Culture
Superstitions and Beliefs
Voodoo
Voodoo is practiced by many Anathema members. Many members are very superstitious and may or may not practice certain spells and rituals to attempt to do various things. Bring themselves good luck, protect themselves from ailment or harm, or even to try and catch the attention of a fellow pack member. They may also attempt to hex an enemy both inside or outside of the pack, wishing anything from bad luck, bad health, or death upon him. Click!
Polygamy
Polygamous mateships and relationships are welcomed within Anathema. It is common for canines of this pack to be poly-amorous and hold feelings for many individuals at one time. Canines may also participate in sexual activities with many different canines at the same time or with many different partners separately. While polygamous mateships like these are uncommon, the pack generally approves of the idea of "free love".
| Pack Relationships | |
     | |
Inferni |
|
| Shortly after Anathema was found, a member of Inferni trespassed deep into pack lands and was killed by Naniko; upsetting the coyote clan greatly. | |
AniWaya |
|
| Anathema has had little interaction with this pack and hasn't formed much of an opinion regarding them yet. | |
Cour des Miracles |
|
| Anathema has had little interaction with this pack and hasn't formed much of an opinion regarding them yet. | |
Cercatori d'Arte |
|
| Anathema has had little interaction with this pack and hasn't formed much of an opinion regarding them yet. | |
Salsola |
|
| Many of Salsola's founding members were once from Anathema. Despite having left to form the pack secretly, Anathema harbor no hard feelings and many members have family and friends within Salsola. | |
Casa di Cavalieri |
|
| Anathema has had little interaction with this pack and hasn't formed much of an opinion regarding them yet. | |
New Dawn |
|
| Anathema has had little interaction with this pack and hasn't formed much of an opinion regarding them yet. | |
Meditation
Members may meditate for a variety of reasons. Meditation has been known in the past to be a way to relax and clear one's mind. Members of Anathema might also use meditation to gain a better focus - they may feel that their spells would work better if they focused on them. It is also important to include that meditation is a great time for a member to give thanks to the mother nature for all that she has provided.
Common Cultural Pack Items
Gris Gris
The Gris Gris is used by some members to protect them from evil and things that would do them harm and to bring good luck. A Gris-Gris usually describes a small cloth bag worn on the person. Inside is placed a mixture of one or more of the following: herbs, oils, stones, bones, hair, nails, grave dirt, or other personal items. Gris-gris may also be used to attract love or money to the wearer. Click here for a picture.
Pentagram
The five points of the pentagram represent Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit. Anathemas may also put the symbol in a circle, which has traditionally represented the endless or eternity. Canines of the pack may wear pentagram talismans to protect them from evil or to help them get occult knowledge and power. They may also draw pentagrams on the ground and stand within them to better call upon occult powers.
Charms
Various charms are given to canines at certain important pack ceremonies. Canines can receive charms at mateship ceremonies, pack acceptance, coming of age ceremonies, or at the birth of a litter. They may also be given for any other special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary. Charms can mean different things to different canines, but are generally meant to wish the wearer good luck and a prosperous life, among other things.
Voodoo Doll
If a canine wishes to cause another one harm in an indirect way, they might attempt to fashion a voodoo doll. Canines in Anathema can fashion these dolls out of pieces of cloth, wood, hide, etc. It is believed that they must have either a hair from the victim or something that they hold very dear to themselves for the doll to work. Please keep in mind that this is all from the luperci's perspective; these dolls cannot actually cause harm, but the canines can believe that they do.
Crystals
In Anathema, crystals are believed to have many different powers. They can heal a luperci's mental distress, increase concentration, bring harmony and peace to a place or a luperci, and for other healing ceremonies. They are also believed to help with the physical healing process for an injured pack member.
Ankh
The ankh is the symbol of life. To luperci in the Anathema pack, it can represent many different things. A long life, fertility, a charm to ward off bad luck, etc. It can be used as a charm and given at certain ceremonies.
Anathema Ceremonies
Mateship Ceremony
In Anathema, when two wolves come together to join for the rest of their lives they are given a ceremony by the leadership and given gifts by the rest of the pack. The main purposes of the ceremony are to make the Gods notice the pair through animal sacrifice and to show respect to the Gods so that they will award the newly mated pair a lifetime of fortune and fertility.
The pair will join the ceremony by walking into the ceremonial clearing called Maxia Negra. They will walk over embers and coals to reach the group of luperci in the middle. The area is defined by around twenty trees that had been cut down in the past, leaving stumps to sit on. There are two curved whale rib bones that are buried in the ground, the tips forming an arc above a burning fire pit. After the two arrive, the leader of the pack will give a small speech. He/She will then sacrifice a lamb to the Gods and use his/her thumb to smear blood across each luperci’s forehead. The pair will then be given amulets and ankhs to ward off danger and encourage a long life and fertility and may receive gifts from pack members and well-wishers.
Coming-of-Age Ceremony "Rast"
On the day before their 7th month of life, an Ookii Yokai will be approached by an adult in the pack. The pup will be told that on the night before their 7th month of life, they must go on a hunt. They must catch an animal and sacrifice it to the Gods. The pup is not permitted to eat any of the animal that they catch or taste its blood. The next day they must fast and will spend the day fashioning something out of the bones of the creature that they sacrificed. This item can be anything that can be worn or carried; a bracelet, necklace, talisman, gris-gris, charm, etc.
That night, there will be a ceremony for the pup called "Rast". The pup will wear what they created with the animal's bones. Each animal that can be caught has a different meaning, and at the ceremony that meaning will be explained to the pup, its parents, and the pack. For example, a pup who catches a squirrel will be considered a swift hunter and will be respected in that area. After the meaning is explained, the pack will feast and celebrate the pup's journey to adulthood and promotion into their rank tier of choice.