Sacred Ashes Rituals and the Old Religion

Most of the Rituals are ceremonies. Shamans or Alphas preform them when the time is right.

Taking a Mate- The canids to be joined are taken to the Whispering Cave so the union is witnessed by the Gods and pack mates who have passed.
***This ritual can only take place if an Alpha approves it***

Naming of Pups- The mother presents her new pups to the pack and announces their names. They will be known as that name forever more. Mothers can wait up to a week after the pups are born to preform the ceremony. If no names are provided the Shaman will name the pups, as names are very important in Rituals. Shamans preside over this ceremony.

Coming of Age- All wolves who have reached one year can announce the rank they wish to go into. After it is announced they begin training in that rank. They can request a mentor or just watch the others. If they decide to chose another rank an Alpha must approve the switch. Shamans preside over ceremony.

New Member- The newest member of the pack is presented to the rest of the pack under the full moon. Until they are presented they aren't a full member. They are taken to the Whispering Cave where they stand at the mouth and whisper their name in, letting the old spirits accept them also. Then the pack runs together becoming one, so there are no outsiders.
Alphas and Shamans preside over this ceremony

Becoming a Shaman- The Canid who trains in the Rank Shaman will be taken up to the Whispering Cave when their training is complete. There they will learn how to preform ceremonies and been seen by the Gods and wolves who came before, who they will interact with IF they follow the Old Religion.

Sky of Colors- The Shamans make dye out of berries and other plants. The pack gathers together and paints eachothers fur. Couples or Parents usually paint their Significant other/Child. Then the pack spends the day running around, hunting, exploring, climbing, or just relaxing. This is a Summer festival of sorts

***Note on Shamans*** Shamans with questions or concerns can spend a night in the Whispering Cave in hopes of recieving dreams or signs from the Gods or wolves who came before.

~The Old Religion~

The Old Religion was practiced long ago by the first wolves.
As the old story goes the world was once very dark until a wolf stepped into the dismal plane. No one knows where this wolf came from only that he was the first.

The wolf was immence and shades of grey and black. His name was Fenrir. When the Great Wolf opened his eyes the light of the sun came from one eye and the moon from the other. His great paws made holes in the soft earth that filled into lakes and seas. He would wag his tail or lay in the ground to make hills and valleys.

But he grew lonley and wanted a mate. So by breathing life into molded clay he made his mate, Freya. Together they filled the world with plants and animals. They were loved by all. And they eventually created man.

Wolves ruled over man, because they were older and clever. But man had the mind of the clever wolf and somthing the wolve did not. Hands. The humans learned this and began to create their own things. They cast the wolves into the forests taking claim over all. But the wolves fought for what was theirs.

Seeing their beloved world in war and chaos Fenrir and Freya went back into sky running with the sun and the moon. The earth fell into the state its in know. Most wolves forgot about their creators but some remember and continued to pray and to reward them the Gods gave the wolves signs and special places.

Shamans can read those signs and Whispering Cave is a place touched by the Gods.

The practice of the Old Religion is not enforced. It is a Choice.

When its practiced all that usually means is you give voice of gratitude after each kill. Either in word or howl. Next is praciptation in the ceremonies. That could mean everything from watcing to being the Shaman preforming the ritual.