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the Five Seasons of Creation

the Season of Air

The cold forge season, analogous to Winter.

The season of Air is when the harshest northern winds blow, and the elements align closer to that of the frosty north. The North Wind is considered somewhat harsh for trade as well, as trips from the southern portions of creation to the northern most part have to tack against this strong seasonal wind. However, the feeling is obviously reversed among those living in the north -- many of whom take the opportunity to trade their goods with their southern neighbors. Thus, a bit of light trading sometimes takes place during this season. Harsh storms and rain are quite common, and snow frequently falls as far South as Sijan or Chanos and is not uncommon even further south.

The season of Air is considered to be connected to the lands of the Dead, and many nations across the Threshold hold ancient rites of remembrance toward fallen relatives. Ghosts and fell spirits are slightly more common in this season, and need to be properly appropriated -- those spirits that have been forgotten by their living descendants are especially notorious as bringers of misery. In the Realm, this is less pronounced due to their being fewer potent spirits with a drive to touch on the lands of the living during this season. In addition, the Immaculate ban on ancestor worship prevents any such regular funeary rites.

the Season of Earth

the season of Balance, analogous to Spring.

The season of Earth is the season of peasants, villages, and the countryside. The chill of Air quickly dies away, and the weather becomes more predictable and stable, as the citizenry all over creation begin planting their crops for the next harvest. Festivals and religious rites are especially common in these lands, even on the Blessed Isle (where they are official religious events overseen by the Immaculate Order), with the Gods of fields, growing things, and fertility gaining a lions share of their power in this season. The Climate is typically mild, with a good bit of rain but very little inclement weather. Especially harsh storms during the Season of Earth are considered an ill omen, sign of unrest in Creation or the ill will of the Gods.

The season of Earth is considered to be connected to the divine, springing largely from the worship of the planting and harvesting gods early in the season and spreading out toward the Gods in general. Many religious festivals fall in this season, and most considered that these worshipful festivities are responsible and necessary for the general good weather throughout the season. While threshold kingdoms are commonly known for their featly to the gods throughout the year, a great number of their most popular festivities none the less come during this season. In the Blessed Isle, a majority of religious festivals are during the Season of Balance.

the Season of Fire

the Sun's season, analogous to Summer.

The season of Fire is a more lively and vibrant time than the others, known for wars and marriages and great affairs. The South Wind comes during this season, blowing strong from the South and promoting trade in one of it's most profitable directions. Regarded as a good and predictable omen by traders and merchants, it's arrival is eagerly awaited for and typically followed by a festival/trade-fair. Local names for this vary, but most seem to have a shared origin. The Sun's season is known for it's heat, and it's impressive weather -- the temperatures rise steadily, until they reach their highest point during the month of Resplendent Fire, where they remain for a week before starting to drop once again. Weather is more large and overpowering, a spectacle to behold, than dangerous -- but some harsh storms are not unknown.

The season of Fire is considered by Savants to be connected to the Elementals, but this connection is largely overlooked by most. A few festivals exist that have their ties to age old rites of thanks to the Elementals -- but mostly, the season's connection is overlooked. Some elementals grow annoyed at this and use this season to attempt to earn worship and respect, like the Gods, but most do not know or care that this is their season. The sole exception to this is on the Blessed Isle -- where this season is considered a holy one, connected to the Dragon-Blooded, the Immaculate Dragons, and the great Elements. There it is marked by a number of high Immaculate festivals and events.

the Season of Water

The Moon's season.

The season of Water is a chaotic and dark time, when the weather commonly grows it's most malicious and the Wyld a bit more active. In a bit of irony, long ocean voyages during the Moon's season are regarded as daft and only undertaken out of necessity or bravado -- dire storms at sea are much more commonplace in this season, and it is not unknown for entire flotillas to go missing. In the case that a traveler desires such travel, the prices are almost certain to be higher than normal. Consequently, among sailors, this is regarded as the time when they should be home -- visiting their family, helping out as they can, and spending time for themselves. Even so, sometimes this is not possible and the extra jade that can be earned during the season of Water lures some sailors out onto the waves. The weather is varied and often brutal during this season, and wild changes in temperature are not unknown as 'cold fronts' and 'heat waves' move through Creation at the whim of the Gods.

The season of Water is considered by Savants to be connected to the Wyld and the Fair Folk, a compromise integral and necessary to the structure of Creation to help keep out the Wyld -- by giving it a slight handle in the world. The added bit of strength and mobility this can give to the Fair Folk just makes this season seem even more dire to those mortals who connect it with the increased activity of the Wyld Ones. Many informal 'rites' have built up during this season to help ward off or satisfy the Fair Folk.

the Season of Wood

the harvesting season, analogous to Autumn.

The season of Wood brings an end to the cycle of life, as that which was sown in Earth is brought to ripening and finally harvested so that the people may eat for another year. Festivities and religious rites are only a little less common during this season than in Earth, as the gods are thanked for their bounty and the protection they assuredly gave to the years crop throughout the preceding seasons. Finally, in the last month of the year, Descending Wood, creation symbolically dies as it prepares to once again pass through calibration and the cold forge season. Leaves fall from the branches of trees, the cold winds begin, and the year eventually fades away. The last day of the year is typically greeted with a somber and respectful festival, called Harvestide, that survives more or less unchanged since the First Age.

The season of Wood is regarded as the time of mortals and the common man, the time in which the Gods and the Elements and even the ever-changing Wyld makes good of the pacts and agreements made earlier -- rewarding man with what he is due, life-giving food and the joys of life. Harvestide represents this aspect of the season, and serves as a celebration and affirmation of the joys and bounties of creation. Food and drink are common, gift-giving and celebration is expected, and spirits are high. Harvestide always ends, however, by midnight. It is considered a dire omen indeed to still be in celebration when the year dies and Calibration begins...

Calibration

The five days after the end of the year, but before the beginning of the next.

The year, and Creation, is commonly considered to be 'dead' during this time and it is considered an ill seeming period indeed. These five days are typically spent indoors, with ones family and perhaps a few close friends. Little travel takes place, and only the foolishly wealthy spend the time in celebration. Instead, most spend the time huddled together and waiting for it to end.

It should be noted that while Air is considered the season connected to death, Calibration /is/ Death. If the dead grow closer to Creation in the season that follows, the doors themselves are wide open during the time of Calibration.

According to Exalted, the order of seasons is: Air, Water, Earth, Wood, Fire. Did you change this in your Creation, or are the seasons in alphabetical order out of habit? -- JesseLowe, who'd like to use this...

Yeah, I made up this particular theory just based entirely on "the seasons as related to the elements," with minimal attention to what the book says... - CS

Besides the seasons being in the wrong order, in the canonical calendar, the season of Air is more like Autumn than Winter, etc., so you will have to adjust some date references from published material if you use this calendar. Some nice ideas, though. --MF