Tiva - A Ceremonial Guide

[LaffenOutLoud 355]

 

[!] The following letter was pinned on the Naelurir, Dominion and Mother Grove noticeboards.

 

 

“Mal’onnan, Lari’onnan:

 

I urge you all, as you read on, my friends, to treat this knowledge as sacred. Do not use it ill-willed, as doing so mocks our culture and tradition.

 

I am writing this guide through guilt, or empathy of sorts. An entire language our people have used for centuries has been lost. When I left my home in the wilderness and came to Atlas, to the public - I expected it to be known by all of our kind. Everyone I grew up around had kept the knowledge close to their hearts - However even I have trouble recalling most of the language, let alone our entire community.

It appears lost to most of my Brothers and Sisters - To most of our people. Not just a language, but an art..

Tiva.

Tiva is perhaps misunderstood by most. You have all seen me, thinking I have a strange obsession with cluttering flowers onto my clothes - Adorning myself with strange wreaths. However, these flowers are not meaningless. You may have witnessed flower wreaths strung all around Caras Eldar, the Mother Grove, and our forests. These all have meanings - Understood by very little. An abundance of different, unique, planned flowers have been planted near our entrances, yet go unnoticed, ignored.  

Every wreath, every braid, every flower, every petal.. All have meaning. Singular blooms represent a word or idea, and when put together creates a story - A message, or even a warning. Yet how are we to understand these warnings or messages if we are not informed? How are we to embrace our culture if we look past an art form? Tiva has saved our ancestors countless of times - ‘ame who choose to live in the wilderness often depended on Tiva - As a single, hidden flower can represent danger and signify that one should not enter or they meet their death. We, however, are not as heavily reliant on this - But we should respect this core foundation of the survival of our ancestors, and keep this ancient method close to our hearts.

 

I am not prepared to publicly reveal flower combinations that our survival could depend on someday - But instead, I want to share flowers and methods we can use in sacred ceremonies and festivals. These may be dedicated to the Aspects, religious festivals, or celebrations of Nature. Use this knowledge heavily to embrace our identity - And respect it.

 

Vervain ~ A sacred flower used to represent Cerridwen. Use this for dedicated festivals and rituals celebrating our Mother and what she represents.

Snapdragon ~ The partnering flower to Vervain, used for representing Cernunnos. This may be used for worshipping the Huntsman, and festivals representing his ideals.
 

Helenium - Autumn
 

Marigold - Summer

Myosotis - Winter

Golden Columbine - Spring

 

 

Wild Hyacinths ~ Represents Gratitude or Thankfulness. Use this in ceremonies and events to show appreciation, or to thank someone. This can be used in festivals for the Aspects to show our Gratitude for everything they’ve done for our people.

Cyclamen ~ This flower represents Mourning, specifically used to mourn the dead. Used in funerals or even adorning a deceased one as they are buried. See: “Asphodelus.”

Sweet Pea ~ Safe travels and good luck. I personally like to use this flower on a wreath and crown someone who is departing, who will be on a journey, away from home. It is to wish safe travels on said person.

Lotus Flower ~ Elven pregnancy is sacred and a rare event that should be worshipped. Use this flower to crown pregnant mali, or even in festivals celebrating a pregnant mali.

Daisy ~ Faith, or Faithfulness. One may use this in events depicting our faith - Aspectism, Druidism - Use it as you may, to show your faith.

Bird of Paradise ~ Joy, Joyfulness. It may be used in joyous occasions, to represent your joy for said event or celebration.

Statice ~ Sympathy. I’ve only used this in Funerals, however you can show sympathy to anyone or anything using this flower.

Allium ~ Royalty, also sometimes used to represent Perfection. This can be used for Royal people in your culture - Festivities for your leaders, Kings and Queens - Perhaps when they’ve been crowned.

Asphodelus ~ Death. It is truly a sad occasion when someone departs in death, this flower may also be used along with Cyclamen to represent “Funeral.”

 

Rue ~ Repentance. Use this flower to show you are sorry, that you’ve apologized for something you have done.

Baby’s Breath ~ Of course, this flower represents Babies. I have used this for several occasions where a woman has given birth to a child. It may also be used for representing Innocence.

Heather ~ Protection. Represents that you’ve dedicated a part of you to protect someone, something, or an idea. Be creative with what flower you pair it with. Heather and Allium may signify that you are a guard for your king, and have devoted yourself to protecting your king.

Pansy ~ Victory. Use it to celebrate victory in battle, war - Or anything you’ve succeeded in. For better understanding, you may pair it with a flower that represents said thing you succeeded in.

Zinnia ~ Remembrance. May signify that you will remember someone you’ve lost in death, however one can use it to represent anything they hold in remembrance.

Rosebud ~ Birth. Birth of a child, animal - Or a special being.

Orange Bud ~ Literally translates to “Blessings.” Similar to Sweet Pea, however it may be used to wish blessings on anything a person does.

 

I urge you to attempt to use this sacred art in any sacred ceremony - Or even in your daily life.

I thank you for reading this.

Sincerely,

Brother Rainbow."