The biggest and arguably the only holiday on Hush, is the Star Celebration. The Star Celebration is nearly 2 weeks long. The first 4 days consists of a fair and jubilant atmosphere in the outer temple and surrounding area. The time is spent feasting and partying with adults and children alike. The carnival like atmosphere is made for all ages. Food and drinks are provided by the temple for these 4 days and entertainment is free for most activities.
The next 5 days are spent in reflection and quiet. All but the most important city services are shut down and citizens are encouraged to reflect on the year. During the first 2 days of this time parents of young kittens talk to them about the importance of the Ascendancy and the reading of the Codex of Light is common. The middle day of the festival is the most important. During this time nearly the entire city gathers outside the temple and all kittens who have decided on their path and name in life are ushered into the temple by their parents. These kittens are no younger than 6 and no older than 10 For them the next 6 days will be spent in prayer to Adar and learning about the importance of their ancestors from the mudi and the even the mir of the temple; one of the few times in their life they will come into contact with the mir. To be confirmed in their new name, and be known hence as named ones, they must discard all worldly goods they came in with. This practice has come under scrutiny of late, being labeled by many parents as a way to find unbound mir’s, but it is still used. The last 2 days of the quiet days are spent at home.
The last 4 days of the festival are spent again in the outer temple and the surrounding area. This is the most rambunctious time of the celebration. At this time products are sold and all food and drink is offered by vendors and private sellers. The festivities are for adults only and many intoxicating drinks and food are widely available. The very young are, during this time, looked after by named kits who are not yet apprenticed to a clan.
The last day of the celebration is time for packing up and that evening the meaning of the Star Celebration begins. This begins at dusk when one by one the kittens who are now named begin to release lanterns that float up to the sky. On each lantern is written their new name, so that Adar and their ancestors will know who to protect and watch over for the rest of their life. Not all the children who go into the temple come out with a name. These Kittens are asked to leave before the final day. They are invited back next year to again pray and meditate looking for guidance from Adar. After the kits’ lanterns are all lit and have floated a significant distance the temple lights off fireworks. During this time and until dawn adults and kits all let their own homemade lanterns go into the sky and this signifies the end of the celebration.