SKY
The Quatrian Symbols Explained
THE SKY is the first of the sixteen “Experienced” Powers.
After emerging from the depths of the Hypogeum, one would expect the initial Symbol to refer to something terrestrial, or at the very least, telluric. Instead, the next Symbol in the sequence, “The Sky,” brings us from the chthonic to the empyrean. From the Below, we emerge into the Above.
A look at a tale from a Middle Quatrian cosmogony helps illustrate why this might be the case. The tale details the emergence of the Quatrians from the so-called “Third Space” of the “Triangulons,” the preceding civilization, into the “Fourth Space” of Quatria:
Buckwheat Woman sang to Anthuor that The People were restless, that the time had come to find the Next Space. Anthuor bowed, and Matarax (1) descended from Anthuor’s antlers. Matarax stood in the Exit Place, circling down, circling again, creating the ladder, going down into the sky of the Fourth Place, the Sky below the Ground. (2)
The People of Anthuor traveled from the Third Space to the Fourth Space by descending into Matarax’s tunnel, climbing down, and emerging into the Sky. From there, they lived for a time in a land of mythical “cloud sailors” called Magino or Majona, eventually tiring of moving with the wind and moving to the land below.
In many cultures, the earth/soil is considered the source of all life and food. Throughout most of Quatrian history, this was, instead, a feature of the sky. Obviously, the water provided by rain was given as one reason. The Quatrians also possessed a penetrating understanding of photosynthesis, and explained that the Sun (and also the Moon) were deities, worshiped by plants who were fed by the light of the celestial objects.
The stars also played an important role in Quatrian society. Not only used for purposes of navigation, they also held a cultural significance. On their seventh birthday, each Quatrian child would “adopt” a fixed star, chosen by the local elders. This star became an important marker during the course of the Quatrian’s life, as a constant symbol of their connection with all things. Individuals with the same star were said to be “star-bound,” and each family had its own “constellation,” which grew with every new generation.
Quatrian astronomers wrote a great deal on the movement of the planets, but these writings are complex and difficult to explain. Therefore we will refrain from discussing them in this cursory space.
The Symbol in Magical Practice
When traced with a Spell Stick, the SKY sigil could be used to induce transitions or passages. Those who felt “stuck” in an existential fashion could use the SKY symbol to “unstick” themselves. It was used to help ensure a safe journey in cases where the journey would result in a permanent change (moving houses as opposed to visiting someone). Quatrian chefs and kitchen workers also adorned their gear with the SKY sigil due to its association with food.
When divining, THE SKY represents a major transition or change, and also bounty of sustenance.
Notes:
(1) Matarax is an intriguing character in Middle Quatrian mythology. Variously portrayed as a burrow-owl (ref. BARBARO), a shearwater, or a funnel-web spider, or an entity with the ability to change shape into all three, She was present at the creation of all things. Her primary role seems to have been creating transitional states or passages.
(2) Valdez, Bonifacio. “The Descent of The People of Anthuor.” Starlings Sing: Quatrian Myths of Creation and Destruction. Barcelona: GEDISA, 1982. 45. Print.
