Ceremonies.

[ADMIN]

Deputy to Leader Ceremony
The new leader goes to the Moonstone with the Clan's Medicine Cat. After touching the stone, the new leader cannot move for a short period of time, because their old life is being ripped away so they can receive nine new ones. Upon awaking, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt. Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life, give them their nine lives with these words:

Life-Giver: (Touches nose to the top of the new leader's head) With this life I give you (gift). Use it to (use of gift).

When all of the lives have been given, the previous leader says these words:

Previous Leader: I hail you by your new name, _____star. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of (Clan). Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity.

Just as the forest-cats would call a warrior by their new name, the StarClan cats acclaim the new leader. After the ceremony, the new leader is not allowed to tell any cat what happened during the ceremony.



Warrior to Deputy Ceremony
If the Clan's previous deputy died, retired, or was promoted as leader, a new one must be appointed before moonhigh the same day, according to The Warrior Code.

After the leader decides on the new deputy, he or she calls a Clan Meeting and makes the announcement with the following words:

Leader: I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors (or former deputy name) may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of (Clan) is (warrior's name).



Medicine Cat Apprentice to Medicine Cat Ceremony
Once the Clan's medicine cat is satisfied with the apprentice's knowledge, they go to the Moonstone. The following words are used, by tradition:

Medicine Cat: I, (name), medicine cat of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/she) has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help (he/she) will serve (his/her) Clan for many moons.

Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?

Apprentice: (I do/I do not).

Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of (Clan).

The medicine cat rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the mentor's shoulder. The other medicine cats greet him or her by their new name.



Apprentice to Medicine Cat Apprentice
The Leader calls a Clan Meeting, after the Clan's medicine cat announces that he or she wishes to mentor an apprentice. This usually happens right after the apprentice has received their apprentice name, but can happen whenever the Medicine Cat chooses.

Medicine Cat: Cats of (Clan), as you know, I will not be around forever. So, it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown (virtue 1), (virtue 2), and (virtue 3). Your next medicine cat will be (apprentice).

Leader: (Apprentice), do you accept the post of apprentice to (medicine cat)?

Apprentice: (I do/I do not).

Medicine Cat: Then at the half-moon, you must travel to the Moonstone/Moonpool to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats.

Leader: The good wishes of all (Clan) will go with you.

At the next half moon, the medicine cat goes with the apprentice to the Clans' sacred place to present him or her to the warrior ancestors, where the apprentice confirms his or her wish to be a Medicine Cat.

Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?

Apprentice: (It is/It is not).

Medicine Cat: Then come forward.

The apprentice takes a step closer to the Moonstone.

Medicine Cat: Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. (He/she) has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant (him/her) your wisdom and insight so that (he/she) may understand your ways and heal (his/her) Clan in accordance with your will.

The medicine cat and the apprentice lay down and have a dream from StarClan.



Kit to Apprentice Ceremony
Leader: (Kit), you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with 'paw'). I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior.

The leader calls up the warrior he/she has chosen as a mentor.

Leader: (Warrior), you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from (former mentor), and you have shown yourself to be fierce and brave. You will be the mentor of (apprentice), and I expect you to pass on all you know to (apprentice).

The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice by calling out his/her name.



Apprentice to Warrior Ceremony
Leader: I, (Leader), leader of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/she) has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend (him/her) to you as a warrior in (his/her) turn.

Leader: (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?

Apprentice: (I do/I do not).

Leader: Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtue 1), (virtue 2) and (virtue 3), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan).



Dying Apprentice Ceremony
Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/She) has learned the warrior code and given up (his/her) life in the service of (his/her) Clan. Let StarClan receive (him/her) as a warrior. (He/She) will be known as (new name).

This ceremony is used when an apprentice is on the verge of dying and has proven himself/herself to be worthy of a Warrior name. This ceremony allows them to have their full name and be recognized as a Warrior by StarClan.



Warrior to Elder Ceremony
An aging warrior, queen, or medicine cat may retire as an elder due to own initiative, when they feel they cannot help the Clan efficiently anymore. They report this to the Clan Leader, who calls a Clan Meeting and addresses the warrior.

Leader: (Warrior), is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?

Warrior: It is.

Leader: Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest.

The Clan will call out the retired warrior's name and then he or she will go to the elder's den.



Name Changing Ceremony
The leader calls a Clan Meeting, and performs the change with the following words.

Leader: Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he/she is. By my authority as clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on he/she will be known as (new name), for (description of the reason).




List of Virtues
- Courage
- Bravery
- Determination
- Enthusiasm
- Independence
- Strength
- Spirit
- Honesty
- Patience
- Forethought
- Loyalty
- Intelligence
- Initiative
- Kindness
- Energy
- Thoughtfulness
- Wisdom