Angelicism

## History

Angelicism began it's expansion inside of The Kingdom of Dova after the acquiring of new territories south of Mushroomicania. Alongside a grand sword being displayed in the dead center of a field, a chapel was found in the dark oak forest east of the blade. It's practice fell upon the ears of the Grandeur-Dova who saw it as near heresy in the eyes of Novaism. However after The First Devoted and Great Prophet of the 2 religions came to meet, they agreed upon little conflict without lots of discussion to back it. Angelicism so far has remained a very native religion to Dova, aiming to bring people in rather than expanding outwards.

A major text inside of the religion is The Epic of HOLY! which was said to contain a story of the HOLY! and it's forming of all the angels. Through it, the first devoted converted it's key factors into the current Deck of HOLY!. However after being given to the First Devoted, The HOLY! burned the text in front of them. It's said that in the event that it is ever reformed the deck may be able to expand further, though common belief is that this is not to happen soon.

## Core beliefs

The core beliefs of Angelicism are that there is a divine energy known as the HOLY! that came into being when the first light existed in the world. The HOLY! is believed to be all-powerful and ever-present. It has focused it's power into 7 angels that speak to and guide people towards "Absolution", or Perfection.

### The HOLY!'s light

Believers in Angelicism have the goal of getting as close to The HOLY! as possible through all matters of worship, meditation, and communication with the angels. Observing the cards and their meanings one can ideally come to find a line of action they can take to improve themselves or the world around them to attain something closer to perfection. Personifying this ideal can be best done through the single open card of the deck, "Absolution". As to quote the Devoted' scripture:

"Absolution represents The HOLY! inside of the deck. When spending thought on the topic of perfection and absoluteion, it's best to imagine it as a single striking light entering the prism into a spectrum of Beautiful color, as is shown on the card. Angels represent single goals and divisions of The HOLY!'s perfect light. Each color may show that The HOLY! when perceived in this way allows us to realize the beauty in isolated perfection, yet it does not turn us away from Absolute Perfection that is found in bathing in the pure light."

### The deck of HOLY!

The "Deck of HOLY!" is a deck of cards each relating to the spirits within Angelicism. Devoted in the religion may use these cards to do many things from asking for advice from the angels to finding the inner turmoil of suitors. The deck in total consists of 50 cards, though only those who are Devoted may hold and know all 50 intimately as they know how to store, read, and cut the deck. The direct meaning of each of the angels and their cards is withheld from public eye as to keep a complete deck becoming available for Non-Devoted to use.

### **Angel readings**

A common practice within Angelicism is to use The DOH to communicate with the angels. Readings consist normally of a Suitor and a Devoted. Devoted' are normally present at such readings as to allow the communication between a Suitor and the angels. Although the only one's who speak to the angels directly are those who are heavily invested, readings are considered to be Areligious. Anyone of any faith that accepts the practices of the Angelicists are more than welcome to come and have a reading done for them.

### The Angels

One of the key beliefs in Angelicism is that there are spirits, known as angels, who act as intermediaries between The HOLY! and humans. These angels are believed to deliver messages, protect humans, and guide them towards the path of Absolution. Primary symbols of their action are shown through clear revealing's of light. Some of these may include tame examples alike candles lighting. However it also includes the razing of fields if the angels see it fit.

#### Messenger

The Messenger's cards first is shown as the angel in a personified human form. They have a solid gold halo around their head that merges alongside an imagined hourglass engraved into it. Multi cultured cloths drape over The Messengers visible torso. Their right hand bears a quill to write in a book pictured in front of them floating on clouds. Their left hand bring an apple up to their face, crisp and perfectly absent of rot or age. In a simplified deck the angels cards all simply have a halo pictured in the center.

#### Merciful

The Merciful's cards show a border of cloth, with the top side bearing a painted eye. From a background of messy dyes a hand emerges. In it's hand it holds a scale; One side holding a coin standing on it's rim while the other holds a symbol of infinity. Below the scales glows a raging fire. In a simplified deck the card is represented by a small circle in the center.

#### Caretaker

The Caretaker's cards depict a cloaked figure with a face concealed in fire. In front of them, they hold a basket with a baby inside with an olive wreath adorned on their head and a small cloth covering the rest of their body. In the other hand at the side of The Caretaker is a sword held inside of a scabbard. In a simplified deck the card is represented by a detailed quilt covering the card.

#### Guide

The Guide's cards show an invert figure, grand white light outlining the human form with wings outstretched to cover their feet and face. with silken hands they they hold in front of themselves a glowing weight, with an empty open hand outstretched away, stained red. They stand on a path of gold that becomes blinding the farther behind them you see. In a simplified deck the card is represented by a crossroads.

#### Healer

The Healer's cards depict a pot pouring down water and fire onto a land of lavish red fruits. pouring the pot is the representation of the healer angel, cloaked in glowing white robes with a red cloth mask covering their face. around the head of The Healer is a wreath of flowers, mixing between white and red tulips. In a simplified deck the card is represented by a golden cup.

#### Seer

The cards of The Seer show a lantern pattern repeat across the card, with a background of white. One hand has lit half of the lanterns, pouring oil inside of the next from above, while the other sits idle in the center of the card holding 1 thin straight cloth with a red X. The simplified version of this card is a single line from left to right.

#### Warrior

The Warrior's card shows a figure covered in black scars. With red armor on their shoulders and legs they stand on cool water. Facing the bottom left with wings outstretched backwards, they hold a charcoal sword in their right hand. Around them flames appear in the shape of a shield to surround the angel. The simplified version of this card shows the blade of the sword upside down.