Night of Lights
The Night of Lights is an age-old funeral and mourning rite performed by the Magai. Originating when there were only a scant few Magai, and everyone knew everyone, it once involved the participation of all Magai capable of attending. Since then it has changed, adjusted to the ever-growing Magai Order, but its roots are still recognizable within the tradition.
As a funeral rite, the Night of Lights has always been centered on saying goodbye to the deceased, and remembering them not just for their death, but for their life. Performed by those closest to the Magai in question--family, students, teachers, friends--it brings closure, and lets their loved ones bond over those lost as a community.
History
In the earliest days of the Magai, there were very few of them, and they were often found together in the Grand Magai Temple, then the only temple the Magai had. When one died, their loss was mourned by everyone, for everyone knew them. As such, the Magai sought a method of mourning, a goodbye ritual which allowed everyone to attend and participate, so they could remember and grieve together.
As the Order grew, this changed. Even if the loss of a Magai was mourned by everyone, not everyone was close enough to the deceased to partake in a mourning ritual like the Night of Lights. The funeral and mourning rites were separated, with the funeral itself being more widely visited, and the Night of Lights limited only to those closest to the dead. The ritual itself changed little, however, and neither did its meaning, its function of letting the mourners find support together.
Execution
The Night of Lights follows directly after the funeral itself, at the edge of dusk. While most attendees leave after the funeral, a select number will remain for the Night of Lights. These are (typically) the Magai closest to the deceased: students, teachers, close friends, and family. They will each take a seat wherever there is space, and wherever they might comfortably wait out the night. Each will bring, or is given, a light of sorts: a candle, an electric light, just about anything goes (though some might specify or limit this). All will settle down, their light resting in front of them, or held in their hands. And then they wait, in silence.
During the entire night, each attending Magai will wait in silence. They spend their time thinking, or meditating, or otherwise ruminating. During the funeral memories of the dead Magai have already been raised. The Night of Lights is not for sharing, but for thinking of the lost. Support can be taken from the other mourners, their presence both physical and mental, but no words are spoken.
The Night of Lights lasts until dawn, when all participants dim their lights. Their individually held lights symbolized their own connections to the deceased, the shard of the lost that existed within their own perception. Once night has passed, they release their own piece, letting it join into the larger collective. Their little light joins the largest light of them all, the rising sun, letting go of the dead so they may pass on.
Components and tools
- Some source of light (capable of lasting throughout the night, capable of being turned off) - sometimes further limited/specified, or provided by organizers.
- Possibly some way to make sitting throughout the night comfortable or possible (like cushions, chairs, etc.).
Participants
Typically attended only by those closest to the deceased, who understand the ritual beforehand (having either participated before, or having been told what will be happening). No one is more important than anyone else, and there is typically no leader, though there may have been organizers involved. Everyone stays throughout the entire ritual, leaving only once everyone has dimmed their lights and left their seated positions.
Observance
As a mourning rite, it is performed directly after the deceased's funeral, timed to start at dusk. It lasts throughout the night, ending at dawn the next day.
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