StarClan

StarClan are the deceased warrior ancestors of the Clans who live on in spirit form after dying, and watch over the living Clan cats. There is no specific leader for StarClan since there are many cats from all five Clans that work together. They are responsible for sending signs and omens to the living cats. StarClan was temporarily disconnected from the living Clans by Ashfur; however, the connection has since been restored.
==Description==
===General===
:StarClan are the deceased ancestors, descendants, and Clanmates of the Clan cats. Cats are only allowed to join StarClan when they die, and only if they have lived an honorable life and followed the warrior code. If a cat does not follow the warrior code or have committed crimes while living, that cat will end up in the Place of No Stars once they die, also known as the Dark Forest. StarClan cats do not have to be in a Clan at the time of their death to be welcomed to StarClan, such as Pinestar who was a kittypet at the time of his death, Spiresight who was a former guardian cat and received his warrior name after his death, and Leafstar's mother, showing that kittypets, rogues, and loners can be accepted into StarClan.
:When a Clan cat dies, they will be guided to StarClan by a deceased cat who played an important part in their life, such as a mentor or a cherished family member. When a cat dies and goes to join StarClan, they merely close their eyes and reopen them. When a leader loses a life, that life appears in StarClan as a very faint copy of the leader, but they are unable to communicate in any way to other StarClan cats until the leader loses their final life and go to StarClan permanently.
:StarClan cats leave starry paw prints, their eyes shine like stars, and their pelts glow with a strange light that makes them look like they have stars in their fur. Frost sparkles at their paws and glitters in their eyes. Their pelts shine like ice and carry all the scents of the seasons: the tang of leaf-bare, the green scent of greenleaf, the musk of leaf-fall, and the sweet blossom of newleaf. The cats' spirits remain in StarClan until they are forgotten by all living and dead cats over a long time and earned their own peace, causing them to fade away to little more than ghost-like images of themselves. It is possible for a StarClan cat to be killed again, but they vanish forever, going to a different place.
===Relation to living cats===
:StarClan act somewhat like guardians to the living Clan cats, often warning them of dangers ahead or to guide them in times of need. Ancestors usually watch over the living cats of their former Clan, and especially over cats who were close to them in their lifetime; for example, Spottedleaf generally gave advice to ThunderClan cats, but most often to Firestar. Living cats can visit StarClan in their dreams, although StarClan cats are able to appear even in the waking world, but such appearances are rare.
:Medicine cats share a unique and special bond with StarClan, and they are the cats who are usually contacted by their ancestors. At every half-moon, the medicine cats and their apprentices of each Clan go to their sacred place, the Moonstone or Moonpool, to speak with their ancestors, to seek advice or to learn of things awaiting in their futures. To receive the signs of StarClan, medicine cats either touch their nose to the cold surface of the Moonstone, or drink the cool water of the Moonpool to initiate their dreams.
:Besides medicine cats, StarClan cats sometimes send messages to leaders. Firestar is known to have received several warnings and prophecies. Warriors, though it is uncommon, are known to have received prophetic dreams, such as when Brambleclaw was invited to undertake a quest, or even non-Clan cats such as Smudge, when Cloudstar wanted Firestar to rebuild SkyClan. Other creatures, such as Midnight the badger, may also be given a warning or prophecy for the Clans. These prophecies are often phrased in riddles without clear meanings. StarClan themselves are often unsure of what the prophecies mean.
:Clan cats worship StarClan and adhere to their guidance and wisdom, though there are some exceptions, such as Cloudtail and Mothwing. Clan cats give thanks to StarClan after catching prey for the life the prey has given to feed the Clan. When a warrior dies, their Clanmates wish for StarClan to watch over them: "May StarClan light your path. May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter where you sleep." During times of trouble, Clan cats will wish for StarClan to help them, or utter "Thank StarClan" if things have gone well.
====Ceremonies====
:All Clan ceremonies are believed to be supervised by StarClan. The Clan leader performing a ceremony calls upon the warrior ancestors, and promotes a cat to their new rank by the powers of StarClan. The leader asks that StarClan welcome them by a new name, such as when an apprentice is named a warrior. If a dying apprentice is worthy, they can be named into a warrior so they will be welcomed as one into StarClan.
:StarClan has the greatest role during leadership ceremonies, giving the new leader their nine lives and new name. Each of the lives are granted by different ancestors, usually a cat the new leader had cherished when the cat was alive. These can be loved family members, friends, or even mentors. They can also be cats significant to a Clan's history, but not necessarily to the leader themselves. When a life is granted to a leader, they are given a special gift or attribute to make them a good leader, such as endurance, courage, or strength. However, StarClan will not grant lives if the previous leader still has some, such Sunstar only receiving eight lives since Pinestar still retained one, and StarClan refusing to grant Nightpelt any lives with Brokenstar still alive. If a cat is mortally wounded before they receive their nine lives, they will only be granted eight, such as with Windstar and Tigerstar. StarClan can also revoke nine lives from a leader if they are deemed unjust by their Clan.
====Influence====
There is contradiction in the books about how much influence StarClan has over the living world:
*Bluestar states that StarClan has no control over what happens to cats in the living world; the most they can do is to warn cats in dreams. All omens in the physical world are said to have come from StarClan.
*In Firestar's Quest, Spottedleaf appears in the waking world and offers a bundle of burdock root to Sandstorm. Silverstream also gives Firestar a fish and he feels full when he wakes up.
*StarClan may have influence over the weather, though this is merely heavily implied. If cats fight during a Gathering, StarClan covers the moon with clouds and lightning, even if the sky was clear before, implying that they have some power over nature. However, Cinderpelt states that sometimes bad weather has nothing to do with StarClan. The lightning that struck a tree which killed Mudclaw was implied to have been done by StarClan. StarClan foretold sending lightning to prove their omnipotence to Moth Flight, and the storms that caused a falling branch and Ripplestar's death were interpreted to be from StarClan.
*In Sunset, StarClan allows Cinderpelt to reincarnate as Cinderheart, Brackenfur and Sorreltail's daughter, instead of accepting her spirit among them, implying that they have power over life and death. Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing had been reincarnated from Jay's Wing, Lion's Roar, and Dove's Wing although it is unknown whether StarClan did this. However, once reaching StarClan, a cat cannot be reincarnated.
*StarClan was able to resurrect Tigerheart, showing they are able to bring cats back from the dead. However, it seems that they are only willing to do it in specific instances given that Tigerheart was needed to reunite ShadowClan. Also, the resurrection was not without a price, it cost Tigerstar one of his nine lives, since it was used up prior to the ceremony.
*StarClan cannot choose leaders, even if the leader is unjust. Only the Clans themselves can choose their leaders, and in most cases StarClan will accept a cruel leader such as Brokenstar and Tigerstar.
====Trials====
:There are contradictions in the books about how deceased cats enter in StarClan:
*In The Forgotten Warrior, Bluestar tells Jayfeather that StarClan does not judge the dead or choose their fate.
*However, in A Light in the Mist and Squirrelflight's Hope, it is said that StarClan organizes trials to determine who is worthy of joining them. When a cat dies, selected members of StarClan review their life and decide whether to accept that cat into StarClan or the Dark Forest. Most cats do not have the opportunity to speak for themselves and instead their fate is left to their ancestors, with the exception of Squirrelflight and Leafpool who were both teetering on the edge of death. Typically, family members do not take part in the discussions for their relatives. StarClan makes their decisions based upon if the cat broke the warrior code, their reasons for breaking it, or if they believed they were acting in the best interest of their Clan. Sometimes this process is instantaneous, while other times it can take longer and the cat in question might be asked to wait. Rarely does StarClan believe they are wrong in their decisions.
===Life in StarClan===
:Once a cat reaches StarClan, they learn all about the territories, including the story of SkyClan. Cats in StarClan are restored to the age in which they were happiest; for example Yellowfang is old, because she was happiest at the end of her life, when she was in ThunderClan. Bluestar is young, because she was happiest at the peak of her youth. They also do not age in StarClan, nor get tired. Cats who die keep their name at the highest rank they had or would have achieved; Smallkit, for example, becomes Smallstar, because had he survived longer, he would have become leader.
:There is always plenty of prey, so hunting is easy, and cats have no defined tasks, such as hunting and training. They are free to do as they please, so they are mostly content except when seeing living cats suffer. Most StarClan cats enjoy hunting, lounging in the sun, or spending time with their friends and family. Even kits are capable of catching prey. StarClan has no hierarchy, and there is no defined leader or deputy. Cats respect each other in StarClan, although cats respect those who were their leaders or mentors in the living world. Once a StarClan cat ceases to be remembered by any living or dead cats, they will slowly seem to appear as the faintest star and will live their life in StarClan peacefully and alone. Usually, they do not send dreams to any living cats except on special occasions.
===Other ancestors===
:The opposite of StarClan is the Place of No Stars, or Dark Forest, which is where cats who have committed the worst possible crimes while they were alive go to when they die. It has a sort of border with StarClan's hunting grounds, appearing as a wall of mist. StarClan cats can only enter the Dark Forest with permission from others. They can enter the Place of No Stars, but when they do, they risk being unable to escape, and might be trapped forever in the dark, eerily lit forest. Cats who make up the Place of No Stars, such as Tigerstar and his son Hawkfrost, on the other hand, have no choice but to stay where they are. Later, the traditional border between the Dark Forest and StarClan was sealed up by Ashfur, and a new one emerged after his defeat. Juniperclaw volunteered to guard the tunnel to ensure no cat would enter.
:The Tribe have their own spirit ancestors, called the Tribe of Endless Hunting. The Tribe of Endless Hunting does not send dreams to the Tribe cats, unlike StarClan. but instead sends prophecies through moonlight patterns and and the shape of rocks in the Cave of Pointed Stones. These signs are sent to the Tribe's Healer, the Teller of the Pointed Stones, also known as Stoneteller. Feathertail, the RiverClan cat who died protecting the Tribe, from Sharptooth, is able to walk with both StarClan and the Tribe of Endless Hunting.
:Formerly part of StarClan, SkyClan's ancestors left along with SkyClan and separated. However, some StarClan cats were present at Leafdapple's leader ceremony, showing that StarClan cats were still able to communicate with SkyClan's ancestors. SkyClan's ancestors were later reunited with StarClan, and they now share the same hunting grounds.
==Territory==
:StarClan's hunting grounds are described as green meadows and lush forests with clear blue skies and the scent of newleaf or greenleaf. The hunting grounds are lush with blooming flowers, bushes, ferns, and herbs. The atmosphere is always sunny and warm. There are several streams, bodies of water, and waterfalls in StarClan. It resembles the landscape of the forest, and several locations exist in both the waking world and in StarClan. When the remaining four Clans left the forest and went to live by the lake, StarClan traveled along with them through unknown sky paths to the Moonpool. The Moonpool is known as a pool at the bottom of a rocky hollow with a flat rock jutting over the water. StarClan used this pool to choose four cats to speak to Midnight the badger. There is another important pool where StarClan cats can observe their living descendants by touching the surface with their paw. Squirrelflight used it to return to the living world after nearly dying.
:For the living cats, StarClan's territory appears as a large, cloudy-looking swath of stars, called Silverpelt. Clan cats believe that upon dying and joining StarClan, a new star appears in Silverpelt.
:StarClan's hunting grounds are connected to the other afterlives through the River of Spirits, though only the wildcats and their ancestors have learned how to travel between various afterlives.
===Fourtrees===
:The sacred places of the Clans exist in both the waking world and StarClan's hunting grounds. Fourtrees is one of these locations. Fourtrees is the most commonly seen landmark in the cats dreams when visiting StarClan, such as a cat during their leadership ceremony. Even though it was destroyed by Twolegs, Fourtrees still exists in StarClan, as it will always be remembered by the cats.
===Warm-Rocks===
:Warm-Rocks is a place in StarClan territory that was mentioned by Silverstream when she was looking for her daughter, Feathertail. It is not described in detail, however the name suggests that it is a relaxing spot, similar to Sunningrocks in the old forest.
===ThunderClan's camp===
:A version of ThunderClan's camp from the forest before the Twolegs destroyed it exists in StarClan. According to Squirrelflight, the ravine and the forest beyond greatly resemble the camp from when she was a kit.
==History==
:During the founding of the Clans, some early settlers experienced strange dreams, such as Pebble Heart, who dreamed of a star shining underground, and later of death. Half Moon also spoke to Gray Wing in his dreams. Following the first battle between the moor cats and the forest cats, spirits of their fallen arrived and urged them to stop the needless death; unite or die. They asked for peace between the groups until they meet again at the four trees under the next full moon. The early settlers were in disbelief at what they saw, but followed the spirit cats' guidance. At the next meeting, the spirit cats urged them to grow and spread like the Blazing Star. The early settlers were unsure what their message meant and quickly grew tiresome of the spirit cats' riddles. The early settlers later learned of the Blazing Star plant, a yellow flower with five petal like a star. The spirit cats regularly met with the leaders and urged them to follow their message, to which the groups decided to branch off into five groups: Tall Shadow to the pine forest, Wind Runner to the moor, River Ripple by the river, Clear Sky in his forest, and Thunder, in the forest as well, though away from his father.
:The spirit cats began to send Moth Flight dreams of leadership ceremonies. They sent her a moth guiding her to Highstones, where Moth Flight discovered a giant quartz that shines in the moonlight. In her dreams, the spirit cats welcomed Moth Flight as the first medicine cat and tasked her to bring the other cats chosen for the medicine cat role: Pebble Heart, Dappled Pelt, Cloud Spots, and Micah. They also made Moth Flight in charge with healing her Clanmates, interpreting the spirit cats' omens, and guiding her leader. Moth Flight was hesitant, though the spirit cats promised to split the sky. At the Gathering, the spirit cats sent their first sign: lightning striking a tree to verify Moth Flight's words when the other Clans doubted her. The five medicine cats returned to the Moonstone at the half-moon and arrived in the spirit cats' hunting rounds in their dreams. Moth Flight coined the name StarClan, and the spirit cats happily accepted their new name. StarClan continued to send dreams of leadership ceremonies to Moth Flight, After Wind Runner was gravely injured following a battle with SkyClan, the moth guided Moth Flight to Highstones. Gray Wing explained StarClan could not save her current life, but they grant her eight gifts. With StarClan's gifts, Wind Runner's injuries were healed and she was resurrected with eight more lives, becoming Windstar.
:StarClan continued to guide the five Clans for many seasons. After SkyClan's territory was destroyed by Twolegs, the other Clans refused to grant them territory and deemed it was StarClan's will since the moon was still full. Thus, SkyClan left the forest, and their ancestors left with them. Cloudstar, the leader of SkyClan, turned his back on StarClan for dooming his Clan. Seasons later, Goosefeather was forced to become a medicine cat due to his gift to see StarClan spirits in the waking world, and received visions of the future. During times of trouble for ThunderClan, Spottedleaf received a message from StarClan: "fire alone can save our Clan". The fire turned out to be a kittypet named Rusty, later Fireheart, who joined ThunderClan soon after. Fireheart developed a special connection with StarClan and received numerous dreams and warnings from them. During the battle against BloodClan, StarClan warriors fought alongside Firestar as he killed Scourge.
:Cloudstar's spirit urged Firestar to restore his lost Clan. Firestar instructed the newly founded SkyClan about StarClan, and he is later given a prophecy from Skywatcher: "there will be three, kin of your kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws". StarClan was still present in area around the gorge and walked in Echo's dreams. Echosong became SkyClan's medicine cat and she later received a dream of leaf dapples, signifying Leafdapple to be their leader. During Leafstar's ceremony, Birdflight, Gorseclaw, and Spottedpelt journeyed from StarClan's skies to join SkyClan's ancestors. Though SkyClan's ancestors still remained separated from StarClan, some StarClan cats were able to visit, such as Spottedleaf, Redstar, Swiftstar, Birchstar, and Dawnstar.
:StarClan met in a rocky hollow and used a pool to select four cats to speak to Midnight the badger: Brambleclaw, Tawnypelt, Feathertail, and Crowpaw. StarClan declared that "darkness, air, water, and sky will come together, and shake the forest to its roots". Bluestar visited Brambleclaw in his dreams to deliver him the message. The four questing cats, including Squirrelpaw and Stormfur, journeyed to speak to Midnight, who relayed the message that Twolegs would destroy the forest. Meanwhile, Mothwing trained as RiverClan's medicine cat despite having doubts of StarClan's existence. When the Clans left the forest on the Great Journey, StarClan followed them to the lake. At the Moonpool, the StarClan cats watched a red stain of blood tainting the Moonpool crimson. Yellowfang revealed it to be a prophecy: "before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red". Spottedleaf guided Leafpaw in a dream to find the Moonpool, StarClan's sacred location. StarClan consoled Cinderpelt of her coming death, and after her death by badgers, they reincarnated her into Cinderkit, one of Sorreltail's newborn kits. Bluestar, Lionheart, and Yellowfang also showed Leafpool three stars and promised they would always be with her for her coming destiny. When Leafpool gave birth to her three kits, Yellowfang assisted her with the birth. When Mothwing named Willowpaw her apprentice, Feathertail taught Leafpool how to train Willowpaw in her dreams so the apprentice could learn about StarClan.
:When Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf were born prophesized to hold the power of the stars in their paws, StarClan feared the strength of their powers, and hoped they would use them for the good of ThunderClan. Since the prophecy did not originate from StarClan, StarClan suspected Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to be the Three. Using knowledge from Midnight, Sol predicted the eclipse which shattered Blackstar's faith in StarClan. StarClan asked Jaypaw and his littermates for help, so they faked a sign, allowing Raggedstar and Runningnose to appear and convinced Blackstar to believe in StarClan once more. During a greencough epidemic, special StarClan cats Brightspirit, Braveheart, and Shiningheart guided Jaypaw to the catmint in WindClan's territory. Following Hollyleaf's disappearance, Bluestar, Yellowfang, Lionheart, Spottedleaf, and Feathertail discussed the fourth cat and Yellowfang decided to send her an omen: "after the sharp-eyed Jay and the roaring Lion, peace will come on Dove's gentle wing". When Poppyfrost visited the Moonpool to speak to her dead sister, she and Jayfeather were attacked by Breezepelt and Brokenstar's spirit from the Dark Forest. Yellowfang warned Jayfeather that the Dark Forest was rising.
:Yellowfang, Spottedleaf, and Jayfeather snuck into the Dark Forest and witnessed Hawkfrost and Tigerstar training their fellow Dark Forest spirits. StarClan grew more distrustful of each other after the battle of the border caused by the Dark Forest. They knew the Dark Forest was recruiting living cats but were unsure who. StarClan eventually became divided, reestablishing the Clan alliances that used to not exist in StarClan. Raggedstar and Sagewhisker told Flametail that ShadowClan must stand alone from the other Clans. Prior to the Great Battle, Midnight, Rock, the Ancients, and members of StarClan met and agreed to fight in the coming battle. StarClan grew more divided and separated from the Clans from fear, and Brambleberry appealed to Jayfeather to unite StarClan. With the Dark Forest rising, StarClan's hunting grounds turned into leaf-fall, with cloudy skies and dying trees. With help from help from the other medicine cats, Jayfeather united StarClan by showing them the Dark Forest preparing for war. During the coming fight, StarClan warriors arrived to help the living Clans.
:SkyClan's ancestors deemed SkyClan ready to reunite with the other Clans and sent them a prophecy to find Firestar's kin. SkyClan's ancestors urged their living Clanmates to follow the blood trail to find the lake territories. Meanwhile, StarClan informed the other four Clans about SkyClan's arrival with a prophecy: "embrace what you find in the shadows, for only they can clear the sky". When SkyClan arrived at the lake, SkyClan's ancestors reunited with StarClan. With the guardian cats, Spire was visited by StarClan's spirits and asked him to help Dovewing and Tigerheart when they arrive. Their son Shadowkit was foretold to "see into the shadows". Tigerheart was fatally injured by an owl on the journey back to the lake, and StarClan revived him with eight more lives. With five Clans around the lake, StarClan sent numerous prophecies instructing the Clans that there must be five Clans.
:Squirrelflight and Leafpool visited StarClan while teetering on the edge of death after a landslide. After defending themselves during their trial, Leafpool and Squirrelflight spend time with their loved ones. However, Squirrelflight felt compelled to return to her family and she used the pool to return to the Clans as a ghost. Squirrelflight temporarily returned to StarClan and said goodbye to her sister Leafpool before returning to her body. Meanwhile, Ashfur plotted his revenge against Squirrelflight, Bramblestar, and the Clans. While in StarClan, Ashfur learned that StarClan's power came from the living Clans. He sealed off the border with the Dark Forest and created his own tunnel to the dark realm. After watching Mistystar lose a life, Ashfur saw his way to the living world. Ashfur possessed Bramblestar's body, and sealed off StarClan's connection to the living world after promising StarClan he wanted to check in on the Clans. Without StarClan, Ashfur manipulated the Clans to war, blaming codebreakers for causing StarClan's anger. Meanwhile, StarClan's pool used to view the Clans became muddled with branches and debris. Overtime, StarClan's warriors began to grow weaker and fade away. The living Clans send warriors to fight Ashfur and his army of dead cats in the Dark Forest. They are met by StarClan cats who managed to break through the barrier: Firestar, Onestar, Feathertail, Silverstream, Redtail, and Larksong. After Ashfur was defeated, the barrier between the Dark Forest and StarClan became opened and StarClan's connection to the living world is restored. StarClan was hesitant to reseal the barrier incase it disrupted the balance between the two afterlives, so Juniperclaw offered to guard the tunnel so no cats could pass through. The living cats were granted an opportunity to view StarClan's hunting grounds.
==Known members==
===ThunderClan===
===ShadowClan===
===WindClan===
===RiverClan===
===SkyClan===
===StormClan===
===The Early Settlers===
===Ancient Tribe===
===Rogues===
===Loners===
===Cats of the Park===
===The wildcats===
===Cats of unknown origins or Clans===
==Gallery==
==Trivia==
===Author statements===
*Kate Cary suspects that StarClan cats who were important, like for prophecies, get reincarnated once they fade from StarClan. She says, however, that there is no proof for that yet.
*Kate will let fans chose what happens to StarClan cats after they fade away: disappear in oblivion or become part of a second StarClan and so on into infinity. She also approves with the idea that they "retreat to a remote place and no longer visit dreams once they're forgotten." 
**However, Vicky states that StarClan cats are gone forever after they fade.Revealed on Vicky's Facebook 
*Kate thinks that StarClan only exists because warriors invented them.
*Kate believes that everything is forgiven in StarClan. 
*Authors originally said that StarClan and the Tribe of Endless Hunting would not meet again.
**However, this is proven false, as StarClan, the Tribe, and the Ancients all meet in the prologue of The Last Hope.
===Interesting facts===
*StarClan is first featured towards the end of The First Battle, and includes cats such as Turtle Tail, Shaded Moss, Rainswept Flower, and many other victims who have died prior to the battle with Clear Sky. The cats shown here are from the very beginnings of what the modern Clans call StarClan, although they are not addressed as such yet.
*StarClan was named by Moth Flight.
===Mistakes===
*During Into the Wild, Graypaw accidentally says StarClan is a tribe.
*In Long Shadows, StarClan was called ShadowClan.
==Quotes==
==See also==
*The Place of No Stars (residence)
*List of StarClan cats
==External links==
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==Notes and references==
cs:Hvězdný klande:SternenClanes:Clan Estelarfi:Tähtiklaanifr:Clan des Étoilesit:Il Clan della Stellanl:SterrenClanpl:Klan Gwiazdypt-br:Clã das Estrelasru:Звёздное племяsv:Stjärnklanenuk:Зоряний Кланzh:星族ko:별족
Category:Clans and groups
Category:Locations
Category:Afterlives