Tro Breizh (Pilgrimage) (+)
The Tro Breizh has become an important cultural pilgrimage in the Duchy of Letha.
History
The Tro Breizh is thought to have originated as a pilgrimage, linking seven important Druidic Spiritual sites on the Armorican Peninsula, but it has long since been co-opted by the Southern Church under a new context. While the sites still retain some importance for the Druids, the Faithful interpretation is significantly more prevalent and well known, marking the tombs of the "Seven Saints", legendary proselytizers who first brought the Faith to Letha. The dual claims by the opposing religious groups has led to contention over the popular cultural activity, occassionally leading to altercations and defacement of the others holy sites.
For a time, the route was protected by military orders like the Urzh Kroashent (Knights of the Crossroads) and the Black Order, a service that fell to the wayside after the Order's destruction.
Execution
There are seven sites along the Tro Breizh, each marking important spiritual centers along the way. For the Druidic worshipers, these are seven megalithic sites dedicated to the old gods. To the Southern Church, the destinations are the tombs of the "Seven Saints", the spiritual founders of Breizh. Pilgrims must walk the entire circuit of the journey, (although many nobles pay indulgences to ride most of the way, only walking or being carried on Palanquins for key or particularly visible stretches). The seven locations are Kemper , Kastell-Paol, Landreger, Sant-Brieg Sant-Maloù, Dol and Gwened. Menez-Mikael is a popular "8th stop" along the way.
The path, around 600 km long, is a circuit of the peninsula, returning the pilgrims to their starting location.
Components and tools
The symbol of the pilgrimage is a seven pointed star, which is worn by the pilgrims on their clothing or as jewelry. The symbol is commonly found on churches, cromlechs and waystations along the way.
The symbol used by the Faithful often has a slightly rounder interior shape than the Druidic variant, evoking the Exalted Sun. However, this differentiation is fairly minor and ignored by all bu the most zealous, and the standard variant is frequently seen on religious properties of the Southern Church.
Observance
Tro Briezh occurs at any time in the year, with many taking the pilgrimage in the warmer months. Those looking for a more punishing experience to prove their faith, or at least appear that they are doing so, will undertake the trek during the winter. Popular tradition indicates that those who do not complete the circuit while alive must do so after death as ghosts, only moving the length of their coffins every seven years until the pilgrimage is completed.
Primary Related Location
Comments