Annual Events

There are multiple events for all packs to take part in at once throughout the year, and some smaller ceremonies that take place within camp walls.

Some are scheduled annually and some are special to the phases of the moon. Each follows a basic set of rules and protocols. For gathering rules, see []

## I N T R O D U C T I O N

Each season holds some level of significance to each wolf: whether it is spring for the new dams to celebrate their unborn pups, or autumn for the new-fangs so they can play in the leaves.

Seasons are declared anew by a pack’s wind seeker after they meet with other wind seekers to discuss timing. For example:

After the snow starts to thaw at the end of winter, all the wind seekers and their apprentices will gather at the base of Sky Peak to discuss when the season will officially end. They decide mutually on the following new-moon, and go home to tell their leaders so they can pass it on to the packs through a pack meeting. Packs will then have a chance to prepare for the new season, like reorganising how often patrols and hunting parties go out and what resources they may need for festivities.

## S P R I N G - Sun Gathering

This celebration brings pups and dams together on civil terms at ~~Mirror Lake~~ that occurs in the day two weeks into spring, directly in the middle of the season. Dams and mothers attend this gathering the most with their pups old enough to travel, sometimes their mates come with them too. This gathering is all about celebrating Day and the life she brings: pregnant dams can wish on the wellness of their litters, cubs can pray for the well being of their futures and she-wolves expecting to bear pups or have borne pups have a chance to connect with Day if they please.

The whole day is light-hearted, full of games and gossip from wolves of every pack. Wind seekers may also attend to perform newborn blessings.

## S U M M E R - The Night of Colour

The Night of Colour takes place on the first full moon of summer at the base of Sky Peak. All members of every pack are welcome but do not have to attend if they are unable to or don’t want to. This celebration is dedicated to life and celebrates skill, achievement and the transition from life to death. This night is especially important to new-fangs and recently ranked up Deltas.

The Night of Colour is also a time for living wolves to connect with each other through general socialising and mutual celebration, but also through games, stories, competitions and most importantly, group howls and pelt painting.

Pelt painting is an activity exclusive to major battles and the Night of Colour and also the reason for its name. Throughout spring, healers and keepers will collect plants and materials that can be used for their pigment in preparation for the start of summer. During this night, wolves will paint each other’s fur with these. Positions of paint smearing can be for different things, for example, a mother wolf may paint over their pup’s chest or throat to symbolise their love and kinship, but a mentor may paint their apprentice’s tail to symbolise their power in stealth. This is a great bonding technique for all wolves and gives a chance to wolves to be proud of their achievements and make easy introductions.

## A U T U M N - The Grand Hunt (AKA The Thunder)

The second half-moon of autumn when elk herds have migrated south, every hunter and their apprentices will gather together to hunt as many elk as they can. These hunts are usually led by betas that have experience in hunting, and sometimes scouts are even sent out the day before the hunt to target the preferable herd. The hunt can last all day with rests in between and there are usually 3-5 whole elks brought down among other prey. After the moon rises and the hunters are exhausted, they all drag their fresh prey to the Sky Peak’s base and feast. Any leftovers are given evenly out to each pack.

Some may question why the elk don’t migrate somewhere else down south if they get hunted every year. The basic fact is that there is nowhere else for them to travel, unless they plan to move their homes very far away. With the surrounding area being inhabited by dangerous predators and human villages, they have nowhere else to go.

## W I N T E R - Moon Gathering

The Moon Gathering is a celebration of Night and a time to honour the afterlife. It is a very civil and respectful gathering that takes place during the last night of winter and is held primarily by wind seekers rather than alphas. The gathering too takes place at ~~Mirror Lake~~ and it is common to see wind runners during these gatherings. When wolves decide to leave, wind seekers may stay and travel right to Sky Peak and commune directly with the Leaders of the Sky and ancestors.

Any wolf is welcome to join but many choose not to if they have no means to pay respects to their ancestors or Night. Wolves who do come will spend the quiet night praying or grooming each other. Some may even bring offerings to graves. Wind seekers may also choose to give speeches in troubling times.