Re: How many Sartarites are cult initiates?

From: hcarteau_at_i0KkbvUAtCLPqUixuHqwWE2R1oX2hK3RqR2xdAXCn4bo9bnrwYJFZYQyuwlXrlOd61g
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:27:31 +0200 (CEST)

In my Glorantha, "Initiation" means the same as in RW : it's a beginning. It's the beginning of your adult life as a heortling, or an alakoring. You're not a proven adult unless you're initiated into some recognizable cult, which is why foreigners have the status of children until they have somehow proven themselves.

All women become de facto initiates to (one of many aspects of) Ernalda when they, hem, begin their cycle - unless they either "block" or "close" their access to this cycle, mostly warrior women (Vinga, Babs Gor).

It's more complicated for men, since our biology makes us able to contribute to reproduction before we're smart enough to understand what it's all about. So ceremonies to become Adult Men are organized every two-three years, except in times of catastrophe. One part of the male Initiation rites is when Humakt draws a line with his Sword on the ground. "This is the line between childhood and your future. Cross it if you dare." Most people manage to overcome their fears of the future, of responsabilities. Some don't. They'll try again in a few years.

FWIW, I don't think Urox would call a coward to him. Urox wakes up in a soul because it's insanely brave, destructive, disrespectful of rules.

As for Initiation in other, more urbanized cultures, I agree it can be a more specific, à la secret society initiation, for the movers and shakers. But let's not forget no god needs to have any ritual or intermediary to awaken in someone's Soul...