Donorian spirituality has a heavy emphasis on nature and harmony with one's surroundings, with the belief in spirits and gods also being present. Traditional practices involve showing respect to nature and one's surroundings, with one seeking balance through meditation and reflection.
Donorians also believe in luck, which can be gained or lost through certain actions. It is believed that these states of luck are brought on by a lack of balance in one's life or through angering a spirit or deity. The belief in this luck has diminished greatly, though the traditions surrounding luck are still prevalent (an example being the lucky toad statues).
Not all Donorians believe in spirits or deities and the practice has been mostly abandoned in modern times. The respect and search for balance in nature and society have been imbued into donorian culture, even for those who don’t believe.
The beliefs of Donorian spirituality, particularly the search for balance, have made the religion highly syncretic with the Daanist faith. Because of this members of the faith of Daana are not uncommon.
Locations & Practices
Donorian practices emphasize harmony and finding a balance between nature and society. This has led to practices of meditation and prayer, often done in private spaces.
The locations where these practices are performed are in nature temples -places of worship that are located in places of nature and built from natural materials- or in private gardens or parks. It is believed that worshiping in places of nature brings one closer to it.
In cases where people believe in deities or spirits, the person will often leave gifts or offerings. Offerings of meat are generally rejected as they require the killing of an animal; in some regions, people go as far as to not eat meat.
Hierarchy
Donorian Spirituality has no concrete or formal hierarchy, with each village or neighborhood having a local wise-person who functions as a spiritual teacher and priest who gives people spiritual advice. In more areas where there is more belief in spirits and deities, they may also give offerings on behalf of others and perform spiritual rituals for the community.
Those who become wise persons often have some sort of birthmark or scar and may have been sicky children. This is only sometimes the case, but it is believed that people with those attributes often become spiritual leaders. It also often elders that fill these positions rather than young people.
Deities & Spirits
Mati - a luck spirit that is depicted as a donorian toad. He is often depicted as a way to attract luck.
Core Beliefs & Superstitions
Lucky Toad Statues
Many Donorians keep small statues depicting the Donorian Toad, or more accurately the luck spirit Mati who resembles a Donorian Toad, with many of the statues having exaggerated features making the toad even more chubby and round than it actually is. These statues are considered lucky and bringers of good luck, due to this they are often kept in homes, businesses, and doctors' offices.
These statues are often only the size of a hand and made of ceramics, metal, stone, or some other naturally occurring material. The statue’s imagery can also be used in clothing, jewelry, and decor as a way to bring in good luck in a different way.
Comments