Whitebark Stream Imbolc 2020

Hello! This pack activity is OPTIONAL, obviously! Daylily is explaining the holiday of Imbolc and suggesting things wolves might like to do to celebrate. There’s LOTS of info in this post. If it’s too much or confusing, here’s a link to more info about what Daylily is talking about. https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/art...s-holidays  If anyone would like to participate in the celebrations, please make separate threads as opposed to responding to this one. Feel free to tag Daylily OR NOT! You can thread with whoever you want, or do Read Only, or whatever! In regards to THIS thread, you can just pop in here and reply with your character listening to what she’s explaining and stuff.

Daylily was feeling nervous, for she would have to stand in front of the whole pack (or at least the pack members who showed up) and give a big speech about her religious beliefs and the holy day of Imbolc. She had never really had to teach others about her beliefs before; everyone in Oakstead had at least been aware of them, and most had celebrated the holy days even if they weren’t religious themselves. She worried she would not be able to get across all she wanted to; she worried some would think she was trying to convert them, which was not the case. Imbolc was a day of renewal and cleansing; anyone could participate, religious or otherwise! She tilted her head back and gave a howl for those who might wish to join in the festivities.

Once those who were to gather had come, she cleared her throat and began. She was nervous, true, but also excited and determined to explain as best she could. “Hello,” she began, her voice wavering. “Dawn has given me permission to set up a little… meeting to explain one of my religious holidays to you, to see if anyone might like to participate. No one would have to convert, of course In my homeland, there were many who were secular and still participated in the festivities.” She cleared her throat. 

“This time of year is called Imbolc; it is a holiday that celebrates the knowledge that spring will arrive soon. It is not spring yet, but almost. On Imbolc, we do things like clean out our dens, check caches, and go on walks to see if we can spot any greenery poking up through the snow. If we’re religious, this is a time to appreciate the return of the God, represented by the sun. The Goddess—the earth—has been sleeping all through winter and the God is soon to return and wake her up. So, this is also a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Those who are religious may wish to take some time to rededicate themselves to their religion and their gods. If not, this time may be used to rededicate oneself to a goal or a trade one may be going after. Also, to celebrate the return of the sun, it is traditional to watch the sunrise or sunset… o-or both, if you wish.” 

Daylily smiled nervously, realizing she’d been talking for quite some time. “Really, this day can be celebrated however you wish, and participation is optional, of course. Kora and I went looking for a place to start a garden in the spring, if anyone would like to see that. It is too cold, yet, to plant seedlings, I think, but it is nice to have the idea in the back of your mind.” She looked around at those who had gathered. “Anyway, that’s all the information I have for now. Please seek me out later if you would like me to answer more questions.” With a respectful bow of her head to those in attendance, she turned and left.