Sisterhood of Elune

General

Leader: Maiev Shadowsong
Formerly: Tyrande Whisperwind
Race(s): Kaldorei
Capital: Mount Hyjal
Languages
Affiliation: Neutral
Status: Active

The Sisterhood of Elune is a kaldorei organization that existed long before the sundering. Following the War of the Ancients, it was restructured to serve as the main governing body of the night elves, and only barely resembles what it was during the kaldorei imperial age. Priestesses of the Moon also see to the rites and ritual pertaining to the goddess Elune. They work closely with the Sentinels, some priestesses holding rank in both organizations. They also work closely with the Cenarion Circle, especially the Circle of the Moon. Melun is the Darnassian term for Priestess of the Moon, while melil is a term for any sort of priest.

History

Membership

A woman is not permitted to join the Sisterhood of Elune until they complete their mandatory 100 years of service in the Sentinels. Robes of the Sisterhood of the Moon made of moonsilk and are decorated in platinum jewelry. Platinum is considered Elune's metal due to its scarcity and its resilience, and is reserved for priestesses and holy jewelry. The longer a woman is a priestess, the more jewelry she is ordained with.

Ranks

Maiden - (Minna) Blue robes, decorated with dark blue sashes, to emulate the Blue Child. Maidens cannot be initiated until the woman in question completes her mandatory 100 years in the Sentinels. Daughters of priestesses, or people who want to help preform rites in general can also serve as maidens, and they wear the blue robes without the signifying platinum jewelry or sashes. They are refereed to by the term Shrine Maiden (Minna'adora), as they are most often found assisting at holy sites. Often Maidens need to train for 100 additional years before becoming full priestesses.
Sister - (Fa'Melun or Falore) After their training is complete, they receive their white moonsilk robes and can choose the color of their sashes- so long as it's a dark color. The longer the women serves as a priestess the more platinum jewelry she accumulates. Sashes lighten as the priestess's rank goes up, indicating the glowing brightness of the moon. Rank is less about power and more to indicate chain of command.
Mother - (Da'Melun or Minn'do) A leadership position. Overseers of a shine, temple, or village reach this rank, and their sashes are pastel.
Elder - (Eldre'Melun or Minn'eldre) Their robes and sashes are completely white. These Priestesses oversee entire regions, much like a Sentinel Commander. The High Priestess (Shan'Melun) is the highest ranked Elder.
Cleric- Not a rank, but a type of Priestess that is also a member of the Sentinels. (Though time spent in the Sentinels is a requirement of joining the sisterhood, there is not a need to remain in them once finished with their required service.). Their sash and armor clearly display their rank, and veteran priestesses wear armor coated in platinum.

Known Members

Amara Nightwalker	Priestess of the Moon and Huntress	Alive
Belysra Starbreeze	Priestess of the Moon, Creator of the Scythe of Elune	Alive
Delas Moonfang	Priestess of the Moon and Leader of the Moonblades	Alive
Maiev Shadowsong	High Priestess of Elune, former Leader of the Wardens	Alive
Morra Starbreeze	Sentinel and former scout to the Eastern Kingdoms	Alive
Tyrande Whisperwind	Priestess of the Moon. Former leader of the Kaldorei people, High Priestess of Elune, and of the Sentinels	Alive

Former Members

Rituals

Worship by night elves is mainly done through a bi-monthly cleansing at a moonwell, where prayers are also offered. One at the full moon, and one on the new moon. Purification is seen as an incredibly important rite, and keeps the Night Elf safe and healthy. Typically a night elf will travel to the nearest moonwell for these rites, and the moonwell’s priestess will perform them (though occasionally a druid of the moon or a dryad can do this). If the person is unable to travel, they can then request a priestess to travel to their residence for the night of the purification to perform the rites instead.

Elune is seen as forgiving as for the timing of such rituals, seeing as things can happen that would cause a delay in travel, such as inclement weather. So the rites can happen a few days before or after the main ritual day.

Night elves can also pick up talismans blessed at a moonwell by a priestess. These talismans have a prayer on them, as well as a symbol of Elune or one of the many Wild Gods. When they need to be disposed of, talisman can be returned to a moonwell for a priestess to take care of.

First Rites

On the first full moon of spring, all elves born in the past year (born over the autumn, summer, spring and the winter of the year before last) have their first “true” cleansing at a moonwell.
The parents take the child to a moonwell, where a priestess immerses them fully in moonwell water. (Before this point they are washed outside of the well, or just not brought to the well at all to allow both the mother and the newborn child time to recover the birth)
This is a major celebration in towns, and townsfolk bring gifts to give to the families.

Marriage Ceremony

Nearly all marriages take place in Eranah'Astras, or at least during the Spring- with rare exception (typically when a war suddenly starts, or if it uncertain if one of the partners involved will survive to the next Spring) The ceremony involves those getting married and a Priestess of the Moon to both facilitate and act as witness. Though parties are often held before and after the ceremony by loved ones, it is viewed that the ceremony itself is purely for the couple getting married. The Priestess of the Moon when fulfilling this role is seen to act as the eyes of Elune. (This ceremony can also take place between multiple partners getting married to each other- but typically only when everyone is getting married to each other)

The couple wears simple clothes, covered in long robes (Ones often borrowed specifically for this ceremony), and each carries a chalice. These cups were either made by themselves, or they had helped in creating them in some way.
As the ritual begins, the Priestess of the Moon recites a prayer, that from now to the end of the ceremony, she will act as Elune’s stand-in as the couple are bonded together.
The Priestess of the Moon guides the partners to a Moonwell, a ritual platinum chalice in one hand, and an alighted staff in the other.
- This is usually a smaller one located a bit into the woods, thus allowing more privacy for the ritual.
Arriving at the moonwell, the robes are removed and the Priestess brings the couple into the waters.
Once in the Moonwell, the priestess fills her platinum chalice with water. As she says prayers, she fills the couple’s own cups with the water. This will occur repeatedly through the ceremony.
The Priestess then begins the usual cleansing ritual, though guides the couple to cleanse each other. As this occurs, she asks the couple to state why they are here and why they have chosen to be bonded.
As the cleansing is complete, the Priestess fills their cup one final time.
The couple drinks from their own cup, then holds up the cup to the other to have their partner drink from it.
Once the cups are empty the couple kiss, and the marriage is sealed.

This ritual was adapted from the more ostentatious Imperial Age ceremony. These occurred in Temples of Elune, and were performed with Holy Water. They were also used by the Highborne as ways to display their status and wealth, and were massive public spectacles- thus when the ceremony was adapted after the war the ceremony was made more private, with more focus put on those getting married.

Coming of Age Pilgrimage

On the first night of summer, all the elves that have reached the age of 100 over the past year arrive at Mt Hyjal for a coming of age ceremony.
At twilight, young elves are bathed in the waters of the Temple of the Moon by the High Priestess, who personally welcomes into adulthood. This is followed by a celebration of revelry that lasts the whole night.
For Women - This is also the time where young women are formally inducted into the sentinels for their 100 years of mandatory service. Night elven women that have decided on their face tattoos by this point can go through the ritual to obtain them this night, but this is by no means expected. (There is a requirement that if a young woman is to get them, she must be sober for this ceremony.)
For Men - Craftsmen looking for apprentices go to this ceremony, and students looking to take on a teach bring examples of their work to prove their abilities. Those that choose to join a druid circle also begin more intensive druidic training at this time. While this is generally more for men, women are also allowed to join a circle if they show druidic promise.