Regardless of their breed, all werewolves feel an inexorable pull toward Luna, sister of Gaia. Whether she shines on them with her full face or hides from view, they take comfort from her company and guidance. Luna is the one who shows a werewolf what his path and role will be in Garou society, and this path is called an auspice.
An auspice is many things: it reflects the werewolf's general personality traits, attitudes and interests, as well as his futies in the pack. All auspices are important, for no werewolf can be all things to his people. As many different auspices are included in a pack, the unit grows stronger as a whole from the diversity of its individual members. Auspice also determines the inner Rage of the werewolf. Some Garou mothers try to use herbs or other methods to induce labor under a specific moon, which is one of the reasons that Ragabash and Ahroun are roughly as common as the other three auspices, even though the full moon and new moon appear only half as often as any other phase.
Each young werewolf studies with an elder of the same auspice, learning particular Gifts and the role of Luna has decreed for him in werewolf society. Werewolves often introduce themselves by auspice when meeting others. Whether the werewolf was born under a waxing or waning moon also has some bearing on his auspice and temperament. The waxing moon is a sign of rising Rage, while the waning moon hints at a cooler, more somber personality. Players might take this aspect of a character's auspice into account when considering some of the character's minor personality quirks.
Try as they might, some werewolves find that they are not suited to their auspice roles. Even though doing so is a direct insult to Luna, they may change auspices by renouncing their former auspice and indentity through a Rite of Renunciation. This rite is a grave thing for any werewolf to consider. In addition to losing any former rank and Gifts to begin in his new auspice at Rank 1, he will face the deep mistrust of others until he has proven his decision more than justified, if not for the rest of his life. It is no small thing to spurn Luna's wishes, but sometimes a Garou must follow his heart.
Ragabash
Theurge
Philodox
Galliard
Ahroun