Difference between revisions of "HELIOLATRY"

From Blaseball Wiki

(Referenced the Hellmouth Beautification Society)
m (CommunityLocation)
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
'''HELIOLATRY''' is a [[Hellmouth]] originated, largely [[monothestic]] religion based on the [[Sun]], the Sun's glory, and the Sun's effect on the earth. Its adherents are largely associated with the [[Hellmouth Sunbeams]]. Believers of HELIOLATRY are largely focused in the Hellmouth area, with little to no effort being seen thus far to spread to convert other blaseball teams or spread the religion to other areas. Believers of HELIOLATRY state that even without additional effort, HELIOLATRY is inevitable, as the sun is objectively real,  very large and glorious, and an "unstoppable force of blaseball power."   
+
'''HELIOLATRY''' is a [[Hellmouth]] originated, largely [[monothestic]] religion based on the [[Sun (Sunbeams disambiguation)|Sun]], the Sun's glory, and the Sun's effect on the earth. Its adherents are largely associated with the [[Hellmouth Sunbeams]]. Believers of HELIOLATRY are largely focused in the Hellmouth area, with little to no effort being seen thus far to spread to convert other blaseball teams or spread the religion to other areas. Believers of HELIOLATRY state that even without additional effort, HELIOLATRY is inevitable, as the sun is objectively real,  very large and glorious, and an "unstoppable force of blaseball power."   
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
Although many claim that HELIOLATRY has always existed, as it is only natural to worship the glorious Sun, the beginnings of modern (loosely) organized HELIOLATRY began sometime after the Hellmouth opened, as a result of the opening of the [[The Book of Blaseball|Forbidden Book]]. During this period of confusion and fear for the residents of what was once a normal Utah town, a "shining specter" was said to appear, extending one of its many hands and "guiding those who lived in the flames into a new and purer light."<ref>Where did our Glorious Leader go? What did we do to displease them so? Please return, oh shining one. I long to be led my your many arms again. </ref> The identity of this founder is unknown, but was said to be "Radiant, glorious, charismatic, many-armed, and had a strange tendency to always speak in ALL CAPS."
 
  
−
After the formation of HELIOLATRY, the Glorious Founder was said to ascend bodily into the Sun, leaving the people below to follow in it's mighty footsteps. Some take this as proof that the Founder was the child of the Sun, brought down to guide it's chosen people to a new, warmer world. Some claim this is proof of the nature of [[incineration]], and that all blaseball players who are struck down by rogue umpire have followed the Founder into the arms of the Sun. Some even go so far to claim that when an umpire goes rogue, it has become possessed by the Glorious Founder, who is selecting new people to become the Saints of HELIOLATRY (but unfortunately, none of them were able to withstand the Glorious Founders light). <ref>A ridiculous claim, of course. They don't have enough arms.</ref>
+
=== Origins ===
 +
Although many claim that HELIOLATRY has always existed, as it is only natural to worship the glorious Sun, the beginnings of modern (loosely) organized HELIOLATRY began sometime after the Hellmouth opened, as a result of the opening of the [[The Book of Blaseball|Forbidden Book]]. During this period of confusion and fear for the residents of what was once a normal Utah town, a "shining specter" was said to appear, extending one of its many hands and "guiding those who lived in the flames into a new and purer light."<ref group="note">Where did our Glorious Leader go? What did we do to displease them so? Please return, oh shining one. I long to be led by your many arms again. </ref> The identity of this founder is unknown, but was said to be "Radiant, glorious, charismatic, many-armed, and had a strange tendency to always speak in ALL CAPS."
 +
 
 +
=== Disappearance of the Glorious Founder ===
 +
After the formation of HELIOLATRY, the Glorious Founder was said to ascend bodily into the Sun, leaving the people below to follow in it's mighty footsteps. Some take this as proof that the Founder was the child of the Sun, brought down to guide it's chosen people to a new, warmer world. Some claim this is proof of the nature of [[incineration]], and that all blaseball players who are struck down by rogue umpire have followed the Founder into the arms of the Sun. Some even go so far to claim that when an umpire goes rogue, it has become possessed by the Glorious Founder, who is selecting new people to become the Saints of HELIOLATRY (but unfortunately, none of them were able to withstand the Glorious Founders light). <ref group="note">A ridiculous claim, of course. They don't have enough arms.</ref>
  
 
You will never find anyone who claims that the Glorious Founder merely put on a pretty light show, threw some smoke bombs, and simply ran away while everyone was distracted and has been living{{Cite}} in secret among us by wearing a pair of shades and going by a new name, as everyone who dared to claim this has been aggressively and thoroughly silenced.
 
You will never find anyone who claims that the Glorious Founder merely put on a pretty light show, threw some smoke bombs, and simply ran away while everyone was distracted and has been living{{Cite}} in secret among us by wearing a pair of shades and going by a new name, as everyone who dared to claim this has been aggressively and thoroughly silenced.
  
 
After the disappearance of the Glorious Founder, HELIOLATRY promptly spit into multiple denominations of worship, commonly referred to as "sects."  Each sect has their own unique belief system and styles of worship, and may or may not interact, acknowledge, or respect branches outside of their own. Some sects allow for overlap with others, while some are largely ostracized by anyone outside their group.
 
After the disappearance of the Glorious Founder, HELIOLATRY promptly spit into multiple denominations of worship, commonly referred to as "sects."  Each sect has their own unique belief system and styles of worship, and may or may not interact, acknowledge, or respect branches outside of their own. Some sects allow for overlap with others, while some are largely ostracized by anyone outside their group.
 +
 +
=== The Collapse of Sol ===
 +
At some point during the observable history of blaseball, the sects of HELIOLATRY were said to reach some level of stability, once most reasonable interpretations and methods of worship and heresy had been thought up. This tenuous peace was shattered toward the end of {{BetaSeason|10}}, when retrocausality struck Sol, revealed it to be deprived of fuel, and precipitated its collapse into a black hole. Sol's instantaneous transformation into a lightless, all-consuming, invisible presence in the sky was a cause for panic in the Hellmouth. The rise of [[Sun 2]], its smiling countenance, and its ability to confer Wins upon well-performing teams, caused even more panic and confusion. The vast majority of sects, including many of those considered stable by [[Sectology|Sectologists]], split over furious debate as to whether the black hole or Sun 2 (or to give up on sun worship and worship something else instead, because boy howdy was this just confusing) was the appropriate recipient of veneration.
 +
 +
[[HELIOLATRY/The_Voidlings|The Voidlings]] are a notable example of a sect which arose during this tumultuous time. In many sects, debate still rages to this day.
  
 
== Sects ==
 
== Sects ==
 
There are many different Sects of HELIOLATRY, all of them coming to light after the absence of the Glorious Founder. Some of the most popular sects, having a wide amount of worshipers in the Hellmouth area, are listed below. HELIOLATRY is constantly expanding, however, and has an unusual amount of enthusiasm to the creation of new sects, saying that "As the Sun has so many beams with which to reach out and touch our minds, So will we have many beams to reach out and touch the hearts of believers." Therefore, categorization of all possible branches is considered challenging, if not entirely impossible.  
 
There are many different Sects of HELIOLATRY, all of them coming to light after the absence of the Glorious Founder. Some of the most popular sects, having a wide amount of worshipers in the Hellmouth area, are listed below. HELIOLATRY is constantly expanding, however, and has an unusual amount of enthusiasm to the creation of new sects, saying that "As the Sun has so many beams with which to reach out and touch our minds, So will we have many beams to reach out and touch the hearts of believers." Therefore, categorization of all possible branches is considered challenging, if not entirely impossible.  
  
−
=== The Lunar Apologists ===
+
===[[HELIOLATRY/Lunar Apologists|The Lunar Apologists]]===
−
The defining characteristic of the Lunar Apologist sect is the worshiping of the Moon alongside the Sun, which is seen as a highly controversial, even blasphemous suggestion by some leaders of the main branch of HELIOLATRY. The Lunar Apologists believe that after the opening of the Forbidden Book, the hunger of Hell was awoken like a beast from slumber, and the mouth opened to consume the greatest source of power and energy that it could find; the Sun, which the Lunar Apologists refer to as "Sol, Lightbringer and Protector." So strong was the appetite of Hell, it is said, that Sol asked Luna, its companion in the sky, for sanctuary. Luna complied, and hid Sol from the Hellmouth's sight, beginning an unending eclipse over the people below. It is said that if Luna achieves in starving out the Hellmouth, unable to feast on Sol's power, then Sol will be able to return to the sky.
+
The Lunar Apologists believe Sol and [[The Moon|Luna]] to be allies, the two conspiring to hide Sol from the Hellmouth and starve it of power. They are considered a highly heretical sect by many other branches of HELIOLATRY.
 +
 
 +
===[[HELIOLATRY/Dusk Conspiracy|The Dusk Conspiracy]]===
 +
The Dusk Conspiracy are a sect of peculiar habits, whose primary method of worship is to work only under cover of darkness, supposedly ensuring the rising of the sun the following day through their toil. Any implication or accusation that they are avoiding the sun out of necessity will be subject to litigation.
 +
 
 +
==== Notable splinters of the Dusk Conspiracy ====
 +
 
 +
* [[HELIOLATRY/Coven of Solar Sight|The Coven of Solar Sight]] - worshippers who conclude that as all light can trace its source to the Sun, sight and "consumption" of light is a heretical act which drains the reserves of the Sun.
 +
 
 +
===[[HELIOLATRY/Siblings of Solar Exposure|Siblings of Solar Exposure]]===
 +
The fashionable Siblings of Solar Exposure supplicate for the Sun's blessings by coordinating their outfits, to better "direct" the Sun toward particular aspects of the self. They are accidental trendsetters in Hellmouth and beyond.
  
−
=== The Dusk Conspiracy ===
+
===[[HELIOLATRY/The Gilded Hand|The Gilded Hand]]===
−
The Dusk conspiracy, although considered "unusual" by many main believers of HELIOLATRY, is a surprisingly popular Sect, and bares some resemblance to the Lunar Apologists in their more sympathetic view of the night. Members of the Dusk Conspiracy believe that it is their mission to call the Light back into the world, and work through the night to ensure that the sun will rise the next morning. Unlike other sects, members avoid the light, fearing a form of retaliation if they are seen not preforming their duties, and live by candlelight and vitamin D tablets, emerging only as the sun sets. Some naysayers of this cult say that the nocturnal habits of the Dusk Conspiracy are born not of any particular belief, but of necessity, and the claims that they need to avoid the light for their "safety" are a cover for their true, not-so-human nature. Members of the Dusk Conspiracy firmly deny this, however, and state that evidence presented of them avoiding garlic, crosses, running rivers, and a previous fear of the [[Dallas Steaks]] due to a brief misprinting in the local newspaper are "just wacky coincidences." One member of the Dusk Conspiracy, speaking to our investigator through a heavy curtain in front of their window, stated, "it's absolute slander, is what it is, pure slander, and they'll be hearing from my lawyer. You just wait, the moment the sun sets, they'll be getting a strongly worded letter."
+
The Gilded Hand's primary mission is to acquire material goods, exclusively for the purpose of spending said goods for the betterment of Sol's mission. They may either dress in gaudy, expensive clothes to display their wealth, though pauper's garb is considered equally acceptable.
  
−
=== Siblings of Solar Exposure ===
+
===[[HELIOLATRY/Photosynthetics|Photosynthetics]]===
−
The Siblings, commonly recognized as the more fashion-forward believers of HELIOLATRY believe that one’s choice in clothing serves as a form of prayer, and the choice of what you wear, and how, has specific meaning in regards to your relationship to the Sun. Choosing how the light shines on you is considered a form of creative expression, indicating how you would like the sun to help you. For example, a bare head might indicate a prayer for knowledge, and an exposed thigh is a popular choice for blaseball players hoping for extra running power. It is said that the more one focuses on one body part, the stronger the sun’s gift will be. Fashion plays a large part in the hierarchy of the siblings, and is constantly in rotation (although crop tops are very frequently popular). As a result, the Siblings often unintentionally determine Hellmouth fashion trends, and many lead magazines attempt to track the Sibling's and their current forms of worship to try and keep ahead of new styles.
+
The Photosynthetics are less of a sect in the more traditional sense, and more a group of people who like plants a lot and can justify it as photosynthesis being "the ultimate form of sun worship".
  
−
=== The Gilded Hand ===
+
===[[HELIOLATRY/Sols Melodious|Sols Melodious]]===
−
Members of the Gilded Hand are often hard to miss around the Hellmouth, often being draped in many layers of finery despite the oppressive heat of the sun, but many do not realize the more humbly dressed person standing right beside them could be a believer as well. The Gilded Hand believes in the acquisition of material goods above all else, but do not hoard and covet wealth for its own sake. Instead, Acquisitions are meant to be spent for the good of Sol and its Adherents, including other sects. Coins, as such, should be spent before the end of each Blaseball Election, both to prevent hoarding, and as a practical way to prevent being Redistributed to those less worthy. Members of the sect are expected to either eschew quality clothing for the betterment of Hellmouth or to dress in incredibly gaudy and expensive clothes, to show how much wealth they have acquired for Sol.
+
The cult of Sols Melodious posit that instead of "staring at the sun", the sanctioned action is to "sing at the sun", and "the sun sings back".  
  
−
=== Photosynthetics ===
+
=== [[HELIOLATRY/Sect of the Digital Circumbinary|The Sect of the Digital Circumbinary]] ===
−
Photosynthetics is a relatively new sect of HELIOLATRY, and as such little is known about it, but it has grown rather rapidly among people who, in their own words, "just really like plants." As can be deduced from this statement, Photosynthetics is characterized by its worship of plants alongside the Sun, and the view that Photosynthesis is the ultimate form of worship. As one member put it, "I mean, we're all trying to become more like the Sun, right? And Photosynthesis is literally absorbing the Sun. I mean, you just don't ''get'' more sun than that." This Sect was said to have formed accidentally by Sunbeams player [[Eugenia Bickle]] after one of her garden parties hosted for her teammates and their fans, although queries on what sort of garden party gets mistaken for a cult meeting have remained unanswered, and Bickle declined to comment on the matter. 
+
TBC
  
−
After contact with some [[Boston]] residents, many Photosynthetics have been working in the [[Hellmouth Beautification Society]] experimental greenhouse. Their stated goal is to bring beautiful plants to the Hellmouth. However, the biggest project the Society has undertaken to date is bringing Giant Sundews to the desert. The Photosynthetic's defense of "come on, they're literally named after the Sun!" is strong, but doesn't make up for the numerous animals the massive carnivorous plants have since eaten.
+
=== [[HELIOLATRY/The Voidlings|The Voidlings]] ===
 +
The Voidlings were one major splinter of HELIOLATRY formed when Sol collapsed and turned into a black hole. They treat the Black Hole and the Void as the Sun's true successor.
  
−
=== Children of the Bright Light ===
+
===[[HELIOLATRY/Children of the Bright Light|Children of the Bright Light]]===
−
Not much is known about the Sect referred to as the "Children of the Bright Light," as most other sects are hesitant to talk about (or even acknowledge) them, and its believers (commonly referred to as the 'Pale Eyed') are generally too busy staring into the sun and chanting ominously to themselves to be questioned. The few who were willing to discuss the Pale Eyed referred to them as "kinda freaky" and "a little much," and stated "I know we're a cult and everything, but like... come on, guys. You're making the rest of us look bad."  One of the few things known is the initiation process, which involves staring into the sun until the "Sun has entered you," which will be represented by the new recruit becoming almost, if not entirely, blinded by the light. According to believers, they are not blinded at all, but merely cleansed of all sights that "its holy rays did not approve." One investigator, for the sake of research, went through the initiation process, and was last seen wandering through the Hellmouth, smiling broadly, staring at nothing. When approached by fellow investigators, who made comments such as "where have you been," "your family was so worried about you," and "please, please come home," the former investigator only replied, "I'm here. I have always been here." <ref>They opened my eyes. It's in me now. I can see. Come and join me.</ref>
+
Additional inquiry into this sect is [[HELIOLATRY/Children of the Bright Light|Forbidden]].
  
−
Any further investigation into the Children of the Bright Light has been strictly banned, and all [[Hellmouth Anti-Tourism Board|mistaken tourists]] to Hellmouth will be prevented from interacting with the Pale Eyed by any means necessary.
+
<br />
  
 
== Controversy ==
 
== Controversy ==
 +
{{CommunityLocation|image=helioatry.png|imagecaption=An example of potentially misleading HELIOLATRY merchandise.}}
 
Despite the general laid-back nature of the inhabitants of the Hellmouth, including among its worshipers of HELIOLATRY, there are many who claim HELIOLATRY is not a religion so much as a [[cult]]: a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal. People claiming this often point to the fact that worshipers commonly refer to it as the "HELIOLATRY cult," claim to be members of a cult, wear t-shirts that bear messages such as "ASK ME ABOUT THE CULT I'M IN," and say things such as, "Oh, yes, I absolutely believe in HELIOLATRY, and for the record it's a cult. Just in case you were confused- this is absolutely a cult." Although there is no real evidence that HELIOLATRY is a cult aside from word of mouth and blatant confessions from the members, many take a negative view of HELIOLATRY due to this belief.  
 
Despite the general laid-back nature of the inhabitants of the Hellmouth, including among its worshipers of HELIOLATRY, there are many who claim HELIOLATRY is not a religion so much as a [[cult]]: a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal. People claiming this often point to the fact that worshipers commonly refer to it as the "HELIOLATRY cult," claim to be members of a cult, wear t-shirts that bear messages such as "ASK ME ABOUT THE CULT I'M IN," and say things such as, "Oh, yes, I absolutely believe in HELIOLATRY, and for the record it's a cult. Just in case you were confused- this is absolutely a cult." Although there is no real evidence that HELIOLATRY is a cult aside from word of mouth and blatant confessions from the members, many take a negative view of HELIOLATRY due to this belief.  
  
−
When asked to comment on if claims of HELIOLATRY being a cult are truthful, a Solcerer who chose to remain anonymous said, "well, what is a cult, really, when you think about it? I mean, a lot of things seem sort of strange or unusual to people outside of it, but that's because they're ''outside'' of it, you know? You have to keep an open mind about things, because that's how the sun gets in. You keep an open mind, and the sun crawls in through your eyes and into your mind. It's here now, it's inside me, there's so much light inside me and it is bright and terrible and holy. Would you like to see? Would you like to see the sun? Would you like to feel the sun the sun the sun the sun THE SUN THE SUN THE-"<ref>THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNISHERE</ref>
+
When asked to comment on if claims of HELIOLATRY being a cult are truthful, a Solcerer who chose to remain anonymous said, "well, what is a cult, really, when you think about it? I mean, a lot of things seem sort of strange or unusual to people outside of it, but that's because they're ''outside'' of it, you know? You have to keep an open mind about things, because that's how the sun gets in. You keep an open mind, and the sun crawls in through your eyes and into your mind. It's here now, it's inside me, there's so much light inside me and it is bright and terrible and holy. Would you like to see? Would you like to see the sun? Would you like to feel the sun the sun the sun the sun THE SUN THE SUN THE-"<ref group="note">THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNISHERE</ref>
  
−
The investigator then inquired about the patch on the Solcerer's jacket that said "HELIOLATRY is a cult, I lead a cult, AMA," but the interviewee was unable to comment, due to being too busy chanting, howling, and gazing at the Sun. <ref>The Sun is Here. Blind your eyes and Follow Me.</ref>
+
The investigator then inquired about the patch on the Solcerer's jacket that said "HELIOLATRY is a cult, I lead a cult, AMA," but the interviewee was unable to comment, due to being too busy chanting, howling, and gazing at the Sun. <ref group="note">The Sun is Here. Blind your eyes and Follow Me.</ref>
  
 
=== Spelling ===
 
=== Spelling ===
Line 46: Line 66:
 
   
 
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
−
<references /><br />
+
<references />
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references group="note" />
 +
[[Category:Hellmouth]]

Latest revision as of 23:27, 23 February 2023

HELIOLATRY is a Hellmouth originated, largely monothestic religion based on the Sun, the Sun's glory, and the Sun's effect on the earth. Its adherents are largely associated with the Hellmouth Sunbeams. Believers of HELIOLATRY are largely focused in the Hellmouth area, with little to no effort being seen thus far to spread to convert other blaseball teams or spread the religion to other areas. Believers of HELIOLATRY state that even without additional effort, HELIOLATRY is inevitable, as the sun is objectively real, very large and glorious, and an "unstoppable force of blaseball power."

History

Origins

Although many claim that HELIOLATRY has always existed, as it is only natural to worship the glorious Sun, the beginnings of modern (loosely) organized HELIOLATRY began sometime after the Hellmouth opened, as a result of the opening of the Forbidden Book. During this period of confusion and fear for the residents of what was once a normal Utah town, a "shining specter" was said to appear, extending one of its many hands and "guiding those who lived in the flames into a new and purer light."[note 1] The identity of this founder is unknown, but was said to be "Radiant, glorious, charismatic, many-armed, and had a strange tendency to always speak in ALL CAPS."

Disappearance of the Glorious Founder

After the formation of HELIOLATRY, the Glorious Founder was said to ascend bodily into the Sun, leaving the people below to follow in it's mighty footsteps. Some take this as proof that the Founder was the child of the Sun, brought down to guide it's chosen people to a new, warmer world. Some claim this is proof of the nature of incineration, and that all blaseball players who are struck down by rogue umpire have followed the Founder into the arms of the Sun. Some even go so far to claim that when an umpire goes rogue, it has become possessed by the Glorious Founder, who is selecting new people to become the Saints of HELIOLATRY (but unfortunately, none of them were able to withstand the Glorious Founders light). [note 2]

You will never find anyone who claims that the Glorious Founder merely put on a pretty light show, threw some smoke bombs, and simply ran away while everyone was distracted and has been living[citation needed] in secret among us by wearing a pair of shades and going by a new name, as everyone who dared to claim this has been aggressively and thoroughly silenced.

After the disappearance of the Glorious Founder, HELIOLATRY promptly spit into multiple denominations of worship, commonly referred to as "sects." Each sect has their own unique belief system and styles of worship, and may or may not interact, acknowledge, or respect branches outside of their own. Some sects allow for overlap with others, while some are largely ostracized by anyone outside their group.

The Collapse of Sol

At some point during the observable history of blaseball, the sects of HELIOLATRY were said to reach some level of stability, once most reasonable interpretations and methods of worship and heresy had been thought up. This tenuous peace was shattered toward the end of Season β10, when retrocausality struck Sol, revealed it to be deprived of fuel, and precipitated its collapse into a black hole. Sol's instantaneous transformation into a lightless, all-consuming, invisible presence in the sky was a cause for panic in the Hellmouth. The rise of Sun 2, its smiling countenance, and its ability to confer Wins upon well-performing teams, caused even more panic and confusion. The vast majority of sects, including many of those considered stable by Sectologists, split over furious debate as to whether the black hole or Sun 2 (or to give up on sun worship and worship something else instead, because boy howdy was this just confusing) was the appropriate recipient of veneration.

The Voidlings are a notable example of a sect which arose during this tumultuous time. In many sects, debate still rages to this day.

Sects

There are many different Sects of HELIOLATRY, all of them coming to light after the absence of the Glorious Founder. Some of the most popular sects, having a wide amount of worshipers in the Hellmouth area, are listed below. HELIOLATRY is constantly expanding, however, and has an unusual amount of enthusiasm to the creation of new sects, saying that "As the Sun has so many beams with which to reach out and touch our minds, So will we have many beams to reach out and touch the hearts of believers." Therefore, categorization of all possible branches is considered challenging, if not entirely impossible.

The Lunar Apologists

The Lunar Apologists believe Sol and Luna to be allies, the two conspiring to hide Sol from the Hellmouth and starve it of power. They are considered a highly heretical sect by many other branches of HELIOLATRY.

The Dusk Conspiracy

The Dusk Conspiracy are a sect of peculiar habits, whose primary method of worship is to work only under cover of darkness, supposedly ensuring the rising of the sun the following day through their toil. Any implication or accusation that they are avoiding the sun out of necessity will be subject to litigation.

Notable splinters of the Dusk Conspiracy

  • The Coven of Solar Sight - worshippers who conclude that as all light can trace its source to the Sun, sight and "consumption" of light is a heretical act which drains the reserves of the Sun.

Siblings of Solar Exposure

The fashionable Siblings of Solar Exposure supplicate for the Sun's blessings by coordinating their outfits, to better "direct" the Sun toward particular aspects of the self. They are accidental trendsetters in Hellmouth and beyond.

The Gilded Hand

The Gilded Hand's primary mission is to acquire material goods, exclusively for the purpose of spending said goods for the betterment of Sol's mission. They may either dress in gaudy, expensive clothes to display their wealth, though pauper's garb is considered equally acceptable.

Photosynthetics

The Photosynthetics are less of a sect in the more traditional sense, and more a group of people who like plants a lot and can justify it as photosynthesis being "the ultimate form of sun worship".

Sols Melodious

The cult of Sols Melodious posit that instead of "staring at the sun", the sanctioned action is to "sing at the sun", and "the sun sings back".

The Sect of the Digital Circumbinary

TBC

The Voidlings

The Voidlings were one major splinter of HELIOLATRY formed when Sol collapsed and turned into a black hole. They treat the Black Hole and the Void as the Sun's true successor.

Children of the Bright Light

Additional inquiry into this sect is Forbidden.


Controversy

Despite the general laid-back nature of the inhabitants of the Hellmouth, including among its worshipers of HELIOLATRY, there are many who claim HELIOLATRY is not a religion so much as a cult: a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal. People claiming this often point to the fact that worshipers commonly refer to it as the "HELIOLATRY cult," claim to be members of a cult, wear t-shirts that bear messages such as "ASK ME ABOUT THE CULT I'M IN," and say things such as, "Oh, yes, I absolutely believe in HELIOLATRY, and for the record it's a cult. Just in case you were confused- this is absolutely a cult." Although there is no real evidence that HELIOLATRY is a cult aside from word of mouth and blatant confessions from the members, many take a negative view of HELIOLATRY due to this belief.

When asked to comment on if claims of HELIOLATRY being a cult are truthful, a Solcerer who chose to remain anonymous said, "well, what is a cult, really, when you think about it? I mean, a lot of things seem sort of strange or unusual to people outside of it, but that's because they're outside of it, you know? You have to keep an open mind about things, because that's how the sun gets in. You keep an open mind, and the sun crawls in through your eyes and into your mind. It's here now, it's inside me, there's so much light inside me and it is bright and terrible and holy. Would you like to see? Would you like to see the sun? Would you like to feel the sun the sun the sun the sun THE SUN THE SUN THE-"[note 3]

The investigator then inquired about the patch on the Solcerer's jacket that said "HELIOLATRY is a cult, I lead a cult, AMA," but the interviewee was unable to comment, due to being too busy chanting, howling, and gazing at the Sun. [note 4]

Spelling

There is some disagreement among members of HELIOLATRY over the correct spelling of the religion, with some calling it HELIOLATRY, as in this article, and some calling it HELIOATRY, as seen in a popular HELIOLATRY handout designed to determine which sect you should consider joining. Proponents for the HELIOATRY spelling argue that the alternative "sounds too general, how is everyone going to know we're talking about this Specific religion and not just general Sun worship?" Proponents for the HELIOLATRY spelling argue that their opponents "probably are just really bad at spelling and made a mistake and then didn't want to admit they did it." At that point, most meeting generally descend into chaos, assuming they were not already in chaos to begin with.

References


Notes

  1. ↑ Where did our Glorious Leader go? What did we do to displease them so? Please return, oh shining one. I long to be led by your many arms again.
  2. ↑ A ridiculous claim, of course. They don't have enough arms.
  3. ↑ THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNTHESUNISHERE
  4. ↑ The Sun is Here. Blind your eyes and Follow Me.
Retrieved from "https://www.blaseball.wiki/index.php?title=HELIOLATRY&oldid=104764"