Springtide (+)

History

Springtide serves as the ceremonial culmination of a successful The Courtship ending in The Oceansong. The ceremony serves two purposes, each treated with equal importance. The first to is celebrate the full acceptance of the original The Marie-Morgaine, also called the Kanerez, of her new life and membership in the clan signified by passing on her ere-hud to a new individual. The second is to welcome the newly transformed Marie-Morgaine, also called the Diskanerez into the city and her new life below the waves. Springtide is seen as an important coming-of-age ceremony, marking the two most socially significant episodes of her life as a Marie-Morgaine.

Execution

Following the Oceansong, the diskanerez, still often confused at her sudden change of circumstances, is spirited away to Ys-Beneath-the-Waves by the kanerezand any supporting chorus who assisted her. The speed of this and the sudden disappearance of the human often furthers the tales of the Marie-Morgaine drowning their "victims." The diskanerez is brought to the city via a tunnel though a system of complex caves into a set of lavish apartments separate from the main city. Here, she is acclimated and often calmed down from her sudden shift in species and occasionally, gender. The Marie-Morgaine are patient, assisting the diskanerez to adjust to her new life until she is comfortable enough to function without attempting to flee or lash out. She is taught the history, culture and basic life of her new people and slowly assimilated into the culture. Once it is felt she is settled, Springtide begins in earnest. The diskanerez is coached on the responses to give the kanerez and the ceremony is explained. She is stripped down, whatever human clothing she had remaining, or Marie-Morgaine clothing she had adopted, removed. She is painted with elaborate markings of magical significance made from undersea sources like ground corals and squid-ink. Lastly, she is given a crown of coral and silver and led out. This is often her first foray into the city itself, taking a carefully planned route to show off the most beautiful and picturesque views to remove any lingering hesitation. The destination depends on her preference, but is usually the Sacred Grove inside Ahes' palace or La Cathedrale Engloutie, a submerged gothic cathedral formerly belonging to the Southern Church. Here, the diskanerez meets the kanerez, who is similarly painted in darker shades. Unlike the diskanerez, the kanerezmay wear some clothing and jewelry if she so wishes, but generally only the latter is favoured out of custom and solidarity with the newcomer. Springtide is an intensely social affair, and most available denizens of Ys attend where possible, forming a large ring around the couple in the center. Ahes presides personally over each Springtide while a bard plays a long soniou extolling their achievements, often focused on the Courtship. Upon completion of the song, the couple joins together and a strip fabric, usually tightly woven kelp or sealskin, is tightly wrapped around their clasped hands. The Kanerez sings a variant of their Oceansong, this time including the fall of Ys and the Marie-Morgaine's creation. At specified parts, the diskanerezreplies in song, serving to affirm their acceptance of the Geas of Ys. This continues for several rounds. At the conclusion, the couple hold up their hands for all to see. Although it is not part of the ceremony, many couples will passionately kiss each other at this point. A feast often follows, although the kanerez and diskanerez may often beat a hasty retreat beforehand to a more private location.

Components and tools

The kurunenn of Ys - A crown made of coral and silver. The diskanerez's crown is smaller and resembles a Beltane flower crown. It is meant to symbolize her (relative) youth and femininity. The Kanerez's[/i ]crown is more larger and elaborate, resembling a royal crown. Ribbon/fabric strip - A long, narrow strip of tightly woven kelp or sealskin, although other materials may also be used, such as sharkskin, hippocampus fur or even cloth strips from the diskanerez's human clothing. Paint - Various materials, ranging from squid-ink to ground coral to undersea plants are used to make various pigments, which are then carefully applied with a brush to the naked bodies of both the kaner and diskaner in elaborate, magically significant patterns, blessing them with life, protection and good fortune. These appear similar to the untrained eye, but the colours on the kaner are darker and the patterns more elaborate. This paint is also a stimulant, enhancing the tactile senses and causing the body to tingle with a low electrical current. This makes the participants more alert and energized, but has the side effect of stimulating their entire bodies, leading to an increase of libido throughout the ceremony.

Participants

The Kanerez - The instigating Marie-Morgaine behind the Courtship coming of age in the Clan. She has previously been a diskaner in a Springtide ceremony. She has often been a denizen of Ys for at least several decades or even centuries. The Diskanerez - The newly transformed Marie-Morgaine and recent subject of the Courtship. Springtide serves as an official welcome to her new home to help her come to terms with her new condition. There is also a variant in the rare circumstances that the Marie-Morgaine court two lovers they approve of. Nothing if not hopeless romantics, the Marie-Morgaine will reunite the two lovers for the first time in the ceremony. These are especially popular for spectators. The Teller of Tales - A trained musician and storyteller, her role is to retell the story of Ys and of the couple's Courtship and other noteworthy deeds.

Observance

Despite its name, Springtide is not universally celebrated during the Spring, although it most often is. Tradition has the ceremony take place during the transition between low and high tide, symbolizing the sea claiming the land.