Solgaleo-Lunalaism

Solgaleo-Lunalaism

Religion in Fornoire

Solgaleo-Lunalaism (Fornirian: Solagaleo-Lunalaesem; Solunanese: Solgaleo-Lunalaesme) is the largest and one of the only three active legendary religions in Fornoire (as in, religions that believe in legendary creatures). Largely centred on South and Central Fornoire, it has ~7.5-8 million followers, and 4% of the Fornirian populace practice it. Solgaleo-Lunalaists (or Solunanists) believe that there are two beings: Solgaleo, a lion-like creature ruler of the sun, and by extension the day, and Lunala, a flying, winged beast-like creature that is ruler of the moon, and by extension the night, which are deities.

An interesting factoid of this creed is that there is no ritual of prayer, as they do not believe neither Solgaleo nor Lunala control their destiny, nor will grant any wish. Rather, they believe that these deities are the supporters of the structure of the Earth, and they only need a thank you from believers to continue to provide a day-night cycle happily (hence why Solunanists say “Praise the Sun” or “Praise the Moon” when the sun or moon come and set, as a praising thanks to the deities). They do believe that they created the universe, but left humans mostly alone to control their own fate, as Solunanists believe that humans were created to be the intellectual equals of the gods and caretakers of the earthly realms.

Historians put the existence of this religion since the 20th-12th century BC, as legendary religions were the norm until the Christian Conversions of the 3rd to 9th centuries AD. It was one of the few to be spared by the Christian kings of Fornoire, as they were considered necessary to keep stability in their own region.

Beliefs

As stated before, Solunanists believe that there are two beings: Solgaleo, a lion-like creature ruler of the sun, and by extension the day, and Lunala, a flying, winged beast-like creature that is ruler of the moon, and by extension the night, which are deities, and there is no ritual of prayer, as they do not believe neither Solgaleo nor Lunala control their destiny, nor will grant any wish. Rather, they believe that these deities are the supporters of the structure of the Earth, and they only need a thank you from believers to continue to provide a day-night cycle happily (hence why Solunanists say “Praise the Sun” or “Praise the Moon” when the sun or moon come and set, as a praising thanks to the deities). They do believe that they created the universe, but left humans mostly alone to control their own fate, as Solunanists believe that humans were created to be the intellectual equals of the gods and caretakers of the earthly realms.

Solunanists believe that, out of the chaos of nothing came two beings: Solgaleo and Lunala. They agreed to create the universe so that the chaos could serve a purpose, and to take two important realms: the day and the night. Solgaleo created the Sun, whilst Lunala forged the Moon and the stars. Both were tools to maintain their realms functional and stable.

A glass art work picturing the creation of the sun and the moon

Then, they created the Earth (or the earthly realms) so life could beautify the universe and give it more meaning that before. Creating beasts and species in general of all kinds, they decided to create a rational being that would not suffer being driven by the instincts of animals. At the cost of being weak compared to other animals, man was created as an intellectual being equal to the gods in wisdom and thought. However, all the infinite knowledge these deities possessed was not given to humans, as they believed learning like all creatures would spur innovation and development of mankind, plus the gods were, eventually, supreme to humans.

The next important chapter is the Time of Great Calamity, when Solgaleo and Lunala went to war.

As time progressed, the realms of the day and the night became unstable. The days were now irregular, with these dominions clashing in space. Sometimes it was day at midnight, night at midday, etc. There were even instances that the day or the night lasted the entire 24-hour day. Solgaleo and Lunala, each thinking that this could not go on, decided to meet. However, they disagreed on how to fix the abnormalities, each proposing that their realm should remain longer in the sky to stabilize them. Both, seeing the other’s proposal as an insult to their pride, went to war, fighting years with no end.

A painting depicting the Second Battle of the Sun

These battles would only weaken the universe and worsen the problem between dominions. Natural disasters like droughts, flooding, harsh cold times, storms, etc. were a cause of the extreme instability and constant fighting of the two.

The earthly realms, depending on the stability of the realms of the sky, were devastated. Humans and animals alike suffered greatly due to the unstable and chaotic universe.

It is here that the purpose of man would be used: an intellectual creature without suffering from the instincts. Humans pleaded for peace, crying out to the sky for the end of the catastrophic war. Priests of the Sun and the Moon climbed Mt. Sesnirion, the highest mountain of the region and believed to be an area where the gods would hear them better than in lower areas, to plea for peace.

Finally, peace came. Solgaleo and Lunala, hearing the people’s wishes, met at Mt. Sesnirion, where they struck a deal. The seasons were created to balance the realms, giving the earthly realms peace. The universe was finally stabilized, as the seasons sealed the problems between the realms. The downside was winter, making the cold a permanent aspect of life, but the gods taught the creatures of the Earth on how to deal with winter.

Peace of Mt. Sesnirion

Rituals

Despite there being no rituals of prayer, Solunanists still have places of worship, like the Ceremonial Temples and the Altars of the Sunne and Moone.

Ceremonial Temples

A Ceremonial Temple in Pauilu

Ceremonial Temples are often staffed by priests, and each community elects their local priest. There is no central command structure in any of the Solunanist sects. The priest reads from three books: the Book of the Sunne (a book centering on Solgaleo), the Book of the Moone (a book centering on Lunala), and the Book of the Gods (a book containing history and acts involving both deities). The priest reads a story from one of the books each every Thursday (the day to meet in the temple), where the community reflects on the stories and thanks each deity for their work on the day-night cycle.

The Altars

The Altar of the Sunne and the Altar of the Moone, respectively

The Altars are important places in Solunanist faith, each built equally except for their symbols. Every believer is strongly advised to visit them at least once in their lives and play a flute to the gods in their respective altars, in order to entertain them in their ardous work of mainting the day-night cycle. It is believed that the gods gave humans directly the knowledge of the flute, and Solunanists believe it is the divine instrument of the gods that pleases them and gives both Solgaleo and Lunala happiness to continue their divine task.

Sects of Solgaleo-Lunalaism

Solunanists can be divided into three main sects (OOC: Like the denominations in Christianity and stuff): Luxian, Solian, and Lunian sects.

Luxian Sect

The symbol of the Luxian sect. Both symbols of Solgaleo and Lunala are merged to symbolize their equal status as gods. In the middle is the color red, symbolizing that both deities are needed as a blood of sorts of the universe to keep functioning

The Luxian sect is the biggest denomination in Solgaleo-Lunalaism, accounting for ~65% of all believers. Luxians believe that both Solgaleo and Lunala are equal gods, with none being on top of the other in status. Luxians pay visits to both altars, and read from the Three Sacred Books proportionally equally. They also thank both gods every day.

Solian Sect

Solians use the symbol of Solgaleo to identify themselves, omitting Lunala’s as it is a lower god to them

The Solian sect, comprised of ~19.5% of all Solunanists, believe that Solgaleo is a higher god in terms of status, and go to its altar more frequently than Lunala’s. In their temples, Solians read the Book of the Sunne more frequently, and thank Solgaleo daily, as opposed to their thanking of Lunala at least weekly. Many Solians do not see both Luxian and Lunian sects as heretical, but some small factions do, although aggressiveness against the other sects is rare among both types of Solians.

Solians base their belief on that Solgaleo’s Sun and realm provide the light for all life, making Solgaleo a higher, more worthy-to-be-praised deity than Lunala.

Lunian Sect

Lunians use Lunala’s symbol for their sect, considering Solgaleo a lesser god

The Lunian sect composes of ~14.8% of all believers of the faith. Lunians believe that Solgaleo is a lesser god, and that Lunala is higher in status. Most visit Lunala’s shrine more often, but, ironically, a few Lunian factions visit Solgaleo’s altar more. This is not because of its divinity, but because these factions believe that Solgaleo is weaker and less compassionate than Lunala. In their temples, Lunians read the Book of the Moone more frequently, and thank Lunala daily, as opposed to their thanking of Solgaleo at least weekly. Often, Lunians do not see other sects as heretical, but, proportionally compared to both the Luxian and Solian sects, some factions do see the opposite. Still, like Solians, aggressiveness against other sects is rare in both types of Lunians.

Lunians base their belief on that Lunala provides the night as a realm to balance out the day’s heat that could leave Earth a hot rock forever without it. They also believe that Lunala is more praiseworthy for inventing water and fertility. Lunians are more eco-conscious, but also more prone to be against abortion compared to other sects because of this.

Science and Solgaleo-Lunalaism

As more scientific discoveries have arisen in the past few centuries, there has been a rift in the faith, regardless of sect. Some, called Scientific Solunanists, believe that the interpretation of the stories can be adjusted to scientific reality (for example, they believed that the Big Bang gave birth to the gods, that evolution was a tool of the gods, and that the deities centered on Earth after seeing the possibilities of life). Others, called the Old Guard or, more simply, Creationist Solunanists, believe that modern science is against the gods, and that it is all a hoax to doom the religion. The scientific faction has gained more popularity in recent years, especially amongst the young.