Once the leader of a clan dies, the deputy will travel to the Moonstone or Moonpool with their medicine cat. They will touch their nose to the stone, or drink from the pool. The deputy will receive their nine lives, and their leader name ending with the suffix "star."

Upon awakening in StarClan, cats will come down from Silverpelt. Usually, nine cats that were significant in the deputy's life will be chosen to give them their lives. Each cat will give a life to the new leader with these words:

Life-giver: (Touches nose to the top of the new leader's head) "With this life I give you (gift). Use it wisely (to, in, as, for, etc.) (Use of gift).

When all of the lives have been given, the previous leader before the new leader will speak these words:

"I hail you by your new name, (leader). Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you guardianship of (clan). Defend it well, care for the young and old, honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code, and live each life with pride and dignity."

The StarClan cats welcome the new leader by calling their name. After the ceremony, the new leader is not allowed to tell any cat about their nine lives ceremony.

If a cat no longer wishes to be leader, they must go to the Moonstone or Moonpool to have them revoke all but one life, so their deputy may receive all nine lives.