Jenevére is a popular Aeoliran Goddess, worshipped widely with great enthusiasm by many. She represents one of the lesser elements, the element of Soul, this being perhaps the most obscure, dealing with emotions and morals. She is often depicted with her husband, the God of Healing, Har’wyn. Jenevére is good and kindly, an example to all, she is said to be truly happy with her life, and aims to drive mortals upon the world into a similar state of joy and ecstasy within their lives. To do this, she is said to give a little of herself to every life, not in a material form, but as a silent muse buried deep within every person, helping to decipher right from wrong. If this god-given gift is used wisely, and correct decisions are always made, then the person will surely be happy with life.

Names. Her official title is Goddess of Spirit, however, she is also called the Goddess of Living, Lady of Morals, Goddess of Marriage, and occasionally the Lady Of Happiness.

Picture description. The popular Aeoliran Goddess Jenevère, Goddess of Spirit. Image drawn by Jeshannon.

Appearance. Jenevére is often depicted as a lithe being, devoid of clothing. This symbolises her happiness with her life – she has nothing to hide, and so feels that there is no need for her to be behind clothing. Often there is a garland of flowers intertwined within her hair – more artistic representations draw her hair as if it is simply made from many beautiful blooms. Flowers are reminders to many of happy, joyful times, and being symbolic to Nakashi represents closeness to the Goddess of Light, which Jenevére is said to have. Her ethereal wings reflect the sunlight in which the Goddess of Living loves to bathe.

Within a temple in Shan’Thai is an astounding relief that truly captures not only the imagination, but also many young men’s hearts. Jenevére is drawn naked, sideways on, within a colourful array of flowers and trees. Her face looks up towards the few errant beams of sunlight that filter through the forest canopy, her back arched as she attempts to draw nearer. Her delicate feet rest upon only the air around her, creating the impression that in her simple ecstasy she has risen from the ground, just to be nearer to the sun. Her eyes are closed as she basks, and her hair is depicted as many beautiful blooms intertwined, her arms stretched back towards her shimmering wings.

The Lady of Morals is also often drawn in an embrace with her husband, Har’wyn.

Mythology. Jenevére was easily convinced to rebel against the Void, seeing it as a positive step within her life. She is popular amongst her counterparts, bar Kashmina. During the creation of the world Jenevére looked upon the land, and did not know what to do. She held conference with the rest of the ten, and was advised to create a balance, as the Void had done before them. And so, it was with reluctance that she created the Gargoké (Tharian "Orcs"), but impressed within some loyalty and decency, and did so secretly, so that the others did not feel she had disrupted the balance. Jenevére also felt however, that pure, innocent fun was missing from the land that they had created. So she created the Kleé (Tharian "Brownies"), which embodied all that she stood for, being the Goddess of Soul.

Lore. The Goddess of Spirit is one of the central figures in one of the most popular and well-known myths within the Aeoliran religion, "The Choice Between Heart and Soul".

Jenevére is a champion for the mortals within Asharvéa. Whilst the other Gods care, she feels that they sometimes see them as insignificant, and reminds them not to forget their creations, and shows the good that they do. She is not afraid to vocalise her opinions and stick with them, although she will also listen.

Other lore tells us that Jenevére regularly visits the lands of mortals; many believe that she does so for lengthy periods of time, in order to help shape lives and point them towards a happier path. This care and concern has given her the title Goddess of Living.

Importance. Jenevére is a constant reminder to all that a good life does not necessarily have to be a boring one. Much fun can be had, although the limits must be recognised. This is where the gift that she has given to every person must be utilised – it must be listened to, a happy life is not one where her gift is constantly ignored, and bad things are done, wrong decisions made. If you strive to always do good, then happiness is the natural reward.

Jenevére is also the Goddess of Marriage, and represents the joys that being bonded to one special person can bring, and that it is right to do so.

Symbols. Jenevére has no specific colour that is special to her – she is associated with every single shade and tone, representing the countless emotions and feelings that all life will experience throughout their time. Also sacred to the Goddess of Spirit are Brownies and orcs, being that it was she who created them. Her symbolic animal, created for her by Arkon, is the preena, a small, reptilian animal that possesses the ability to change the colour of its scales at will to show the mood of the Goddess of Spirit.

Celebrations. The day for Jenevére is called the Festival of Celebration, and is arguably the one that is loved and enjoyed the most of all the days. In all honesty, it is an excuse for a large, loud and raucous party. It is unique in that it is celebrated whenever the family or individual wishes to. The day and time is chosen by them, only a few formal and official observances must be upheld.

Firstly, the local temple for Jenevére must be told, and the names of the people attending written down upon an official register, so that the priests know that those individuals have held or attended a festival in honour of the Goddess of Spirit within the year. Each person must either hold or attend at least one such celebration a year. They are so popular however, that many attend more than the required single festival, most are present at as many as they can possibly manage! It is extremely rare that a priest must berate an individual for failure to be present at such an occasion during the year.

Secondly, the Festival must start with the group of people attending at the local temple for the Goddess of Living, so that they may offer a few minutes of formal prayer. Then, they travel to the house of the host of the Festival, accompanied by a priest, who will start the proceedings by blessing the events about to occur. This priest will remain for the duration of the festival – and may join in as much as they desire!

Often there are copious amounts of food, drink (especially those of the intoxicating variety), dancing, singing and fun. However, there is a strict rule – whilst everyone knows Jenevére would want them to have as much fun as possible, this is within reason, there should be no illicit behaviour. It does happen, it should be away from the party and out of sight, so it does not taint the Festival. If the priest present witnesses it, then there can be serious consequences, often humiliation in front of the people there, and much atonement must be performed, including fasts and long prayer sessions, presided over by the priests of Jenevére.

Temple Design. Jenevére is often chosen as a personal protector by a family, as it is she who represents mortality, and many feel close to her in particular. The shrine is lined with cloths of many colours, which have a tendency to be bright, most people do not wish to worship at an area that is dark and depressing! As is common, there is a picture of the Goddess central within the shrine.

Temples for The Goddess of Spirit are colourful affairs as could be expected, often easily sighted amongst the dwellings of the people. They are painted once a year, often by the children of the local schools, who literally slap on the colours how they please, to create an interesting exterior. The shape is entirely random, built however as the stonemason wished. It may be high and mighty, or wide and low. Its roof could be pointed, or perhaps flat, possibly circular. There may be one door, or ten, or twenty. Every temple to the Lady of Morals is unique.

Inside the painting is somewhat more organised. They often show Jenevére displaying various emotions, whether they are joy, anger, love or sadness. Often you will see her symbolic animal, the preena, within these pictures also, although obscured within the picture – children who visit the temple enjoy searching the pictures in order to find where the artist hid the small lizard-like creature. Also, she will be depicted with her husband Har’wyn, in a tight embrace. Often central within her temple you will find a statue of her, at the foot of which offerings can be laid. Priests often wander the temple, conversing with people, and carrying out official duties, such as taking the names of those people wishing to hold a Festival of Celebration.

The priesthood of Jenevére is happy and relaxed, meaning that many people wish to join it every year. Consequently, some regulations have had to be put into place concerning the appointment of such individuals, and as much as the holy men themselves hate them, if they were not there, then they would be inundated with so many that there would be more priests than worshippers! So, there is a rigorous process to undergo, so that those who truly desire to be devoted to Jenevére can be weeded out from those who simply wish to have an easy life.

Firstly, the person wishing to join must make it clear to a priest that he or she wishes to become part of the priesthood. They are told to go for a year and ponder their decision, to truly see if they do wish to join. If after a year they return, then they will visit the Mother Priestess or Father Priest, who will rigorously interrogate the person, to ensure that they are not attempting to enter under false or unwise reasons. Should they pass this test, then they will be allowed to join as a novice for six months, and will be watched closely in all they do. At the end of this time the final decision on their suitability will be made.

The priests wear (as can probably be accurately guessed) robes of any colour they wish; often their attire will be many bright shades and tones weaved together in fantastic patterns. Their duties are various – their aim is to enrich people’s lives, to make sure it is happy and that they make good decisions always, or learn from bad ones. This is achieved by visiting people, finding out how satisfied they are with their life, offering guidance and ways to improve their time upon the world. They also preside over the Festival of Celebration. Often they will hold days within the temple that people can attend which deal with various issues affecting life, and how they can be overcome. Also, on rare occasions, marriage ceremonies will be performed within the temple, if perhaps the couple feels a special connection to Jenevére and convince the Mother Priestess or Father Priest of such a bond, or that the nearest temple to Har’wyn is some distance away.

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