Date: 29th of Ning
Significance: Nori's Embrace marks the end of the Season of Water and celebrates the nurturing and harmonious aspects of Nori, the Goddess of Summer. This day is significant for its emphasis on the renewal and reaffirmation of relationships, particularly marriages. Throughout the Season of Water, many weddings are held, culminating in grand ceremonies on Nori's Embrace where both newlyweds and long-married couples reaffirm their commitments. This celebration is particularly important for the Samurai, with various clans placing different levels of significance on the day. In inner cities, noble houses often host opulent weddings and grand celebrations, making Nori's Embrace a major event in the social calendar.
Traditions/Events:
Nori's Embrace is characterized by a series of community and personal ceremonies, each designed to honor Nori and the bonds of love and partnership she blesses. The main traditions include:
- Community Water Blessings: In public squares and community centers, large gatherings are held where priests and priestesses perform water blessing rituals. These ceremonies involve the use of blessed water to purify and renew the spirits of the participants, symbolizing emotional cleansing and the harmonious flow of life.
- Reaffirmation Ceremonies: Couples, both newly married and long-standing, partake in special reaffirmation ceremonies. These involve exchanging vows anew and participating in rituals that symbolize the strengthening of their bonds. Emotional healing activities, such as guided meditations and shared storytelling of their journeys together, are also common.