Reformed Stripping Path
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| Theology: | Vae Bassaridianism | |||
| Polity | - | |||
| Origin | 48.67 PSSC | |||
| Split from | Stripping Path | |||
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| Congregations | TBD | |||
| Members | ||||
The Reformed Stripping Path is a Hostian belief system which represents a unique and syncretic religious movement that blends the vibrant traditions of the Stripping Path, centered around the worship of Dionysus, with the mystical beliefs of the Alperkin, a religion dedicated to the worship of Lake Morovia's High Alps. The fusion of these two religions is notably furthermore distinguished by the worship of a pantheon of gods and goddesses inspired by the planets of the Atos System.
Origins and Development
The Reformed Stripping Path emerged in Bassaridia Vaeringheim in response to the cultural and spiritual intermingling of the Stripping Path and the Alperkin traditions. Influenced by a desire to integrate these diverse belief systems, spiritual leaders and practitioners initiated a reformation, weaving together the revelry of the Stripping Path, the mysticism of the Alperkin, and a cosmic reverence for the planetary deities of the Atos System.
Core Beliefs
At its core, the Reformed Stripping Path retains the foundational beliefs of the Stripping Path, and by extension those of the Pallisican Religion which have existed since the 19th Era PSSC. Most significantly, the religion is characterized by the belief that the universe is defined by the complex relationship - known as the Triality of Oversouls - between the cosmic forces of Order, Chaos, and Mystery.
Triality of Oversouls
The Reformed Stripping Path recognizes the Triality of Oversouls, acknowledging the interplay between Order, Chaos, and Mystery. Belief in the Triality of Oversouls is rooted in ancient Pallisican religious beliefs, and later maintained by the traditional Stripping Path, which assert that these forces constitute the three aspects of the Original God, which, at the dawn of existence, fragmented into these distinct forces. This pivotal moment, in which God fragmented, marks the commencement of time, identified as Order. As time unfurled, the universe became increasingly complex and chaotic, marking the introduction of Chaos into the fabric of the universe. The religion suggests that as time progresses, Chaos naturally evolves, suggesting an inherent tendency of the universe, towards increasing chaos. The more time elapses, the more pronounced the development of chaos becomes. Nevertheless, this intrinsic trajectory can be reversed through an understanding of the third fundamental force: mystery. Mystery serves as the impetus for restructuring Chaos into Order, functioning as the medium through which this transformation transpires. The highest spiritual aim, to this end, is to embrace and explore the Mystery of the universe, in order to gain an understanding of the nature of Chaos, so as to ultimately restore Order from Chaos.
Core Practices
Dionysian Celebrations
The Reformed Stripping Path incorporates ecstatic celebrations carried out by individual religious communities known as Mysteries, which revolve around the worship of Dionysus, who is revered as the perfect, divine embodiment of the Triality of Oversouls.. These lively rituals center around the celebration of life, pleasure, and the transformative energy associated with Dionysus.
Most notable of the Dionysian Celebrations are the The Bacchanal - festivals which are community-focused religious celebrations conducted by the Bacchanalia, the High Priestesses of the Reformed Stripping Path. The specific features and qualities of Bacchanalia festivals differ across communities and regions. Certain Bacchanal festivities encompass the various Alperkin seasonal celebrations, such as the Cricket Fall Festival, which commemorates the shift from Summer to Fall.
Alp-worshipping Communion
Building upon the Alperkin traditions, followers of the Reformed Stripping Path commonly engage in the consumption of Noctic-Rabrev, which is believed to allow for communion with the god-like High Alps which inhabit the wilds of Lake Morovia. This communion is believed to offer insights into the mystical realms, wisdom, and a heightened spiritual awareness.
Planetary Devotion
A distinctive feature of the Reformed Stripping Path is the worship of a pantheon of god-like entities, known as Divines, which are revered for their cosmic influences, guiding practitioners through diverse aspects of life, and which correspond to the planets of the Atos System. Though they are commonly referred to as gods and goddesses, these divine entities are regarded more as aspects of the Host Spirit, to whom the Host Spirit has delegated the responsibility of bestowing blessings and grace upon the religion's practitioners. While they are not recognized formally as gods, each Divine is nevertheless worshiped as a god or goddess by its own respective community of devoted followers, known as Mysteries.
The pantheon of the Planetary Divines is as follows:
| Category | Name | |||||
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| Description | Mystery | Holy City | Divine Image | Temple | ||
| Higher Divines | Eos | Lady Divine of dawn, symbolizing new beginnings and enlightenment. | Order of Aurora Mystica | Luminaria | 
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| Micras | Lady Divine of balance and wisdom, embodying harmony and equilibrium. | Harmony Sanctum | Serena | 
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| Pyros | Divine of fire, passion, and creativity. | Ignis Aeternum | Pyralis | 
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| Indigo and Momiji | Twin Lady Divines representing duality and change. | Celestial Harmony Sect | Symphonara | 
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| Chrysos | Divine of wealth, thieves, spies, prosperity, and abundance. | Guild of Golden Shadows | Aurelia | 
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| Thalassa | Lady Divine of the sea, and war, embodying mystery, depth, and fluidity. | Azure Sentinel Sect | Vaeringheim | 
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| Nephele | Lady Divine of clouds, symbolizing dreams, imagination, and inspiration. | Reverie Nebulous | Somniumpolis | 
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| Glinos | Divine of ice and winter, representing the cycle of life and death. | Eon Fellowship | Nexa | 
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| Noctis | Lady Divine of the night, associated with introspection and hidden truths. | Order of the Umbral Oracle | Lunalis Sancta | 
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| Opsithe | Lady Divine of harvest, fertility, and the cycles of nature. | Mystery of the Verdant Embrace | Sylvapolis | 
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| Lower Gods | Tarsica | Lady Divine of illumination and wisdom. | Conclave Illuminara | Luminaria | 
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| Plateau | Lady Divine of health and medicine. | Sanctum Vitalis | Saluria | 
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| Ivory | Lady Divine of purity and serenity. | Temple Alabaster | Aetherium | 
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| Fenrir | Divine of strength and tenacity. | Court of the Ironclad | Ferrum Citadel | 
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| Lukedu | Divine of harmony and unity. | Accord Concordia | Symphonara | 
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| Styx | Lady Divine of transformation and rebirth. | Mystery of the Stygian Veil | Acheron | 
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| Faun | Lady Divine of natural balance and fertility. | Sylvan Fellowship | Sylvapolis | 
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| Silenus | Divine of merriment and celebration. | Mystery of Red Mirth | Erythros | 
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| Cato | Divine of discipline and order. | Rex Catonis | Catonis Atrium | 
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| Sisera | Lady Divine of reflection and introspection. | Sanctum Delphica | Delphica | 
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| Erasmus | [Divine of charity. | Ordo Amicitia | Koinonía | 
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| Nikolaj | Divine of Epiphanies | Temple Illuminata | Aureum | 
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Missionaries
The Temples of the Divines maintain a complex network of missionaries who work to expand the teachings of the Reformed Stripping Path across Keltia and around the world, especially in lands formerly associated with the Haifo-Pallisican Imperial Trade Union. These missionaries, who are financed through investment in the Temple Bank of the Reformed Stripping Path on the General Port of Lake Morovia, are responsible for spreading the religion's in lands which are regarded as receptive to the religion's message and teachings. As of 48.69 PSSC, it was reported that there were approximately 4,875 active missionaries, operating across Keltia, Corum, and parts of Eura.
Host Stars
In addition to its tradition of planetary devotion, the Reformed Stripping Path also maintains practices and traditions in which followers of the religion may pray to certain Host Stars throughout the course of the year, in order to receive gifts and blessings. For example, practitioners of the religion may pray to Aprobelle for blessings relating to love or romance, or they may pray to Häpi or Atämíos for fortune while hunting in the wilds of Lake Morovia or for blessings upon their crops. Every Host Star provides its own unique blessings, and may be prayed to throughout the course of the year. Certain Host Stars, furthermore, are closely related to the Planetary Divines - their respective blessings complementing one another. The Host Star of the sea, Ocananus, is for example closely related to Thalassa. Danaß, the Host Star of death, is closely related to Glinos. Certain rituals and practices reflect the relationship which exist between these Host Stars and their related Planetary Divine.
Symbols and Iconography
The symbols and iconography of the Reformed Stripping Path, which are largely derived from those of the traditional Stripping Path and the religion of the Alperkin people, reflect the movement's commitment to self-discovery, Dionysian ecstasy, and cosmic reverence. These symbols are often used in rituals, ceremonies, and as representations of the key principles of the religion. The religion's most notable symbols and images are described below.
The Grapevine
The most ancient and important of all Bassarid images, the grapevine represents abundance and fertility, and is seen as a manifestation of the blessings of the Supreme God of the Bassarid religion. Insofar as the grapevine undergoes cycles of growth, dormancy, and renewal, the vine serves as a symbol of transformation and rebirth. The emergence of the grapevine also represents the interconnection between man and nature, and of man's direct, personal relationship with Dionysus. The appearance of a new vine, and the growth of new grapes, are seen as positive omens, whereas the death of a grapevine is regarded as the worst of all possible omens.
The Serpent
Serpents ranging from snakes and lizards to fish, insects like centipedes and millipedes, and small mammals such as weasels, represent significant symbols of the complex, often contradictory nature of Dionysus and carry great significance within the religious context. Reptiles especially carry profound symbolic significance in the Bassarid religion. To this end, the shedding of a reptile's skin represents the rebirth and renewal which one experiences when following the religion's teachings. Such creatures, especially venomous snakes, also represent the intoxicating effects of Dionysus, and the god's mysterious, sacred chaos.
The Mermaid/Melusine
Stripping Path tradition holds that mermaids are the descendants of the first pirates who inhabited the Strait of Haifa, and that the queen of the mermaids, Melusine, was the most faithful servant of Ariadne, the bride of Dionysus. With that said, mermaids represent the feminine energies of creation, intuition, and receptivity which are central to Bassarid practices. They also represent the the exploration of the subconscious and the mysteries of the human soul. In the same way as mermaids inhabit and explore the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean, the Bassarid worshiper inhabits and explores the depths of their own individual spirit and existence.
The Sacred Hounds
The Reformed Stripping Path reveres two breeds of dogs above all others, regarding them as sacred companions of the Supreme God - the beagle and the great pyrenees. The beagle is the most faithful companion of Bacchus, and represents the tenacity which is required for for self-discovery, and the pursuit of authenticity. The Great Pyrenees is regarded as the protector of the Temples of Dionysus, and of the souls of his followers, and is regarded as a symbol of of devotion to the spiritual path.
The Juniper Tree
The fast-growing Juniper tree is regarded in the Reformed Stripping Path as a symbol of chaos. The rapid and often unpredictable expansion of juniper forests creates an environment that is constantly changing. This symbolizes the ever-shifting nature of life and the inability to pass through the same forest twice, emphasizing the impermanence of experiences, and the struggle of man to find order - direction - in the apparent chaos of nature.
Community Structure
Governance
Governance of the Reformed Stripping Path falls under the jurisdiction of the High Priestess of the Bassarid Temple of Vaeringheim, one of the three co-equal heads of state who comprise the Council of Kings, the supreme authority over Bassaridia Vaeringheim. The High Priestess is responsible for appointing Bassarid Priestesses to the Bacchanalia, the body of priestesses who are delegated the responsibility of overseeing the affairs of the religion's various Mysteries, or sects. The Bacchanalia, to this end, stands as a cornerstone of the religion's political framework, as it works on behalf of the High Priestess in order to ensure cohesion and to safeguard the sanctity of the spiritual practices embraced by the followers of the various Mysteries associated Reformed Stripping Path.
Conclusion
The Reformed Stripping Path draws significant influence from the other major Hostian belief systems, namely the Stripping Path for which the religion is named, the Pallisican Religion, and to a lesser extent the Alperkin religion. Of these, the Reformed Stripping Path is most heavily influenced by the former, although it is characterized by some key differences, especially with respect to its inclusion of indigenous religious traditions and its increased emphasis on the worship of Planetary Divines. The Reformed Stripping Path also deviates from the Stripping Path with respect to its views on the Triality of Oversouls. It is the case that whereas the Stripping Path promotes an embrace of chaos and a general rejection of order, the Reformed Stripping Path aligns its views with those of the Pallisican Religion, regarding the pursuit of order as the highest of spiritual aims. On the basis of this difference of views with respect to the Triality of Oversouls, the Reformed Stripping Path is regarded as being a significantly less extreme and subversive religion than the Stripping Path.
