Voria

From: Mikael Raaterova <ginijji_at_telia.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 10:24:38 +0100


Andrew E. Larsen:
>So what function does Voria play in Orlanthi culture? What exactly does
>one worship the Goddess of Spring for? Surely not just the start of
>Spring, because that has nothing to do with children. In a culture where
>social functions are expressed through cults, a cult of children must play
>some social function associated with children. I'm hardly suggesting that
>Voria is 'the Goddess of Needlework and Embroidery', only that if she takes
>children under her tutelege, such tutelege would involve the socially
>useful function of teaching them basic skills.

Voria is the goddess of spring and the protectress of children. Adults worship her mainly to invoke her protection on their children. Once a year (IMG at least), during the Springbreak Festival, there is a communal (or Ernaldan) ceremony where the Spring Maiden is celebrated and imbued with the power of Voria; her task is the Flowerrun.

Voria does not take children under her tutelage; her cult (where it exists at all) is not a day-care centre (orphanages in Esrolia might be dedicated to Voria though). Parents (and other relatives) raise their children as usual and teach them the skills of adulthood. Parents tell their children stories about Voria and Voriof, wherein they, and thus the children, learn of the ways of the world.

This is roughly the extent of Voria's social role. The cult of Voria doesn't much of a social role, since it doesn't exist. There are precious few Voria specialists/devotees in orlanthing society, because she doesn't provide much in terms of general usefulness (worship of Voriof OTOH is very useful for sheepherders at least).

Just because a deity, however benign, is present in the pantheon, doesn't mean it has a cult in the society. Voria is revered by all, for she is a bringer of good tidings, but she has no cult.

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