Cult of Aþar
Aþar is one of the main gods in Mörkel mythology, especially within the Eilatogían Tradition, a pantheon of six gods whose worship was first formalized in Eila'togía, a country which introduced many of the elements of modern Mörkel culture at the beginning of the second century a.Dr. In this tradition, he's the king of the gods and protector of the aristocracy, while elsewhere his association with the sun, fire and shepherds are just as important. Aþar's cult is one of the most celebrated on the Plain of Kings, absorbing or even replaced many of the local solar cults found throughout the region.
Aþar is usually given offerings in the form of white Hyrnings, milk, white or yellow flowers or cloth, all of which are burned on an altar located at the front of his temple, or on a hill. Such hill shrines are usually surrounded by four wooden posts or standing stones. The most elaborate offerings are laid out on Aþirnóan, a festival held during summer solstices, where people show off their strength by lifting or throwing heavy stones. The winner receives a yellow headband and the honour of partaking in an animal sacrifice by Aþar's temple, something usually reserved for priests and royalty.
A priest of Aþar burning offerings at a hill shrine
The gods threatened to exile Aþar as well, lest he found a new light source. In despair, Aþar (in some traditions Erkar) threw his fine flint knife at a rock, which caused a spark to land on a nearby tree and ignite it. Aþar then picked up a pebble, heated it in the fire until it was glowing hot and then swung it across the sky with his sling, thus starting the first day. After the pebble (sun) landed, Aþar sent his children to retrieve it and tossed the severed head of a giant across the sky -which became the moon- to light their way.
The Mörkels believe that winter is caused by Aþar becoming sick, either because of accidentally swallowing a giant's venomous blood during the battle or by a curse cast by the latter after their exile. As Aþar's body weakens, his children are forced to take over during winters solstices while Ahes, healer of the gods, helps keeping Aþar alive until he can return to his task once again.
Aþar is usually given offerings in the form of white Hyrnings, milk, white or yellow flowers or cloth, all of which are burned on an altar located at the front of his temple, or on a hill. Such hill shrines are usually surrounded by four wooden posts or standing stones. The most elaborate offerings are laid out on Aþirnóan, a festival held during summer solstices, where people show off their strength by lifting or throwing heavy stones. The winner receives a yellow headband and the honour of partaking in an animal sacrifice by Aþar's temple, something usually reserved for priests and royalty.
by Lappalingur
Appearance and attributes
Aþar is usually shown as a bearded man, crowned with the royal headband of a Mörkel monarch, usually wearing a white, yellow or orange cloak and loincloth. He's commonly depicted holding his sling in one hand and the sun in another; slinging the sun (sometimes the moon) across the sky, or standing by the burning tree used to ignite the sun every morning. In the latter case, Aþar's often accompanied either by his children Pegíar and Anhúna, or Yratar (god of dawn) and Hönía (goddess of dusk).Mythology
In the Eilatogían Tradition, Aþar is one of the five primordial gods along with Ahes, Erkar, Leþa and Nexþei, and helped them shape the world into its current form. His rash behaviour caused the gods to lose their first source of light, namely giants who were assigned to light the gods' way via their glowing eyes. When he heard that the giants planned to overthrow their masters, Aþar flew into rage and killed one of the giants, starting the first war and eventual exile of the giants.The gods threatened to exile Aþar as well, lest he found a new light source. In despair, Aþar (in some traditions Erkar) threw his fine flint knife at a rock, which caused a spark to land on a nearby tree and ignite it. Aþar then picked up a pebble, heated it in the fire until it was glowing hot and then swung it across the sky with his sling, thus starting the first day. After the pebble (sun) landed, Aþar sent his children to retrieve it and tossed the severed head of a giant across the sky -which became the moon- to light their way.
The Mörkels believe that winter is caused by Aþar becoming sick, either because of accidentally swallowing a giant's venomous blood during the battle or by a curse cast by the latter after their exile. As Aþar's body weakens, his children are forced to take over during winters solstices while Ahes, healer of the gods, helps keeping Aþar alive until he can return to his task once again.
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