What is Terrasolism?

There are two gods; the Sun god, or the father, and the Earth goddess, or the mother. Each deity serves a different role, but both are to be respected and worshiped. After all, we could not exist without either one. Just like religions of old, you may have a favorite and worship a single god more than the other, but you must recognize that they are equal in the pantheon.

The Sun is the father. He is distant, and strong. He provides what is needed. He is seen but only from a distance. His power can just as easily burn as it can warm. He is to be respected and feared.

The Earth is the mother. She provides food to eat, and a place to live. She is more fragile than the Sun father however, and we must also protect her where we can. Do not litter. Do not pollute. Respect her fragile ecosystem and she will reward you with her natural beauty.

The moon is a minor deity in the pantheon. She holds no major power, but may be worshiped. Worshiping the moon is not compulsory, but also not incongruous, as long as she is not venerated above the two primary deities of Terrasolism. Some may find a certain connection to the moon and wish to perform full moon rituals, or other similar acts. This is permitted as long as Sun and Earth worship are primary.

Like Religions of Old

The Sun and Earth have been personified since the days of the Egyptian Ra and the Greek Gaia, and indeed probably even earlier than that. As Terrasolists, we do not personify them as anthropomorphic, rather we see them for what they are. We see, understand, appreciate, and are humbled by their innate power and beauty.

Close to Home

We understand that there are other stars and other planets, some of which are much larger than the Earth and the Sun, as well as some that are far older. Terrasolism, unlike other religions, isn't about worshiping the most powerful thing in the universe, but rather harkens back to the religions of old, where the locals, (in this case being inhabitants of Earth,) worship the god that has a direct impact on their own lives. Terrasolism cares not for the power and might of neighboring stars and planets. We owe our lives and existence to the Earth and the Sun only, and thus, that is what we worship.

All Are Welcome

If you hold another faith, that does not necessarily exclude you from belief in this faith. We simply maintain that dual belief must not be incongruous. Terrasolists believe in the latest scientific understanding of the formation of the planetary systems. This means that spiritual religions that do not conflict this are fine, however Abrahamic religions containing the creation story as told in Genesis would be in conflict. Likewise, the most popular god today, says to worship only him, and worship no others above him. This too would be incompatible. At the end of the day, if you can rationalize belief in both religions at once, then that's your prerogative. We're not here to be exclusionary.

Act with Kindness

If you're one of those people that needs religion to give you your moral grounding, then it would be to treat all your fellow lifeforms on this Earth with compassion and empathy. Without the belief of an Abrahamic creator, there is likewise no belief in an afterlife. This means that this life is all we get. It also means no manifest destiny, so your life is not innately more important than any other. Catch the spider to move it outside instead of smashing it. Buy free range and cage free where possible. Obviously stay away from ikizukuri, foie gras, and boiled crustaceans. Some encouragement is given to cutting back on meat simply due to the massive amount of emissions and resources involved with raising livestock for slaughter. (Vegetarianism is not enforced as mother Earth has provided animals for our nourishment just as she provides the mouse for the snake and the fly for the frog, however if you can sustain yourself without needless loss of life, all the better.) More important is to cut back on needless waste that will fill mother Earth's landfills, and emissions that will pollute her skies. Cut out single use plastics. Walk or bike if you can, and drive electric if possible. Don't litter and remember to recycle, &c.

Connecting with Nature

Although there are no fixed rituals you are encouraged to get creative and make some of your own. Stand in the dirt without any shoes to reconnect to the Earth. Stand in the rain with your arms out. Watch the sunset and sunrise. Go for a hike in the mountains. Swim in the ocean. Light a ritualistic candle using a magnifying glass and the power of the sun. Whatever you feel gives you a direct connection back to nature. You may give offerings to the Earth so long as they are made of natural components and are easily compostable. Bonus points if you leave food as an offering so that your siblings under mother Earth in the form of other lifeforms may benefit and continue the natural cycle of being. Additionally a pilgrimage to see the northern lights, or a national park would be the closest thing to Mecca. Lastly, if you wish to have an altar or worship space, it should contain both natural light and live foliage to the best of your ability.

Wheel of the Year

The question of celebrated holidays always seems to come up when discussing new religious movements. What would any self-respecting new religion be without stealing a few existing holidays? We’ve chosen the holidays present on the ‘Wheel of the Year’, as they all deal directly with the relationship between the Sun and the Earth for when they occur. All the major holidays are recognized, (albeit as their original non-Christianised versions,) plus some extra. (All dates provided are Northern Hemisphere.)

Burial and Funerary Practices

As we don’t believe in a soul or an afterlife, anything that helps the transition of the soul to the afterlife is not practiced. The funeral is typically a joyful affair, remembering and celebrating the life of the deceased, although mourning is accepted in whatever way helps the grieving. The deceased may wish to donate their body or organs to help their fellow man, but the most honorable way for your body to go is to return to the earth. This may be in the form of scattered cremated or aquamated remains, or in the form of a burial, but it should be noted that if one is to be buried, a biodegradable casket should be used. Traditional caskets act as a barrier for decomposition as one with the Earth.

End times prophecy

What would any good cult be without an end times prophecy? It is foretold that the sun will eventually expand in size, and increase in temperature, melting the Earth’s surface, before one day eventually engulfing the Earth when it expands. The Sun is a powerful being, and just as he gives us life every second of every day, eventually that generosity will end. This is not malice on his part so much as a recension of prolonged generosity, in which we have owed nothing in return. Although this doomsday prophecy is still millions to billions of years away, there is another prophecy, that at any moment, the sun may send out a solar storm that will cause global communication networks to crumble. (See: Carrington Event)