Yavieba (Autumn Equinox) - September 22nd
Being blessed with longevity, Elves do not see death in terms of fascination or
fear. When an Elf dies (be it through conscious journey to Valinor, or
through violent means at the hands of their enemies), they stand before
Mandos, the Valar of death and passing, and be judged. Those deemed worthy are
admitted to Valinor, where they experience an eternity of joy. Sehanine,
patroness of reincarnation and travel, guides the spirits of the fallen
Elves to their new dwellings. Should they wish to tread upon Sosaria once
more, Sehanine also guides them back to the Elven lands. Yavieba is
a holiday which honors the duties of Namó, and remembers those which have
passed into the Realms of Beyond.
The summer harvests are coming to an end, and fertility is slowly seeping away
from Nature. Yavieba marks the beginning of Nature's death in the cycle of
seasons. The autumnal season is when the flora and fauna prepare for sleep
(which, in the cycle of seasons, represents death), and cold slowly begins
to expand across the lands. The Elves, close to Nature as they are,
observe this time with solemn reverence. Though Yavieba is a time of
death, it is far from being a morbid day. Death is an essential part of
Nature's cycle, and holds promise of the renewal of springtime.
Much of Yavieba is spent in solitude, as each Elf observes and accepts death in
their own unique way. Many engage in meditation and communion with the
Spirit, offering prayers and good wishes to those who have departed.
Families may gather to trace back their family tree, thanking each
ancestor for the wisdom and blessings they bestow upon the members of the
family. To ease the passing of those who have nearly departed, Elves burn
sacred herbs (in particular frankincense and myrrh). This offering is said
to appease Sehanine and render the spirit's travel to Valinor more
comfortable. Most Elves fast during Yavieba, symbolic of the lack of fruit
that winter brings.
In the evening, Elves gather together at the temple
wherein they pray for Namó's justice and grace. A priest often tells of
the mysteries of death and the promises of Valinor. Candles are lit for the
spirits, symbols of Varda's beacons of light of Valinor. The undead, being
the worst offense and abomination in Nature, are sought out by Elves
following the ceremony. While weapons and spells put the corpses of the
undead to rest, Elven priests pray for their rest and bless their
dwellings with holiness. Many tombs and caverns where wraiths and ghouls
dwell have thus been cleansed. The night of
Yavieba is spent in solitude and silence.
Nienna, Valier of grief and loss, is also veneered during Yavieba. Her mysteries
allow grieving Elves to heal the sadness caused by the loss of a loved
one. Naralis Analor, the patron of healing, is known to descend upon
Sosaria and dry the tears of grieving Elves. To honor the tears Nienna
spills so that hearts of Elves could be light and merry, the Elves meet to
perform the ritual of grief. During the ritual, Elves walk slowly through
the lands, calling out the names of those which have departed and
sprinkling holy water into the air. Candles are lit to brighten the road
of the spirits, and Elven Priests chant prayers to Nienna. Elves then
share lembas bread and sweet mead with light laughter.
Yavieba is one of rare days when the veil between the Realms is thinned. As such,
Elves may use this time to communicate with the departed, be it to ask for
wisdom or to wish good tidings. Most Elves, however, do not engage in such
for the spirit is quite different in living and in death. For the Elves
with the gift of the Sight, Yavieba is a time where channeling and
interacting with spirits is both easier and more intense. Thus many choose
to close their mind and spend the day engaged in mundane affairs. Non
Elves have often mistaken the hesitance to communicate with spirits for
fear, rather than a reverence to the memory of the spirit as it lived.
None, save Mandos, can judge on Yavieba, for He is the only fair judge. As such,
Elves do not engage into moral dilemmas or partake in trials of criminals.
To judge one's actions or choices on Yavieba is considered extremely
offensive to Mandos, and thus no Elf would engage in such activity. Elven
enemies have tried to take advantage of this in the past, trying to wreak
chaos across the Elven lands. It has, since, become common practice for
the Elven guards to increase patrols across Elven lands and be more
vigilant of suspicious figures.