The primary spiritual understanding of most Daliwakans, is not a deeply ‘religious’ tradition, in terms of elaborate or even regular ritual (ie, sacred ceremony, sacred objects, iconography, daily/weekly worship or gathering). They are extremely accepting of varying degrees of devotion to the primary and secondary deities, as well as to how closely an individual may choose to associate that devotion to his/her daily life. Their beliefs might be compared to nature veneration, as their spirituality tends to be based on a respect for the natural world, as it is experienced in physical, emotional, spiritual, psychic, intellectual, and mental terms. There are festivals associated with the seasons and various aspects of nature and the positions of the moon and stars. Though as the society has evolved and become more educated, scientifically knowledgeable and technically sophisticated, most ‘nature’ or ‘astrological’ festivals are now communal celebrations rather than actual worship of nature or based upon superstition. The most common view of a divine being is personified in Ado, who is considered the First One and the only true god in the sense of supreme being. Ado is not seen as gender specific and does not favor one sex over the other. The other gods in the pantheon of the primary Daliwakan mythology are all subject to Ado, all loyal to Ado, all assigned powers to protect and in a loose sense, govern certain aspects of life. Ado is does not demand worship or adoration, Ado is not jealous or judgmental. Ado simply loves the People and provides for their welfare through means of the natural world. The spiritual goal of the People in this ‘human’ existence is to follow Ado’s example of love for their brothers and sisters, and be thankful for the blessings one is afforded. Ado is very definitely a totally loving and merciful deity, and the idea of retribution for personal transgression is not part of the mainstream understanding of the myth. Inherent evil is considered a natural part of life, something to ask for help in either resisting or surviving. The concept of warfare with evil does not exist and this might be considered a primary factor in the widespread quality of pacifism among the Daliwakan people. The darkness of Klingon control and slavery is seen as result of the natural state of a universe that includes negative experience on all levels, from the unpleasantness of a common cold to corruption, cruelty and all manner of adversity. It is not necessarily something to fight or rebel against, but rather calls for perseverance. The idea of a separate personification or Enemy of Ado, on the lines of an evil adversary or devil, does not exist in Daliwakan mainstream mythology. Kohl is the Lesser God of Darkness and all things hidden. This would include evil, cruelty, deceit, etc, but these things are seen as a ‘natural’ part of life, however unpleasant and/or destructive. Kohl would not cause such events, but is in charge of guiding the Daliwakans through the experience. Death and the concept of an Afterlife - back Death is seen as a natural progression in a cycle, as exhibited in the cycles of the natural world. All things are born, grow, change, move through their life, decline and die. The spiritual or religious interpretation of these stages varies among the many cultures and traditions of regional populations. All of science seems to point toward the verification of these cycles, as well; energy to matter and back to energy. Unless some catastrophic event alters that progress, it will continue in its cycle as it has for all time. Some traditions have a concept of reincarnation as a human, other creature, or even inanimate matter. It is fairly universal that the process of change and death and some manner of rebirth is always for the benefit of the whole of nature. While there are consequences of evil in this life, it does not necessarily follow that such evil or its consequences will carry into whatever happens in the rebirth after death. In terms of the deity, Ado is considered infinitely merciful in dealing with his People, the Daliwakans, and mercy will always take precedence over justice in Ado’s final analysis. All things are seen as in the process of changing and all possibilities are present in the working out of change. Ado sets no example of taking ultimate retribution from his people, regardless of their role in life as people. This contributes to their reluctance to resort to violent action to take retribution upon their enemies. As in any culture, however advanced, there are extremist sects or cults that seem to live in two worlds at once: the technical, educated society, and a spiritually motivated context of mythology which demands radical obligation to seemingly outdated beliefs. The two most aggressive sects are known as the “Naa Posahs,’ (the good servants), and the “A’Nansah.” The Naa Posahs hold the goddess MoRahna in special reverence above even Ado, believing that Ado essentially withdrew his own influence over the Daliwakans and turned primary control of creation over to this Goddess of the New Day. She is associated with all new beginnings, new life, birth, marriage, love, journeys, any new undertaking, sexuality and sexual passion. It is mandatory that worshippers observe complex rituals around her various domains. The NaaLahSah, or priests and priestesses that lead the people, are believed to be endowed with certain supernatural powers to act as ‘good servants’ to the Goddess. As a rule, this sect tends to be fairly aggressive in proselytizing and maintains strict and very personal control over its members, discouraging personal relationships outside the cult. The A’Nansah attribute ultimate power to Ado, but believe that all the creatures and plants of creation are endowed with qualities one might associate with angels, or faeries. Not all creatures or plants are benign, there being several that are considered mischievous, sly, tricky or dishonest. While there is some ritual and ceremony connected with this sect, the cult of A’Nansah are not particularly proselytizing and are general very open minded about personal associations outside the A’Nansah community. A subtle change has started to infiltrate the purest forms of Daliwakan spirituality since they have been exposed to the new and radically different belief systems of other species on other planets. Basic Daliwakan Religious Mythology - back Adonamanah’ – meaning: The Way of the First One Polytheistic Primary non-gendered god: Adonamanah’, or Ado Ado was the First blew upon the Outworld (all that ever was). Ado’s breath condensed into many Faros (fair os’) crystals, the night stars. But Ado was sad because Ado was alone and Ado cried tears that became Naa’oos (Nay oos’) the Big Star (sun), Mahnoos (maw noos’) the Lesser Star (large moon) and Tahmano (tah man no’) the Tear Drop (small moon) And Ado cried for so long and shed so many tears, that a pool formed at Ado’s feet and in the cold of Ado’s sadness, the pool gathered around Ado in a sea of comfort and in the deep cold, it froze into a globe and Ado named the globe Daliwaka, which means “those who gather at my heart.” Ado began to turn in circles in order to see all the lights in the Outworld, and periodically face each of Ado’s tears, Naa’oos, Mahnoos and Tahmano. The turning warmed Ado and the frozen globe began to thaw. In the wake of the turning, solid ground, and hills and mountains joined the waters of the globe of tears. As Ado turned, some of the lights in the Outworld fell from above and Ado reached out and caught them so they would not be dashed upon the surface of Daliwaka. As Ado caught each light, the compassion of Ado’s heart gave life to the falling lights and they became the first People of Daliwaka. These first People, given life by Ado’s compassion, ministered to Ado and relieved the dark loneliness and Ado made a promise to the People never to hurt them or abandon them. And the People lived in the land and were happy and expressed the compassion of Ado to each other. In the Past Time, six very large lights fell toward Daliwaka from the Outworld. The first large light was too bright to live in the sight of the People and so Ado made her a home deep within the Mountain A’Loosah and Ado asked her to protect the Creatures of Daliwaka. She became known as A’Loosah Goddess of Ado’s (nature’s) Creatures and she was very happy and was very good at her job. Soon another very large light fell toward Daliwaka, and Ado also caught the second falling light. This second light pulsed with brightness and so Ado set it just beneath the horizon (the MoRahna’) of Daliwaka to help push Naa’oos, the Big Star, over the edge of Daliwaka at the dawn of each day. And this second light became known as MoRahna Goddess of the New Day. And time passed, and a third light fell from the Outworld, too hot for the People to stand near. So Ado asked the third light to bath in the cool water of Daliwaka and to carry the water to all of Daliwaka, and this light became known as AdaVah Goddess of the Water & Life Therein. Soon another light fell and Ado was not able to catch her before she struck Daliwaka. Many of the People were lost. Many creatures and other life were cut from their homeland, Daliwaka. But the light was not completely extinguished and Ado and the People nursed her back to health, but her light never burned as brightly again. But her compassion and love for Ado and the People was so great, and she asked Ado if she could be a nursemaid to the People forever, giving back to Daliwaka all her love in thanksgiving for their care and their forgiveness. Ado smiled and gave her the desire of her heart, naming her Mah’Taa’es, Goddess of the Loss of All. One day, a rich blue light fell from the Outworld. Ado caught the light and it was so weightless and fine it was barely visible against the blue of the sky. But the blue light was full of vigor and fertility and Ado smiled and because of his affinity with the blue sky, Ado named him Rotah (roh’ tah), Lesser God of the Sky & It’s Life. And all was well on Daliwaka for many years. One day, a very unusual light fell toward Daliwaka. It was a dark light, with sharp edges and it slipped between Ado’s fingers and plunged into the deepest depths of Ado and Daliwaka, disappearing from even Ado’s sight. But Ado could feel the pain of the dark light and Ado realized that even the pain required compassion and he gave the pain the name Kohl, Lesser God of the Deep Within. And Kohl was the last of the lights to fall from the Outworld to threaten the People of Daliwaka. For under the care of Ado and the Goddesses and Lesser Gods, the People were protected and nurtured and all their needs were met. List of Gods, Godesses and Lesser Gods - back Ado, Adonamanah’ – The First One Faros (fair os’) the night stars Naa’oos (Nay oos’) the Big Star (sun) Mahnoos (maw noos’) the Lesser Star (large moon) Tahmano (tah man no’) the Tear Drop (small moon) A’Loosah, Goddess of Ado’s (nature’s) Creatures Ado’s animals and plants (plants are considered living creatures) MoRahna’, Goddess of the New Day New Beginnings, new life, birth, marriage, love, journeys, any new undertaking, sexuality and sexual passion AdaVah’, Goddess of the Water & Life Therein All the waters of the world and all the life that lives in water Mah’Taa’es, Goddess of the Loss of All All that is lost: life, liberty, things, dreams, any kind of loss Rotah (roh’ tah), Lesser God of the Sky & It’s Life The atmosphere, the sky, the weather, the rain, the temperature, the heavens Also a protector and husband to the creatures of the air: birds, flying insects, Spaceships, planes, anything that moves through the open air or sky Kohl, Lesser God of Deep Within Along with Ado, Kohl is god of what is within, of things hidden, of the dark, of pain, sickness, sadness, evil Kohl is not evil or bad or wicked in and of himself. He is the god associated with those facts of life that are dark, unpleasant, cruel, etc., along with those things that are hidden away, god of what is unseen. If you were sick, you would call upon Kohl for healing or rescue. He is “located” in the center of the globe, as is Ado. |