Nine-Stage Pilgrimage
Overview
The Nine-Stage Pilgrimage is an initiatory journey that aspirants must undertake to officially join the Muna faction. The pilgrimage takes place on the island of Kirighai, passing through the nine stages of the circuit over several months.
Prerequisites
It is difficult to know why some individuals awaken to The Skein while others do not. Sometimes it requires long learning, and sometimes this connection is natural and instinctive. When a person feels this bond, they are faced with a choice: to strengthen it through practice or let it wither away.
For those who feel the need to delve deeper, the doors of the Muna faction are wide open. However, joining the Muna is not done in a day—the pilgrimage is required.
The Journey
The aspirant must undertake a long pilgrimage passing through the nine stages of the circuit. It is an initiatory journey that takes several months to complete. At each stage, the pilgrim can stop at one of The Refuges and benefit from the insight of a sage who has established their residence there.
The Nine Stages
Each stage corresponds to one of the nine elemental Refuges:
- Fire Refuge
- Water Refuge
- Earth Refuge
- Air Refuge
- Bark Refuge
- Musk Refuge
- Mana Refuge
- Quintessence Refuge
- Aether Refuge
The circuit takes days to complete, traveling through the wilderness of the Katkera forest.
Culmination at the Spindle
The journey ends at The Spindle, the seat of Bark Refuge. It is under the canopy of this world tree that the ceremony will take place to officially integrate the aspirant into the faction.
Final Trial
For the final ceremony, the aspirant must:
- Climb to the top of The Spindle to collect vines or stems
- Descend to gather roots
- Weave the Namkha Knot themselves using their collection
The climb serves as a final lesson. While ascending, initiates witness countless species living in concord within the world tree, embodying the core Muna principle of harmony.
Significance
Once the Namkha Knot is woven, it becomes the sign of the bearer’s belonging to the Muna. With this symbol, they have officially become a sentinel of The Skein and are recognized as family among all Muna.
The pilgrimage teaches aspirants to:
- Connect deeply with The Skein
- Understand the balance between all living things
- Observe and respect natural ecosystems
- Develop patience and harmony with their environment