Celestialism
Celestialism is a non-theistic belief system originating in the Earth Kingdom which combines elements of mythology, political philosophy and ritualized mores. Variously described as a school of thought, a folk religion or a political ideology, Celestianism is the de facto state religion of the Earth Kingdom and inseverable from the socio-political organization of its government. Celestialist belief centers around three key texts—the Classic of Origins, a creation myth; the Classic of Nations, a legendary history of the bending arts and elemental nations; and the Doctrines of the Earth Kingdom, a compilation of various religious and political commentaries.
Celestialism is fundamentally concerned with the preservation of order. Accordingly, it preaches the importance of upholding tradition and hierarchy, while cautioning against rapid social change and challenges to the established political order. It rejects the divine provenance of the universe, instead espousing an atheistic theory of cyclical time where the temporal realm is a transient form assumed by the eternal cosmic energy field of the universe. Key actors in Celestialist texts are the Badgermole, a powerful mythological spirit who helped shape the world from the cosmic energy field, the Dragon, a malicious demiurge-like figure who brought darkness and anarchy into the world, and the First King, a sage figure who leads mankind into an ordered existence.
Unlike other religions, Celestialism is not organized and lacks a central authority, though the Earth King is presented as a key figure worthy of respect. The number of Celestialist believers is unknowable, as there is no single set of ritual practices and commemorations associated with the belief system, but it is thought that elements of Celestialism permeate every aspect of Earth Kingdom society.
Beliefs
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Key texts
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Practices
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History
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