The Four Gods of the Elders
These are the common images and symbols of The Four Gods from the stories.
Harvester
Harvester appears in dreams and images as a strong, tall, muscular man. He often appears shirtless, wearing a leather kilt and boots, and with leather straps around his upper arms. His hair has loose curls and has a reddish, chestnut hue. His beard is very curly, often appears to glisten slightly, and is sometimes slightly redder than his hair. He usually appears to be smiling or laughing.
People offer gratitude to Harvester during and after particularly bounteous harvests, and any time when there seems to be an abundance of food, drink, or good fortune. Whenever there is hunger or scarcity, no one blames Harvester. Harvester is recognized as seeking only the well-being of others.
Gardener
Gardener appears in dreams and images as a healthy, tall, voluptuous woman. She often appears in thin, flowing garments of a very light though unmistakably green color; she always appears barefoot. Her blonde hair is long and wavy, it appears particular light weight and doesn’t cover her face; her hair is often adorned with flowers. She usually appears to be smiling and pleased.
People offer gratitude to Gardener during and after days spent preparing the ground for planting, and whenever there is an opportunity to prepare for the future. She is sometimes appealed to when people are planning for a pregnancy. Whenever people find themselves unable to prepare or unable to have prepared, they do not blame Gardener. Gardener is recognized as a long-term planner who sometimes knows better than others how things should be or should have been planned.
Dormancy
Dormancy appears in dreams and images as a bear, sometimes dark brown, sometimes white, sometimes male, sometimes female. Dormancy always appears alone, never with a partner or cubs, and appears in settings free of other living things, often appearing within what seems to be a cavern, sometimes more earthen, sometimes more rocky. Dormancy doesn’t show emotion but also doesn’t appear to be hungry or perturbed. Dormancy always seems to be patiently waiting.
People offer gratitude to Dormancy during the long hibernal and prevernal periods when there is very little activity, when the hours of daylight are short, and when the world is too cold for exploration. Dormancy may be appealed to whenever people recognize the value of rest or leaving things untouched. Dormancy is understood to have a kind of supernatural wisdom born of extreme tolerance and patience.
Void
Void appears as a misty cloud of darkness itself embedded in an unmeasured expanse of utter emptiness. It is unmistakably inhuman and nonliving yet it suggests to whomever it appears as having some capacity for purpose and striving; whatever goals it has and whatever powers it uses to achieve them are known to be utterly alien and incomprehensible.
People offer gratitude to Void whenever something undeniably unknown or unpredictable occurs or whenever someone faces utterly unknown risks or ignorance. People also respect that whatever else Void is or brings, it seems to be that from which other things arrive and into which other things disappear.
Dave Paul 