The Beginning of the Season of Blossoms

The Beginning of the Season of Blossoms--more informally known as the start of spring, the festival of flowers, or the burning of the candle-flower--is a festival commemorating the arrival of spring, or, as the Dryads call it, the season of blossoms.

The festival is one of great joy, for winter (the season of snowfall according to Dryads) is over, and the snow is almost fully melted. Flowers are beginning to bloom, and color is returning to the world. Music is played, and people dance to peppy rhythms. Every year, a new painting, usually worked on by 4-5 artists, is created. For bards and artists, this is by far the most profitable time of the year, and for the rest of the people, it is the most free-spirited, especially after the cold of winter.

Even though ways have been found to preserve enough food and make clothes for winter, it is still a stressful time, for a single fireplace burning a just tad too warmly can ruin the entire food store. As such, the festival, roots forgotten in the present day, is now held to lighten people's spirits after such a stressful time.

The festival of the beginning of the season of blossoms used to be a religious affair for those worshipping the Great Dryad Trees. Now that this sacred belief is fading to other gods such as Eklavov, Arania, Szaran, and Restanye, the festival has become like a school pep rally--good for nothing except cheering up the people who actually care for that stupid stuff. While yes, the rituals associated with the festival are continued, they have very little substance left behind them except 'tradition'. It wouldn't really matter anyway now that the spirit of winter is no longer angry or jealous, but it's still a quaint tradition that lasts to this day.

History

This tradition was created after a long and destructive winter that almost starved hominid beings. The first flower of the springtime was carefully dried, covered in wax, placed in a stone bowl, and burned in front of a Great Dryad Tree as a prayer for the great forces of nature to bring spring earlier next year. As this prayer was heeded, towns all across the continent began to partake in the same ritual year after year.

The fearful roots of this ritual were eventually forgotten, and the burning of the candle flower evolved its own festival. This festival began to use the name the Dryads have for spring: the Season of Blossoms. It has since become a joyous festival with no real stakes.

Execution

The first flower of the springtime, no matter the species, is plucked from the earth, stem and all, and is dunked into wax until it forms a thick candle. As this is being done, the Great Dryad Tree and the area surrounding her is decorated with flowery decorations, most commonly flower garlands and empty vases painted to resemble calla lilies and tulips. In the late afternoon, the candle flower is placed into a stone bowl and burned in front of the Great Dryad Tree as a sacrifice.

Components and tools

The first flower of spring, wax, a stone bowl, and flowery decorations.

Participants

In the past, the ritual was performed by town leaders or those who accomplished great and important deeds, but it is nowadays performed by the Great Dryad Tree herself or someone she chooses.

Observance

The ritual takes place on the first day of spring (Kleishou 1), but the festival lasts for the entire month of Kleishou.