabric of the reality of the Elsewhere. A great wave of joy, of pride... and relief turned the skies brighter, the world greener, the air purer. And so a great task was lifted from the shoulders of the goddess, enough to allow her to wander the world she created and enjoy the company of the Children.
Execution
From Beginning to End to Evermore by Thereasonwhy
At the end of each harvest, just before the winter solstice when the dying sun of The Elsewhere has spent much of its power the ritual begins. A Magnus for a Male Conduit or a Magna for a Female Conduit, or in some instances the Chosen is allowed to choose the title they wish to be spoken for the ritual, is picked at random from the entire population of the Elsewhere. This Chosen will direct the ritual from the center of a burning Sigil of the Quartet. The role has taken a mythic position for the sense of euphoria it gives the Conduit over the years. It gives the chance for the Children to wield the power that was always meant for every Child to someday hold at all times.
After the Conduit has been chosen, a feast is held that is an open invitation to all in the Elsewhere. To call this a large affair does not do this feast justice. To call this a world wide occasion to put the greatest gatherings on The Great Tree to shame would be more accurate. There is no expense made for modesty, savory meals meant to satisfy the soul, fill the belly with enough food to put a dire wolf to sleep, where wine and spirits flow as readily as the rivers and streams that cross the floating continents. At the end of this meal the world goes silent, every insect, every beast and bird quiets for the reverence made.
The Conduit is named Magnus or Magna and dressed in the primal clothing of their people. The Faeries and their mimicry of Syn and her glory, The Fae in their long thing lacy fabric that graces Alnya to this day, The Giants and this scaled leathers and stone for the weight of Kyln and his grandeur. The only one who has no presence in the ritual is Vilorlith or any of her Children. Anlya was unable to take any of them with her in The Shattering, for every last one of her Children, the Brownies were taken by The Shadows. At least, until Ilgor of the Skullbrood Clan was "chosen" for this ritual, and finally after thousands of years, all members of the Quartet were able to participate in their ritual of renewal.
Light and life by Thereasonwhy
The Chosen is lead to the center of the Sigil, flanked by one of the four Divine races each to stand in the quadrant of the Sigil their god's symbol represents. Vilorlith's Sigil has always been vacant, for no Brownie exists in the the Elsewhere, so on rotation Anlyth, Y'vitol or Taneth take her place. Some years, when Anlya has the energy, she will stand in place for her fallen sister. When the world goes silent a phrase is spoken in Elder Fae, "Cresi'Myrith Voit'ne, 'Vilorlith, 'Syn, 'Kyln, 'Alnya." Which translate to: "Renew this world, through your Children, Vilorlith, Syn, Kyln, Alnya."
As this single phrase is spoken the Chosen begins to hum a version a the Primordial Song, similar to the hymn sung by the Quartet when they first breathed life into the Shattered World. The Magnus/Magna will raise their hand to sky toward Magnolia, The four proctors as they are called will give the first spark of power to initiate the reaction. As soon as the Conduit has the necessary starting ingredient, Magnolia will turn dark. Bathing the Elsewhere in a light devoid of color, a world simplified in hues black and white. This is the signal for all gathered in the fields of the Sigil as well as the rest of the Elsewhere to offer a small piece of their growth.
Not enough to diminish their growth, but enough to be substantial offering back to world. As more and more beings offer their power to the Conduit, the brighter and hotter the Sigil grows. Eventually as the power streams into the open palm of the Conduit the Sigil immolates them in what is described as a bonfire of souls, or a pyre without sacrifice. The Conduit briefly ascends to to godhood during this event, their eyes ignite with the same divine fire that the Quartet posses. As this ritual uses the continuous growth of all Children it does not require the energy of the Elsewhere, and in fact replaces what was lost or used up.
This immense power is shot back into Magnolia in a pillar of light and fire, as color fills the world again with a vivacity experienced only in dreams. Magnolia acts as the font by which the Elsewhere regenerates its spent power, and a portion of it is returned to Alnya to alleviate her exhaustion and burden at maintaining the world. This power is slowly fed back to the ground below, renewing the soils and waters. The Conduit for at least one growing season, takes this task away from the Queen, and renews the Floating Continent of Aleglsia for the next harvest.
Primary Related Location
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Observed Participant
The term Magnus or Magna refers directly to the name of the dying sun that the Children of Syn and specifically Anlyth, First Son of Syn created in the first day of The Elsewhere. Magnolia
From Nightmares and Dreams
Kin by Thereasonwhy
Bonfire Sol feels like more than just a tradition. It is a symbol of resilience and hope. The way it ties the community together through shared rituals and the ever-burning flame is powerful. I can imagine the warmth of the fire reflecting the strength of the people who keep it alive.
Traditions come from somewhere, they always hold meaning whether they have been lost to time or no. The ritual is a symbol of resolve, a message to all as well as their Queen, that they are capable of taking care of themselves. A ritual of renewal, a symbol of independence, but it comes from a place of kindness to their Last Mother who has given much to make their continued existence possible. I'm glad you liked it! I've nejoyed your comments on these last few articles friend! :)