Irith
From Vaporstory
Irith is the Principal Goddess of Irithism and in that religion, the Mother of All Beings as well as the Godess of Desire.
[edit] Birth and Earthcalling
The earliest known account of Irithism has two varying stories on the Birth of Irith. The first is, however, the classical account while the second has often been dismissed by historians as an "unrefined" version, or a simple assimilation of another Goddess's Origin.
The first details, in epic poem, that in the beginning; there was nothing but sea. The waters themselves flowed in a cycle for thousands of ages before a single spark of life emerged. Out of nothing but pure desire to "Find else",the waters themselves flowed together in a massive whirlpool which slowly began to form a being. That being was Irith. Pure and simple, she wished to create, as the water created her. To her endless frustration, there was, nor ever would be anything but water. And yet, she dreamed...for eons upon eons, and finally awoke to rage at the water that never ended. In wrath, she crafted a stone. With wonder at her creation, she learned to create more and more stones. Until their were entire continents crafted of it. She was weakened however, by a crushing loneliness. She believed rashly, that she needed another like her, who could also craft. This led to the creation of the first life..promptly taken by the water. Her sorrow only deepened in that her own waters killed everything she created. Her frustration turned to flame, promptly turned by the waves to nothingness. However, she could not be stopped. The Flames she crafted grew higher and higher, and her frustration finally turned to an enormous orb of this flame. She threw it to the skies in order to escape the water. Emerging from the water, it hung in the air, and Irith marvelled at its beauty. She laughed to the sea and in a moment of infinite brilliance, began to study why she was never taken by the sea. As she began to understand, she joyiously called forth a daughter, molded from the desire of her own, instead of the waves, and thus far less wise than her mother had been. However, she was more eager than her mother had been, and upon learning of her mother's use of desire, had called forth two children of her own, who proceeded to play and rapidly change the eEarth beneath them. And so it began that Irth called forth several more children from her desire, who in turn called forth more children, begining a cycle of creation which has lasted to this very day..
[edit] Desire in Irithism
"It is desire, down to the lowest creature, which gives life to another. Though my anger had created the eldest flame, my children should not pass from their Earthly forms, for each of them can craft the Earth beneath or within." - Irith
As desire is the gift of the Principal Goddess of Irithism, it is often considered the main emotion associated with it. However, it is often misunderstood.
Desire is defined as the "calling within oneself", and is most often associated with the desire to create or enhance life or, which is considered holy in Irithismm. As such,many Irithism followers produce or care for multiple children in a lifetime. However; most sects of Irithism belive that as it is holy, life can only be created once one has gained true knowledge of Irith's callings and teachings. In a grueling test, the life-bearers willpower and knowledge is tested through methods kept secret and varying between temples.
The desire to create life is not the only tenet of Desire in Irithism, as it is often the calling of knowledge and newness which is said to drive many to explore and study Irithism through careful prayers. The rituals of Irithism oftten share the common theme of allowing the acolyte to open his or her mind and explore the world around or within through such varied methods as meditation while balancing or counting the eyes of an insssect.
Finally, the desire to create joy is said to be a "Spark of Irith", and is said to be the rarest desire to be strong within a person. It is said to be a desire implanted by the Mother Irith to allow her chosen children to protect her other children through this kindness. As women can become mothers like Irith, it is more often said that their hearts contain this spark. Considered rarer in men, it is said that any men who has the spark should a king become, as they are more capable of this protectionn during the "Modern Age".
