Oyashirin, The Hidden Moon Ceremony (O ya She ren)

In the City of Ios, from the basalt Temple of Silver Light, at darkest point of the longest, blackest night comes the call for the return of the moon. The entire city attends this ritual to give strength to Krakma (Silver Guardian (Kuvasi), personification of the moon) to break free from the grasp of the Ssahahan who binds Krakma in the Black Beyond. For a citizen to not lend their strength is seen as a heresy. If the moon should not appear in the sky, they will be sacrificed by the temple; often bound hand and foot by their neighbours and dragged there. Foreigners find it is a good plan to either join the ritual or not be within the city walls that night. Not knowing the ritual can be grounds to become a sacrifice.

Components and tools

The Master of Silver holds the Kudimush, the Silver Staff, their badge of office. 
Silver dust, to cast into the assembled. To be touched by this dust is a sign of fortune.
The Great Basin, a large basalt altar at the front of the temple lined in silver. The blood of the Gamxo Shilash is poured into this basin.

Participants

All citizens are required to surround the Temple of Silver Light, to give the proper responses as the Master of Silver intones their prayer to a black sky. It is considered ill fortune to stay away on this night. Even the sick and infirm make plans to attend. The voices give Krakma direction out of the Black Beyond. The responses are highly structured and precise in both pronunciation and timing. Errors in either can be grounds for sacrifice.

The Master of Silver leads the city to summon the silver light back to the sky. They give Krakma hope, and the guiding light should the Black Beyond smother the Kuvasi in silence.

Below them, Careful Whispers (Gamxo Shilash), acolytes of the faith sacrifice their blood; making long cuts along their arms to bleed into offering bowls. The blood gives sustenance to Krakma; giving it strength.

Garma's Choir lilts repeating prayers within the temple itself; the sound accompanied by a steady onerous drumming. This provides the proper rhythm to shatter the glassy veil of the Black Beyond.

Observance

The Festival occurs on the New Moon closest to the longest night of the year.

Primary Related Location

Twin Cities of Ios and Karuk