[Glorantha] Worshiping specific ancestors

In message <a94ec60b0702140914g7b11b166ibc42c7038c9b936@mail.gmail.com> "Simon Hibbs" writes:

>However does this apply to specific ancestors contacted through ancestor
>worship? Is it actualy possible for ancestors who are still part of the
>cycle of birth and death to maintain individuality somehow? What happens if
>they are reincarnated? This possibility seems very problematic, and I don't
>see how it could work.

I don't think it does. I'd work on the basis that the only ancestors you can contact are those who have in some way become immortal. It may well be easier for animists to become immortal spirits than it is for theists and monotheists.

The other possibility is that with cults like Daka Fal allows contact with a specific ancestor in the time between death and rebirth. One consequence of this would be to delay the ancestor being reborn. I suppose this could be how animists become immortal spirits - their descendants call on them so frequently that they get stuck in the spirit world. They are still going to lose most of their individuality as they become known for the magic they provide rqather than their whole personality.

-- 
Donald Oddy
http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/