Category Archives: Holy Days

Hell Month Basics

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What is Hell Month?

Hell Month is a holy time for the Otherfaith. It begins at the end of June and extends throughout July, culminating in the Apotheosis of the Dierne on July 31. There are a variety of holy days which occur during Hell Month.

Hell Month honors the First Season of myths in the Otherfaith, focusing specifically on the struggle between Pallis (the Dierne Pallis) and Misia. The themes of the holiday are of conflict, loss, rebellion, and destruction. It can be seen as opposite to Reunion, the Other People’s joyous December holy week.

Hell Month is a time of mourning. The Other People grieve the the gods and the tribulations they have faced. They might also grieve dead loved ones, past relationships, or any other loss. Hell Month also invites the Other People to reflect upon unpleasant parts of life without shame. It is a time to focus upon the darker themes in life and death.

The first Four+ Gods (Clarene, Ophelia, Laetha, and Dierne) are said to be absent or unavailable in the West at this time.

Hell Month gets its name for being a ‘hellish month’ for the gods, spirits, and People of the Otherfaith.

Intersecting Holy Days

Holy days occurring during Hell Month are often related to the overarching themes and stories of the holy time.

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Date	Event	Information
July 1	Commemoration of Conflict: Ophelene & Alynah Blake	The God of Justice and the Spirit of Chaos ring in Hell Month with a ceremonial battle.
First Saturday of July	Community Day	Other People meet to socialize and connect.
First Sunday of July	Commemoration of Calamity: the Firebird	The Firebird, driven mad by Misia, spreads flame and destruction throughout the West.
July 13	Commemoration of Calamity: Mallory	Mallory, daughter of Lyra and Ophelia, spreads rot and decay through the West.
July 15	Commemoration of Centries	Centries, spirits representing order and punishment, are created.
July 24	Nevander Announces the Eighth	Nevader, the Liathane's Right Hand, announces the Eighth God's upcoming arrival in the West.
July 25	Commemoration of Calamity: Althea Altair	Althea Altair spreads ash and coals throughout the West.
July 31	Entrance of the Eighth God	the Liathane appears in the West.
July 31	Apotheosis of the Dierne Pallis	Pallis is deified after overthrowing Misia, taking the former Dierne's place.

Gods Honored

Each of the Four+ Gods is technically honored during Hell Month, as the myths related to the month concern the formation of the First Four Gods and intersect with the creation of the Latter Four Gods.

That said, the Laethas and the Dierne Pallis are most prominent. Hell Month largely concerns the story between Arabella, Pallis, and Misia and the reclaiming of the Laethic Firebird. Though the Liathane’s entrance into the West occurs at the end of the month, the Apotheosis of the Dierne takes precedence.

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Main Story of Holiday

Pallis and Misia fall into the West.
The stars work for the Clarene before going to live in the City.
the Ophelia warns Misia of the future.
Misia realizes he is wasting away/dying, but Pallis is not suffering the same fate.
the Clarene rejects Misia’s request for healing.
Arabella falls into the West from the human world.
Arabella works for the Clarene, as the stars did, and meets Pallis and Misia. She goes to live with them in the City.
Arabella begins wasting away as well, much quicker than Misia because of her humanity.
Pallis and Misia mourn. Misia asks the Ophelia for aid and is rejected.
Misia, trying to stave off his own wasting, begins eating the Smaller Spirits of the West.
the Clarene appears to Arabella and offers her healing. Arabella will become a god and replace the current Laetha, Laetha Adilene, and in doing so keep from dying. Arabella accepts.
Pallis is overjoyed. Misia is furious. He begins plotting how to gain divinity for himself.
The Centries announce the string of missing/murdered Smaller Spirits, horrifying the residents of the West. They remain unaware of who has committed the crimes.
On the night of Arabella’s deification, Misia kills/expels Pallis from the West. He adopts Pallis’ appearance and goes to Arabella as she is buried in the Orchard.
In the middle of her deification, Misia grabs hold of Arabella and uses his sacred weapon, a white mace, to break her. This results in her soul splitting into dozens of pieces which fly apart. He consumes what is left of her soul and takes her divinity for himself.
the Clarene attempts to kill Misia, but he rebuffs her attack and deals a mortal blow. the Dierne Irene does her best to heal the Clarene, but the god remains severely wounded.
Misia returns to the City and claims the other gods, along with Arabella, were behind the Smaller Spirit murders. He is hailed as a savior and establishes himself as the singular god of the West.
Pallis, trapped outside the West, wanders the worlds. He eventually encounters Asier, one of Arabella’s shards. Pallis convinces Asier to return to the West with him.
Misia poisons the River Ophelia. The god is weakened severely. The poisoned water also weakens the West’s residents, making them more susceptible to Misia’s manipulation.
the Clarene and Dierne Irene remake the Orchard into a safe home for refugees fleeing Misia’s increasingly hostile City.
Alaria and Artois, two more shards of Arabella, appear in the West. They are taken in and hidden by anti-Misian spirits.
the Clarene, using a shard of Arabella, creates Ava and Alma. The twins are able to heal the god’s remaining wounds from her confrontation with Misia.
Asier forces himself into the West, re-opening the gate that was closed when Misia killed Arabella. He is killed in the process and Pallis mourns.
Ava, Alma, and the Clarene appear at the newly opened gate. Ava heals Asier.
The Firebird appears at the Gate, drawn by the opening and Arabella’s shards. Ava sacrifices herself to the fire to protect the others. They escape to the Orchard.
the Clarene creates a metal spine to replace Asier’s broken back. With Pallis and Asier, the Clarene and Dierne Irene begin preparing a proper war against Misia.
Alaria and Artois attempt to lead a coup against Misia. He uses the Firebird to kill and consume them.
the Clarene and Pallis attempt to infiltrate into Misia’s City. Though they are eventually found out, Pallis realizes Arabella is still alive.
The West begins decaying from Misia’s misuse of its resources. This causes fighting to break out in the City. Misia’s chosen spirits remain safe and well fed while he leaves most of the residents to their own devices.
the Clarene, utilizing another of Arabella’s shards, creates the androids Aletheia.
Aletheia infiltrates and rescues Arabella from Misia.
Misia issues a public challenge to the resistance. Pallis attempts to strike him down, but Misia is still able to use the divine force of the Laetha to protect himself.
A cure is developed to restore the Ophelia. The resistance dumps it into the River, restoring clear thought to the West’s residents.
the Clarene and Pallis make a sacred weapon to take down Misia permanently. the Clarene forms the weapon from bones taken from both herself and Pallis.
A final offensive against Misia is rallied. Each side prepares.
During the final confrontation, Arabella is immolated by the Firebird.
Asier is killed during the confrontation.
Chased out of the warring City, Misia arrives in the River Ophelia. Pallis follows him to the River. He strikes him down in the water.
With Misia’s destruction, the Firebird is released and returns to his senses, transitioning from the white Misian Firebird into multi-colored Laethic Firebird.
the Clarene and Ophelia reclaim their divine positions.
The consumed Laethas are reborn into themselves and take up their mantle as god.
Following a year and a day, Pallis is crowned as the Dierne. the Dierne Irene abdicates, giving her position to him.

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Activities for Holiday

Prayer

We currently do not have prayers for Hell Month.

Writing

Other People may choose to write various mythic fanfic during this time. Stories written during Hell Month don’t have to focus on the First Season of myths, nor any themes related to Hell Month, but it is a good time to get in touch with those energies.

Some prompts for this time are:

the Laetha Adilene abdicates her position to Arabella. Why does she do this?
Why does Pallis thrive in the West while Misia begins wasting away?
What does Pallis do while wandering the worlds outside the West?
Arabella is offered salvation from her own wasting away by the Clarene. Why is Misia not offered this?
What does Misia’s rule over the West look like?
What do the gods do during the time Misia is ruling?
Was Misia ‘fated’ to betray Arabella and Pallis? What would have happened if he had chosen a different path?

Contemplative

Any topics related to the darker themes of life may be contemplated during this time. An Other Person may also choose to focus on the themes of jealousy and despair that are focused on during Hell Month.

As aids to contemplation, prompts are listed below.

What would it mean to be forsaken by the gods?
What is fate? Is it important in your life?
How far would we go to ensure the survival of ourselves and/or our loved ones?
How do the themes of the month relate to your own life?
Which is more important to you: retribution or compassion?

Miscellaneous

An Other Person may to fast during certain times of Hell Month. Any fasting that is undertaken should be cleared with a medical professional first if needed; never fast if it constitutes a risk to your health.

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Written Stories Related to Holiday

Lilibell of Two Hearts

Touch Trust

Heat

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February Holy Days

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February Holy Days:

February 1: Imbolc (Broader Paganism)
February 2: Spring Cleaning
February 7: Birth of Claudia the Witch
February 8: Birth of Cordelia the Witch
February 13: Birth of Cecilia the Witch
February 13, Friday the 13: Birth of Thirteen
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 15: Dahlia’s Day
February 19: Birth of Mallory, Right Hand to the Ophelia
February 23: Birth of Malaise the Witch
February 24: Birth of Malice the Witch
February 27: Birth of Mary the Witch
February 28: Ride of the Six Sisters
February 29: Liathianic Holiday

February 1 – Imbolc

I have added this to the Otherfaith calendar as it is part of larger Pagandom. All of our members are part of other Pagan traditions, and I have personally begun reconnecting with my Wiccish Pagan roots. I will be adding all of the eight Sabbats to the Otherfaith calendar less as actual ‘holy days’ and more as cultural observances (similar to Valentine’s Day).

February 2 – Spring Cleaning

February 2 is also observed as Imbolc by some. I have it listed as Spring Cleaning to acknowledge the quickening of spring and encourage physical cleaning of our spaces. Our homes can build up with grime and stuffy energy over the winter, when those in colder climates tend to stay indoors. (The opposite is true back in Tucson; summer was so hot many people stayed inside rather than brave the heat.) Energetic cleansing should be performed along with physical cleaning.

February 7 – Birth of Claudia the Witch

The majority of ‘Witch spirits’ in the Otherfaith are born in February, and the first Witch to be born is Claudia. Part of the Six Sisters, she is the eldest and closest to Cordelia. The two tend to appear with each other, often atop brooms. From an older post about February’s holy days:

They carry staffs and wands and ride around on brooms. They’re also associated with youth, and a bit of ill-gotten youth at that. They are teachers and compassionate spirits, watching over younger Witch spirits and…young witches on our own earth.

Personally I see the Witches as taking on more malevolent forms in February, before we see them out at the end of the month.

February 8 – Birth of Cordelia the Witch

Claudia’s closest sister. I see Cordelia as the younger sister of the two, though that shouldn’t be taken as gospel. Even during February and the Witches more malevolent stages, I perceive Cordelia as being the cheeriest of the Six Sisters. She gladly takes in apprentice witches and teaches them the basics. I associate her with ‘Hollywood magic’, the sort one sees in ‘The Craft’ and ‘Practical Magic’.

February 13 – Birth of Cecilia the Witch

The third of the Six Sisters, Cecilia is one of the newer additions to the Witches. Her name means ‘blind’, tying into the largely ‘negative’ name meanings the Witches have. Apart from the inkling of her existence I do not know much about this spirit yet.

February, Friday the 13 – Birth of Thirteen

A few years ago, as I was working on the Other People’s calendar, I had the inspiration to make each month’s ‘Friday the 13th’ a holy day. Theoretically the holy day would be observed only when that month’s 13th fell on Friday. February’s Friday the 13 corresponds to the Birth of Thirteen. A Witchy spirit herself, she steals the youth of other spirits and forces them to age. In one of the unpublished stories I wrote about Ava and Alma, Thirteen is the spirit that forces Ava to split herself and her sister into their child and adult selves (Arrise and Azure). Thirteen has described herself to me as ‘permanently thirteen’ years old. She could represent the process of aging and growing up, though there is likely much to be explored in her stealing and hoarding of youth itself.

February 14 – Valentines’ Day

Added to the calendar originally because of its cultural significance, Valentine’s Day can also herald the return of the Dierne Pallis. (I headcanon that the gods become busy after Reunion and slowly return to us throughout the new year, culminating with the Dierne Pallis’ return on Valentine’s.) The Other People may take this time to acknowledge spirits of love (the Laethas Arabella and Asier and Dierne Pallis) or their own spirit partners, along with any physical partners they have. I am hoping to integrate the giving of chocolate to friends and coworkers into the Other People’s cultural celebration of this holiday, borrowing from the Japanese concept of ‘obligation chocolate’.

February 15 – Dahlia’s Day

Previously called ‘Chocolate Day’, post-Valentine’s sees a bulk of chocolate and sweets go on sale. Dahlia is associate with joy and excess, as well as trade because of her seafaring ties, so chocolate is a good offering. Chocolates and sweets could also be offered to her lovers, furthering the connection to romance.

February 19 – Birth of Mallory, Right Hand of the Ophelia

Mallory is the daughter of Lyra, the huntress lover of the River Ophelia. She is rejected by her mother and accepted by the Ophelia, eventually becoming the god’s Right Hand. Right Hands are the direct aids to the deities, and they fill the role of the god should the god be incapacitated or absent. Mallory is mute and communicates through sign language, as well as very stern looks when something meets her disapproval. She is one of three Calamities the West experiences, the first two being the Firebird and Althea Altair. She controls rot and decay and can spread it through her touch.

February 23 – Birth of Malaise the Witch

Malaise brings about her namesake: sickness and disease. Malaise and Malice are both the most outwardly malevolent of the Six Sisters. Malaise appears as a witch from the swamp, wearing a ragged cloak and hair dripping with foul smelling water. She is tied strongly to the Ophelia, and her skin often has a blue-green tone and is slimy to the touch. She teaches the other witches how to wrangle and control disease and inflicts it on her enemies.

February 24 – Birth of Malice the Witch

Malice is the sister to Malaise and, similarly, brings about her namesake: hatred and spite. She is cheerier in appearance than her sister, tending to prefer bright colors. She views her magic of spreading fighting and ill will as a joyous act, and she loves seeing people bicker about any subject. She has especially sharp fingers that prod at people’s soft spots. Malice is associated with the Laetha and often wears the god’s colors of white, red, and gold.

February 27 – Birth of Mary the Witch

The most dangerous of the Six Sisters, Mary oversees all witchcraft focusing on murder and murderous revenge. She knows the most malevolent of all magic and lacks any hesitation toward using her arts. She is connected most strongly to the god of outsiders, the Liathane. Though she represents the most dangerous and feared witchcraft, she can also teach us some of the strongest protection magic. Her more amicable forms appear around Halloween, where she plays with her arts for the entertainment of those around her, especially children.

February 28 – Ride of the Six Sisters

At the end of February we bid goodbye to the Witches that have been with us throughout fall and winter. Spring calls in other riotous spirits, and we want to see out our playful and unpredictable guests. We send the Sisters out eastward to spread their knowledge. This holiday is also meant to help us move past the cold winter into the brighter springtime, shifting our own religious practice and magical arts into a different gear.

February 29 – Liathianic Holiday

For Leap Years, it has been suggested February 29 be associated with the Liathane. Originally I called February 29 ‘Fool’s Day’, but April 1 is actually Fool’s Day. I am unsure what a Liathanic holiday at this time might be or look like. Hopefully by next year we have a clearer picture.

If you would like a PDF listing the holidays, for your own use or to share, you can download this month’s ‘program’ below.

PROGRAM_FEB2018

of the Other People

Information & Education on the Otherfaith

Category Archives: Holy Days

Hell Month Basics

Table of Contents

→ What is Hell Month?

→ Intersecting Holy Days

→ Gods Honored

→ Main Story of Holiday

→ Activities For Holiday