We're going to be adding training video to the Order of Scathach Training Blog to enhance the learing experience for our on line members. Here's some of our knights reciting the code of chivalry of our Order.
In Her Service, Kerr Cuhulain
Showing posts with label chivalry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chivalry. Show all posts
Monday, February 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Modern Knighthood Is Here!
I've just entered the realm of e publishing for the first time with my first e book- Modern Knighthood: Unleashing Your Inner Warrior to Master Yourself and Your World. What I started with my earlier books (Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, and Magickal Self Defense) all comes together in this book about unleashing your inner power. Knighthood isn't about appearance, but action, not about tinsel but tenacity, not about glitter, but genius, not about fashion, but faculty. You can check it out at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/34975
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Isolation Trap
There is a trap that first responders like police officers fall into. It works like this:
First responders typically spend their days dealing with an endless round of tragedy. Every day they deal with people who stop communicating with words and start communicating with fists. All week they attend an interminable series of accidents and heartache too often caused by someone's stupidity. All month they deal with an ceaseless see of faces of people trapped in addictions which are fueled by a life of crime. You may think that the upcoming Christmas season, advertised as a time of peace and goodwill to mankind, would be an exception to this. That's not the police officer's perception. Christmas is the time of year when people who haven't seen each other for a long time get together, have a few drinks... and then remember why they haven't seen each other in a long time. For the cop, Christmas is an unending series of interventions in violent domestic squabbles. The world is a chaotic and often dangerous place.
Here's the trap: Because this is all they see in a backbreaking schedule of lengthy shifts and overtime, they sink into the perception that this is all there is out there. That, as you might imagine, is a pretty depressing place to be.
First responders aren't alone in this. On my daily walks I frequently pass people plodding to the bus stop, the store, the appointment, head down, shoulders hunched, avoiding eye contact, fearful of the world around them.
So here's what we all need to do for one another. When you pass that person in the street, say hello. When you're at the store, hold the door for the person behind you, and say hello.
That's it. Just smile and say hello.
By doing this you're reminding these people that this chaotic world doesn't just contain tragedy, that the bedlam they percieve actually has some sane inhabitants. There are good people out there, though we sometimes don't notice them. It doesn't hurt to remind others about that. Actually it makes a big difference, because it makes people feel that they have a purpose and that they are not alone. Especially at this time of the year.
For more thoughts about Yule, check out the Order of Scathach blog: http://scathachisland.blogspot.com/
In Her Service, Kerr
Monday, February 8, 2010
Wicca Was Inspired by Chivalry
You may ask, why should chivalry be a part of Wicca? If you go back to the roots of Wicca, you’ll find that chivalry was one of the things that inspired Wicca in the first place.
In 1900 an American (though born in Canada), Ernest Thompson Seton, attempted to deal with issues of juvenile delinquency by creating an organization that woodcraft and civilized values based on his knowledge of First Nations peoples. “Seton’s Indians” rapidly became popular, and in 1912 resulted in the publishing of his book The Book of Woodcraft and Indian Lore. This was one of the principal influences leading to Robert Baden-Powell founding the Boy Scouts movement. In fact, Baden-Powell originally gave leadership of the North American part of his organization to Seton. Seton ultimately resigned from Baden-Powell’s organization in 1915. Where Baden-Powell’s views were jingoistic and militaristic, Seton’s were not and this ultimately led to differences between them. In 1916 Ernest Westlake, was a naturalist, anthropologist and traveller of Quaker upbringing, founded the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry in the United Kingdom, making Seton its honorary Grand Chieftain. 1909 Westlake had forsaken Quakerism for the "old gods" of Paganism, inspired by authors such as Edward Carpenter, Nietzsche, Havelock Ellis, Jane Ellen Harrison, Tylor and Frazer. Westlake’s Order of Woodland Chivalry avoided the military overtones of Scouting, instead focusing on the virtues of kindness, fellowship, animal conservation and woodcraft. Westlake saw women as incarnations of God, revered the Jack-in-the-Green, which he considered to be the English equivalent of Dionysus, and held that the "Trinity of Woodcraft" consisted of Pan, Artemis and Dionysus.
So it is not surprising that the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry, unlike Scouting, accepted many of the premises of modern Neopaganism. Nature was described as the Mistress and Mother, God as Creator and All-Father and Christ as a teacher rather than as God incarnate. The greatest ceremony of the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry was lighting the campfire: At their first folkmoot ceremony at Lammas 1921, held on an estate at Sandy Balls on the northern edge of the New Forest, the sacred fire was lit by four people dressed in colors of the elements of each quarter, bringing greetings from the elemental powers in succession from north round to west.
The Order of Woodcraft Chivalry in turn inspired other organizations such as the Young Soldiers/Handmaidens of Pan, founded by music hall actress Audrey Auckland in Middle Wallop in Hampshire in the 1940s. Boys in this organization were initiated as “Warriors of Pan”, swearing an oath to care for the land. Indeed, scholars such as Ronald Hutton have the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry provided the basis for George Pickingill’s New Forest coven, from which the modern religion of Wicca grew.
Incidentally, the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry, though small, has survived: In the 1990s Martin Westlake, son of Aubrey and grandson of Ernest, allowed the Order to celebrate its anniversary at Sandy Balls estate.
In 1900 an American (though born in Canada), Ernest Thompson Seton, attempted to deal with issues of juvenile delinquency by creating an organization that woodcraft and civilized values based on his knowledge of First Nations peoples. “Seton’s Indians” rapidly became popular, and in 1912 resulted in the publishing of his book The Book of Woodcraft and Indian Lore. This was one of the principal influences leading to Robert Baden-Powell founding the Boy Scouts movement. In fact, Baden-Powell originally gave leadership of the North American part of his organization to Seton. Seton ultimately resigned from Baden-Powell’s organization in 1915. Where Baden-Powell’s views were jingoistic and militaristic, Seton’s were not and this ultimately led to differences between them. In 1916 Ernest Westlake, was a naturalist, anthropologist and traveller of Quaker upbringing, founded the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry in the United Kingdom, making Seton its honorary Grand Chieftain. 1909 Westlake had forsaken Quakerism for the "old gods" of Paganism, inspired by authors such as Edward Carpenter, Nietzsche, Havelock Ellis, Jane Ellen Harrison, Tylor and Frazer. Westlake’s Order of Woodland Chivalry avoided the military overtones of Scouting, instead focusing on the virtues of kindness, fellowship, animal conservation and woodcraft. Westlake saw women as incarnations of God, revered the Jack-in-the-Green, which he considered to be the English equivalent of Dionysus, and held that the "Trinity of Woodcraft" consisted of Pan, Artemis and Dionysus.
So it is not surprising that the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry, unlike Scouting, accepted many of the premises of modern Neopaganism. Nature was described as the Mistress and Mother, God as Creator and All-Father and Christ as a teacher rather than as God incarnate. The greatest ceremony of the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry was lighting the campfire: At their first folkmoot ceremony at Lammas 1921, held on an estate at Sandy Balls on the northern edge of the New Forest, the sacred fire was lit by four people dressed in colors of the elements of each quarter, bringing greetings from the elemental powers in succession from north round to west.
The Order of Woodcraft Chivalry in turn inspired other organizations such as the Young Soldiers/Handmaidens of Pan, founded by music hall actress Audrey Auckland in Middle Wallop in Hampshire in the 1940s. Boys in this organization were initiated as “Warriors of Pan”, swearing an oath to care for the land. Indeed, scholars such as Ronald Hutton have the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry provided the basis for George Pickingill’s New Forest coven, from which the modern religion of Wicca grew.
Incidentally, the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry, though small, has survived: In the 1990s Martin Westlake, son of Aubrey and grandson of Ernest, allowed the Order to celebrate its anniversary at Sandy Balls estate.
In Her Service, Kerr
(Photo: Members of the Order of Scathach at the Armoring Ritual at the Vancouver Pagan Pride celebrations, September 2009)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Chivalry is Simple Things
It is amazing to me how many people look surprised when I hold the door open for them at the store or at work. It clearly seems that people aren’t used to having people show courtesy towards them these days. It certainly seems to be something lacking in their life. Likewise people that I let merge into traffic in front of me seem surprised. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised by this. In my line of work as a dispatcher I am certainly aware of the growing number of road rage incidents out there. Many people have become so self centered and isolated. The more discourtesy they experience, the more this feeling in them grows.
I always arrive early at work and let someone on the dispatch line go home earlier than they are accustomed to. Some fellow workers that I do this for seem upset and guilty: They tell me that they can’t come back the next day and return the favor, because they are going on days off. I tell them I don’t expect a “pay back”. I tell them that when they come back they should let someone else go and “pay it forward”.
Courtesy, in other words showing respect and consideration at all times towards others, is one of the keystones of the Order of Scáthach’s Code of Chivalry, just as it was one of the keystones of Bushido (rei). Compassion is another key principle of Bushido (jin). Compassion is another key principle of our Code, as well as being one of the ethical principles named in Doreen Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess: “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”[1] These two Warrior concepts fit seamlessly into the other thirteen principles of chivalry in the Order’s code: Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Truth, and Honor. Our Code of Chivalry grows out of the fourth Warrior Precept of the Order of Scáthach: “Develop a sense of right action.” Right Action is what Robin Wood describes as finding the balance point: “The spot where all the possible outcomes on one side of a decision are weighed against all the possible outcomes on the other side, and they come out even.”[2]
The current world situation was largely created by people who violated some or all of these principles. This is why it is so important for Pagans everywhere to embrace these principles and set an example for the rest of the world to follow, to lead us back into stability and security.
BB Kerr
[1] Stewart FARRAR. (1971). What Witches Do: The Modern Coven Revealed, pg 197-8.
[2] Robin WOOD. (1996). When, Why...If, pg 22.
I always arrive early at work and let someone on the dispatch line go home earlier than they are accustomed to. Some fellow workers that I do this for seem upset and guilty: They tell me that they can’t come back the next day and return the favor, because they are going on days off. I tell them I don’t expect a “pay back”. I tell them that when they come back they should let someone else go and “pay it forward”.
Courtesy, in other words showing respect and consideration at all times towards others, is one of the keystones of the Order of Scáthach’s Code of Chivalry, just as it was one of the keystones of Bushido (rei). Compassion is another key principle of Bushido (jin). Compassion is another key principle of our Code, as well as being one of the ethical principles named in Doreen Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess: “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”[1] These two Warrior concepts fit seamlessly into the other thirteen principles of chivalry in the Order’s code: Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Truth, and Honor. Our Code of Chivalry grows out of the fourth Warrior Precept of the Order of Scáthach: “Develop a sense of right action.” Right Action is what Robin Wood describes as finding the balance point: “The spot where all the possible outcomes on one side of a decision are weighed against all the possible outcomes on the other side, and they come out even.”[2]
The current world situation was largely created by people who violated some or all of these principles. This is why it is so important for Pagans everywhere to embrace these principles and set an example for the rest of the world to follow, to lead us back into stability and security.
BB Kerr
[1] Stewart FARRAR. (1971). What Witches Do: The Modern Coven Revealed, pg 197-8.
[2] Robin WOOD. (1996). When, Why...If, pg 22.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Scáthach
People have been asking me about our coven, Scáthach, so here's what we're all about:
Scáthach is a Wiccan coven and study group founded in November 2007 by Wiccan author Kerr Cuhulain, embracing Warrior philosophies as outlined in his books Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick and Magickal Self Defense. Scáthach focuses on expression and effective magick and embracing the concept of chivalry.
Members of Scáthach must honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all its aspects.
Members of Scáthach must follow the 13 warrior precepts:
1. Know thyself.
2. Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.
3. You create your own reality.
4. Develop a sense of Right Action.
5. Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.
6. Your body is your temple: Care for it!
7. Minimal appearance, maximum content.
8. Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.
9. Power with.
10. Who dares wins.
11. The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.
12. Be creative!
13. Do not engage in useless activity.
Scáthach Oath of Knighthood (Code of Chivalry):
By the power of earth, water, air, fire, and spirit, before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors, I do declare before this assemblage my fealty and allegiance to Scáthach, to its thirteen precepts, and to the rule of law.
So shall I ever defend the values of Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Dignity, Truth, and Honor, which in this modern world are so often neglected. I take these values into my heart and soul that they may manifest themselves in my words and deeds.[1]
Standing proud and free, radiating my inner truth, exultant in my power, I raise up my voice and proclaim myself to be a knight of Scáthach and to dedicate myself to the mastery and defense of these values. In this I am resolved. This I declare before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors.
Biodh Se!
Rights of Scáthach Knighthood:
1. We have the right to choose the course of our lives and manner of our deaths.
2. We have the right to openly state our opinions.
3. We have the right to challenge delusion and falsehood.
4. We have the right to walk these lands cowed by none.
5. We have the right to fulfill our needs, save those that would harm others.
6. We have the right to share love with another.
7. We have the right to spurn all convention imposed upon us.
8. We have the right to instruct our children in our chosen values.
9. We have the right to oppose any who attack these rights.
Scáthach is a study group for people interested in Wiccan magick, energy work and rituals related to the Warrior path. I intend for us to develop new rituals, magick and philosophies. I expect everyone to participate and contribute. The first phase of training (novice) has to do with energy, psychic skills and magick. At the end of this first phase the novice becomes a squire at an Armoring ceremony. The second level of training has to do with ritual and magickal weapons. At the end of this second phase the squire becomes a knight at an Arming ceremony. The third phase of training is about teaching and leadership. At the end of the third phase the knight becomes a master.
There will be no liquor in Scáthach Circles or rituals. I respect Pagan traditions that use wine, mead, or whiskey in Circle or ritual as the “water of life.” This “prohibition” isn’t intended as a criticism of their practices. My wife and I were both formerly involved in relationships with alcoholic partners and their families. In my view liquor is too easily abused. I’ve been to too many Circles or gatherings where people came drunk or got drunk. This will not happen here. Scáthach may have social events outside of Circle where such beverages are available, but they will not be used in ritual.
Scáthach is a drug free coven. No drugs will be tolerated, period. Members of Scáthach will obey the laws and uphold them. My position on this subject is well documented in Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, and Magickal Self Defense. I will support anyone committed to recovery efforts.
I am not opposed to the use of incense but will seldom use it in Circle, as my wife and I have allergies. I tend to use incense in outdoor Circles and rituals, if at all.
This is a family coven and children are entirely welcome in Circle and out. The rules are the same for kids as for adults: People in Circle are expected to behave with courtesy towards others.
Scáthach does not do skyclad ritual: I've got two skyclad initiations and I respect Wiccan trads that practice skyclad ritual, but I don't want that to be part of Scáthach. Scáthach conducts most rituals at the Motherhouse or member’s homes in casual wear. I'm perfectly OK with ritual robes for Sabbats and Esbats, but if a coven member shows up in street clothes due to limited funds or a tight work schedule that's perfectly alright. I've done plenty of rituals after work on my own in a field with the clothes that I went to work in. I don't want to get too hung up on ritual paraphernalia. For public events our uniform is a black Gi (karate jacket) with the Scáthach logo (see above) on the back in white.
Scáthach is a Wiccan coven and study group founded in November 2007 by Wiccan author Kerr Cuhulain, embracing Warrior philosophies as outlined in his books Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick and Magickal Self Defense. Scáthach focuses on expression and effective magick and embracing the concept of chivalry.
Members of Scáthach must honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all its aspects.
Members of Scáthach must follow the 13 warrior precepts:
1. Know thyself.
2. Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.
3. You create your own reality.
4. Develop a sense of Right Action.
5. Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.
6. Your body is your temple: Care for it!
7. Minimal appearance, maximum content.
8. Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.
9. Power with.
10. Who dares wins.
11. The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.
12. Be creative!
13. Do not engage in useless activity.
Scáthach Oath of Knighthood (Code of Chivalry):
By the power of earth, water, air, fire, and spirit, before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors, I do declare before this assemblage my fealty and allegiance to Scáthach, to its thirteen precepts, and to the rule of law.
So shall I ever defend the values of Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Dignity, Truth, and Honor, which in this modern world are so often neglected. I take these values into my heart and soul that they may manifest themselves in my words and deeds.[1]
Standing proud and free, radiating my inner truth, exultant in my power, I raise up my voice and proclaim myself to be a knight of Scáthach and to dedicate myself to the mastery and defense of these values. In this I am resolved. This I declare before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors.
Biodh Se!
Rights of Scáthach Knighthood:
1. We have the right to choose the course of our lives and manner of our deaths.
2. We have the right to openly state our opinions.
3. We have the right to challenge delusion and falsehood.
4. We have the right to walk these lands cowed by none.
5. We have the right to fulfill our needs, save those that would harm others.
6. We have the right to share love with another.
7. We have the right to spurn all convention imposed upon us.
8. We have the right to instruct our children in our chosen values.
9. We have the right to oppose any who attack these rights.
Scáthach is a study group for people interested in Wiccan magick, energy work and rituals related to the Warrior path. I intend for us to develop new rituals, magick and philosophies. I expect everyone to participate and contribute. The first phase of training (novice) has to do with energy, psychic skills and magick. At the end of this first phase the novice becomes a squire at an Armoring ceremony. The second level of training has to do with ritual and magickal weapons. At the end of this second phase the squire becomes a knight at an Arming ceremony. The third phase of training is about teaching and leadership. At the end of the third phase the knight becomes a master.
There will be no liquor in Scáthach Circles or rituals. I respect Pagan traditions that use wine, mead, or whiskey in Circle or ritual as the “water of life.” This “prohibition” isn’t intended as a criticism of their practices. My wife and I were both formerly involved in relationships with alcoholic partners and their families. In my view liquor is too easily abused. I’ve been to too many Circles or gatherings where people came drunk or got drunk. This will not happen here. Scáthach may have social events outside of Circle where such beverages are available, but they will not be used in ritual.
Scáthach is a drug free coven. No drugs will be tolerated, period. Members of Scáthach will obey the laws and uphold them. My position on this subject is well documented in Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, and Magickal Self Defense. I will support anyone committed to recovery efforts.
I am not opposed to the use of incense but will seldom use it in Circle, as my wife and I have allergies. I tend to use incense in outdoor Circles and rituals, if at all.
This is a family coven and children are entirely welcome in Circle and out. The rules are the same for kids as for adults: People in Circle are expected to behave with courtesy towards others.
Scáthach does not do skyclad ritual: I've got two skyclad initiations and I respect Wiccan trads that practice skyclad ritual, but I don't want that to be part of Scáthach. Scáthach conducts most rituals at the Motherhouse or member’s homes in casual wear. I'm perfectly OK with ritual robes for Sabbats and Esbats, but if a coven member shows up in street clothes due to limited funds or a tight work schedule that's perfectly alright. I've done plenty of rituals after work on my own in a field with the clothes that I went to work in. I don't want to get too hung up on ritual paraphernalia. For public events our uniform is a black Gi (karate jacket) with the Scáthach logo (see above) on the back in white.
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