The Soul Linking Ceremony

Before the ceremony, the lovers don’t see each other, since it’s not customary for the griffix, and besides, they have no time, since all the preparation is going on. Some griffixes dress up lovers in traditional wedding costumes, females are fed berries and other fruits (so they will be beautiful forever), and male are fed meat (so that the strength of animals is transmitted to the warrior).

Traditional Wedding dresses examples

Design and art by Kazoowary and MysteriousShine (mostly Kazoowary)

The others prepare the area under Rosa’s Tree, a very old and tall oak, where live a lot of birds and the legend says that it was Rosa’s favorite tree. They hang ribbons on its branches, as well as lights. And only when it gets dark and the cubs go to bed (since they are forbidden to participate in this intimate celebration of adults) the couple led to this tree, they are accompanied first by old griffixes carrying lanterns with bells on sticks, and then by younger ones. There they were waiting for the Healer as soon as couple will come they must touch their heads and remain there till the Healer finishes the Soul Linking Speen (isn’t literary a spell, but that’s how they call it), then paint the gems (“heart”) and eyelids (“soul”) of lovers with a special plant paint, then bandaging their neck with a tape, that is, they are now associated with heart and soul. After that, the lovers leave, and all those gathered throw various gifts (small ones, of course, so that they can take it home) into the bags they wear, thus wishing them to live happily and always have what they gave at paw.

Well, after all this, the griffixes have a feast in honor of the lovers, containing light traditional foods that are only made for this occasion. After that, they all go back to their houses, and the couple spends their first night together.