Long Vigil

The Long Vigil is performed during the autumnal equinox. For the Garou, winter is traditionally a time of war, and this rite is intended to prepare Gaia's warriors on the battles ahead. The day before the rite begins the whole caern is decorated with trophies of war. At sundown the sept joins around a raging bonfire, and the ritemaster begins his praises, first to Helios, then to Luna, with pleas for aid. Then the Moon Dancers join in with their tales from the battles and victories in the past year. Each trophy around the caern is brought into their songs with the story of how it was won. As they finish, the rest of the sept joins in with their own tales of those deeds. This goes on all night, and as dawn approaches, the ritemaster once again beckons Luna for aid, dedicating all accomplishments of the past year to Luna, Helios and Gaia. Then the trophies are all sacrificed on the bonfire, in hope that many more will be won in the coming year.