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C E R E M O N I E S
New/Retiring Leader Ceremony
The new leader goes to the Moonstone (or Moonpool) with the Clan's medicine cat. After touching the stone (or drinking from the pool), 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.[2] Upon awakening, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt.[3] Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life, although this is not always the case[4], 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 well (to, in, as, for, etc.) (use of gift).[5]
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.[6]
Just as the forest-cats would call a warrior by their new name, the StarClan cats acclaim the new leader.[6] After the ceremony, the new leader is not allowed to tell any cat what happened during the ceremony.[7]
Getting nine lives does not necessarily mean that a leader will live longer, but they can survive certain accidents or injuries that would claim the life of a cat.[8] However, they cannot survive if they have major injuries such as the injuries Scourge gave Tigerstar.[9] If a leader does not lose a life, they will die of old age nine times.[source?]
If a leader no longer wishes to be the leader, they must go to the Moonstone/Moonpool to revoke all but one life, so their deputy may have their full nine lives. Sunstar only had eight lives because Pinestar never officially retired at the Moonstone.[10]
Deputy Ceremony
Leader: I say these words before StarClan, so 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).[2]
Medicine Cat Ceremony
Apprenticeship for medicine cats usually lasts much longer than those for warriors.[2] The cat must learn about all available herbs and remedies, and the treatment of diseases and injuries.[3]
Once the Clan's medicine cat is satisfied with the apprentice's knowledge, they go to the Clans' sacred place (such as the Moonstone or Moonpool).[4] This is the only ceremony that is not performed by the Leader.[1] 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: ___paw, 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. Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. ___paw, 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).[5]
The medicine cat rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the mentor's shoulder.[6] The other medicine cats greet him or her by their new name.[7]
Warrior Ceremony
An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once the mentor is satisfied with the apprentice's progress and skills, he or she recommends them to the leader of the Clan. Then, the apprentice must pass an assessment, when their abilities as a warrior are checked.[1] In cases when the apprentice has just made an important contribution to the Clan, the leader may decide that there is no need for an assessment (i.e. Firepaw after saving the kits,[2] Brackenpaw after fighting courageously in a battle[3] or Thistlepaw after fighting a dog[4]).
If the Clan Leader is satisfied, he or she calls a Clan Meeting and calls the apprentice.[5] The following words are used,[6] by tradition:
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. Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new warrior name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan).
The leader rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the leader's shoulder.[7] The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling him or her by their new name.[8] The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night,[9] except if that is not possible (such as Squirrelflight's ceremony, when the Clan did not have a camp, and the task of exploring the lake was assigned).[10]
Apprentice Ceremony
The Clan Leader calls a Clan Meeting to appoint a new apprentice and assign a mentor to him/her.[2] The following words are used, by tradition:
Leader: (Kit), you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with "paw"). Your mentor will be (name of warrior or medicine cat). I hope (name of warrior or medicine cat) will pass down all he/she knows on to you.[3]
The leader calls up the warrior he/she has chosen as a mentor.[3]
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 (quality) and (quality). You will be the mentor of (apprentice), and I expect you to pass on all you know to (apprentice).[3]
The mentor touches noses with the apprentice,[3] and the Clan greets the new apprentice by calling out his/her name.[4] After this, the apprentice will usually go greet their family,[4] or go see to their mentor.[5
T I M E H E L P
S E A S O N~
{x} Greenleaf (Summer)
{ } Leaf-fall (Fall)
{ } Leaf-bare (Winter)
{ } Newleaf (Spring)
W E A T H E R~
{x} Cloudy
{x} Misty
{ } Sunny
{ } Warm
{ } Foggy
{ } Rainy
{ } Stormy
T I M E O F D A Y~
{ } Dawn
{x} Sunrise
{ } Sunhigh
{ } Evening
{ } Sundown
{ } Moonhigh