Dawn Day

Performed on the 1st of Cruish, Dawn Day traditions begin with waking up an hour before sunrise, if not done so already, and performing "Year Cleansing", in which a bonfire is lit (for either a household or entire village, depending on the size of the populace). Then, the observers throw things that gave them bad luck last year into the fire, such as a bad crop, the skin of a wolf, a broken hammer, or a debt note. Sometimes if there is no physical symbol for one's poor year, the cause of the bad year is written on a slip of parchment and thrown into the fire (or said into the fire, if there is no one present who can write). Then, observers gather around the fire (being sure not to touch or inhale the smoke before dawn, which brings an even worse year) and watch the sunrise. At the first sign of the sun, participants light torches from the now blessed fire and place it near their homes, "guiding" Etheia's blessing into their houses for the new year. It is said that the longer a torch burns, the longer the household will stay her blessing. Then, the day is spent roasting and eating traditional foods by the fire, such as horse, "Fire Sprouts"-- a dish of roasted potatoes in honey, and pea pods. Babies born on Dawn Day are traditionally given the name Aiethe, with slightly different pronunciations for girls and boys, and are considered a household blessing. Another common tradition is writing a resolution for the new year and leaving it at a shrine to Etheia. If the resolution is completed before the end of the year, participants may show the paper and receive a blessing from a priest of Etheia. If not, it is customary to take the paper and burn it at the next "Year Cleansing."

Components and tools

Fire, items symbolizing bad luck, torches, roast horse, potatoes, and pea pods, and paper.