The Holy Temple of Talath in Hearthgate invites all interested parties to their midday Vernal Equinox festivities, celebrating their god’s renewed triumph over the forces of cold and darkness. The morning gathering will take place on the grounds of the Jonquil Priory. Afternoon activities will take place at Saint Hesperer’s Cathedral of Talath.
According to Falthir, Abeth Minor of Talath’s Order of Showers, clerics who have gathered from around the region will start their holy day by gathering the dew off the morning grass for use in their ceremonial ablutions at midday. This dew is gathered into small vials held ‘round their necks. After a community breakfast featuring spring greens and the eggs of migratory birds – a stark contrast to the feasting and burning of rich foods the night before – the congregation recites their full Vernal Missal, which will reach almost until midday.
At midday, the faithful gather to purify themselves by the morning’s dew. During this ritual, they mark themselves with the symbol of Taloth, washing away the carnal passions of the previous night’s bacchanalia and abandoning the sloth and slovenly ways of hiberna. They also bear witness to the ritual reeding of the Lord (or Lady) of Hiberna, who led the feasting and celebration at the previous night’s festivities. Now, they call out indolence and banish it until the harvest celebration, when the work of the fields is done. The clerics whip with reeds gathered from the millponds, the figurehead of winter respite and feasting.
Finally, a slow, solemn procession led by lantern bearers and a plough-team marks the boundaries of the cathedral’s sacred field by turning the soil. This procession will be repeated on every member’s plot over the next week, dedicating the coming season of toil to holy Talath.