Tauren Rites and Blessings

Throughout the life of a tauren, there are various rites of passage, celebrations, and observances. Some of these events are common to all tauren, others are dedicated to the Earthmother or a specific totemic spirit, and still more are specific to one tribe or another. Clan Wanderhoof is no different than other tauren tribes in this respect, and in addition to observing the customs and traditions of the tauren in general, the Wanderhoof have come to hold many special observances unique to their clan.

BLESSINGS
Blessings are boons bestowed upon a tauren either from another tauren or even from a mystical source such as an ancestral spirit, a totemic spirit, or even the spirit of the Earthmother. The recipient need not be aware of a blessing received and can passively participate in the process of being blessed. The passive role of the recipient of a blessing is the significant difference between Blessings and Rites. However, there are often various requirements, actions, and intruments needed by the bestower of the blessing, and that person or persons often must take a very active role in blessing another.

RITES
Rites represent a passage or change in the life of a tauren. In as much as a rite is an official recognition of this change, it also is a test of the tauren themselves. For example, some rites observe a tauren coming into adulthood, and may require the offering from a successful, solo hunt made by that tauren before the rite can be completed. Other rites may beseech and summon the blessings or presence of ancestral spirits, and require the performance of various rituals by the tauren as a group before those rites may be completed. In all cases, rites are more than a passive observation, such as may be experience by someone who receives a blessing. Rites are an active tradition requiring the understanding and active participation of those involved.