(Aeonic Polytheism)

 

Very little material scripture appears to remain from the religion of Aeonia, fostered into Prosphoron when it was incorporated into the Aeonian empire hundreds of years prior. The largest remaining Apocryphon (Which has been called The Fracture, after the title of the scripture) appears to describe the beginning of existence with the birth of the Aeonic divinities up until the point of a cataclysmic event called the Fracture, which is responsible for the current state of the world’s existence. The religious practices that remain are based on the repetition of ritual and celebrations presented under the guidance of Seers, Oracles and other divinely guided Aeonic Clergy.

The Religion appears to be somewhat fluid. While the Pantheon as a whole is venerated, is is not uncommon for Aeonic worshippers to follow Kathenotheistic or Henotheistic practises of having a ‘favoured’ or ‘Patron’ Aeon that they follow in particular. It is important for followers of Aeonism to remember that while worship of a Patron is accepted by the Aeonic Pantheon, it is imperative to give the others their due respect, or face the consequences of Hubris. Types of sacrifice for rituals and time for worship vary from Aeon to Aeon, but tend to follow patterns suitable to the Domain that the Aeon has influence over in the Pleroma.

Aeonic Morality

 

One of the most important moral concepts to the people of Evropi is the fear of committing hubris, though the definition of Hubris seems to differ from Religion to Religion. Hubris to Aeonic Worshippers constitutes many things, from wanton murder (Though Ritual Sacrifice is accepted as an exception)  to desecration of a corpse and is a crime in some city-states within Prosphoron. Although pride and vanity are not considered hubristic in themselves, people in the lands of Prosphoron emphasize moderation. Pride only becomes hubris when it goes to extremes, like any other vice. The same is thought of eating and drinking. Anything done to excess is not considered proper conduct within Aeonic worship. Aeonians, for example, place importance on athletics and intellect equally, and In fact, many of their competitions include both, and it is not seen as Hubris. Pride is not hubristic until it becomes all-consuming or hurtful to other Citizens. (The exclusion of this in Prosphoron and Aeonia is slaves, who are not considered as Citizens, but property.)

 

The Afterlife

 

Aeonic worshippers believe in an other world plane where the Psyche of the departed goes after death, though few who have claimed to return to the Kthonos from the journey after life had fled offer little experience in any meaningful regard.  The Psyche is seen as the mental connection to the Divine, a silver thread that connects the worshipper to the Pleroma, like the umbilical cord of birth, with the mortal corpus forming a sort of protective placenta. Freed from this, death is seen more as a ‘rebirth’ into a different form, in a different place, rather than a situation to be feared. The body is little more than a temporary shell, discarded after the Psyche has left.

 

Some worshippers also embrace the idea of reincarnation, believing that the Psyche may re-form in a new mortal form after passing,  though this is only accepted by a few. Some Aeonic philosophers have suggested that the Psyche is simply atoms which dissolve at death, so there is no existence at all.

 

Rituals:

 

Birth:

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Birth to an Aeonic worshipper is not really acknowledged as a special time. It is seen as an unclean time due to the birth-pains suffered by the mother, and her blood as a reminder of mortality, being spilled. Those of the Aeonic Faith spend most of their time trying to purify themselves in various ways. Ritual bathing is common and occurs on a regular basis, and so a child’s first experience in the word is to be bathed. Blood present within the body is a symbol of life, while blood outside the body is a symbol of death, and corruptive to the Psyche by nature. Aeonic worshippers believe that women who died suddenly in childbirth were taken to a painless existence by Ennoia, who showed them mercy from the act of creating another mortal soul by taking them to the Pleroma. Anyone who has been in contact with blood during a childbirth, however, is not permitted to enter sacred sanctuaries of the Aeons for eight days after the birth, for fear of contaminating the site. on the sixth or eighth day after a child was born, there is another ceremony called the Lustration (LOOSE-Trah-Tee-ohn) which  was to rid newborn children of any harmful energies that may have been acquired at birth from the blood. The ceremony takes place when the baby boy reached the age of six days, or if a girl, eight days old. In the ceremony, the procession traced a magical boundary around the child to be purified. At the end of the ceremony, the child is presented with a small charm, and kept in a leather bag around the neck. This would be worn until the child became an adult and exchanged the child's purple-lined swaddle-clothing for the tunic of an adult. The Lustration ceremony culminates with the naming of the child, the name being added to official registers, and the observation of a flight of birds is in order to discern the child’s future.

 

Marriage:

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Marriage starts starts with a living sacrifice, which is for the Aeons to bless the two being wed. Then partners then cut their hair, signifying the departure from their previous lives as single beings. The two then take a ceremonial bath in holy water, known as loutra (LOO-trah). The water is poured from a consecrated loutrophoros (LOO-troh-for-oss) which holds the water for bathing. Smaller loutrophors may be given to the Aeons as sacrifice to bless the marriage. After the loutra a feast is prepared at the Couple’s house.

 

The the marriage is consecrated by a partner moving into their suitor’s living quarters. Once in the house, the act of living together legalizes the pledge that the suitor and the parental guardians make. A dowry is given to the couple. Since they often do not have any possessions of their own with which to live, to live, the  parents of the couple provide this, which is important for their future lives. Both partners have the power to initiate a divorce. One partner simply returns back back to their parents to end the marriage, and their part of the dowry is returned. There were two additional procedures by which people other than the couple could dissolve a marriage. The first of these is divorce initiated by the Parents of one of the couple; This is only permitted if the couple had not borne or adopted a child by that time. Finally, if a partner becomes widowed after marriage, the closest single relative on Widower’s family is permitted to end the marriage bond in order to marry them.

 

Death:

At the time of the funeral, offerings were made for the deceased to the Aeons by only either a relative and lover. The mourners first dedicate a lock of hair, along with libations of honey, milk, water, wine, perfumes,and oils mixed in varying amounts. A prayer then follows. Preparation of the body beforehand was always done by close relatives, related no further away from the deceased than the degree of second cousin. The deceased is stripped, washed, anointed with oil, and then dressed in their finest clothes. A pair of coins are presented to the dead, and laid under the tongue, or on the eyes, as payment to Horos, Ferryman of the Dead, and to assist travel of the Psyche to the Pleroma.The body is then laid to rest in an individual grave or family plot. Once the burial is complete, the house and household objects were thoroughly cleansed with seawater and hyssop, and the family most closely related to the dead took part in the ritual washing in clean water.

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Religious Titles:

 

Protosynkellos: (PROTO-sin-KELL-oss)

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A Senior Priest, with rank similar to a Bishop, Usually held by one of the more elderly Clery members to lead a religious Cell or Order. In Prosphoron and Aeonia, a Protosynkellos is usually called upon to advise the City-State’s Eparchos (Master of Guilds, ruler of the City-State) and usually holds a position as councillor in the governing body. While having only one Protosynkellos in the Court of the Eparchos is most common, it is not frowned upon for two to be present to provide guidance.

Hierophylakos (Eir-roh-Fee-lak-oss)

Hierophants of smaller Religious sects, leads the ritual under the guidance of the Protosynkellos, usually interprets the sacred mysteries or esoteric principles. Leads the Rites of Sacrifice when there is no Protosynkellos present, and usually rotated every 48 Maeina. When not in office, the previous Hierophylaxes are charged with finding new converts, and initiating them into the Faith. An important trait in selecting one is that prior to the role, they must never have commited murder of a living creature.

 

Iatromantis: (EE-ah-troh-MAHN-tees)

The Physician-Priest, combining religious prayers and rituals with mortal medicines and surgeries. Responsible for overseeing the spiritual and physical wellbeing of the Cell or Order assigned to them.

It is not uncommon for the Iatromantis of smaller gatherings to also fill the role of Oracle.

Ireas: (EE-reh-ahs)

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A religious being (Rank equivalent to a Priest/Priestess) devoted to the clergy, who is trained to perform services or participate in sacrifices at a temple

 

Cartophylakos: (Car-Toh-Fee-lak-oss)

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A religious Archivist, the “Guardian of the Scriptures” is in charge of the maintenance and security of the Cell or Order’s religious texts. Often they will transcribe the texts of older, crumbling tomes, so that the knowledge within may not be lost to the ages.

 

Skeuphylakos: (Skee-Ew-Fee-Lak-oss)

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A Religious Curator, the “Keeper of the Vessels” oversees maintenance and of ritual equipment, religious Loci, and reliquaries. They are also charged with the restoration consecration and and re-consecration of temples, religious altars, and sacred sites.

 

Dikaiophylakos: (Thee-Kay-Oh-Fee-Lak-koss)

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This “Guardian of the Law’ is a religious Guardsman when Faith and Criminal law collide. The duties of the Dikaiophylax involve cases of religious nature, requiring both knowledge of civil and canon law.

They will represent members of the clergy in matters of law, and bring them to justice when even the most Pious of the fold errs against the laws of either man or Divine.

 

Lampadarios: (Lahmp-ah-thar-oss)

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A “Lamp bearer” (Usually a slave) who carries torches before Protosynkelloi, Emperors and other officials of high dignity. May also lead the lower-classed choral singers, maintaining the overall cleanliness of the temple’s interior and religious vestments of it’s upper Clergy.

 

 

Divinities of Aeonism:

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• Bythos: Father of Silence
   

First of all the Aeons, Bythos (Vee-thoss) is the essence of the Primordial Universe. The name means ‘Depth,’ and the Aeon represents the silence and formless expanse of the Cosmos, both in the womb of infancy before conception, and in the stillness of utter oblivion when all decay has ceased after death and there is simply no more. Bythos is the utter peace of fulfillment, and also the eerie quiet of deepest space, where no sound may pass. Fathers, artisans, pacifists, and philosophers tend to favour Bythos, following the silence and tranquility that utter stillness provides.  His colour Deep purple that is almost black. His Kingdom is Xaos (HA-oss), the The Astral Ravine.

 

• Ennoia: Mother of Wonder
   

The Second Aeon, and Mother-figure to them all, Ennoia (Ehn-oy-yah) is the essence of Creation itself. The name means ‘First Thought’ and represents the awe of perseverance and fantasy given form. Ennoia is the creative force of inspiration, the personification of the ‘Could Be’ and potential to create something from concept. Mothers, artists, mages, travellers and dreamers tend to favour Ennoia, seeking inspiration and guidance in the realisation of their dreams, for the Mother Aeon and their ilk are exactly that; dreams made real.

Her Colour light purple that is almost grey. Her Kingdom is Oneiros (OHN-Ee-Ross), the Reverie of Dreams.

 

• Nous: Aeon of Reason
   

The First-born of Bythos and Ennoia and the Third emanating Aeon, Nous (NOOSE) is the Aeon of Reason. The name means ‘Intellect’ or ‘mind,’ and it is these pursuits the Aeon is involved with. When not acting as the voice of it’s Father when Silence decides something must be heard, Nous spends its time with contemplation, and directed knowledge. Scholars, Mathematicians, Diplomats and Thieves venerate Nous, hoping to glean the favour of the intellectual and cunning Aeon for themselves. His colour is Black. His Kingdom is the The Psychè Temenos (Psee-HEE  TEH-Meh-Noss) the Collective Unconscious.

 

• Aletheia: Aeon of Truth
   

The fourth of the Aeons, Aletheia (Ah-LEETH-yah), is something of an enigma. The name itself means ‘Disclosure’ and represents the endless search for uncovering knowledge, regardless of danger, intent or permission. Rarely noticed unless being actively sought after, the little Aeon questioned the purpose of the universe and everything in it, particularly Bythos, who had vast knowledge Truth had yet to fathom, but craved to know. Rebels, Inquisitors, Healers and young beings venerate Aletheia, perhaps hoping to find some sign of the missing Aeon. Though her power remains, the prayers of the Faithful are never answered directly, so the mystery remains. Her Colour is White, her plane is Aphthartōs (APF-thar-tohs), The Islands of the Blessed.

 

• Logos: Aeon of Judgement
   

Fifth of the Aeons, Logos (LOGH-os) is the essence of decisions, for better or worse. This name means ‘The Decree’ and the Aeon who bears it is given dominion over all this that require the making of rules, decisions, and proclamations. While Nous represents the culmination of Knowledge, it is Logos who collates the information for the use in decision making and the upholding of Laws. Debaters, Judges, parents, priests and paladins alike look to Logos for guidance. His colour is red. His Kingdom is Krínōs (KREE-Nohs), the The Halls of Eyes and Teeth.

 

• Zoê: Aeon of Prosperity
   

Sixth of the Aeons, Zoê (Zoh-EE) is the essence of growing fruitfulness of all things, beneficial and maleficent. The name means ‘Life,’ and the Aeon represents the proliferation and growth of all things, both in terms of population, or economics. Civilizations boom and bust at the whim of Zoê, Fortunes go from rags to riches, to rags again. Familial bonds and loyalty are important to the Prosperity Aeon, and in turn, Merchants, Farmers, Gamblers, and Soldiers turn their prayers to Zoe for her blessing. Her colour is Blue, Her Kingdom is the Temenos Kosmou, (Teh-MEN-oss KOS-moo) The Asphodel Meadows.

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