Cermenionies(Helpful guide for leaders)

[Moonie~My Internet is workin~]

Ceremonies:

Traditional Clan Greeting:
This is typically how the Clan Leader addresses the Clan and starts a Clan meeting.

Leader: Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the _____________ for a Clan meeting.

(What is used as the Gathering place varies from Clan to Clan and the camp they are in. Examples: Highrock, the ledge (Highledge), Bonehill)

Note: In times of grave and immedeate danger, where every moment counts, something shorter is acceptable


Apprentice ceremony:
This ceremony is one where kits become apprentices and recieve their mentors.

(Leader starts with traditional Clan greetingLeader then calls the apprentice(s) forward)

Leader: From this day forward, until (he/she) has earned (his/her) warrior name, this apprentice will be called ______paw.

Leader: (new mentor's name), (here the leader praises some of the unique qualities of the new mentor, although sometimes something else is mentioned to the warrior's credit or even advice is given. It is kept very brief, no more than one or two sentences). May you pass down your skills to this young apprentice. (that sentence varies a little; same general meaning)
(The new mentor and apprentice touch noses. The Clan welcomes the apprentice with their new name)

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Warrior Ceremony
(This is the ceremony where, obviously, an apprentice becomes a warrior)

Leader: I ________star, leader of _____Clan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (She/He) 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: _________paw, 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

Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. _________paw, from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your courage* and your (see Virtues Section), and we welcome you as a full warrior of ______Clan.
(The leader rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head. The apprentice then licks the leader's shoulder. The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling him or her by their new name. The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night, except in highly unusual circumstances, such as Squirrelflight's, where another special task may be assigned)

* See Virtues below



Virtues
During the apprentices warrior ceremony, virtues found in the apprentice are listed. Usually it is courage and another virtue, but sometimes courage is replaced by something else. Also note: virtues are also listed when a medicine cat apprentice graduates
Some virtues that have been listed (and the warriors they described)


Determination – Squirrelflight and Brackenfur

Enthusiasm – Spiderleg

Independence – Cloudtail

Strength – Fireheart and Greystripe

Spirit – Sandstorm

Honesty – Dustpelt

Patience – Sorreltail

Forethought – Brackenfur*

Loyalty – Thornclaw*

Intelligence – Thornclaw

Faith – Leafpool (medicine cat apprentice graduation ceremony)
* These two virtues are unusual in the fact that they replace "courage." They are the only two I have seen that do so.



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Dying Warrior Ceremony
(If a dying apprentice is worthy, then they may be recieved into StarClan with a warrior mane if this ceremony is per-invalid_word-ed)
Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/She) has learned the warrior code and has given up (his/her) life in service of (his/her) Clan. Let StarClan recieve (him/her) as a warrior. (His/her) name will be __________, because _____(reason)____. Let StarClan recieve her by the name of __________.
(The leader touches the apprentices head)

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Name Change Ceremony
(When a warrior's name needs or should be changed)

Leader: Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you 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 (he/she) will be known as ____________, for _____(reason)____.
(The leader rests their muzzle on the cat's head. The cat licks the leader's shoulder. The rest of the Clan greets the cat by thier new name. There is no vigil or special task)

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Elder Ceremony
(This is when a warrior wishes to give up their role and go join the elders)

Leader: ___________, is it your wish to give up the name of warrior and go join the elders?

Warrior: It is.

Leader: Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given us. I call upon StarClan to give you many seasons of rest.
(Leader lays his/her tail on the new elder's shoulders, and then the eld bows his/her head. The new elder then joins the other elders)

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Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony:
(Note: This ceremony must be done at the Moonstone/Moonpool and all the other Medicine cats and their apprentices, if any, must be present)

Medicine Cat who will be teaching the new MC Apprentice: _______________, is it your wish to enter into the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?

Medicine cat apprentice: It is.

Same Medicine Cat: Then come forward.

(pauses as the new apprentice approaches the stone/pool)

Same Medicine cat: Warriors of StarClan, I present to you this apprentice. She has chosen the life of medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance to your will.

(Then, all medicine cats and thier apprentices, including the new one, come forward and share dreams with StarClan in the normal manner.)