Lunar Sabbath

The Lunar Sabbath is a five day rest period observed by Celestialists each month during the new moon, marking Pareluna's visits to Maresol. During this time, observers cease non-essential work and spend time with their families. In the Coromare, most businesses are closed during the sabbath due to the overwhelming percentage of Celestialists in the population.

History

In order to watch over their children on earth, Maresol and Pareluna divided their duties, with the former crossing the sky from dawn to dusk, and the latter from dusk until dawn. Overcome with grief at being torn away from his spouse, however, Pareluna abandoned his nightly duties after thirty days apart to visit Maresol. He stayed for five nights, delighting in her embrace. On the morning of the sixth day, Maresol sent him away, reminding him of his duty to their children. As a compromise, she agreed that he could visit for five days out of every thirty-five, with the Constellations left to light the night sky in his absence.

Observance

On a non-festival day, there are four daily services in Celestial temples, conducted at dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight. During the lunar sabbath, the dusk and midnight services are combined into one longer service.
At a typical twilight service, the solar and lunar priests greet each other wordlessly from opposite ends of the celestial dais, unable to speak or make physical contact. On the first night of the lunar sabbath, the lunar priest meets the solar priest at the edge of the dais, and they depart together, hand in hand. The lunar priest does not return to the dais until the morning after the end of the sabbath. Worshipers spend the long evening services of the lunar sabbath in quiet contemplation of the empty dais.
Outside of temple services, Celestialists cease non-essential work during the sabbath to spend time with their families, as Pareluna spends time with Maresol. Visits to distant relatives and extended family are common during this time. Celestial weddings cannot be held during the lunar sabbath, as such services require the presence of the lunar priest.

Related Ethnicities

• Calan