Each year, Canthans flock to Shing Jea Monastery to prepare and partake in a great feast to honor the celestial animal that will watch over them during the coming year. This year’s animal, the Celestial Rat, will descend from the heavens to enjoy Cantha’s culinary delights. If satisfied with the meal, the Celestial Rat will bestow good luck upon the populace for the coming year.

The Canthan New Year’s Festival event begins at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT) on Friday, February 8, 2008 and will run all weekend, ending at Noon Pacific (-8 GMT) on Monday, February 11, 2008. On Sunday, February 10, the Celestial Rat will drop from the sky into Shing Jea Monastery every three hours to sample Canthan delicacies. The feast culminates in dancing, fireworks, and the showering of the populace with gifts…but only if the celestial enjoys its meal.