annual ritual

the 7-hour ritual is complete.

you know the one.

gather the clan. trek to the sacred grounds. seek out the life form that speaks to you. sacrifice it while the clan lays on hands. carefully, with fear and reverence, transport it to the shrine where it will spend one moon to transfer what remains of its life force. affix it with tiny replicas of ourselves and various other life forms, fractal patterns, and light.

a reminder that life thrives beautifully even in the dark and hopeless season.