Circle of Fire

The Circle of Fire is an ancient ihkt religion. In the past is was the largest and most wide-spread religion among the ihkt, with almost every group containing believers, but in modern times it's popularity has greatly decreased in favor of atheism or off-planet religions.
Though the Circle of Fire (or simply Circle for short) was a religion based on a pantheon of gods, most of their prayers and rituals were centered on the leader of the pantheon, the Lady of Fire: a goddess who represented volcanoes and volcanic eruptions, both of which are extremely common on Taskke.
Due to its long history and wide spread, the Circle of Fire has many sub-religions, who believe in the same pantheon but have their own rules and restrictions. As such, Circle of Fire tends to refer just to the very base: the pantheon, and the Fire-Bearers who spread the word of said pantheon.

Structure

An ancient and sprawling religion, no central organization exists to it. Those who take leading roles within the religion are known as Fire-Bearers, carrying the word of the Lady of Fire, but Fire-Bearers do not necessarily agree with the decisions or world-view of other Fire-Bearers. Aside from these leaders, everyone else is simply a believer, with no higher or lower standings, though some off-shoots may differ.

Culture

As ancient and sprawling as it is, culture among believers of the Circle of Fire varies greatly. Overall, they are a very simplistic, strict world-view. They understand that their Lady may wipe away anything they own, any people they know, without warning, but they also do not connect any reasoning to it. They are not sinners for having died. It is simply part of life.
Likewise, as their Lady may act out and wipe away their things at any moment, Circlists are not particularly materialistic. The things most important to them are carried with them, so that, if they die, they die with their owner.

History

The Circle of Fire is ancient, both as a religion and as a pantheon. Some suggest it may date back further than ihkts as a species, originating when they were still evolving from ordinary humans, but skeptics are more doubtful. It is hard to prove either way, however, as Taskke does not lend itself well to keeping track of history. Only oral storytelling keeps stories of the Circle of Fire alive, and stories are easily changed between sub-groups, to suit a certain moral or desire.

Mythology & Lore

The entire religion is based around the volcanoes that exist all over Taskke, whose activity so strongly affects the native ihkts. Not only if the pantheon rules by a personification of the volcanoes themselves, but all other deities link back to her in some way. The deity of fertility, harvest, and life is fed by the replenished volcanic soil, for example, and the deity of land and ground has their domain extended by lava.

Priesthood

The leaders of the Circle of Fire are the Fire-Bearers, who typically appointment themselves to the position, deciding themselves knowledgeable enough about their religion to have say in it. There is some element of democracy in this, however, as people who disagree with their leader can just chose not to listen, or elect themselves a Fire-Bearer as well.
Fire-Bearers who earn enough respect typically distinguish themselves from more common believers by wearing gifts from those who follow their word, such as jewelry or clothing.

From Fire we come, to Fire we return

Type

Religious, Pantheon

Alternative Names

The Circle (abbreviation)

Demonym

Circlist(s)

Leader Title

Fire-Bearer

Deities

• Lady of Fire

Location

Taskke

Related Species

• Ihkt