Astrapologi

Astrapologi (Astra plural form of the Latin word astrum, 'star') is the name of an Eldham based religion originating in Astropia, surrounding the universe, planets and stars as a means of guidance and worship. Practitioners of the religion seek answers in the night sky interpreting the universe for answers.

The 8 pillars
''The followers of Astrapologi are separated into nine groups representing the eight planets in the solar system and the sun. These groups are chosen during a choosing ceremony (read more below) and give citizens different duties, titles etc. depending on their pillar/planet.'' (Replace ___ with the name of the person)

Choosing ceremony
The choosing ceremony is held in the church of Astrapologi in Astropia. This event takes place when a person turns 8 or joins the religion. The participant stands in the center of the church blindfolded and must be guided by their intuition towards one of the eight pillars, each representing a planet. When touching/choosing a pillar, the participant now belongs to that respective class and are granted a title and duties as listed above.

It is commonly believed among astrapolitans that the planets and stars help fuil one's intuition during the ceremony, and many will sleep under the stars the night before the event in an attempt to get closer to the stars and thereby receive full guidance from them.

Enlightened
The enlightened are the people chosen by the sun during a choosing ceremony. These people know the true meaning of the stars and planets and know the meaning of new star formations, occurrences etc.

The first enlightened was idatheone who established the first church of astrapologi and gathered the original followers.

Symbols
There are many symbols to interpret in the night sky. This is a list of the most common occurrences.

Ruler and hierarchy
1. The ruler of Astrapologi is the enlightened and thereby ranks the highest among the practitioners of astrapologi. If there are multiple enlightened at the same time the one chosen first will act as ruler and the other(s) will be their apprentice.

2. Next in line are the councillors, as interpretation of the stars are an essential part of the religion. These people will also work closely with the enlightened, giving them information about their observances.

3. Below these two are the rest of the citizens. Though during a war the neptune majors will be in charge of this class.

Origin
Since the universe has been around since the beginning of time there is debate among historians when the religion began, but most point towards one event as it’s official origin: the birth of idatheone as she was the first enlightened.

In the beginning
As idatheone grew older she traveled the lands of eldham on the lookout for a place to build the religious hub of Astropia, with the hope of gaining more followers for the religion. When she stumbled upon a suitable hill she started the construction of a tower, ideal for looking at the stars. This was the first seed planted of astrapologi as the town soon flourished gaining more citizens and hereby followers, buildings - including the church of Astrapologi and much more…

Joining Rodinnbrok
For geopolitical reasons Astropia joined the nation of Rodinnbrok (read more under Astropia). And whilst Rodinnbrok practices freedom of religion, some of the pleasurist beliefs and myths found its way into astrapologi.

Jorm, the world eating worm, originates from pleasurism, but when the followers of astrapologi saw the great beast it became part of the Astrapologian myths. Jorm is believed in Astrapologi to be the manifestation of a black hole on earth as it is slowly absorbing the world of Eldham. Shrines to jorm, including statues of the worm, can be found in Astropia and the rest of Rodinnbrok.

The eternal night
The world of Eldham was laid in darkness as the rotation of the sun and moon stopped, resulting in eldhamites living in an eternal night for a week. In astrapologi, this occurrence was interpreted to be a sign from the universe, rewarding the good followers of Astrapologi a week of endless guidance.

Whilst Astrapologians were delighted by the gift from the cosmic omniscient deities, they knew that things had to go back to normal and the earth’s cycle to be a natural part of life and their religion, and were therefore content when the day cycle went back to normal.

Idatheone
The first enlightened and current leader of the religious group.

Religious symbol of Astrapologi
The official symbol of the religion of Astrapologi is the eight armed star (see picture at the top of the page). Each arm symbolizes the planets of the solar system and the star as a whole; the sun and the stars.

Clothing
Some followers of Astrapologi wear various apparel to indicate their pillar and status, as an easy way of distinguishing the citizens from one another and respect their titles and position.

This clothing often includes the colours white, blue, gold and silver and embroidered planets to show their pillar.