Pack Traditions
Phoenix Valley celebrates several holidays throughout the year, though not every one is announced. Celebrations usually include pack gatherings by hunts, meetings, or get-togethers of some kind. They include:
- 3 January. La Saoire Na Mairbh (Day of the Dead, renewal)
- 3 February. Imbolc (Festival of Lights)
- 21 March. Ostara (spring equinox)
- 3 May. La Bealtaine (light half of the year)
- 21 June. Litha (mid summer's eve, shortest night)
- 19 July. Pack anniversary!
- 1 August. Lughnasadh (first harvest festival)
- 21 September. Mabon (autumn equinox)
- 3 October. Cead Sioc (Frost Festival, last harvest festival)
- 31 October - 1 November. Samhain (dark half of the year)
- 21 December. Yule (longest night of the year
Each holiday celebrated is performed in its own way and own place; for example, it is tradition to light a great fire during Samhain when members gather in the evening, dressed in odd fashions or marked with paints. The pack anniversary, on July 19, usually involves a pack hunt.
In the past, Phoenix Valley has had the tradition of mentors and apprentices, where pack members were not allowed to pass the training ranks (Tenens, Tueris, Fuerre) before they advised a pup for a period of time. This rule was eventually removed due to the lack of pups/people to mentor, though members are still encouraged to do so.
Another old tradition included the three-rank leader Council. Before Jefferson combined it into a single rank for himself (Patriarch), the Council consisted of Matriarch, Shaman, and Sentinel and were equal in power. Any decisions, problems, or important matters were discussed between the three as judges. When the need for the three ranks faded away, they were combined into one, and now Jefferson just does everything himself. e_e