Arctolatry

Arctolatry or bear worship is the common name for one the three religions which make up most mainstream elven faiths, along with the pyrolatry -the worship of fire- and dendrolatry or tree worship. Like the other faiths, it has a number of different denominations, some of which incorporate aspects from other religious traditions, but most tend to emphasize certain concepts meant to imitate aspects of the sacred animal, including self-reliance, courage, close connection to one's family and friends, and spending some time out in the wild.
While historically favoured by many elven and some human communities, particularly in northern and western Iðlía Forest, increased urbanization has reduced arctolatry to the smallest of the main elven religions, mostly practiced in the countries of Þamta and New Þamta, and notable arctolatrist communities are also found in Jolþ and Númra.
Religious symbols used by arctolatrists vary between countries and traditions, ranging from small statuettes of bears or bear paws to tufts of hair gathered from bear carcasses found in the wild. Long hair and beards are the norm in some communities.

Important Concepts

Courage

Much like certain schools of pyrolatry, arctolatrists are expected to stand up for themselves and face those who threaten them and their loved ones head-on to -at the very least- scare them off.
Historically, in many arctolatrist tradition there was an emphasis on teaching martial arts in the form of wrestling, boxing and (to lesser extent) the use of either curved daggers or spiked metal knuckles, some of which have evolved into a variety of sports.

Family

Keeping close ties with friends and family is encouraged in most denominations of arctolatry, with the relationship between mothers and their children considered especially important. The role of fathers is generally more vague, ranging from being closely involved to entirely absent, the latter more closely reflecting the behaviour of bears, in which case an avuncular residence is the norm.

Nature

Spending time out in nature is considered essential for spiritual growth in many arctolatrist traditions, particularly more conservative ones, where one must use their wits, strength and magical ability to survive out in the wilderness for a certain number of days at least once in their life, a tradition known as living as a bear. More pious arctolatrists are known to spend weeks or even months out in the wild, and stories of those who become feral, kill and eat people and livestock are an important part of folklore in certain regions of Borgalor, which have inspired several famous horror novels, movies and games over the years.
In more moderate denominations, arctolatrists may instead journey to sacred sites on foot as pilgrimage, or simply go on long walks while reflecting on the wildlife and natural phenomena on the way.
Meditation is often practiced during these events, sometimes in natural shelters during winter to simulate hibernation, using fire magic to keep the oneself warm.

Self-reliance

While friend and family are important in arctolatry, arctolatrist socities tend to be less collectivist than than pyrolatrist and especially dendrolatrist ones, with certain amount of self-sustainability considered a virtue for individuals and communities alike, and is indeed required for those who practice living as a bear.

Literature

There is no unified collection of sacred texts in arctolatry, instead each denomination is based on a mixture of written and oral tradition, often in the form of commentaries, fables, songs and proverbs. The lattermost ones usually describe certain traits found in bears which followers are expected to emulate, such as The bear roams the wild and The bear is resourceful, emphasizing time out in nature and adaptability, respectively.
Treatises written by non-arctolatrists also exist, though their accuracy varies considerably.

Type

Religious, Other

Demonym

Arctolatrist

Permeated Organizations

• New Þamta
• Þamta

Related Ethnicities

• Þamtans