The Phases of Life - The Storm Comes

[TwilightWolf 883]

"The Stag is blessed with a crown of forked lightning.

The Caribou's hooves roar over the land like thunder.

The Elk's voice the screaming wind of the tempest.

The Storm Moon has risen above murky summer skies!"

 

Excerpt from the Legend of the StormTreader, Guardian of the Storm Moon

Spoiler

 

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A painting of the mythical StormTreader Faerie

 

When the final lunar phase of the spring months has passed, the kin of the Mother Circle know that the harsher times of the lunar calendar is upon them. The clouds churn into great veils of shadow and storm, washing the land with a cleansing rain. When the sky illuminates with the crash of thunder, it is said that the mythical StormTreader stags are clashing their antlers together. Rain cascades over the earth like a tide to cleanse the remnants of the old and warn of the scorching summer months to come, and lightning strikes the land to smite wayward, trespassing spirits of draoi and evil spirits. To honor the story of this fable, the Mother Circle gathers for a grand hunt and the creation of the Lunar Year's Tempest Crown.

 

The tradition begins with two hunting parties representing the Wind and Rain of a summer storm. Venturing into the wilds, the hunters harvest a deer, elk, or caribou to obtain the antlers required for the creation of the Tempest Crown. Then, a grand reenactment of the clashing of horns is held between two chosen warriors of each hunting party. Using only the horned helms they have created, they endure combat during the first summer storm until one of the crowns break. The remaining artifact is exalted as the year's Tempest Crown, a symbol of the Circle's resilience during real and spiritual storms.

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A sketch of a druid having won the Tempest Crown

 

"When lightning strikes, kin beware;

For the draoi and slothful druid

Are one in the same in the eye of the storm."

 

The faerie stags themselves are believed by the Mother Circle to be pure faerie spirits of justice, and enactors of Cerunnos' will. While not associated with the Pantheon of the Wild Hunt, they are considered stalwart protectors of the Court of the Fae Queen and help ensure that malevolent faeries that cross into the mortal realm are kept in line, never overindulging in their unknowable mischief and tricks on descendants. To witness the passing of a white stag is to see a StormTreader in the flesh, an incredibly rare sight and an omen of nearby danger. The Mother Circle considers these faeries to be the first children of Ameathon, and will often keep antlers from hunts and present them to the most honorable and tested warriors of the Grove to symbolize their dedication to the glades of Cerridwen.

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Spoiler

Image sources:

https://www.deviantart.com/madnessdemon/art/Lightning-Deer-689629422

https://phantomrin.tumblr.com/post/188170960145/day-6-the-alderking-the-darkest-part-of-the

https://www.deviantart.com/seanica/art/Lighting-Keeper-384862138