Firstly, the time of the Ascension Ceremony is decided by the Matron Mother of each Temple and Sehanine Moonbow. The Matron Mother's are closest to their goddess {And in Celekera's instance, Ceskial is the Lady of Dream's avatar and Sehanine's right ear.} The Ascension Ceremony is a very important ceremony to the Ithaman because once the night's over, they are no longer novices.
The reason for the Ascension Ceremony is to place each Ithaman in a certain category of the 'Heavenly' (As full priests/priestess are called. Ithaman's are elvish for Mooncalled): Specialty priests/priestess/clerics, Stargazer, Moondancer, Sky Seer, Vision Seeker, Omen Teller, Dream Walker, Transcendentalist, Reverent Dreamer, Starsingers, Mystics, Knights of the Sacred Mysteries {One up to seventh}, Warrior of the Moon, Sentinels, Veiled Choir.
On the Ascension Ceremony, they forgo Lunar Hallowings.
And for those who are not familiar with Sehanine Moonbow, these ceremonies are performed during the fullness of the moon when the Lady of Dreams is at her strongest. This is why only She and her matrons [in Celekera's instance, their matron is Sehanine's avatar] chose the time of the Ascension.
The night before:
Chosen Ithaman's are required to remain in their cubicle to reflect, pray and purify themselves for the Ceremony. What they do during this time is completely up to the individual. The only others they are allowed to associate with are their cubicle-mates (those they share cubicles with) and those higher rank than novices. (Generally, these are the clerics/priests/priestesses whom taught the Ithaman, the handmaiden or the Matron herself) Basically they are restricted to only their cubicles.
During this time, a priest or priestess will deliver the Chosen Ithaman's blue-white [that icy shade] Ascension robes and simple sandals with silver ribbon. All Ithaman must wear their hair loose and free of adornments. The priest/priestess whom delivered the robes will be the ones who fetch the Chosen for the ceremony, we'll call them 'Guides' for now.
Temple
Celekera's Main Temple.
Circular in shape, this building is larger than the six surrounding towers (which are also circular). This building is used mainly for ceremonies of all kinds. The top is a retractable dome which would be lowered to allow Sehanine's glittering glowing moonlight within. A maze-like hedgerow will surround this building.
Inside
The flooring is a purplish-blue to represents the night sky. In the middle of the room is a raised circular dais - silver, the same shade as the walls and pillars- with built in stairs all around. On the dais’s floorings is Sehanine's symbol of a moon and moonbow or opaque milky crescent- much like the shape of the entire temple of Celekera. The Phases of the Moon {repeated once}, done in silver-white, circle the dais.
The dais can fit about three, maybe four people tops, but only the matron, handmaiden, and those chosen Ithaman's who were called by name are allowed on the dais. One Ithaman at a time. The moonlight is strongest here because she must bless each novice into their rank.
At each corner of the wall - north, south, east, and west - is a life-like pillar of Sehanine.
North pillar. The shape: An elven female who is simultaneously youthful and ageless, wearing a diaphanous flowing gown formed of semi-solid gossamer moonbeams.
South pillar. The shape: A elven female with four heads which represents the transformation of Angharradh. One of the heads is higher than the three (which are side by side). The face, which is Angharradh, is unearthly beautiful and graceful.
Beneath Angharradh's face, the middle face is similar to the north pillar's. The left side is of Aerdrie Faenya- tall, slim elflike woman with feathered hair [or what it shows] and eyebrows.. and hints of feathers. The lower half from your hips down is a swirling mist. The right side is Hanali Celani- lovely elf maiden clad in a short dress. Barefoot with anklets and toe rings.
West pillar. The Shape: Sehanine kneeling down before Corellion and in her dainty hands was a shining sword, Sahandrian, Corellon's sword, offered up to his person. Thousand tiny stars swirl around Sahandrian. This pillar shows Sehanine's returning Corellon's restored blade during his fight with Gruumish.
East pillar. The Shape: Fourth pillar idea- Birth of the elves. It is said the tears of Sehanine mingling with the blood of Corellon, elves sprung forth. In the shape of Sehanine, gentle tears running down her lovely serene face. Her hand, in which she wiped her tears off her face and has a tiny droplet of her tears, outstretched towards the wounded Corellon's bleeding face. Where tears and blood meet there is a glow.
Beneath it would state in elvish:
Children of the moon and the sun
Behold, my lord, the souls of the elves yet unborn.
Hini tel'ithil ar'i'anor
heru en, i' [nothing for soul] tel'edhel am
A lone carpet of navy blue with woven silvery stars laid from main door to dais. This is what the Ithaman stand on when approaching the dais to retrieve their special weapons, robes/uniforms, and sacred medallions of their faith.
Audience:
All those priests/priestess, etc living inside the hallowed halls of Celekera are permitted to observe the ceremony save the lower novices. Also any visiting 'Heavenly' are allowed to attend.
Villagers are not permitted to witness this sacred ceremony.
The Heavenlies stand along the walls and are required to wear their best uniforms/robes for the ceremonies. Knights and Warriors of the Moon are required to use their full dressed uniforms, their helms held in the crook of their arms. Clerics, priests, and priestesses are required to wear their silver robes and head ornaments.
The priest/priestess in charge of teaching weapon-craft (and choosing what weapon each novice Ithaman receives at such a ceremony. After long observation, they choose the weapon the novice is strongest in wielding. Each new weapon is made from laoien with the proper moonstones) is entrusted with the weapons for each new member of the Knights or Warriors.
Another priest or priestess is in charge of robes and uniform for each chosen Ithaman.
Another priest or priestess is in charge of handling the medallions with Sehanine's symbol for each Chosen Ithaman.
Ceremony:
* The Guide assembles the Chosen Ithaman before the opening in the hedgerow maze. He/she leads the group through the maze and stops them at the entrance to the main temple. There a person will await and group the Chosen into categories that they would enter. This person directs which group to enter and when, escorting them inside.
{Since I'm focusing more on the Warrior of the Moon rank, I will go into this detail more than the rest}
* The Matron Mother, Ceskial, would be standing in the middle of the circular dais. Silver moonlight bathing her entire person.
Those inside join together to call forth The Lady of Dreams until each could feel her mysterious presence inside the temple save for the consistent beam of moonlight. The light seems to pulse with Sehanine's presence. Then all is silent.
The director escorts those chosen for Warriors of the Moon into the room, following the carpet towards the dais.
{Each group are ignorant of their future ranking until the first name is called and the robes/uniforms are given.
This keeps the other groupings still outside from knowing what ranks have been already handed down.}
When they walk inside the temple, their heads must be bowed and are not permitted to raise their face until the Matron calls their name. Never before then. They stand before the steps, waiting for the Matron's acknowledgement.
The Matron Mother Ceskial studies each Ithaman's face.
Ceskial:
Welcome all to this blessed event.
Our Lady, The Daughter of the Night Skies has called
forth her Children to witness those chosen
to join her lustrous family.
{* Ceskial gestures to those standing before her.}
Ceskial:
Before you stand the future warriors
of Our Lunar Lady.
New Brothers and Sisters, who will
defend Sehanine Moonbow's honor
to the fullest of their ability.
{* Ceskial raises her arms to include the rest of the Heavenly and those Ithaman before her.}
Ceskial:
Let us sing to Our Lady's praise
while we accept these two in her honorary folds
{* Everyone in the temple direct their face to the moonlight and chant a hymn to their goddess.
When the hymns are finished, Ceskial's attention is then focused on the Chosen Ithaman standing before the dais.}
Ceskial:
[Insert Ithaman's Name. Generally their full name]
Chosen Ithaman:
{* The Ithaman called raises his/her face to Ceskial.}
Ceskial:
Please rise to join me
{* She motions to her side. }
And bath in Our Lady's Holy Light
So she could embrace you
Heart, Soul, and Being
As one of her own.
* The Chosen rises up the steps and stands before Ceskial and inside the beam of moonlight. By standing in this light, they could feel the evasive presence of their patron goddess. They feel her acceptance, her love, her devotion and pleasure.
Ceskial:
Bow before me,
Bow before your Goddess
And Bow before your fellow
Brothers and Sisters.
Chosen Ithaman:
{ The Chosen kneels before Ceskial and cowls their head in the Light of their Mistress. Their eyes demurely cast to the symbol of Sehanine's on the dais's floor.}
Ceskial:
{* Ceskial places the palm of her hand on top the Chosen's head.}
Do you solemnly swear to serve
Your mistress, Sehanine Moonbow.
To do her biddings,
To do her workings
To protect her good name and faith
With your very own existence?
Chosen Ithaman:
Yes, Matron Mother Ceskial.
I, [insert name], pledge my life and soul
to the Lady of Dreams, firmly known as
Sehanine Moonbow.
One of the Three who creates Angharradh
The Truine Goddess
{* Their words are barely above a whisper}
Ceskial:
Rise, [insert rank here]
{* She motions up with her hands.}
Chosen Ithaman:
{*The Ithaman, now of certain rank, rises to his/her feet.}
Ceskial:
{* She motions to her Handmaiden.}
Handmaiden:
{*Nods in reverence to her Matron, descends the steps where the priest/priestess in charge of uniforms makes a great show of giving over the appointed garb. The Handmaiden then goes to the next whom has the weapons. Last the medallion are added to the pile. She turns towards the dais and climbs, offering what is in her hand over.}
Ceskial:
{*Lifts first the medallion. She blesses it with a little prayer before slipping the necklace over the Ithaman's head.}
Take this symbol of our Mother to carry with you
{*Next she takes the uniform, handing the garb over to the Ithaman who accepts them. The last to be given is the special weapon.}
When you accept this weapon
you accept your sacred duty to Sehanine Moonbow.
Walk with strength in the Lunar Lady's Light
{* She speaks softly with the Ithaman, departing where to report to receive his/her duty}
Now stand aside, so your sister/brother can
have her glory.
Chosen Ithaman:
{*After speaking with the Matron, he/her takes their uniform and weapon and descend the stairs, moving off to the side to join other fellows of their rank. They stay here while the rest of those in their group are received in the similar manner as they.}
*{Once all within the group have been ascended to their rank, all's attention are focused back to the matron or more importantly the moonlight slowly receding.}
Ceskial:
May our Lady visit each and every one
of you in your dreams this night.
Her wisdom and glory shall shine on us all.
{* She motions for them to say a final prayer before departing.}
Ceskial
"May the blessings of the Moonlight be on all of you
Light within..
Light without..."