Gelanism

**Gelanism** is an animist and polytheistic religion based on 12 elements (6 Earthly elements and 6 Cosmic elements). Its name comes from the symbol of the *Gelana* (a hexapetal rose), which represents the elements.

Table of Elements of Gelanism
elements
 Cosmic
elements

It is supposed that the cosmic elements precede the earthly ones, and are superior to them. The elements in Gelanism generate pairs that balance each other: Fire-Water, Air-Earth, Forest-Ice, Light-Darkness, Time-Space and Matter-Energy.

This religion could be called animistic and at the same time polytheistic, because despite the fact that its main base are the elements, there are deities associated with them, which represent human characteristics and their societies: war, trade, agriculture, knowledge…

## Earthly elements

The earthly elements, also called "natural elements" or "interior elements", are the most revered and worshiped, as they represent concepts of nature. Each of them has a counterpart, and all of them regulate the development of natural processes.

### Fire

The color red (and sometimes orange) is associated with it, it is expressed in the flames themselves, as well as in volcanic processes. At the human level it can represent knowledge or leadership, it is the guiding element. Its counterpart is Water.

### Water

The color dark blue is associated with it, it is expressed in all bodies of water (seas, rivers, fountains, wells...) as well as rain. On a human level it can represent the arts, beauty, fishing, navigation, and responsibility, it is the flowing element. Its counterpart is Fire.

### Air

The color white is associated with it, it is expressed in the wind and the sky itself, as well as lightning and electricity. On a human level it can represent travelers, messages, initiative and spontaneity, it is the free element. Its counterpart is the Earth.

### Earth

The color black is associated with it, it is expressed in the soil and everything under it, including the geological forms of the terrain, as well as the rocks. On a human level it can represent wealth, since any mineral resource is associated, as well as metallurgy, it is the fixing element. Its counterpart is Air.

### Forest

The color green is associated with it, it is expressed in life in general. Even so, its name can be misleading, since it simply seeks the best possible representation of life, which is more visible in wooded masses due to the abundance of vegetation. On a human level it can represent fertility, birth and agriculture, it is the life-giving element. Its counterpart is Ice.

### Ice

It is associated with the color light blue, the color of the oldest ice. It is expressed in the ice itself, the cold and the absence of life. On a human level it can represent war, death or disease. However, it should also be taken into account that together with the Forest it is a symbol of renewal, since death can beget life. It is the life-snatching element. Its counterpart is the Forest.

## Cosmic elements

Also called “celestial elements” or “outer elements”, they represent deeper concepts. They have to do with the very basis of the universe in which we live, and they are the first that emerged in it. Their nature is difficult to know, so they are worshiped less often. However, its presence is palpable in all aspects of the universe, fundamentally governing the other six elements.

### Light

Apart from the presence of light, it also represents Order. Order is understood as the primal principle of the predictable, the precise, which intervenes in the universe and the rest of the elements. It is the counterpart of Darkness, with which it competes.

### Darkness

Apart from the absence of light, it also represents Chaos. Chaos is understood as the original principle of the unpredictable, the shapeless, which intervenes in the universe and the rest of the elements. It is the counterpart of Light, with which it competes.

### Time

It is about the advance, regression, the something that flows, what orders the before and after in the succession of events. It is the counterpart of Space, to which it is attached.

### Space

It is the ether in which existence takes shape in a void of unknown and infinite possibilities. It is the counterpart of Time, to which it is attached.

### Matter

It is the container, it gives form and structure to the perceived reality, present in many ways in the universe and expressed in the rest of the elements. Its opposite is Energy, into which it can transmute.

### Energy

It is the content, it insufflate the capacity for action, it enters and goes through everything in the universe, reaching expression in the rest of the elements. Its opposite is Matter, in which it can be transmuted.

It should be noted that Gelanism admits the existence of multiple dimensions, in which part of these elements are imprisoned due to their possible destructive effect on reality, but at the same time they are able to influence it. A good example of this is Light and Darkness, whose fundamental and primal struggle gave rise to the universe, but in turn can destroy it.

## The Gelana

   It is the most important symbol of Gelanism, and represents the 12 elements, arranged in two clearly differentiated groups: the natural ones in the form of a rosette on the inside, and the cosmic ones that surround the rosette on the outside. Its colors can change between different representations, it is not uncommon to see it with colors of the elements depending on where they are depicted.

Its origin is unknown, but it is understood as a representation of both the world surrounded by space, and at the same time the representation of a flower, which is why it is sometimes called "Gelana Rose".

It is common to see it engraved or drawn in places of importance for the religion, as well as in any other type of place as a form of protection and upkeep of harmony.

## Deities

The deities are entities that act as heralds of the natural elements. Being the cosmic elements of a more hidden nature, they have no intermediaries. They represent individual and social characteristics, such as war, wisdom, death... Sometimes they are simply spirits that protect places.

Despite the list written here, almost any other deity not mentioned can be assimilated to one of the representations of the earthly elements. Therefore, it is not a complete list.

### Auseva

Goddess of war, represented on many occasions as a white wolf. Her places of worship are usually found in mountains and cold places, as she is associated with Ice.

### Arammo

God of roads, protector of travellers. It is usually represented as an old man, and is associated with the Air.

### Bialennos

God of the sun, called “the resplendent one”. It is associated with Fire.

### Brix

Goddess of fire as a flame, as well as the hearth. It is associated with Fire.

### Kandammo

God of vegetation, protects forests and groves. It is associated with Forest.

### Segidicos

God of settlements, meetings and concord. It is associated with Fire.

### Luntaronn

God of the sea and navigation. It is associated with Water.

### Obalia

Goddess of fountains and rivers, also of the arts. It is associated with Water.

### Tilenno

God of agriculture. It is associated with Forest.

### Viagodonn

God of death, renewal and winter. It is associated with Ice.

### Sekgono

God of mining and metals. It is represented as a winged serpent that guards treasures. It is associated with Earth.

### Ategena

Goddess of the moon and everything that it rules. Associated with Water.

### Ekuna

Goddess of fertility, love, birth and spring. It is represented as a mare, so it is protective of horses and grasslands. Associated with Forest.

### Derbeda

Goddess of the mountains. Associated with Earth.

### Turann

God of storms, lightning and the sky. Associated with Air.

## Cult

Cult in Gelanism can be practiced in multiple ways, in multiple places, and allows different degrees of personal consecration to it.

### Places

It can be practiced directly in nature, although it is usually associated with places of certain magical and natural importance. As examples of such places we can count ancient trees, fountains or caves.

Sometimes, these places are blessed with the presence of altars, whether they are consecrated to a specific element, or to deities (and other spirits). We can also find altars in any other place.

#### Sanctuaries associated with deities

As the deities are the bearers of specific characteristics, thematic sanctuaries are also consecrated to them, in which monastic orders or oracles associated with the divinity in question may reside.

#### Temples associated with elements

Three types can be distinguished: temples of individual natural elements, temples of all natural elements, and temples of all cosmic elements.

* Temples of individual natural elements: Consecrated to a single natural element, their plan can be of any type, since they do not require positions for each element. They are filled with objects and representations related to the element in question.

* Temples of all natural elements: Consecrated to the six natural elements. It is recommended that they have a hexagonal plan, to put an element on each of their faces. The entrance must be made from the floor immediately below, which has a staircase in its center that leads to the floor where the 6 altars are. The ladder must always end facing Fire, which will have Water to the right, then Air, then Earth in front, then Forest, and finally Ice that closes the hexagon, remaining to the left of Fire.

* Cosmic or celestial temples: Their plant can be of any type, because although they represent the 6 cosmic elements, they do not have a recognizable form for the human being. The temple must be built with elements from the Nether or rare elements, such as obsidian.

### Roles

An individual may have multiple ways of relating with Gelanism. It should be noted that the rites can be carried out by anyone, and that worship and prayers as well. Therefore, the presence of more involved intermediaries is not essential.

However, those who have a greater relationship with religion can choose three paths, which are not exclusive between them.

#### Druids

They are supposed to be at the same time as preachers, philosophers and organizers of rites. Their main role is to spread the teachings of nature and the elements, as well as to study them. Therefore, they are not only faithful to Gelanism, but also scholars, thinkers and researchers of the world around them.

#### Monastic orders

Those who choose to consecrate their lives more intimately choose to create or join orders dedicated to deities. They are in charge of the maintenance of the sanctuaries dedicated to their respective deities, as well as the study and use of their characteristics in society.

#### Oracles

They are the intermediaries between the deities and the living, interpreting the messages of the former and communicating them to the latter. These messages can be anything from simple answers to mundane questions to prophecies.

### Festivities

The festivities are the gathering time for the faithful, and even the non-faithful if they wish to participate. Festivities are celebrated both dedicated to temporary events and to deities. The most popular are the seasons.

##### Seasonal festivities

They celebrate the transition from one season to another. The seasons are generally associated with different elements, although not exclusively with one each.

* Winter Solstice (Semoenn): Celebrates the onset of winter, and marks the beginning of the season of renewal in the world. It is associated with death and Ice as an element.

* Spring Equinox (Bialtann): Celebrates the beginning of spring, and marks the beginning of the season in which the world is reborn. It is hard associated with fertility and Forest as an element.

* Summer Solstice (Embolkg): Celebrates the beginning of summer, and marks the beginning of the season in which the world grows. It is associated with heat, growth and Fire.

* Autumn Equinox (Lukgnasha): Celebrates the beginning of autumn, and marks the beginning of the season in which the world ages. It is associated with the harvest and Water as an element.