Nature Communion
History
Dating back to the teachings of the first Lama of the Veil that all disciples are to live in harmony with nature.
Execution
Once the apprenticeship is over, it is time for the communion. Friends and family will prepare Witness Square for the ritual while awaiting the arrival of the child. A procession is led to the square by a Chancellor of the Sands. Following him are the apprentice and his master. Bringing up the rear are seven of the Witnesses of the Garden pulling a cart with the offering for the ceremony. The procession will start at The Grove and head to the square. As they travel, the Chancellor will proclaim the disciple and his achievements. During this time, generally, at least a small crowd will materialize and follow and cheer for the new disciple. Upon arrival in the square, one of the witnesses will proceed and strike the gong seven times.
The chancellor will stand upon the dais and ask that the master bring forward the apprentice's offering. The apprentice will stand before the platform. The witnesses will leave the cart next to the apprentice and then stand on the step before him, joining the master in facing them. The chancellor will gesture for the respondent to serve them. Taking one of the gourds of Kakoua from the cart and proceed to their master first and pour him a drought from the jug. The recipient will drink the wine and pass the cup to the next in line. The process repeats for each until he reaches the last witness. They will then return to the cart and remove a gourd of Koa, bringing it to his master and repeating the process. Completing this task, he will leave the gourd at the feet of his master and kneel before them.
At this point, the master will pour wine into the vessel once more. The master then will stand before the apprentice naming them and asking them to rise. The student will stand before all those that bear witness to the proceedings on this day for the last time as a child. They will show reverence for those standing on the dais first, then turn and face the crowd and do the same before raising the glass and, if they wish, a short speech and then finish the cup of Koa. The chancellor will then proclaim the applicant a Disciple of the Seven and for the feast to begin.
The witnesses will transport the gourds to the tables, and the family, as well as any others that joined the procession to the square, will all share in the feast and merriment. Most of these parties will last well into the night, with some leaving and others arriving to celebrate the newest disciple.
Observance
When the child feels they are ready to join the ranks of the Oracles of the Seven Gods and start to work and become a productive member of society. Generally, between the ages of 10 and 15 is when they make this decision. The family will work with the church to have the child placed with a Oasis Agriculturalist where for the next year of their life, they will learn the craft and trade of the agriculturist as well as the importance of all of the plants that grow in the Sandlake Oasis. There is great importance put upon the Qutacona Tree, which without their society could have well disappeared instead of becoming the thriving desert nation. A special part of this training is the Ebbing Ritual.
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