BELIEFS
Valleyclan has a strong belief in Starclan, but does not put their entire future within their paws. They follow their own path with only their ancestors as guidance. If they are given a prophecy or message they take it seriously. When they pass, the Starclan cats come to meet their new addition and guide them up to their new hunting grounds. While Starclan is aware of The Place of No Stars, there is currently only a few cats there, but they are weakened and sickly. Those cats are also known as Starless.
To visit Starclan, leaders and medicine cats will have to climb the mountain to get to a cavern, the ice crystals inside,when illuminated by the moonlight, glow and sparkle with the light of the stars. A pool of water as cold as ice lies in the middle, it is never seen frozen and is always the same temperature no matter the season. Cats will drink from the pool and instantly feel heavy and tired. When they "wake up" they're in Starclan's hunting grounds. Cats are NOT allowed to go up alone and must get the leader's permission before leaving.
When a leader dies, the deputy takes the rock from inside the leader's den and climb all the way up the mountain to the cavern to receive their nine lives. They will place the rock inside the cavern and retrieve a new rock. The old rock is a symbol, representing the past leader's life and being brought up to be with their warrior ancestors. The new rock represents the current leader's life. Discarding this rock or throwing it away is seen as dishonorable and a dirty thing to do, some even believing it leaves the former leader trapped to wander among the living as a ghost until a proper ceremony is held. Only despicable cats would do something like this.
To visit Starclan, leaders and medicine cats will have to climb the mountain to get to a cavern, the ice crystals inside,when illuminated by the moonlight, glow and sparkle with the light of the stars. A pool of water as cold as ice lies in the middle, it is never seen frozen and is always the same temperature no matter the season. Cats will drink from the pool and instantly feel heavy and tired. When they "wake up" they're in Starclan's hunting grounds. Cats are NOT allowed to go up alone and must get the leader's permission before leaving.
When a leader dies, the deputy takes the rock from inside the leader's den and climb all the way up the mountain to the cavern to receive their nine lives. They will place the rock inside the cavern and retrieve a new rock. The old rock is a symbol, representing the past leader's life and being brought up to be with their warrior ancestors. The new rock represents the current leader's life. Discarding this rock or throwing it away is seen as dishonorable and a dirty thing to do, some even believing it leaves the former leader trapped to wander among the living as a ghost until a proper ceremony is held. Only despicable cats would do something like this.
TRADITIONS
On the first day of Green-Leaf, the cats of Valleyclan will stay up all day and feast. They will play games, hunt, chat and send out smaller patrols. Apprentices will be relieved of their duties and will help the warriors hunt early in the morning when it is still dark. Then, when they wake up, the leader will call a meeting to announce the official beginning of Green-Leaf and that the celebrations may commence. Apprentices are given competitions to do, kits are allowed to run around camp and do whatever, even the oldest of elders will come from their dens. Cats are allowed access to prey at all times during the day and are encouraged to eat until they're full. When the sun begins to set, the cats gather around where the leader calls meetings and say thanks to Starclan before going to their dens to sleep.
The first day of Leaf-bare is relatively the same except they stay up all night, they all work together to gather moss, which they use as a competition. The group of cats with the biggest amount of nest and den-building materials wins. They usually get the largest piece of prey in the pile and praise from the leader.
If a cat gives another cat a dove (typically a white one) it is a sign of their love/appreciation for that cat. Usually, they're caught and given to a love interest along with any beautiful type of flower. Typically used when confessing to another cat or given to one's current mate. They're usually not caught too often otherwise.
The first day of Leaf-bare is relatively the same except they stay up all night, they all work together to gather moss, which they use as a competition. The group of cats with the biggest amount of nest and den-building materials wins. They usually get the largest piece of prey in the pile and praise from the leader.
If a cat gives another cat a dove (typically a white one) it is a sign of their love/appreciation for that cat. Usually, they're caught and given to a love interest along with any beautiful type of flower. Typically used when confessing to another cat or given to one's current mate. They're usually not caught too often otherwise.