Ablutions

Ablutions are a common ritual activity among followers of the Way of the Biocosm. Aside from cleansing the stink of mechanized society and providing ritual purity before the entrance into a sacred space, bathing in clean or naturally-occuring waters is also thought among Biocosmists to cloak the celebrant in the spiritual presence of the Biocosm, for water is the 'chyme of the overbeing.'

Components and tools

Many Biocosmist temples and monasteries, such as the Temple of Wholeness in the Southern Tesseract, feature extensive water features which may be used for the practice of ablutions in addition to rest and meditation. Ablutions may also be conducted near naturally-occuring bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, seas, and springs, though the practice may have to take place at night for safety from persecution from the powers controlling these bodies. For example, Biocosmists in Voxelia, the 'belly of the beast' for Daughters of Misfortune activities, may have to conduct ablutions in isolated reaches of the Blue Silk River and under the cover of darkness. In either case, the water may be naturally pure or contain harmless plant life, but it may not be adulterated with 'artificial' substances.
Generally, ablutions will be carried out beyond the edge of the water source before full body immersion. The celebrant uses a ladle or bucket to pour water over themselves, with a particular focus on the hands and feet, and does so in a location where the runoff will not directly flow back into the parent water source. This may also be done in a partial or complete state of undress depending on the sensibilities of the local coven; while the Biocosmism teaches that there is no shame in the sight of the natural human form, members of a given coven may come from cultures with differing levels of comfort with regards to nudity. After a perfunctory washing, the celebrant will then enter the water source and submerge themselves fully at least three times. Upon exiting the pool, the celebrant is considered ritually pure and may thereafter participate in other ritual activities requiring a state of purity.

Primary Related Location

Western Tesseract

Important Locations

• Temple of Wholeness

Related Organizations

• Way of the Biocosm