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Okay, the amount to which I want to write Narnia is starting to get ridiculous. The reading I do for kicks (note to self: reading non-fiction makes you want to write, darling. Not fiction) is finally starting to fit with my vague Narnia-esque ideas, which is why you get stuff like this.
Also, I lulled myself to sleep last night thinking of the ways in which Archenlander religion and holy days differ from Narnian religion. (Arab-Israeli Conflict and most of my independent reading. I, uh, yeah.) As we have established, there is a Narnian holy day coming up. And it seemed like a relevant question. That I have never given any thought to.
For the record, I had never given all that much thought to the original Narnian holidays, either. And I don't think I've mentioned them? Except for Winter's End, I mean. Anyway, they are: Winter's End, Summerheart, Long Dusk, and Promise of Hope. And I was trying to think of where they might have come from, what they're celebrating, and whether or not they might have been tacked on to older Narnian holidays, pre-Long Winter. (They did not have these names during the Golden Age. That developed later.) Which mostly led me to the fact I had to do research into real-world religious/seasonal festivals, since I don't really know that many beyond, you know, Christmas and Easter and Halloween and Thanksgiving. (Thanksgiving is on my mind right now.)
And then I thought, huh, you know, some of the older non-Narnian Narnians -- the Narnians of the Narnian diaspora -- might not celebrate the same festivals, at least under the same names, unless they've picked them up from newer ex-Narnians. (There -- is a term. Probably. I will think of one eventually.) Because the holidays and the Narnian religion as appears in Dust didn't really fall into this exact form until much later than the Dying Times. During the time of PC, the seeds of it are in place, but not in central Narnia -- not where the story takes place -- but on the outreaches of the former Narnian empire, the borderlands, the places that don't answer Susan's horn. Up in the marshes and the High Reaches and the Western Wild is where one would go to find mention of the King of Summer, Queen of Spring, etc., etc. Not in central Narnia, which is much more Aslan-centric.
As is Archenland, which wouldn't have developed the Pevensie adulation that Narnia does. So the holidays may be similar, but they don't have the same basis at all, and there are different traditions. I mean, there's some leech-over (I swear I'm making up words. Uh) but not a lot. So the Archenlander spring holiday is -- either earlier or later than Winter's End, I haven't decided which yet. Earlier, maybe. *purses lips* (Winter's End celebrates the defeat of the White Witch by the High King.)
...ooh. I just realized that there may be Narnians from even earlier, before the Long Winter. Huh. *prods* And then there is clashing. And the Narnians are not really welcome in Archenland, so there's clashing there, too.
Also, there are disputes about animal sacrifice (AMONG OTHER THINGS) between the different Narnian sects. Because heavens know it wouldn't be Dust without ritual sacrifice.
Although before y'all get all excited, let me add the following disclaimers: I have started this chapter approximately ten million times; examples I can find have the following first lines:
One might get some idea of why I am wary of starting this chapter again. (Except I have already started! I am just afraid to transfer it to the computer because it may End Badly. Again.)
Also, I lulled myself to sleep last night thinking of the ways in which Archenlander religion and holy days differ from Narnian religion. (Arab-Israeli Conflict and most of my independent reading. I, uh, yeah.) As we have established, there is a Narnian holy day coming up. And it seemed like a relevant question. That I have never given any thought to.
For the record, I had never given all that much thought to the original Narnian holidays, either. And I don't think I've mentioned them? Except for Winter's End, I mean. Anyway, they are: Winter's End, Summerheart, Long Dusk, and Promise of Hope. And I was trying to think of where they might have come from, what they're celebrating, and whether or not they might have been tacked on to older Narnian holidays, pre-Long Winter. (They did not have these names during the Golden Age. That developed later.) Which mostly led me to the fact I had to do research into real-world religious/seasonal festivals, since I don't really know that many beyond, you know, Christmas and Easter and Halloween and Thanksgiving. (Thanksgiving is on my mind right now.)
And then I thought, huh, you know, some of the older non-Narnian Narnians -- the Narnians of the Narnian diaspora -- might not celebrate the same festivals, at least under the same names, unless they've picked them up from newer ex-Narnians. (There -- is a term. Probably. I will think of one eventually.) Because the holidays and the Narnian religion as appears in Dust didn't really fall into this exact form until much later than the Dying Times. During the time of PC, the seeds of it are in place, but not in central Narnia -- not where the story takes place -- but on the outreaches of the former Narnian empire, the borderlands, the places that don't answer Susan's horn. Up in the marshes and the High Reaches and the Western Wild is where one would go to find mention of the King of Summer, Queen of Spring, etc., etc. Not in central Narnia, which is much more Aslan-centric.
As is Archenland, which wouldn't have developed the Pevensie adulation that Narnia does. So the holidays may be similar, but they don't have the same basis at all, and there are different traditions. I mean, there's some leech-over (I swear I'm making up words. Uh) but not a lot. So the Archenlander spring holiday is -- either earlier or later than Winter's End, I haven't decided which yet. Earlier, maybe. *purses lips* (Winter's End celebrates the defeat of the White Witch by the High King.)
...ooh. I just realized that there may be Narnians from even earlier, before the Long Winter. Huh. *prods* And then there is clashing. And the Narnians are not really welcome in Archenland, so there's clashing there, too.
Also, there are disputes about animal sacrifice (AMONG OTHER THINGS) between the different Narnian sects. Because heavens know it wouldn't be Dust without ritual sacrifice.
Although before y'all get all excited, let me add the following disclaimers: I have started this chapter approximately ten million times; examples I can find have the following first lines:
1. “Are you religious, Tirian?” (a.k.a. the one with the religious anvil to the head)
2. “Those, sir,” says a Red Company sergeant, passing the spyglass back to Alleyne Seaworth, “are most definitely not deer, even in Narnia.” (a.k.a. the one with the cattle-rustling)
3. The most Jill can say about the pass between Archenland and Narnia is that at least it’s not snowing.
4. The cessation of the early spring rains has brought a kind of frantic festivity to Arn Abedin, which had previously been stewing in misery due to near-starvation and the never-ending downpour, as if the Flood had come again.
5. The savory smell of roasting meet, just starting to cook as anyone of fighting age and ability is let off from Peter’s sped-up training program, hangs in the air and Lucy inhales deeply, trying not to show how pleased she is by the scent.
6. The rains have come and gone and Narnia is all abloom with the first flush of spring, soft green grass layering itself over what was only last week ankle-deep mud and multi-colored flowers making themselves known on previously-bare trees and bushes. (a.k.a. the one where Lucy sings jodies)
7. Winter’s End Day dawns clear and bright, sunlight filtering down through the green leaves of the forest canopy that shelters the camp.
One might get some idea of why I am wary of starting this chapter again. (Except I have already started! I am just afraid to transfer it to the computer because it may End Badly. Again.)