CLAN CEREMONIES!

[SARCASM]

APPRENTICE CEREMONY!

When a kit turns six moons old, he or she is ready to become an apprentice. Until this time, their name ends with the '-kit' suffix. When a kit becomes an apprentice, their name ends with '-paw', showing the path their paws are on.

"(Kit), you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with 'paw'). I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior.

(Warrior), you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from (former mentor), and you have shown yourself to be (trait) and (trait). You will be the mentor of (apprentice), and I expect you to pass on all you know to (apprentice)."

The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice by calling out his/her name. After this, the apprentice will usually go greet their family, or go see to their mentor.

MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE CEREMONY!

The Leader calls a Clan Meeting, after the Clan's medicine cat announces that he or she wishes to mentor an apprentice.

"Medicine Cat: Cats of (Clan), as you know, I will not be around forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown (virtues). Your next medicine cat will be (apprentice).
Leader: (Apprentice), do you accept the post of apprentice to (medicine cat)?
Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then at the half-moon, you must travel to the Moonstone to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats.
Leader: The good wishes of all (Clan) will go with you."

The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice. At the next half moon, the medicine cat goes with the apprentice to the Clans' sacred place to present him or her to the warrior ancestors, where the apprentice confirms his or her wish to be a medicine cat.

"Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?
Apprentice: It is.
Medicine Cat: Then come forward.
Medicine Cat: Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. (He/she) has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant (him/her) your wisdom and insight so that (he/she) may understand your ways and heal (his/her) Clan in accordance with your will."

The medicine cat apprentice touches his/her nose to the Moonstone. Then the medicine cat and the apprentice lay down and have a dream from StarClan.

WARRIOR CEREMONY!

An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once the mentor is satisfied with the apprentice's progress and skills, he or she recommends them to the leader of the Clan. Then, the apprentice must pass an assessment, when their abilities as a warrior are checked. In cases when the apprentice has just made an important contribution to the Clan, the leader may decide that there is no need for an assessment (i.e. Firepaw after saving the kits, Brackenpaw after fighting courageously in a battle, or Thistlepaw after fighting a fox). If the Clan Leader is satisfied, he or she calls a Clan Meeting and calls the apprentice.

"Leader: I, (Leader), leader of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/she) has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend (him/her) to you as a warrior in (his/her) turn.
Leader: (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?
Apprentice: I do.
Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan)."

The leader rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the leader's shoulder. The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling him or her by their new name. The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night, except if that is not possible (such as Squirrelflight's ceremony, when the Clan did not have a camp, and the task of exploring the lake was assigned).

DYING APPRENTICE CEREMONY!

When an apprentice is on the verge of death and has proven him/herself to be worthy of a warrior name, there is a special ceremony used so that the apprentice may take a warrior name to StarClan.

"I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/She) has learned the warrior code and given up (his/her) life in the service of (his/her) Clan. Let StarClan receive (him/her) as a warrior. (He/She) will be known as (new name)."

DEPUTY CEREMONY!

A Deputy Ceremony is when a Clan Leader names the Clan's new deputy. This happens when the previous deputy dies, retires, is exiled, or is promoted to leader. According to the Warrior Code, a new deputy must be appointed before moonhigh that day.

"I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors (or former deputy name) may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of (Clan) is (warrior's name)."

MEDICINE CAT CEREMONY!

A medicine cat ceremony is a ceremony in which a medicine cat apprentice finally gets their well earned medicine cat name, because their mentor approves of their work. Apprenticeship for medicine cats usually lasts much longer than those for warriors. The cat must learn about all available herbs and remedies, and the treatment of diseases and injuries. Once the Clan's medicine cat is satisfied with the apprentice's knowledge, they go to the Moonstone at the half-moon and preform the ceremony.

"Medicine Cat: I, (name), medicine cat of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/she) has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help (he/she) will serve (his/her) Clan for many moons.
Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?
Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of (Clan)."

The medicine cat rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the mentor's shoulder. The other medicine cats greet him or her by their new name.

ELDER CEREMONY!

An aging warrior, queen, or medicine cat may retire as an elder due to own initiative, when they feel they cannot help the Clan efficiently any more (such as Mousefur or Speckletail). They report this to the Clan Leader, who calls a Clan Meeting and addresses the warrior.

"Leader: (Warrior), is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?
Warrior: It is.
Leader: Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest."

The Clan will call out the retired warrior's name and then he or she will go to the elder's den.

Usually, an elder ceremony is held only when a cat retires due to old age. If they are forced to retire because of a severe injury (such as Longtail or Stonepelt), there is no ceremony.

NAME CHANGING CEREMONY!

A name changing ceremony is a ceremony that takes place when a Clan Leader decides to give a Clan cat a new name. This is usually done when the cat's old name does not suit him/her anymore, generally because of an injury. For example, when Sparrowpelt lost half of his tail, he was re-named Halftail.

"Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he/she is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on he/she will be known as (new name), for (description of the reason)."