Alara'Shinu
Alara'Shinu is a philosophical and religious practice of the kaldorei that predates the Sundering, but gained more prominence following it. This belief is taught and practiced by both the Sisterhood of Elune and the Cenarion Circle. It is encouraged, but ultimately not a required aspect of Elune worship or reverence of the Wild Gods.
Alara'Shinu means "beauty in imperfection" in Darnassian, and it is a practice that encourages appreciating the blessings that are in front of you. It's practices remind one to be part of the world and the present, and to avoid separating oneself from it.
This practice promotes the values of humility, empathy, temperance, and acceptance of the transience of all things.
History
This practice was first recorded in the more pastoral regions of the ancient Kaldorei Empire taught by Priestesses of Elune. It was likely meant to be opposition to the extravagance and overindulgence of the highborne of this time, as well as protest to the colonial practices of the empire as a whole. A big aspect of it was also teaching temperance of magic use.
Following the Sundering, in the wake of so much destruction and loss this practice became a comfort to many. As a result it has become a common philosophy for the kaldorei people.
Some kaldorei, especially those born after the Sundering, can view this philosophy as an outdated, restrictive practice perpetuated by the older generation traumatized by war. This is exasperated by there being many debates and differing opinions between elders concerning what is and what isn't Alara'Shinu.
Practices
Politics & Territory
Alara'Shinu encourages kaldorei to have a loose idea of territory. Land cannot be owned or belong to anyone, and thus the land the nation of Darnassus occupies is also home to other peoples like the furbolg or harpies. So long as other peoples don't abuse or threaten others on shared territory, the kaldorei will leave them to their own devices. While kaldorei might not understand the culture of another people, they should none the less respect it, and make no attempt to influence it to make it more palatable to them.
The practice prefers non-intervention. Peoples should be left to their own devices and it is seen as a sign of respect to allow them to handle their own problems. If another people should ask for help, the kaldorei are willing to aid as long as they are able, but there tends to be caution to prevent a situation in which the other people become too reliant on the kaldorei. While the intention is to prevent a repeat of colonizing events of the past, in practice this leads the kaldorei to be isolationist and out of touch with the problems of other peoples.
The philosophy also encourages reactive retaliation as opposed to proactive strikes. This has caused some strain over the millenia, as some kaldorei believe a more active approach could have prevented unnecessary loss of life. Bad actors have also lied in reporting about the order of events to make it seem as though a Sentinel intervention was retaliatory. There is also a growing movement that pushes back against sharing territory, siting multiple occasions where the rise of a new leader of another people has lead to a bloody territory grab.
As a note, satyrs and other demons are excluded from this. The act of a demon existing on Azeroth is viewed as aggression and must be stamped out for the sake of the world. At best, satyrs found in kaldorei lands will be chased off.
Overharvesting or interfering with the balance of nature or the Emerald Dream is regarded as violence, and will result in swift retaliation.
Housing
Alara'Shinu discourages viewing a house as a belonging. A home is a temporary place to serve as a dwelling for the community, and to live within is simply taking your turn. Privacy in a home is still something to be respected, but the intent of this philosophy is that privacy should not shut one off from the community and those in need.
That said, one is still encouraged to leave their mark on a house they stay in. The practice of planting Alor'El when a couple gets married in a house is meant to serve as a reminder that this was an abode that love bloomed- long after the couple may have left the house. Children are actually encouraged to leave carvings into the houses they grow up in, but are reminded to leave room for the children that will be raised in the house after them.
Another tradition is, that when one moves households, to take only one type of plant (seed or sprout) from one's old garden and plant them in their new one. This practice is usually done in the expectation that all kaldorei houses come with a garden, which is the case most times.
Food & Harvesting
Alara'Shinu encourages the eating of foods that are both locally grown and seasonally available. The philosophy takes into consideration that while magic or trade provides the means to acquire food outside of it's harvest season, to do so too often can cause one to lose sight of the here and now of the place where you are currently living. It is also a reminder that while food can be enjoyed, it does not exist for your enjoyment.
This part of the practice is less discouraging eating certain things, but rather the encouragement of utilizing what is readily available in front of you. To make a meal of only that which is grown or caught in one's immediate habitat in order to appreciate the bounty that surrounds you and how it can be blended together.
A kaldorei can bring foods of their home with them when traveling far away to avoid homesickness. But if they are only partaking of food that is from their homeland, are they truly traveling? A druid can make their favorite fruit sprout any time they wish, but if they can eat it all the time have they not lost a bit of joy that comes when it's finally in season?
While the philosophy discourages going out of one's way to acquire foreign spices, as an example, it readily encourages to give or receive them as gifts. When such gifts are received it is seen as wise to not save these gifts for a special occasion, but to use them until they're gone. This is a rare, fleeting, experience that is better as a memory rather then something to squirrel away for a day that may someday come.
Repairs
Alara'Shinu encourages that things be repaired and worn out before replacing.
Isildordah, or "repairing with moonlight", where platinum powder is used in the repair of small objects to bring attention and beautify the breaks rather then conceal them.
Kaldorei cleansing clothes are dyed deep colors when first made, but are meant to fade over time with use.
Pasttimes
Alara'Shinu encourages taking time to observe the beauty of the natural world throughout the seasons. To experience the blooming of flowers in spring (Bella'Tharah), the night songs of insects in the summer (Shal'Lin'Tharah), the changing of the leaves in autumn (El'Tharah), and the falling of snow in winter (An'Tharah). This beauty is enhanced when shared with another.
