Religion has
retreated into private live. When the settlers left from earth,
religion had already become a private affair. After the crash and
subsequent colonization of Icarus people banded together against the
nex necii and religious or political differences were mostly put
aside. The current view on religion is that everybody is free to
believe what they want as long as they don't hurt others.
Remembrance
and the Crash Site
The largest
religious site on Icarus is the monument of the crash site. People can
visit it to honor the people who lost their lives in the crash.
It is a pilgrimage that people who are searching for meaning often
undertake. At the site there are priests/acolytes/shamans of the major
religious believes who perform rites and also engage in debates and
private council. The atmosphere of the site is one of quiet
contemplation and acceptance.
On the site are the last working machines. A computer is carefully
preserved (desert dust gets everywhere) as it holds the history of
their origins (earth) and the recent history on Icarus.
Temples
and Chapels
Most cities, towns,
villages and castles have a small area reserved for prayer and
contemplation. This place is open to all who wish to use it and no
questions are asked. They also serve as places of refuge.
Festivals
and holidays
Festivals are
largely locally organized but some general festivities are observed
throughout the planet:
1. Crash
Remembrance Day
Marking the start of their lives on Icarus, Crash Remembrance Day is
celebrated each year as a day to be thankful of the past year. This
festival occurs on the 10th day of Early Fall.
2.
Seasonal & Harvest Festivities
The solstices fall in the middle of each season and are days where a
lot of places hold festivities. A common one is the Winter solstice.
The weather is cold and the fields are resting. It's also a time with
less nex necii activity which allowed the settlers to celebrate even
in the earlier years.
Some places have festivities in the Early Spring month to celebrate
the planting of crops. Dry regions usually celebrate the spring
equinox as it is often a time when the rivers flood and fertilize the
land. This festival is also called "Desert Blooming". At the
end of Late Summer and the start of Early Fall there are harvest
festivals in the more temperate regions.
3. Fairs
and Carnivals
Traveling fairs have become more prevalent now that the roads are
safer. These traveling performers are diverse. Some host mostly
musicians that play for a night of dancing. Others have performers
such as jesters, acrobats or actors that perform plays.
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