The Sharalit celebration is a 9-day festival that focuses on the harmony and unity of the Spectrums. It was created by Red Ambroshia in an effort to promote more cross-spectrum bonding and friendship.

History and etemology

This holiday was borne through the loss of Unity after the destruction of the Great Orchestra. The realization of the destruction that the Spectrums caused through their growing discord was felt throughout Astria when Unity faded from existence. Because the Acromatic Mass was able to continue to grow and cause a second mass destruction in The Shattering, more astrians realized that this was not going to be an easy fight. Red, seeing a need to promote more harmony between the spectrums, created the Sharalit Celebration. It is celebrated at the end of the year in the hopes of ushering in enough harmony to see Unity appear again in the new year.

Sharalit means “Harmony” in Astria and is meant to celebrate what makes each Spectrum special, with the goal of highlighting how all the Spectrums are needed to properly care for the galaxy. The symbol of the Celebration can be found in the Harmony Candle that is lit each day of the celebration. The Harmony Candle is a large circular candle that looks like a pie with 8 slices. Each slice is a color of one of the Spectrums and bares a wick.

Observance

The Celebration lasts for 9 days and is normally celebrated in the Cradle of Life where the Great Orchestra was destroyed. Each day a different Spectrum is honored and their Ila leads some type of entertainment highlighting the best their spectrum has to offer. This is symbolically a demonstration of what the spectrum brings to Astria and how it helps in the protection of the Galaxy.

Entertainment will include a choice from any of the following for each Spectrum:

• Red – Pyro Dancing, Intricate Art displays, spoken-word performances, fashion shows (pinks)
• Orange – Carefully prepared delicacies with Hibachi style entertainment, displays of the best produce from the Harvests.
• Yellow – Light Shows, Electric Fireworks (Electric storms with timed music), Choir performances
• Green – Tree Dancing (where dancers move from tree stump to tree stump while also moving the stumps up and down to create intricate movements to drum beats), Competitive Sports displays
• Blue – Air shows (What you would imagine an air show would look like if you replaced the planes with winged astrians) and Swimming Routines (more dance than synchronized swimming)
• Purple – Theater Skits/Productions, Parades with elaborate floats.
• Silver – Ice Skating, Snow and Ice sculptures (whites), Weapon Smithing, Metal smithing (greys), martial arts and Sentinel displays (blacks)
• Gold – Fancy pastries and, massive Chocolate sculptures (browns), intricate costuming with gaudy accents (golds).

At the end of the performance, the honored Spectrum’s Ila will light all the wicks of the Harmony Candle, as an acknowledgement of the need and love for the other spectrums. Afterwards, any celebratory gifts or showing of friendship from the other spectrums to the honored one is presented though this is optional and never required.

On the 9^th day, the Harmony Candle is presented, rather than lit. By now the wax from all the colors has mixed with each other forming a swirling pattern, symbolizing all the spectrums having come together in unity. At this, homage to Unity herself is given, as select astrians tell of her story, ending with a prayer to The Exalted One that she will appear again. After that, astrians spend the rest of the day with thier families and loved ones, exchanging gifts and just enjoying the company of others.