Chaldrism
Chaldrism arose in the early second century (ca. 120 AI) after Salmakhamer in Shelekhumbia from the teachings of the prophet and prophetess, Shadrune and Ziphnessa, and their son, Galadino. It was perhaps a reaction to the worship of the old gods and introduced a richer theology that explained the spiritual dynamics of the universe and enabled humans to progress into divine freedom through certain rites and initiations. The name Chaldrism originates from 'Chaldra', the Great Tree of Destiny that spans the expanse between the Infinite Sun and the Dark Goddess of Chaos. Many aspects of Chaldrist theology are represented as minor divinities or angelic beings. Chaldrism gained many adherents through subsequent centuries until the advent of the Yophenthean Empire when it became suspect. The religion waned during the Yophenthean Empire, but retained some faithful until the Middle Ages of Chaos when it became nearly extinct as a religion. It was not a monolatrous religion, but preached a clear and specific theology of salvation. Some scholars believe that Chaldrism influenced the later belief known as High Mandonism.
In the early second century, the Prophet Shadrune and his wife, Ziphnessa, subsequently known together by their followers as the 'Prophet and the Prophetess,' preached a religion with a cosmic and salvific theology. Humans had to understand the nature of the cosmos and practice certain initiation rites in order to be released from the bondage of mortality and the cycle of reincarnation. The teachings of the Prophet and the Prophetess were collected by their son, Galadino, into a book along with his own teachings, known as the Book of the Prophets of the Sun.
Chaldrist Cosmology
The cosmos is divided into three primary cosmic entities: the Aeonian Sun which is only partially represented by the real world sun, the Dark Goddess of Chaos, and the Great Tree of Destiny known as 'Chaldra.'
Chaldrist Creation Myth
There are eight days of creation. Aeonian Sun transformed the formless void into the fundamentals of creation. First the Aeonian Sun created the four corners of the World Soul. He did this as the 'Lord of Creation.' After he established this, he delegated the power but not full authority to the Archangel Chronothronos. According to the Chaldrist account of creation:
"On the second day, the God buried the four corners of his heart in the world Soul."
Chaldrist Pantheon
Although Chaldrism does not emphasize many divinities, there are several deities or divine entities that represent cosmic forces that hinder and help the salvation of humans and humanlikes.
- Aeonian Sun
- Archangel Chronothronos
- Chaldra, the Great Tree of Destiny
- Kaina, the Demiurge
- Tahshi, the Judgess of the Dead
- [[]], Dark Goddess of Chaos
- [[]], the Great Cauldron of Transformation
The symbol of Chaldrism was a many-branching deciduous tree crowned by a beaming sun with its roots reaching downward into a black mass of disorder or chaos. This tripartite symbol is called a chaldri.
Practices
Chaldrism required a priesthood of men and woman who would serve to initiate others into the religion. The iniatiate who stayed true to the teachings was assured of salvation and release from the cycle of incarnation.
Spread and Decline
Chaldrism arose in the second century in Shelekhumbia. The religion spread throughout Shelekhumbia into the following centuries. The advent of the Yophenthean Conquest of Shelekhumbia brought the religion into suspicion as a competitor to Arathracianism, but the practices were not generally outlawed officially. During the Late Yophenthean Empire, the religion went into decline. By the end of the Middle Ages of Chaos, there were very few practitioners of Chaldrism. Today the religion is practiced by only a handful of persons who live in the deserts of Shelekhumbia or in crowded cities where they keep their beliefs private.
See Also
- Galadino (Chaldrist Prophet)
- Religions
- Shadrune (Chaldrist Prophet)
- Shelekhumbia
- Ziphnessa (Chaldrist Prophetess)
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