Family of the Loving Mistress

"She is all around us, inside of us, and we are inside of her. Hail Mistress Venus! Hail Madame Aphrodite! Hail Mother Derceto! Hail Deastire Vasílissa ton Pharmakia!" ~Note found near the scene of the Owen Merintok Collosseum Incident

Dogma

The Mistress was goddess of Venus when it was a garden. The Martian god Anshenamru betrayed and struck Venus with a weapon beyond imagination, and Deastire struck back. Neither world survived the exchange, with the atmosphere of Mars bleeding away and the atmosphere of Venus becoming a perpetual howling toxic hurricane. For most of human history, Deastire hibernated under the surface of Venus, communicating with humanity through dreams, especially those induced by psychedelics. She guided humanity in the making of Astarte Station, and made Venus her garden again. When the Gobi Horror ravaged the first colonists, she took them into her bosom and protected them, stabilizing them into the Waxies. When the next colonists came, she tried to reach her love out to them but was rejected, so she lashed out and her servants lashed out. She inspired the revolutionaries that would end the Commonwealth to give her children weapons, and they took their planet back. Now, the third wave of colonists have been well established, and she has her skirmishes, but she also has found allies. They embrace the so-called Curse of Venus, and they work to bring her glory and restore her control over Venus.

A Rare Exception

Attempts to classify the cult in the Age of Convergence have split along three lines; Most have decided that it's a hedonistic Cosmicist cult, but scholars have argued that the hedonism is in the service of Seeking Wisdom, and others say that the focus on becoming more like Waxies are a twisted version of the Perfected Path. This is mostly an academic discussion, as most organizations agree that they must be destroyed regardless of whose fault they actually are.

Mythology & Lore

Their histories, rituals and dogmas are enshrined in two sacred texts, the "Book of the Howling Hurricane" and "The Revelations of Deastire".

Tenets of Faith

The Unity of All: The Mistress is omnipresent, residing within every being and encompassing the universe. The Sacred Planet: Venus is the Mistress's domain, a realm of transformation and rebirth. The Betrayal of Anshenamru: The Martian god's treachery against the Mistress will never be forgotten, and its consequences shape the cosmos. The Dreamgate: Psychedelic-induced dreams are gateways to the Mistress's wisdom and guidance. The Protection of the Waxies: The Mistress's children, transformed by her love, are sacred and under her eternal protection. The Rejection of the Commonwealth: The cult rejects the oppressive forces that once exploited Venus and its inhabitants. The Embrace of the Curse: The toxic hurricane enveloping Venus is a manifestation of the Mistress's power and a test of devotion. Transcendence through Hedonism: Pleasure and ecstasy are paths to spiritual growth, self-discovery, and union with the Mistress. The Pursuit of Wisdom: Seekers must continually expand their knowledge and understanding to honor the Mistress's gift of wisdom. The Glory of Transformation: Cult members strive to emulate the Waxies, transcending human limitations to become vessels for the Mistress's divine will.

Ethics

Pious Acts

Seeking Wisdom: Pursuing knowledge, self-discovery, and spiritual growth through hedonistic experiences. Honoring the Waxies: Showing reverence and compassion to those transformed by the Mistress's love. Protecting the Planet: Preserving Venus's unique environment and defending its inhabitants. Embracing the Curse: Enduring the challenges of the Curse of Venus, seeing it as a test of devotion. Serving the Mistress: Contributing to the cult's goals, spreading its teachings, and supporting its members.

Sins

Denying the Mistress: Rejecting or disrespecting Deastire's authority and wisdom. Exploiting the Planet: Harmfully extracting resources or disrupting Venus's delicate balance. Harming the Waxies: Causing physical or emotional harm to the Mistress's transformed children. Suppressing Pleasure: Denying oneself or others legitimate hedonistic experiences. Betraying the Faith: Collaborating with enemies of the cult or compromising its principles.

Interpretations and Guidelines

Free Love: Sexual relationships and polyamory are encouraged, reflecting the Mistress's boundless love. Substance Sacraments: Psychedelic substances are sacred tools for spiritual growth. Ecstatic Rituals: Sensory-overload rituals are essential for connecting with the Mistress. Environmental Stewardship: Cult members must minimize their ecological footprint and protect Venus's unique ecosystem.

Rituals and Practices

Daily Devotions: Meditation, prayer, or sensual exercises to connect with the Mistress. Full Moon Ceremonies: Communal rituals honoring the Mistress's power and the Waxies when Astarte Station is overhead. Vision Quests: Solo journeys into the Venusian wilderness for spiritual growth and guidance. Sensory Deprivation: Isolation or sensory-overload experiences to intensify spiritual connection. Eucharist of the Rose: A sacred meal sharing psychedelic substances and human flesh (particularly the brain) to bond with the Mistress.

Punishments and Redemption

Penitence: Reflection, self-mortification, or community service for minor transgressions. Reconciliation: Rituals and acts of contrition for more severe offenses. Feed the Family: Submission (willing or not) of your flesh for feasting for the most serious offenses.

Hierarchy and Leadership

Vessels of the Mistress's Love: Spiritual leaders guiding the cult and interpreting the Mistress's will. Beloved of the Mistress: Respected members advising on ethics and tradition. Supplicants: New members learning the cult's teachings and ethics.

Worship

Rituals and practices involving psychedelic substances, sensory deprivation, or sensory overload to connect with the Mistress. Veneration of ancient Venusian artifacts and relics. Hierarchical structure, with initiates progressing through stages of devotion (e.g., Seeker, Beloved, Vessel). Symbolism: the number 7, serpents, mirrors, roses, and crimson colors may hold significance.

Priesthood

Cult leaders in the Cult of the Mistress are all Charismatics, and form their own cells. They use psychedelics to 'tap into the gestalt' of Venus, which according to them allows them to communicate. There must be some truth to this, because no communications have been intercepted but their coordination is global. Charismatics of the Cult wear purples and gold as is the fashion on Venus, but their clothing tends to be more revealing, and when they preach they wear golden masks ranging from symbolic domino masks to full-face coverings. They favor wearing Contragrav Swarmwear for the protection, offense, and the ease of removal.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Nobody is exactly sure how deep the Cult of Venus goes into Venusian society. It does seem to exercise some political influence at high levels, but none have yet accused the Technocrat of Venus of being subverted, and indeed she has dedicated more effort than her predecessor into combatting, undermining, and eliminating the cult.