Intergalactic Summit

It has been quite some time since my last little bit of rambling. Some of you may have been eagerly suffering through the wait, though I'd wager a good deal more of you were happy for the respite. To those who have been waiting I offer my apologies for the wait. To those who were happy for the time I offer my apologies for the forthcoming spiritual prattle.

Going back over my own records I see a pattern in my previous postings of this nature, and I'll be continuing that pattern. First and foremost, I remind everyone listening or reading that what follows is my own opinion and belief. Certainly there is some fact to be found, but matters of faith are inherently opinions and beliefs. Secondly, for those keeping track of the patterns, yes this should be a Gallente segment of my ramblings, rest assured that it is, however I feel it best to present the first of the specific belief systems I found within the Federation.

The Garoun Pantheon

The Garoun Pantheon is just one of myriad belief systems native to the Federation, in this case native to Gallente Prime itself. The Garoun Empire was just one of the many nations on the planet and is credited with being a primary source of much of the progressive and liberal thinking now firmly entrenched in the collective identity of the Federation and the Gallente people themselves. The Garoun Pantheon, both of today and of the past, reflects on the adaptable and malleable nature of the people who gave birth to this faith. Historians and theologians debate the precise details of the pantheon's origins, and in the past the debates and disagreements were even a catalyst for conflict between the pre-Federation Gallenteans. One of the more commonly accepted notions is that the Garoun pantheon represents the many moons of Luminaire. Historically speaking this is a common theme among belief systems across the cluster, that our ancestors drew inspiration and insight from celestial bodies and wed it with their evolving faiths. Simple modern searches will tell anyone that Luminaire has 17 moons, and the Garoun pantheon has 17 deities, so the connection is plain to see for those that wish to see it. The Garoun pantheon, quite literally, has a god or goddess for any occasion. The individual deities have their own portfolios or domains of power and influence, and are more often than not believed to be quite human in many respects.

As with the other widespread belief systems of the cluster, there are rituals, traditions, and tenants of the faith to be held sacred. Being that the pantheon itself is home to 17 different deities it is nigh eternally debatable what the primary principles and guidelines of the Garoun faith actually are. However, as is common among the personified polytheistic belief systems of the cluster (those that identify their deities as dramatic examples of human nature and emotions) the chief tenants of the Garoun appear to be acceptance of diversity, the freedom of choice, and the fostering of both wisdom and strength as an individual.

With 17 deities reigning over the world of man, it is easy to see that there is such a great amount of diversity and variation in the deities themselves, and the world they hold some sway over. Old stories and texts of the Garoun pantheon are practically bursting with accounts of the various gods and goddesses interacting with each other. Sometimes the interaction is cooperative, sometimes competitive, and at times even outright conflict. There are stories of divine inspiration, of jovial whimsy and prank, as well as accounts of swift and terrible retribution. Going into detail about each of the gods and goddesses, their domains, and stories of their interactions with each other and mortal man would take much more time and space than I will ask of anyone just yet, but suffice it to say that just as there are good and kind men and wicked and cruel men, so too are there deities of the Garoun pantheon that can be kind and cruel in turn. However, even amid all this chaotic interaction between the 17 deities, there is also the knowledge that none of them could exist alone. They are parts of a greater whole, a community that watches over man, granting favor or folly as each would see fit. The very fact that there are 17 of them, different in many ways but similar as well, is perhaps the chief teacher of acceptance for diversity. Beyond that the more detailed accounts tell of how each of the 17 work with or against each other to provide more specific examples of how to coexist with others who have different mannerisms and motivations.

Nice write-up, Uraniae. I feel that much effort has been undertaken by native Luminairies to preserve these ancient religions, in the face of the incredibly fast-moving Federation. Keeping it out of media exploitation is one just endeavour the adherents have been successful with over the centuries. However, as a result, it is somewhat obscure to both Federal and non-Federal citizens in some places, instead superceded by more popular faith systems, fad or not. Whether this is a good or bad thing I'm not sure about; like you said, there's much to be learned from the Garoun pantheon, but perhaps keeping it outside of the mainstream will provide a more rewarding experience to those who discover it on their own.

I personally won't go as far as to say the Federation's concepts of progress, equality, and opportunity are flawed, I will however say they are different from my own. If you wish to try and pinpoint the rise of certain ideologies in this instance I think you'll be better suited to studying the history of Luminaire from it's pre-industrial era up into the modern era. I'll admit my focus during my own studies focuses more on the spiritual beliefs rather than the specific social and political machinations of any group's history.

I do agree with the portion of your words that I've emphasized though. More specifically it's rather common place for widespread ideology to have it's roots traced back to smaller groups. A good deal of Caldari society is a product of the old Raata Empire, just as a good deal of modern Amarrian society is the product of a comparatively small island nation on Athra. The ideas always start small and grow larger through contact, revolution, or conquest.

I will however disagree with your statement about the nature of an Empire, but only to the measure of your wording. I do not think subjugation is a necessary requirement in the more harsh or negative meanings of the word. Of course the populace is subject to the rule of the governing body, but in some cases the populace happily consents to it.

I didn't not mean to imply that it was only that tiny island nation of antiquity. Yes, obviously the Empire is more today than what was present on that island, in a spiritual and ideological sense. I was attempting to illustrate that in a sense, the Empire of today began there, as an idea or ideal.


On another note, it is interesting to see how much of the old Garoun faith permeates modern Federation society. There is no question that the fervor and reach of the Amarrian faith is stronger and wider in the Empire by comparison, but even so the old Garoun pantheon has crept into the lives of many in the Federation without them even realizing it. There are mannerisms, figures of speech, and traditions in the business, military, and civilian sectors that pay homage to various gods and goddesses of the Garoun. Governmental agencies and corporations routinely have logos or seals that are symbolic of one or another of the deities. Even some Gallente ship lines have names that harken back to derivations of the names for the members of the pantheon.