Thalássian "Dawn of a new Cycle" Custom

A modest birthday celebration meant to give room for a deepened reflection on life.

The Thalássian Ethnis, in contrary to our more joyful and pious form of celebrating birthdays, have a very peaceful tradition around the subject. That didn't come from nowhere. You see, after the forefathers of modern Thalássia had escaped the burning light of the Regency, they dedicated themselves to their individualistic, modest approach to life - all in an effort to cut ties with their past and stand in open opposition to it. And so, against the zealous rites of their Solarian brethren, who praise their Regent and the Eather for their lives, they dedicate this special day to the individual and their life alone.

Prof. Werner Als-Bosche

The custom known as the "Dawn of a new Cycle" refers to a Thalássian tradition of celebrating birthdays. The special day is meant to be a good start into another "cycle", year of life, kept in the Thalássian philosophical spirit of individualistic self-exploration. The celebration itself revolves around two stages - with family and close friends, and by oneself.

History

The origins of the tradition can be traced back to the very beginning of an independent Thalássian state. After the initial group of freethinkers managed to escape the Solarian Regency embroiled in a civil war at that time and having settled on the rocky coasts of the southern Central Continent, they set out to create their own distinct way of life. This, of course, demanded the creation of a whole new idea of their society, which inadvertently also meant setting traditions for generations to come. Birthday celebrations customs were thus implemented into the mainstream philosophy of the Thalássian Ethnis.

Morning celebration

It doesn't feel like a party. More so like a broad family dinner with some friends being invited. Anhol Velis, traveller

The day begins exactly when the sun is first fully visible above the horizon. The birthday person is either already awake or is to be woken up by their family at this point. They have an hour to prepare themselves for the day - wash, dress up and prepare things they will want to take for the next part of the day. A breakfast feast awaits them after the time passes. There isn't a set tradition for specific meals that should be on the table, though it is often done that at least one spicy, salty, sweet and sour food type is prepared. This is meant to reflect the various moods one can experience during their lifetime. The feast is supposed to be a pleasant family and friends event, reminding the individual these are the people they can always count on in the future. It lasts until noon when the next part of the celebration takes place.

The walk of passing

When noon arrives, the birthday person sets out alone on a long walk. They can take only what they have prepared in the morning and are meant to return no earlier than after the sun has set entirely. Their destination is entirely of their choice, the only condition is that no acquaintances are to tag along the way. During this time, the individual is meant to reflect on their life up to that point, with emphasis on the past year, considering their decisions and deeds in the context of the present moment. It has to be an internalised dialogue – it shouldn't be spoken out during the walk. This is because the culminating moment of the walk is the choice of the so-called "memoir of a cycle". This can be an object the person found when walking or a written form of their thoughts - the point of it is to symbolise or express their current feelings towards the past cycle and their broader life.

Concept of "cycles"

According to Thalássian Ethnis, life is a collection of repeating cycles that last from the initial birthday to the day before the next birthday. They are said to be identical at their very beginning. It is the choices of the individual that makes each one distinct and unique. An often made analogy is to a building – a cycle in its starting state is only a foundation, upon which a person can build a special house, unique to this given foundation.

I remember my friend to whose birthday I was invited came back with a very pretty flower. I don't exactly know what flower it was, I've seen them a few times on the Thalássian coastline but always forgot to check or ask what they were called. Either way, he brought it back and presented it to his family as what they call the "memoir of a cycle" – basically a thing that expresses your thoughts about the past year. They took it and neatly conserved it so it doesn't lose its colour. An instant family heirloom for the future. [...] I wonder why he chose that particular flower, I didn't ask. Felt a bit rude. But I hope it was for its beauty, rather than something deeper but sadder.

Anhol Velis, traveller