Procession of Day (Worldbuilding Piece)

In the most traditional portions of the Empire, in the country manors, the towns and villages and small cities, few spirits are so widely and consistently worshiped as the solar and lunar spirits. Great Spirits as old as the Empire itself and more. Though that worship has changed and shifted, grown and shrunk, even during the height of the late second dynasty purge of destabilizing temples, the mad Emperors of the falling Ao did not dare declare even the most troublesome members of these pantheons from the orthodox rolls.

Previous volumes of this humble author have delved into the methods and public rituals of the eight moon spirits. A fine primer for the newly ascended  Lord or Lady seeking greater understanding of the hinterlands and proper imperial culture, which may have been hindered by suboptimal childhoods. Here then I present the first volume of its companion piece, which will discuss the five aspects of the sun.

Firstly, the heavenly body itself must be addressed. It is of course undeniable that the sun, which whirls protectively around our world, fending off the foul emanations of the cruel stars, is a god worthy of worship even in the highest halls of the Empire. They are our siblings, the second born creations of the Nameless, made with their dying breaths to protect the newborn world that had been made for us.

However, like the moon, it is not correct to offer sacrifices, prayer or ritual to the whole of them. This honor falls to the Imperial Seat alone, who holds the throne and divine seals, and knows the correct words to speak, and sacrifices to make upon the summit of Mount Tai. It is a grave insult to the throne to take such a duty for yourself! Understand this in arranging the rituals and holy days of your newly acquired lands.

The Sun’s aspects follow its procession through the sky and are casually known as Dawn, Rising, Zenith, Descending, and Dusk. Here in this opening, a summary and brief discussion of each aspect will be given, following which the later chapters of this introductory volume will review the common elements of ritual, architecture, and sacrifice which you and your attendant priests may use to construct ceremonies proper for your lands. The other five volumes of this set shall be dedicated to one aspect each, for those who wish to delve deeper and seek a closer connection with this great spirits.

Dawn is the sun of beauty, of art and creation. It has some overlap with the worship of the Dreaming Moon, but cannot be conflated with that spirit directly. Indeed their inner cults maintain something of a righteous rivalry. Where the Dreaming Moon is often a patron of painters and poets, of musicians and sculptors, the Dawn more often patronizes architects and other large scale projects. There are many painters and musicians among its worshippers of course, but the Dawn advances individual art is part of a whole. An artist dedicated to the Dawn is more likely to paint landscapes and murals, the friezes and decor upon builds, working with other artisans to a greater whole. A Master of the Guzheng might break hearts solo upon the stage, the Dawn will construct a great orchestra.

It is common to offer rituals to the Dawn when undertaking the construction of a major project, and during midwinter celebrations in more chill climates, as the common folk often require reassurance in the darkest and most unpleasant months of the year. In warmer regions substitute this for the storm season, where the howling wind and pounding rain may dampen spirits more.

The Rising Sun is one many of the nobility keep upon their personal rolls as a spirit to give obedience too. A good practice as the Rising Sun is most often a patron of leadership, of inspiring generals, wise statesman, and impassioned orators. The primary directives of this aspect of the sun is to inspire those around you to greatness. To show great virtue and forthrightness in all things, and thus show one's subordinates the way forward. Although many military commanders revere him, he is not a patron of soldiers but rather of any true gentleman or lady, and even of mortal community leaders. Any who seek to bring organization to their lands, or shame the corrupt should offer words and to the Rising Sun.

It is most common for rituals of the Rising Sun to take place just before the planting season, to inspire farmers to cooperate during these crucial months rather than squabbling. He is also invoked often by sergeants of drill, when inaugurating new recruits. Ship Captains too, will invoke him at the start of a long voyage, or when out on a long journey to keep men's spirits high.

The Zenith sun is a relatively simple spirit. He is the sun of heroes. Not soldiers as is some mistake. The Zenith sun is what the Rising becomes in the course of day, the conclusion of the pursuit of excellence. It is the sun of unflinching resolve, tireless endurance, and implacability in battle. Warriors dedicated to the Zenith sun have often become great heroes in times of strife, and many sword saints have a dedication to him embedded in their way. He is not often appropriated in times of peace, though his worship is more common in the parts of the Empire which suffer directly from barbarian threats. He is also widely revered among the peoples of the Eastern waste, left behind by the Cataclysm. The Founder of the Guo clan, now dukes of that place, is said to have been a follower of his, giving up her crown to a more sedentary ruler to continue to battle the walking dead, after uniting the people of the waste.

His rituals are most commonly performed by hunters of terrible beasts before setting out, by champions before entering a duel. He was once invoked before judicial duels, before that practice fell out of use. Enshrining the Zenith among your personal temple will certainly grant you a martial air, but it may draw his disdain if you fail to live up to it.

The Descending Sun is widely revered. It is a spirit of contemplation and learning, of teachers and philosophy. It is also widely revered as a patron of fatherhood, in the ideal sense. That is, as a figure of passing on knowledge and virtue to their children. Under the conception of the Descending Sun, it is the fathers role to teach and prepare their children for the world outside the home, to convey the virtues of temperance and evenhandedness, and encourage the contemplation of the Way. The Ministries of Law often maintain shrines to the descending sun, and his wisdom is often invoked by judges and magistrates deliberating a case.

In common usage, his rites are often invoked alongside those of the Mother Moon during marriages, and upon a child’s first year, when they receive their proper name and are presented to their Father formally. He is also invoked among the nobility in some traditions before attempting a realm breakthrough, requesting that he not yet take the cultivator from their prime.

The Final aspect, the Dusk Sun, is a somber one. He is the guide of the dead, who takes those who have passed beyond to the unknown realms which only the dead may know. He has many, many localized variants and sub identities, but common among all of them is respect for the remains of the dead, as customary to the region, protection of graveyards and mausoleums from those who would defile them, and respect for the final wishes of the deceased. In the East his worship is aberrant, taking on a martial zeal comparable to the Zenith, when it comes to combating the Ashwalkers which plague that land. He is worshiped by exorcists, the keepers of graves, and often soldiers, who invoke his name in the hopes that if they fall they will be returned to a proper rest. Priests of his Inner cults often accompany major armies for this reason, and it is considered a good omen to have one's services on an expedition, for they may prevent the formation of undesired spiritual resonances after great battles.

He is for obvious reasons invoked primarily in funerals, as well as local festivities which honor the dead and reconsecrate places of rest. Surgeons and physicians may also invoke him in some regions, though this is uncommon outside of the east.  Among mortals he is also invoked during birth alongside the Mother Moon, to protect and keep Mother or child as circumstances demand.