Sonu Tamino

Sonu Tamino or the Way of the Sound, is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to Velarim, emphasizing harmony with Music and Sound, it is generally understood as an impersonal, spiritual process of transformation to the ultimate understanding of reality, and are practiced as a religion of nature, polytheism and animisticism. 
Sonuans exercise their faith by self-development, and through revolving ceremonies and belief around supernatural entities called Sonu. The Sonu are believed to inhabit all objects and living matter, both natural such as landscape locations, untamed movements, living organisms and even humanoids. Usually seen as spirits that either live or temporarily may reside in certain objects.
It is worshiped through churches, shrines, public places, ceremonial dances, festivals, passages, offerings, religious objects such as amutels, other adherents. The conceptual focus of the faith revolves around finding purity, uplifting of one’s self and worship to earn favors or luck.
==Philosophy==
=== Way of the Sound ===
The significance and power of sound and music is one of the key elements within Sonu Tamino. Sonuans themselves believe that the universe resonates with waves of sound, and everything within it is interconnected with its waves and vibrations.
These very vibrations are not only physical, but also spiritual, affecting the essence of all beings, living or inanimate.
=== Flow of Harmony ===
Sonu Tamino understands the importance of the flow of harmony, both in everyday life and within oneself. As music or sound flows seamlessly from one note to another, life organically develops and keeps to a natural flow. No outside or internal harm, force or resistance should stand against the flow of harmony. Sonuans learn and believe that controlling such waves is harmful to one's spirit.
=== Music of Sonus ===
Sonuans follow the teachings and worship of the Sonu, spirits that live and flow by them throughout their everyday life. Sonu may inhabit small objects, living organic beings, landscapes or shrines. A true Sonuan practices common personal rituals and attends ceremonial gatherings. Purifying oneself by several available methods earns the right to be bestowed with luck, or uplifted from curses by one or several Sonu.
==Principles of Sonu Tamino==
Sonu Tamino does not impose strict rules or commandments like many other false-religions. It provides teaching and guides followers on their journey of spirituality and faith. It encourages mindfulness and compassion towards oneself and others.
=== Harmony and Balance ===
Sonuans must enter a harmony with nature and its universe through all sounds of live, music and the worship of Sonu. They must ensure that their belief emphasizes balance and the flow of life. To achieve this a Sonu Tamino believer practices common personal rituals, regularly visits shrines and partake in gatherings. Either they play sound-based musical instruments or support artists and creations that uplift their souls. Music and Sound provides a way of connection between self and the nature/universe.
=== Nature ===
The living life of all organisms, nature and landscape are integrated into the practices of Sonuans. Having sacred groves or shrines by mountain sides where music is played help their connection with the spirits. A sacred place such as a landscape, shrine, gateway, anything that is related to a Sonu - spirit, must be endorsed with nature, either surrounded by it or decorated with it.
=== Music as Meditation ===
Believers of Sonu Tamino commonly participate in ceremonial practices, this also includes personal (household) practices such as meditation. A faithful Sonuan regularly listens to either pre-made or live music. This helps them connect with any Sonu of their liking through the sheer power of sound.
=== Creation ===
It is believed that before time there was already sound, waves of chaotic flow travelling through nothingness. At one certain point these unattended incomprehensible waves resonations had intervened and hit one another. Through the collision, the first form of primordial music was formed, so powerful that it had sprung into the foundation of the universe, forming planets, stars, constellations and sonu’s. 
All these entities formed into harmony and had formed copies of themselves. The Sonu’s created life on planets, formed mountains, skies, forces of wind, death, storms, disease. Both good and bad, which meant the harmony’s balance. Sonu begin to exist as ethereal entities within their own and next to their own creations. Some supporting each other, while others fight one another. Due to their ethereal form they were unable to directly confront any of their works, achievements, only slightly being able to alter reality through their spiritual form. Therefore all living had begun to live in harmony, accepting the Sonu and the sound, music they sprung from. Millennias later with the formation of the first humanoids, they became the greatest worshippers of all Sonu.
==Mythology and Stories==
The faith of Sonu Tamino does not have one central sacred text or book, rather a collection of teachings, stories, poems and musical sheets, that are all passed down through generations of believers or collectors. These texts are revered for their wisdom and insight into the nature of the religion.
Oral transmission is a great tradition within believers. Much of the wisdom of Sonu Tamino is passed down orally from master to disciple. This tradition emphasizes the importance of direct transmission via sound, and personal experience through understanding and teaching music.
The central philosophy of the religion is deeply influenced by music, sound, and by the concept of flow, soundwaves. Seen in the natural rhythm of music, and the vocalizations, ebbs and flows of sound. Followers are encouraged to surrender to the sound of life, trusting in its inherent wisdom and guidance. Understanding what makes them grieve, or fill them with joy.
Followers often erect small shrines to huge cathedrals to worship one or more Sonu’s by gifting such places to the spirits. They believe that by offering their worship at these places and by gifting or ceremonies, the spirits may uplift curses or bestow luck.
==Symbolism==
The symbolism of Sonu Tamino is important in its everyday practice for regular Sonuans and believers. While there are no common symbols for individual Sonu (spirits), some are more frequent than others. Apart from representations of the supernatural entities, one may find everyday marks of typical religion-related (as a whole) tokens.
Sonu Tamino: Two sprigs with leaves and an instrument in the middle. Most commonly olive branches with harp. Okul e Sonu (the School of Sonu Tamino, or the clergy) uses two walnut tree branches with a harp at the center on an orange-ish dark-blueish colour palette.
* Meaning: The faith itself is represented through its practice of the first principle.
* Incorporation: Usually in books, or clergy buildings.
* Use: For clergy.
Sonu: Symbolized by musical notes, clefs or waves representing sound. Though this symbolism is uncommon due to the fact that worshippers rather use the direct form of symbolism for specific Sonus.
* Meaning: The spirits in a collective form.
* Incorporation: Usually in books or music sheets.
* Use: Artists, Clergy.
Instruments: All instruments carried by believers must be endorsed, carved with stylized images of celestial bodies of Sonu. (Such as Moon, Stars, or a specific Sonu symbol).
* Meaning: Representing harmony and balance, suggesting the universe’s vast spiral of sound waves.
* Incorporation: On musical instruments and as wall decorations.
* Use: Artists, Clergy, Music playing.
Nature: Usually represented by a small tree, mountain or stone-like creation/figurine.
* Meaning: Emphasizes the connection of nature and Sonu Tamino, the idea that sound is the integral part of our existence.
* Incorporation: Carve these symbols to wood, stone, or incorporate them on the design of gardens, natural spaces or interiors.
* Use: Protection of evil, everliving.
Wind Chime Talismans: Abstract representation of the sound waves, put under roofs, by windows or hung on ceilings, many times on trees or gateways.
* Meaning: Representation of sound waves, harmony, tranquility and the interconnection of all hings.
* Incorporation: Hang these talismans in sacred places, near personal homes or entrances of temples, common grounds.
* Use: Preparing for the future, luck.
Echo Stones: Stones arranged in patterns that mimic the ripples created by sound waves. Either represented by rock gardens or infused with organic nature such as water features, moss, trees, bushes.
* Meaning: Represent the enduring and spreading nature of sound, its ability to leave a lasting impact.
* Incorporation: Use in garden designs, foundation of temples, meditation spaces, sacred sites.
* Use: Achieve inner peace, forgiveness from Sonu.
Lily Pad Pond: A common connection between Sonu and nature, usually placed on ponds and populated with turtles and frogs.
* Meaning: Represent the connection of the spiritual ethereal world and ours, grounding nature of music and spirituality.
* Incorporation: Creation of a small pond and/or decoration of one. Plant small bushes and Sonu shrines at its side.
* Use: Easier communication with Sonu, prayer site.
Bells: Bells that are inscribed with Sonuan philosophy and are commonly placed by 4-5 other bells.
* Meaning: Represent the invocation of Sonu through sound, the bridging of the physical and the spiritual worlds.
* Incorporation: Place these bells in temples, churches, use them in ceremonies to call the Sonu or spirits, and as guardians of the sacred places.
* Use: Connection with the spiritual world, purification.
==Temples, Sacred Spaces==
Sonu Tamino practice their faith from landscapes and small shrines up to huge temples. These places commonly house Sonu or at least provide a place of stay for these entities. All sites are sacred therefore must be protected by worshippers and nature alike.
Landscapes: A natural area completely inhabited by a Sonu, such as a mountain, pond or tree. Worship at these places usually happen at an established common ground such as an Amphitheare at the base of a mountain, standing in the water of a pond or underneath the tree.
Caves: A common place for worship are either natural or carved caves endorsed by either dripstone, lush natural life or a small flow of water. These caves usually echo at the sound of music, therefore commonly represent cleansing process sites.
Gardens with flowing water: An aesthetically pleasing water with small shrines dedicated to several Sonu are commonly used for small-scale ceremonies.
Spas and Saunas: A communal place for Sonuans to cleanse themselves and earn easier peace for their mind, also purifying their body and therefore more easily conveying with spirits.
Small Shrines: Usually a small figurine, specific stone endorsed with decoration, candled, letters and signs of wishes are established to house Sonu spirit and serve as a small place of worship.
Large Statues: Similarly to shrines, but are usually also surrounded by some structures. At times they are established by clergy and are the end locations of pilgrimages.
Small Temples: An established building to worship one specific Sonu, usually are gifted to the spirit to endorse the locals or a group with luck.
Cathedrals, Large Churches: More common in humanoid nations, usually are gifted to more then one very important Sonu, such as race-creating spirits or spirit of the nation.
==Spiritual Entities (Sonu)==
Sonu are supernatural entities, ethereal spirits and are the very basis of Sonu Tamino, making it a polytheistic religion.. They live among all life of organic living matters and also inanimate objects. There is no distinction between singular Sonu or plural Sonu, therefore they could be both referred to as individual spirits of a group/collection of them. 
There are an infinite number of Sonu in the world. A Sonu may represent a sole thing/purpose but could also represent many. Therefore they are often regarded as “vague”.
Below are the most common Sonu’s (spirits) that believers commonly worship:
Tembri - Playing Music/Festivals/Fortune
* Tembri is the spirit of festivals, fortune and artists that play music, or music playing in general. A common Sonu due to the musical/sound-based nature of Sonu Tamino. Usually symbolized by a frog.
Ystack - Coin/Trade/Market
* Ystack is the ethereal entity of trade, markets, traders and coin, are commonly worshiped by those that practice entrepreneurship, establish markets or aim to increase their own or communities wealth. Usually symbolized by an elephant.
Elly - Cave/Mountain/Mining/Earthquakes
* Elly is the spirit of the mountain, caves and miners. They are also responsible for earthquakes of mine-accidents, but balance out by giving out their “body” in the forms of minerals, materials. Usually symbolized by a mountain.
Akkar Heb - War/Winter/Chaos/Destruction
* Akkar Heb is the spirit of war, chaos and winter, destruction. Usually worshiped to avoid such atrocities, but also commonly turned to by generals and soldiers. Usually symbolized by a sword.
Agwyn - Trust/Optimism/Belief
* Agwyn is the Sonu of optimism, belief and trust. Commonly turned to while forming treaties, agreements or just as a way to increase the weight of ones worship to several Sonu. Usually symbolized by a rabbit.
Jara - Travel/Harvest/Light/Famine
* Jara is the ethereal spirit of travellers and agricultural workers, as they are the spirit of travel, harvest and light. Showing path for growth. They are also the spirit of famine. Usually symbolized by a cart.
Gerfel - Writers/Children/Fertility
* Gerfel is the spirit of writers, children and fertility. Usually turned to cleanse the mind and earn inspiration by teaching, writing or showing the path to reproduction. Usually symbolized by two people holding each other.
Krom - Work/Nobility/Wealth/Depression
* Krom is the primary spirit of work and also nobility, wealth. It is commonly worshiped alongside Ystack, but is also responsible for bad days and depression. Usually symbolized by a deer.
Tyve Len - Justice/Leadership/Diplomacy/Bad Decisions
* Tyve Len is the spirit of leaders, diplomats, and justice. Commonly worshiped before or after trials and decision makings. Are also responsible for bad decisions. Use symbolized by an open book.
Skepia - Dwarf/Building/Carving/Anxiety
* Skepia is the spirit of dwarves, building and carving. Therefore commonly worshiped by dwarven humanoids, and builders or carvers alike. They also represent anxiety. Usually symbolized by either a Pickaxe or a bearded male.
Etsa - Triton/Water/Fishing/Storm
* Etsa is the ethereal spirit of tritons, water, fishing and storm. Therefore commonly worshiped by triton humanoids and sailors or fishermen. They are also responsible for destructive storms. Usually symbolized by a common fish such as cod, or a trident.
Ule - Hob/Family/Fire
* Ule is the spirit of Hobs, fire and family. Therefore commonly worshiped by hob humanoids and their symbol is carved into households or gathering grounds. They are also responsible for wildfires of destruction. Are commonly symbolized by a hammer or a sniffer.
Brok Erino - Human/Death/Corruption
* Brok Erino is the spirit of Humans, death and corruption. Regarded as a dead spirit in Abexilas, symbolizes the creation of Humans, responsible for the passage to the realm of the dead and corruption of nature and societies. Are commonly symbolized with an eye.
==Okul E Sonu & Monastery==
The “Clergy” of Sonu Tamino is called Okul E Sonu (School of sound), and consists of those who learn and teach the ways of sound, make known the teachings of the faith and try to make sense of the voices of life and nature. They are also the upkeepers of shrines, temples, churches and sites of Sonu.
=== Hierarchy ===
Members of Okul E Sonu are the ones that lead sacred sites or churches. Outside these environments they are equal to all followers.
# Sonu Rehber - Masters of the school and guides to all who seek to learn, the Sonu Rehber are the higher ups of the faith and are they who write the teachings and scripts for Sonu Tamino.
# Sonu Kesis - Monks and other servants of sound, they dedicate themselves to the faith.
# Sonu Vuchan - Disciples of the school, those who study its ways and regularly upkeep shrines.
# Sonu Believer - Followers who have been initiated into the faith through the Ritual of Purification.
# Sonu Follower (Sonuan) - Followers of the faith.
=== Ceremonial Outfits and Tools ===
==== Outfits ====
Each clergy role has a distinct robe/outfit or garment that reflects their hierarchy rank.
* Sonu Rehber dresses in all white leather with no helmets.
** The white symbol represents the connection with the spiritual world.
* Sonu Kesis dresses in all brown leather with no helmets.
** The brown symbolizes one's ongoing development of purification.
* Sonu Vuchan dresses in all black leather with black helmet.
** Black represents the dedication to the faith yet symbolizes the long path of development.
==== Tools ====
Instruments and staff are carried by all members of the clergy. They setup dedicated places for note blocks, bells and such, usually specific items for certain ceremonies or rituals.
=== Monastery and Training ===
Members of Okul E Sonu live in Sonuan Monasteries enclosed from the outside world, yet open for all followers. Monasteries are usually centered around or by the side of a worshipping place of a Sonu. Such a mountain base, or around a tree.
They must learn all ways of the Sonu Tamino, to step higher in the hierarchy one must dedicate their soul more and more towards the spiritual connections and music. Either by erecting places of worship or by regularly practicing communal ceremonies.
==Practices, Worship==
There are typical ways of a Sonuan to practice rituals and worship, either by directly approaching a Sonu’s sacred place, or by their own homestead at a personal shrine. Common practices are:
* Meditation: Followers and believers of Sonu Tamino are practitioners of meditation and contemplation. It plays a central role within the faith, engages followers in practices that either aim at quieting the mind, or listening to rhythms of music, therefor their being. They attune themselves to subtle vibrations of the sound of existence.
* Music and Chanting: The sacred art form of Sonuans is considered to be all types of Music. Followers use music and chanting as a means of connecting themselves with spiritual harmony. Musical Rituals, Concerts and Ceremonies often involve singing or playing instruments to evoke and invoke a state of spirituality. Connecting to the wave.
* Reverence of Nature: Sonu Tamino holds a deep reverence for nature. They see the natural world as a manifestation of the universe and the harmony of waves. Followers try to live in harmony within nature, often conduct rituals and ceremonies to natural settings. A believer uses up what nature provides, but respects all pieces of material gained, believing that the living will end up within the organs of nature one way or another.
Common private chantings usually go as:
# Cleanses the hand and face before approaching the site.
# Stepping towards the site while facing it.
# Gifting the individual Sonu or sacred site with something valuable or worthy.
# Greeting the Sonu and welcoming their presence
# Small chant about the wish or question that person seeks for.
# Thanking the spirit and wishing them luck and farewell.
# Stepping away from the site while still facing it.
=== Rituals ===
While private chantings and rituals are usually completely personal or strictly in a very small group such as family. Common rituals are usually practiced together and are more regular. These events/rituals many times are tied to events advertised by the clergy, sometimes by very faithful individuals. Usually a new ritual appears every now and then, some are more favored by others depending on time and year.
Ritual of Cleansing
* One must clean its body to be considered “purified”. As such they dive and kneel into a sacred pond or spa and engage in typical social activity such as playing games or just talking. It is common that the Ritual of Cleansing is followed by other rituals.
Ritual of Whisper
* Followers gather by the lead of a Clergy and enter into an echoing cave, usually a sacred site. They begin to whisper wishes of luck, fortune or health into the depth of the system, the echoes of the cave blend the whispers together creating a musical sound.
Dawn of Chorus
* A common practice among hardworking followers where blessed by a clergy member they dedicate a mining session to Sonu Elly, the ritual takes around 30 minutes while listening to heavy instrumental music, in the end all riches are deposited to the clergy member, who bestow the largest contributor with a charm of luck of a prayer of good wish. The harmony of mining together and breaking blocks pleases the spirit.
Ritual of Blessing
* Usually done by a river, where practitioners raise small boats and travel to either the beginning or end of the stream. They place small lilypads followed by note blocks and do a small musical event.
Feast of Resonance
* In this ritual followers gather by either a clearing of by the side of a forest at dusk. They each bring a musical instrument (note blocks), no matter how simple. The ceremony begins with a moment of silence followed by individuals playing a single note or simple melody. As the sounds blend with the natural ambience, the community focuses on the harmony of nature and humanoid-made music. The ritual ends with a communal performance, creating a symphony resonating with the forest.
Rhythm of Sonu
* Followers gather and visit a sacred site or cathedral together and bring bells with themselves. Following each chant of the clergy member they must ring the bell, then drop gifts in front of the Sonu spirit, donating it. 
Ritual of Purification
* Followers who dedicate themselves to the faith of Sonu Tamino may get initiated even deeper into the religion. To achieve this, they must approach a Clergy Member, purify their body from corruption (Drink posion), eat the flesh of nature (Eat raw beef), then dip in steaming hot water. With such, they earn pure purification.
Ritual of Melody
* Participants gather at the entrance of a newly discovered or built building/site, they bring decorations of nature, colourfull blocks, banners, items. The ritual begins with the lightning of ceremonial banners and the followers begin to decorate the interior/entrance/site. At the end the group emerges and visits through all details of the site.
Chorus of Harvest
* This ritual is held during a full moon. Participants gather in a large agricultural area or village. They start by planting new crops and tending to existing ones, symbolizing growth and prosperity. As night falls and the full moon rises, the community lights lanterns and torches around the fields and sets up a stage with note blocks and instruments. They perform music and dances under the moonlight, celebrating the bounty of the land. The climax of the ritual involves launching fireworks into the sky, illuminating the night with vibrant colors. The event ends with a feast where participants share the harvested crops and enjoy music and storytelling.
==Festivals, Ceremonies==
Festivals and ceremonies compared to rituals and practices are less common and usually larger in both scale and body.
=== Festival of Harmony ===
A celebratory festival, usually practiced for weddings, births, successfulness of a nation, culture of the faith itself.
# The Ceremony is led by the Clergy followed by Believers and Followers. They often carry flowers, incense and play musical instruments as they make their way to the sacred temple of Sonu Tamino or an outdoor space such as a grove or clearing within woods.
# Participants once gathered form a large circle around either an altar or the people that the celebration aims for.
## Firstly the masters and the clergy gather instruments and prepare noteblocks for all members of the circle, and then only them begin a minor meditative chant to attune the vibrations.
## Then secondly the crowd joins in and create a symphony of sound using noteblocks and other musical instruments that resonate the space around the area. This music is improvised to reflect the flow of the moment and invites participants to join in via either voice or more instruments.
# Offerings and words of encouragement are presented for either the altar or the people that the celebration aims for. These are either foods, drinks, throwable potions, items or just symbolic in nature. Nothing of value.
# The ceremony concludes with a final meditation, encourages all participants on insight and carry a final improvised musical spontaneity.
# Finally the ceremony ends with the community sharing a compassionate moment of silence, then all participants disperse.
=== Festival of Light ===
A festival of strength and/or grieving, usually transforms into the illumination of darkness and inspires a spiritual uplifting. It is practiced before or after wars, losses or funerals.
# The Festival begins at dusk, every participant must hold a blue-flamed lantern and walk through the streets of the community. The lantern symbolizes the light of wisdom illuminating in the darkness of grievance.
# Upon reaching a central gathering place, such as an altar within the temple of Sonu Tamino, a shrine, cemetery or anything agreed on, participants must take deep-sounding instruments, such as Drums and Pre-placed noteblocks, they must form at minimum 3 or more rows facing the altar or gathering place. Clergy at front.
# Dance of the Elements begin, where all participants simultaneously hit the same drum for a short period of time. Which is followed by a formed wave from the back rows to the front, all led by a master ceremonist, usually highest ranking within the clergy at the time.
# It continues with the bath of sound, where repeated horns are sounded within the crowd, to remember all that goes to war or had passed.
# The rituals of Practice of Release and Carving of Mind start, where participants either write their obstacles and fears on paper, or carve their goals and intentions into rocks and cast into a deep into the fire. The burning paper symbolizes whatever is holding themselves or their feelings back, and make space for forgiveness and new beginnings or growth, Whilst the carving of rocks symbolizes setting your mind onto something, and showing that even fire won't stop you.
# Closing of the ceremony concludes with a collective blessing from the clergy, invoking the power of light and sound. They light up the room or gathering place. The participants create an uplifting chaos of music that symbolizes the end of the festival.
Category:Velarim
Category:Religions
Category:Abexilas