Soulstice

"SOULS FOR THE SOULS SUN!" - Common phrase shouted by the witnessing crowds

In the middle of summer, during the longest day, lines of prisoners are forced to stand in the heat of the sun. Full of fright they await their moment at the sacrificial slab, where they will be sacrificed to the soul sun. For the people of Svellbjargheim are slow to adapt. Stubbornly they hold on to the old ways, believing that the soul sun will take every soul it can get as fuel, no matter if they are willing or not.

Components and tools

The sacrifices for the soulstice are performed on the sacred sacrificial slab, which is a flat stone beautifully painted with imagery that hold both religious and local significance. The sacrifices are made by the head-sacrificer, who can be recognised by his black silk robes on which the image of the sun stands on both the front- and backside. He performs the sacrifices with the use of the sacrificial dagger, which is a dagger with a zigzagging blade made out of locally found precious stones.

Participants

Depending on the size of the community sacrificed are performed by either one of the six local priests, or by an influential leader (such as the town's chieftain). To be the head-sacrificer on the soulstice is seen as a great honour as only few are allowed to wear the sacred robe and dagger during their lifetime. Usually this honour is bestowed for life, and passed on when the previous head-sacrificer dies, but in rare instances a hero of great renown is allowed to lead the soulstice as a sign of respect and thanks. The head-sacrificer is aided by a group of volunteers who make sure the prisoners stay in line and that the soulstice goes according to plan. In particularly hot years the volunteers will also hand out drinks to the crowds attending the sacrifices.
The soulstice is wildly popular with the local populous and people will travel for hundreds of miles just to make sure they are home for when the soulstice begins. Parent take their children to see the sacrificial slab, hosting them on their shoulders just so they can see over the crowd of onlookers. When the sacrifices are completed the people will return to their homes to feast with their extended families and to give their thanks for the soul sun.

Primary Related Location

Svellbjargheim

Related Ethnicities

• Svellbjarg