Hiraethien Aureates

The Hiraethien Aureates are celebrated twice per year, at the start of each half-year season. They pay respect to the two moons Hiraeth worships, and mark a reminder of the seasons, but more than that, they represent love, and the bonds we form with other people.
Though they have different symbols and celebrations, neither Aureate can be celebrated alone. The Ketz lamps carved in the Paralin Aureate are lit in Amarinth, and the flowers planted in the Amarinth Aureate are used to spice the hot drinks of Paralin and dried to decorate the lamps. One cannot be without the other, just as someone cannot thrive without both types of love.

The Amarinth Aureate

Representing new life, celebrated at the start of the growing season. The Amarinth Aureate is for community as a whole- the love that can be felt for even those not close to you, love and empathy felt simply by belonging to a community.

Celebrations-

The Amarinth Aureate is celebrated with large, communal festivities, invitations extending typically within towns or villages. Feasts to celebrate the coming sowing of seeds are common, provided by the last of the reserved food from Paralin. As the weather is warming, these festivities can be held outside, and often are.
A more unique practice of Amarinth is to exchange small, intricate packages of seeds. Each person builds their own small garden, and the gifts of flower and herb seeds are planted in them, to care for and cultivate through the growing season. Seeds are typically exchanged between fairly close friends, but some go out of their way to make sure everyone has at least something to plant. An empty garden is a sad sight.
Hiraethien flower language comes into play here, so it is recommended to check you aren't giving anything insulting. A pack of Malrin seeds given to an elder is a mark of respect for their age and wisdom, but might garner not such positive responses if given to someone middle-aged. Synthien native flowers look beautiful, but they symbolize possessiveness and obsession, as they will compete with and kill any other flowers planted anywhere near them. And in the case you somehow find yourself with Death Lily seeds, only send them to someone you really hate. And maybe have a fake name ready.

The Paralin Aureate

The Paralin Aureate is a celebration of warmth, and of the people we hold closest. The harvest is done, food is stocked for the harsh weather ahead, and there is not much to do other than sit and find peace in the company of those you love.

Celebrations-

The Paralin Aureate is celebrated with small festivities, extending only to your closest family and friends- by bond or by blood. Someone is chosen to host, and the guests stay the night, huddling under blankets and sipping warm drinks, exchanging stories until they all fall asleep. It is a very personal festivity, unlike Amarinth, which focuses on large communities.
Paralin is also a time to share food and drink. Each guest brings a special recipe or favourite dish, and some spices and flavorings for hot drinks. Once they arrive, all the offerings are put in a pile, and become a feast.
When the food is gone and the drinks are ready, each person is given a Ketz lamp, and a set of tools and materials to carve and decorate it with. These are kept for life, and few Hiraethiens do not have a collection of beloved lamps, each with a story of their own.

Symbols of Amarinth-

Amarinth's colours are a pastel, soothing green, representing new life and the pale green moon that the celebration is named after. Sprouting seeds are also a symbol, as well as depictions of common Hiraethien crops.

Symbols of Paralin-

Paralin's colours are a soft blue, representing the encroaching cold and the moon that the celebration is named after. Warm fires, hot drinks, and Ketz lamps are common symbols, as well as snow and ice.