Marina, Spirit of Oceans

Marina is a powerful and benevolent Superior Spirit who is responsible for promoting and maintaining fertility in all living things that inhabit the oceans. She is an ancient and revered entity, with a deep connection to the sea and all its creatures. Marina is particularly known for her role as a spirit of fertility and is often sought out by those who are struggling to conceive or seeking to increase their catch. She is said to have the ability to bless those who seek her aid with abundance and prosperity and to help bring new life into the world. Marina is depicted as a beautiful and radiant being, with shimmering scales and a gentle, nurturing disposition. She is a powerful and revered spirit, and those who honor and respect her are said to be rewarded with bountiful blessings.

APPEARANCE

Marina is a stunning and majestic spirit, with radiant and ethereal beauty. She is often depicted as having shimmering scales that shimmer and shine in the sunlight, with a hue that ranges from a deep and rich blue to a light and delicate turquoise. Her long and flowing hair is the same color as her scales and is said to have a life of its own, writhing and wriggling like a mass of writhing tentacles. Marina's eyes are a piercing and bright green and are said to be able to see into the very depths of the ocean and the hearts of those who seek her guidance. She has a slender and graceful form, with a sleek and streamlined body that allows her to glide effortlessly through the water. Despite her ethereal and otherworldly appearance, Marina is a kind and nurturing spirit, with a gentle and compassionate demeanor.

PERSONALITY

Marina is a kind and compassionate spirit, with a gentle and nurturing personality. She is deeply connected to the ocean and all its creatures and has a great love and respect for all living things. Marina is known for her generosity and her willingness to help those in need and is often sought out by those who are struggling to conceive or seeking to increase their catch. She is patient and understanding and is always willing to listen to those who seek her guidance. Despite her powerful and ancient nature, Marina is a humble and modest spirit and does not seek praise or recognition for her actions. She simply wants to do what she can to help others and to bring fertility and prosperity to the world.

HISTORY

Marina has existed for as long as the oceans themselves and is an ancient and revered spirit. She is said to have been born from the very essence of the sea, emerging from the depths as a powerful and radiant being. From the moment of her birth, Marina was imbued with the power to promote and maintain fertility in all living things that inhabit the oceans. She has spent countless eons wandering the seas, offering her guidance and assistance to those who seek her aid. Marina is deeply connected to the earth and all its creatures and is deeply attuned to the rhythms and cycles of life. She is a powerful and benevolent spirit and is greatly respected and revered by those who live and work on the water. Despite her great age and power, Marina remains humble and compassionate, always seeking to help those in need and bring prosperity and fertility to the world.

TRADITIONS & PRACTICES

There are ten commandments that priests of Marina must adhere to:

• Always show respect and reverence for Marina and all that she represents.
• Seek to understand and honor the natural cycles and rhythms of life, and maintain balance and harmony within the oceans.
• Protect and defend the oceans and all their creatures, and work to preserve their natural beauty and diversity.
• Offer aid and assistance to those in need, and seek to bring prosperity and fertility to the world.
• Share the wisdom and knowledge of Marina with others, and serve as a guide and mentor to those who seek her guidance.
• Practice humility and modesty, and seek not to draw attention to oneself or one's own accomplishments.
• Maintain a pure and selfless heart, and strive to act with integrity and compassion at all times.
• Dedicate oneself to the service of Marina and the oceans, and seek to do good in the world.
• Respect the traditions and rituals of the priesthood, and seek to preserve and honor them.
• Work to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between different communities and cultures, and strive to create a more harmonious and peaceful world.

Fertility & Abundance Blessing Ceremony

This ceremony is typically held at the beginning of the fishing season, or at any time when a community is seeking to increase its crop yields or improve its fertility.
The ceremony begins with the priests of Marina gathering at the shore, where they offer up prayers and offerings to the spirit. These offerings might include fish, shells, and other items that are associated with the sea and fertility. As the priests pray, they call upon Marina to bless their community with abundance and prosperity and to help bring new life into the world.
After the offerings have been made, the priests of Marina perform a series of sacred dances and rituals, which are intended to honor and appease the spirit. These rituals might include chanting, drumming, and other forms of music and movement. As the priests dance, they invite Marina to join them and to infuse their community with her blessings.
Once the dance and ritual are complete, the priests of Marina offer up a final prayer of thanks and gratitude to the spirit. They then disperse back into their community, carrying with them the blessings and prosperity of Marina, and working to spread her gifts throughout the world.

OFFERINGS

There are many different types of offerings that might be given to Marina, the Spirit of Oceans, as a way of honoring and showing respect to the spirit. Some common offerings that might be considered acceptable include:

• Fish and other seafood: As the spirit of fertility and abundance in the oceans, Marina is often associated with fish and other forms of seafood. Offerings of fresh or saltwater fish, shellfish, and other seafood are often seen as particularly appropriate and pleasing to the spirit.
• Shells and other oceanic artifacts: Shells and other artifacts that are associated with the sea and ocean are often seen as acceptable offerings to Marina. These might include shells of all shapes and sizes, as well as coral, pearls, and other oceanic treasures.
• Flowers and plants: While Marina is primarily associated with the oceans, she is also connected to the earth and all its living things. As such, offerings of flowers and plants are often seen as appropriate and pleasing to the spirit.
• Incense and other fragrant offerings: Incense and other fragrant offerings are often used to honor and appease Marina, as the smoke and aroma are believed to carry the prayers and offerings up to the spirit.
• Coins and other small treasures: In many cultures, it is customary to offer small treasures such as coins or other valuables as a way of showing respect and appreciation to a deity or spirit. These offerings might be given as a way of thanking Marina for her blessings, or as a way of requesting her aid and guidance.

SHRINES & PRIESTS

Shrines to Marina are typically located near the water and are often built on the shores of lakes, rivers, or the ocean. These shrines can range in size and grandeur, from small and simple structures to large and elaborate temples. They are typically decorated with symbols and artifacts that are associated with the sea, such as shells, fish, and other oceanic treasures. Many shrines to Marina also feature altars or other sacred spaces where offerings and prayers can be made to the spirit.
The priests of Marina are dedicated to serving the spirit and her followers and are responsible for tending to her shrines and performing the sacred rituals and ceremonies that honor her. These priests are often chosen for their deep devotion to Marina and their understanding of her ways. They may undergo lengthy and rigorous training in order to become priests, learning the traditions and rituals of the priesthood, as well as the history and teachings of Marina. The priests of Marina are typically highly respected members of their communities and are often looked to for guidance and counsel on matters related to the sea and fertility.
The priests of Marina, the Spirit of Oceans, are typically known for their distinctive and ornate attire. They often wear flowing robes or tunics that are adorned with intricate patterns and symbols associated with the sea. These garments are typically made of lightweight and breathable fabrics, such as linen or cotton, and are designed to be comfortable and functional in the hot and humid climate often found near the water.
In addition to their robes, the priests of Marina may also wear a variety of other accessories and ornamentation. These might include headdresses or crowns, necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry made of shells, pearls, or other oceanic materials. The priests may also carry a staff or other symbols of their office and may wear tattoos or other body markings that are associated with their role as priests.
In terms of appearance, the priests of Marina are typically known for their physical and spiritual beauty. Many are tall and slender, with graceful and agile bodies that allow them to perform the intricate and elaborate rituals of the priesthood. They often have long, flowing hair and bright, piercing eyes, and are known for their radiant and ethereal presence. The priests of Marina are deeply connected to the earth and the oceans and are said to possess a deep understanding and wisdom that is beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.

Affiliation(s): Order of the Ocean's Grace 
Age: Unknown
Areas of Interest(s): Oceans, Fertility
Birth: Unknown
Enemies(s): Umbra, Spirit of the Underground 
Ally(s): Zephyr, Spirit of Wind 
Eye Color: Piercing, bright green
Family:
Gender: Female
Hair: long, flowing turquoise
Height:
Hobby(s):
Nickname(s)/Title(s): Sea Sprite, Sea Goddess, Ocean Mother
Occupation(s):
Relationship Status:
Sexual Orientation:
Species: Superior Spirit 
Symbol: Mermaid, surrounded by a circle of waves
Weight:
Worshiper(s): Fishermen, Sailors, Mothers