Kupopolis Thanatos Crack!
Feb. 1st, 2010 09:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yukieAbout the Hermtic weirdoes. I don' know from the Gingrim yet XD
***
On Thanatos Worship
Largely outlawed in most places in the Web on account of because its subject can be such a raving jerk by turns, it's still legal in Tasnica.
Contrary to popular rumour, human sacrifice is strictly prohibited by the original writings of the religion. Though this body of literature is extremely dense and difficult to work through (whether because the priests wished to separate the chaff from the grain, were utterly mad, or both), it makes very plain the fact that murder for murder's sake is seen as trying to do the god's job for him - a fact he doesn't look quite kindly on. Never mind 'who made you judge, jury and executioner?' - a Thanatasian is more likely to ask 'who made you the big guy when we weren't looking, smartass?' In short: Thanatos decides when someone lives or dies, you don't. He has power over life and death as a god; you are mortal, so don't be a punkass.
Further, sacrifice of one's fellow followers is downright stupid for the reason that it's impractical. How is one supposed to recruit more faithful if they become aware they might die at the whim of one of their fellows?
That said, it is not uncommon to find Thanatasians on the battlefield. Though Thanatos is not as such a god of war, a side effect of war is death on a large scale. Battlefields are the only place you'll see a Thanatasian arguably murder someone; a casualty who will suffer horribly before death will usually be mercifully killed rather than letting them be in agony. If death is certain, in such a situation, it's better to be merciful and send the casualty (enemy or friendly) to the god's side.
(Not surprisingly, they tend to be advocates of euthanasia for those who desire it.)
The 'mainstream' of Thanatos worship (as opposed to the secretive mystery cults of the Gingrim) can be divided into two principal categories - hermetic or orthodox; and standard.
Hermetic worship is not what one would expect at all of a faith devoted to so obviously dark a god. Hermetic groups tend to be small - no more than thirteen in number, generally - and inconspicuous. They do not indulge in needless vandalism (what's the point?) or violence (see previous aside) and do not publicly curse Tahran at every turn (and why would they - cursing Tahran in effort to weaken him somehow is quite disrespectful to Thanatos - it assumes he'd be unable to deal with Tahran alone). Indeed they seem so very ordinary, so low-key that most don't believe them to be Thanatasian at all.
They are what they say, however, and are devoted to their god in a more philosophical and meditative sense. Zealots they are not. They do not openly seek to convert to their flock, believing that those who truly seek the god will find them. More oft then not, this is the case. it is not uncommon for one who has had a near-death experience to stumble upon a hermetic group, whether through chance or some other force at work. The practitioners take the attitude that all seekers are forever scholars, until the day of their physical death and reunion with the god. Therefore, while a circle may have a head practitioner or priest/priestess, he or she will rarely claim absolute knowledge or authority. After all, how could a living mortal possibly understand death? Even those who have almost died came back to this concrete place, and only technically peeked beyond the veil. Therefore, while they might understand a bit more than others, they are far from experts.
Initiation
Hermetic initiation, which traces its roots back to the initiations of the original worshippers, is a solitary ceremony, though not one unattended - since the ceremony does make use of a mild hallucinogen to 'jumpstart' the inner vision of the initiate, there is always a trip-sitter nearby. It's not unlike the Paladin's Ordeal or the Lady of Dark's inward dance, but rather than fighting against one's darkness or accepting one's darkness as a beloved part of oneself, Thanatasian initiation has the neophyte take his/her darkness as all that they are. Usually, the neophyte sees their Shadow-self emerge from the mirror, and becomes one with that self thought various means. (The symbolism of making love isn't uncommon; this is not unlike the Dark Lady's initiations, though in the end of that the neophyte claims his/her shadow as lover and friend.)
Sirian Xavier underwent this initiation, though his experience was far different. Rather than seeing his shadow emerge form the mirror, he experienced being drawn into the mirror. Because he showed no sign of psychic, mental or spiritual distress, the initiator, Thorne Van de Velde (who had some sense that this man was unusual but dismissed her intuition as wishful, childish thinking), did not interrupt the ceremony. Sirian shattered the mirror (from the inside, he says) and manifested his wings for the first time, then collapsed. Thorne entered the room at the sound of the mirror breaking and administered healing spells, caring for Sirian until he was well enough to travel and then taking him to Zorana's care.
Hermetic Practice
The necessity of sacrifice is often expressed by a hermetic or orthodox Thanatasian through the destruction of something made or purchased for that purpose. Thorne Van de Velde, a glassblower, regularly made pieces simply to shatter them. She would then use the pieces to melt down and make something new, symbolising the rebirth after destruction. Without breakdown there can be no creation. Sand 'dies' and glass is 'born'. Wood dies and ash is born.
Hermetics do use mild hallucinogens and narcotics. They also always 'trip-sit' - were there is a stoned Hermetic, there is a sober one watching him or her. The Mirror Trial is the most well-known ritual, though there are others. Ritual sacrifice is to be done regularly in some way, shape or form.
The summer solstice, marking the beginning of the dark half of the year, is seen as the time in which he triumphs temporarily over Tahran (or Chrystalis, or both) - the days begin to shorten. Winter solstice marks Tahran's triumph over him, as the days begin to lengthen. Both are celebrated by hermetic Thanatasians (as well as Tahran's followers, amusingly enough). Also celebrated is the last harvest of the year. As everything dies and falls to rest in winter, the barrier between the living and the dead is thinner. At this time it is easier to communicate with the god. This is a common time for initiation.
Philosophy and meditation are key in the practice.
Pushy evangelical conversion is frowned upon.
Symbolism
Why ravens? They're a common sight on the battlefield and they feed on carrion. Their black colour, too, associated them with Thanatos, and they've been called his messengers, or lost souls on their way to commune with him. They're exceptionally clever, too - fitting since the one they represent is often pretty damned cunning (when he isn't being a mad jerk).
Why snakes? They're a symbol of death and rebirth in many a culture. The shedding of their skin is the primary reason for this, though there's also the tail-biting ouroboros. Both are apt considering Thanatos's sphere of influence and his habit of reincarnating.
Evergreen - especially cypress and yew trees - are associated with Thanatos by the hermetic tradition.
The scythe is, of course, a reference to the sacred weapon Lekythen's usual shape and symbolic of Thanatos's reaper-of-souls epithet. He has an association with the time of the harvest (the sacrifice of living grain so that living people can continue to be so).
Tenets of the Hermetic Faith
1) Do not take life unnecessarily. You're not the god.
2) Recognize the lives that ended to sustain yours. Life does feed on life as a part of existence, but be respectful about it. Don't take anything for granted.
3) Respect the dead. DO NOT desecrate graves. Meditate in memory of your ancestors and the people in live who've gone with the god to be reborn/to the afterlife.
4) Funerary rites are for the living, but respect for the dead is important. See above. Celebrate the life of the deceased and his or her entry into the world of the god.
5) Know the necessity of sacrifice.
6) Know that life and death, light and dark are two sides of the coin. Thanatos, Chrystalis and Tahran are bound to one anther in ways mortals cannot comprehend; cursing the other two doesn't mean anything, and Thanatos hardly cares, so don't waste your time being a dick to the Luminous Road people. After all, every light casts a shadow - by revering their gods they also acknowledge Thanatos, just as you acknowledge them by revering Thanatos.
***
On Thanatos Worship
Largely outlawed in most places in the Web on account of because its subject can be such a raving jerk by turns, it's still legal in Tasnica.
Contrary to popular rumour, human sacrifice is strictly prohibited by the original writings of the religion. Though this body of literature is extremely dense and difficult to work through (whether because the priests wished to separate the chaff from the grain, were utterly mad, or both), it makes very plain the fact that murder for murder's sake is seen as trying to do the god's job for him - a fact he doesn't look quite kindly on. Never mind 'who made you judge, jury and executioner?' - a Thanatasian is more likely to ask 'who made you the big guy when we weren't looking, smartass?' In short: Thanatos decides when someone lives or dies, you don't. He has power over life and death as a god; you are mortal, so don't be a punkass.
Further, sacrifice of one's fellow followers is downright stupid for the reason that it's impractical. How is one supposed to recruit more faithful if they become aware they might die at the whim of one of their fellows?
That said, it is not uncommon to find Thanatasians on the battlefield. Though Thanatos is not as such a god of war, a side effect of war is death on a large scale. Battlefields are the only place you'll see a Thanatasian arguably murder someone; a casualty who will suffer horribly before death will usually be mercifully killed rather than letting them be in agony. If death is certain, in such a situation, it's better to be merciful and send the casualty (enemy or friendly) to the god's side.
(Not surprisingly, they tend to be advocates of euthanasia for those who desire it.)
The 'mainstream' of Thanatos worship (as opposed to the secretive mystery cults of the Gingrim) can be divided into two principal categories - hermetic or orthodox; and standard.
Hermetic worship is not what one would expect at all of a faith devoted to so obviously dark a god. Hermetic groups tend to be small - no more than thirteen in number, generally - and inconspicuous. They do not indulge in needless vandalism (what's the point?) or violence (see previous aside) and do not publicly curse Tahran at every turn (and why would they - cursing Tahran in effort to weaken him somehow is quite disrespectful to Thanatos - it assumes he'd be unable to deal with Tahran alone). Indeed they seem so very ordinary, so low-key that most don't believe them to be Thanatasian at all.
They are what they say, however, and are devoted to their god in a more philosophical and meditative sense. Zealots they are not. They do not openly seek to convert to their flock, believing that those who truly seek the god will find them. More oft then not, this is the case. it is not uncommon for one who has had a near-death experience to stumble upon a hermetic group, whether through chance or some other force at work. The practitioners take the attitude that all seekers are forever scholars, until the day of their physical death and reunion with the god. Therefore, while a circle may have a head practitioner or priest/priestess, he or she will rarely claim absolute knowledge or authority. After all, how could a living mortal possibly understand death? Even those who have almost died came back to this concrete place, and only technically peeked beyond the veil. Therefore, while they might understand a bit more than others, they are far from experts.
Initiation
Hermetic initiation, which traces its roots back to the initiations of the original worshippers, is a solitary ceremony, though not one unattended - since the ceremony does make use of a mild hallucinogen to 'jumpstart' the inner vision of the initiate, there is always a trip-sitter nearby. It's not unlike the Paladin's Ordeal or the Lady of Dark's inward dance, but rather than fighting against one's darkness or accepting one's darkness as a beloved part of oneself, Thanatasian initiation has the neophyte take his/her darkness as all that they are. Usually, the neophyte sees their Shadow-self emerge from the mirror, and becomes one with that self thought various means. (The symbolism of making love isn't uncommon; this is not unlike the Dark Lady's initiations, though in the end of that the neophyte claims his/her shadow as lover and friend.)
Sirian Xavier underwent this initiation, though his experience was far different. Rather than seeing his shadow emerge form the mirror, he experienced being drawn into the mirror. Because he showed no sign of psychic, mental or spiritual distress, the initiator, Thorne Van de Velde (who had some sense that this man was unusual but dismissed her intuition as wishful, childish thinking), did not interrupt the ceremony. Sirian shattered the mirror (from the inside, he says) and manifested his wings for the first time, then collapsed. Thorne entered the room at the sound of the mirror breaking and administered healing spells, caring for Sirian until he was well enough to travel and then taking him to Zorana's care.
Hermetic Practice
The necessity of sacrifice is often expressed by a hermetic or orthodox Thanatasian through the destruction of something made or purchased for that purpose. Thorne Van de Velde, a glassblower, regularly made pieces simply to shatter them. She would then use the pieces to melt down and make something new, symbolising the rebirth after destruction. Without breakdown there can be no creation. Sand 'dies' and glass is 'born'. Wood dies and ash is born.
Hermetics do use mild hallucinogens and narcotics. They also always 'trip-sit' - were there is a stoned Hermetic, there is a sober one watching him or her. The Mirror Trial is the most well-known ritual, though there are others. Ritual sacrifice is to be done regularly in some way, shape or form.
The summer solstice, marking the beginning of the dark half of the year, is seen as the time in which he triumphs temporarily over Tahran (or Chrystalis, or both) - the days begin to shorten. Winter solstice marks Tahran's triumph over him, as the days begin to lengthen. Both are celebrated by hermetic Thanatasians (as well as Tahran's followers, amusingly enough). Also celebrated is the last harvest of the year. As everything dies and falls to rest in winter, the barrier between the living and the dead is thinner. At this time it is easier to communicate with the god. This is a common time for initiation.
Philosophy and meditation are key in the practice.
Pushy evangelical conversion is frowned upon.
Symbolism
Why ravens? They're a common sight on the battlefield and they feed on carrion. Their black colour, too, associated them with Thanatos, and they've been called his messengers, or lost souls on their way to commune with him. They're exceptionally clever, too - fitting since the one they represent is often pretty damned cunning (when he isn't being a mad jerk).
Why snakes? They're a symbol of death and rebirth in many a culture. The shedding of their skin is the primary reason for this, though there's also the tail-biting ouroboros. Both are apt considering Thanatos's sphere of influence and his habit of reincarnating.
Evergreen - especially cypress and yew trees - are associated with Thanatos by the hermetic tradition.
The scythe is, of course, a reference to the sacred weapon Lekythen's usual shape and symbolic of Thanatos's reaper-of-souls epithet. He has an association with the time of the harvest (the sacrifice of living grain so that living people can continue to be so).
Tenets of the Hermetic Faith
1) Do not take life unnecessarily. You're not the god.
2) Recognize the lives that ended to sustain yours. Life does feed on life as a part of existence, but be respectful about it. Don't take anything for granted.
3) Respect the dead. DO NOT desecrate graves. Meditate in memory of your ancestors and the people in live who've gone with the god to be reborn/to the afterlife.
4) Funerary rites are for the living, but respect for the dead is important. See above. Celebrate the life of the deceased and his or her entry into the world of the god.
5) Know the necessity of sacrifice.
6) Know that life and death, light and dark are two sides of the coin. Thanatos, Chrystalis and Tahran are bound to one anther in ways mortals cannot comprehend; cursing the other two doesn't mean anything, and Thanatos hardly cares, so don't waste your time being a dick to the Luminous Road people. After all, every light casts a shadow - by revering their gods they also acknowledge Thanatos, just as you acknowledge them by revering Thanatos.