Order of Paladins Lesson : 12 The Arming copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain.

Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Lesson : 12

The Armingcopyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulaincopyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain

Warrior’s AdmonitionWarrior’s Admonition

Your body is your temple: Care for it!Your body is your temple: Care for it!Do not engage in useless activity.Do not engage in useless activity.Listen to the Goddess.Listen to the Goddess.Help thyself.Help thyself.You create your own reality.You create your own reality.The Warrior’s path is creativity.The Warrior’s path is creativity.A serene path to enlightenment.A serene path to enlightenment.Know thyself.Know thyself.Master thyself.Master thyself.Create your own reality.Create your own reality.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.Learn from your mistakes.Learn from your mistakes.Teach thyself.Teach thyself.Create your own reality.Create your own reality.Do not be negligent, even in trifling mattersDo not be negligent, even in trifling mattersGrace and guilt do not exist: Grace and guilt do not exist: Strive for responsibility.Strive for responsibility.Honor thyself.Honor thyself.Create your own reality.Create your own reality.

copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulaincopyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain

13 Precepts:13 Precepts:

1.1. Know thyself.Know thyself.2.2. Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.3.3. You create your own reality.You create your own reality.4.4. Develop a sense of Right Action.Develop a sense of Right Action.5.5. Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.6.6. Your body is your temple: Care for it!Your body is your temple: Care for it!7.7. Minimal appearance, maximum content.Minimal appearance, maximum content.8.8. Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.9.9. Power with.Power with.10.10. Who dares wins.Who dares wins.11.11. The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.12.12. Be creative!Be creative!13.13. Do not engage in useless activity.Do not engage in useless activity.


Code of Chivalry:Code of Chivalry:

All members of the Order of Paladins must live according to the principles of chivalry, All members of the Order of Paladins must live according to the principles of chivalry, which include: which include:

SinceritySincerity.. CourtesyCourtesy.. CompassionCompassion.. PerseverancePerseverance.. IndustriousnessIndustriousness.. JusticeJustice.. LoyaltyLoyalty. . Courage.Courage. Self-Discipline.Self-Discipline. Humility.Humility. LargesseLargesse. . Truth.Truth. HonorHonor


Hint:Hint:

Refer to the notes pages in this Power Refer to the notes pages in this Power Point presentation for more in-depth Point presentation for more in-depth information on the subject of each slide.information on the subject of each slide.


The ArmingThe Arming

“Dark Care sits enthroned behind the Knight.”Horace[1]

[1] Horace, Odes, bk.3, ode i, l.40


End of the 2End of the 2ndnd Cycle Cycle

The Arming marks the end of the 2The Arming marks the end of the 2ndnd Cycle of training of the Order of Paladins, Cycle of training of the Order of Paladins, from lesson 7 to lesson 12. Here the from lesson 7 to lesson 12. Here the Squires become Knights of the Order in Squires become Knights of the Order in preparation for starting the 3preparation for starting the 3rdrd cycle of cycle of training, Mastery. training, Mastery.


PrerequisitePrerequisite

To take part in this ritual, you have to To take part in this ritual, you have to have gone through the first degree have gone through the first degree initiation (The Armoring), which makes initiation (The Armoring), which makes you a Squire. you a Squire.

You have to have been tested by You have to have been tested by Masters other than your mentor to Masters other than your mentor to confirm your suitability. confirm your suitability.


Magickal WeaponMagickal Weapon

As outlined in Lesson 11, prior to this As outlined in Lesson 11, prior to this ceremony Squires should carefully chose ceremony Squires should carefully chose a weapon from four of the five Magickal a weapon from four of the five Magickal Weapon groups (sword/athame, Weapon groups (sword/athame, staff/wand, cauldron/grail, shield/stone) staff/wand, cauldron/grail, shield/stone) to dedicate themselves to in this to dedicate themselves to in this ceremony. This will be the Magickal ceremony. This will be the Magickal Weapon that they have decided to Weapon that they have decided to master and specialize in. The fifth master and specialize in. The fifth Magickal Weapon (spirit/mind) is Magickal Weapon (spirit/mind) is reserved for the next degree in the Order reserved for the next degree in the Order of Paladins: The Mastering. Note: This of Paladins: The Mastering. Note: This choice does not preclude the initiate from choice does not preclude the initiate from mastering other weapons. mastering other weapons.


Naming your WeaponNaming your Weapon

As mentioned in the previous lesson, you As mentioned in the previous lesson, you should come up with a name for your should come up with a name for your Magickal Weapon. On the night before Magickal Weapon. On the night before the working, the candidate sleeps with the working, the candidate sleeps with this Magickal Weapon by their side. In this Magickal Weapon by their side. In the morning the candidate cleans and the morning the candidate cleans and polishes the Magickal Weapon, focusing polishes the Magickal Weapon, focusing their mind on the power and significance their mind on the power and significance of this Magickal Weapon.of this Magickal Weapon.


Knighthood VigilKnighthood Vigil

Initiates must spend time prior to Initiates must spend time prior to this initiation meditating on the this initiation meditating on the significance of this step. In significance of this step. In Western society, squires Western society, squires traditionally spent an all night vigil traditionally spent an all night vigil in prayer and fasting before their in prayer and fasting before their initiation. Before the Arming initiation. Before the Arming initiation, Squires would bathe to initiation, Squires would bathe to purify themselves. I encourage purify themselves. I encourage each initiate to engage in some each initiate to engage in some activity of this sort prior to the activity of this sort prior to the Arming.Arming.


ProcessionalProcessional

Participants form up outside of Participants form up outside of the ritual area. The Constable the ritual area. The Constable invites the intitiates:invites the intitiates:

““Come forward, you who would Come forward, you who would become knights.”become knights.”

The Constable will then lead the The Constable will then lead the participants in a procession to participants in a procession to the ritual area, to where the the ritual area, to where the Warriors of the cast have taken Warriors of the cast have taken up their stations. up their stations.


ChallengeChallenge

Candidates form up in Candidates form up in front of the cast. front of the cast.

Constable and Sergeant Constable and Sergeant at Arms bar the way. at Arms bar the way. The Seneschal stands The Seneschal stands to one side of the to one side of the Constable to challenge Constable to challenge the candidates. The the candidates. The Grand Master is waiting Grand Master is waiting in the ritual area by the in the ritual area by the altar behind the cast.altar behind the cast.


ChallengeChallenge

Seneschal: “You cannot enter unless Seneschal: “You cannot enter unless you have made your purpose clear. you have made your purpose clear. Why do you wish to become a Knight of Why do you wish to become a Knight of the Order of Paladins?”the Order of Paladins?”

Candidate answers.Candidate answers. ““How will you serve the Order of the How will you serve the Order of the

Order of Paladins?”Order of Paladins?” Candidate answers.Candidate answers. If the answers are acceptable, the If the answers are acceptable, the

Seneschal anoints the candidate’s Seneschal anoints the candidate’s forehead with the sign of the Order of forehead with the sign of the Order of Paladins and then the Seneschal directs Paladins and then the Seneschal directs the Sergeants to admit the candidate to the Sergeants to admit the candidate to the Circle. Seneschal deals with each the Circle. Seneschal deals with each candidate for knighthood one by one.candidate for knighthood one by one.


ConsecrationConsecration

As candidates enter, they file past the Marshall, who As candidates enter, they file past the Marshall, who holds incense. Candidate breathes some in. Then holds incense. Candidate breathes some in. Then they file past the Under Marshall, who holds a candle. they file past the Under Marshall, who holds a candle. The candidate holds his hands over the flame for a The candidate holds his hands over the flame for a moment. Then they file past the Standard Bearer, who moment. Then they file past the Standard Bearer, who holds a bowl of water. The candidate dips their fingers holds a bowl of water. The candidate dips their fingers in the water. Then they file past the Quartermaster, in the water. Then they file past the Quartermaster, who holds a stone. The candidates touch the stone. who holds a stone. The candidates touch the stone. The Grand Master then confronts them and offers them The Grand Master then confronts them and offers them spiritual energy. The Constable then directs the spiritual energy. The Constable then directs the candidates as they enter to deposit their weapons on candidates as they enter to deposit their weapons on or around the altar. They then file past the altar, or around the altar. They then file past the altar, deposit their Magickal Weapons, bow to the altar, then deposit their Magickal Weapons, bow to the altar, then take up a place in the Circle. take up a place in the Circle.


Commandery PositionsCommandery Positions


SeneschalSeneschal

““The field of battle is the Warrior’s sacred The field of battle is the Warrior’s sacred space. Let us now link land and sky of space. Let us now link land and sky of our field of battle in the mundane world to our field of battle in the mundane world to the Otherworlds. The field of action of the Otherworlds. The field of action of the Warrior is the mundane world.”the Warrior is the mundane world.”


Quarter Calls and Circle Quarter Calls and Circle CastingCasting

This is This is done in done in the same the same fashion as fashion as the the Armoring Armoring Ritual Ritual (see (see Lesson Lesson VI)VI)


PresentationPresentation

The candidate for Knighthood is then The candidate for Knighthood is then presented to the Grand Master by their mentor, presented to the Grand Master by their mentor, who describes why their candidate is ready for who describes why their candidate is ready for knighthood.knighthood.


VoteVote

Grand Master then announces to the Grand Master then announces to the assembled Order of Paladins Knights:assembled Order of Paladins Knights:

““Brothers and sisters in the Order of Paladins, Brothers and sisters in the Order of Paladins, these candidates seek admission to the these candidates seek admission to the Knighthood. What say you?”Knighthood. What say you?”

Upon hearing this, any Knights and Masters Upon hearing this, any Knights and Masters present may show approval of the candidate by present may show approval of the candidate by extending an open left palm, or disapproval by extending an open left palm, or disapproval by extending a closed right fist. This is a majority extending a closed right fist. This is a majority vote.vote.


The Arming The Arming (see script on Rituals (see script on Rituals page)page)

This is where the Knighthood candidate This is where the Knighthood candidate declares that they are taking declares that they are taking responsibility for their Magickal Weaponresponsibility for their Magickal Weapon


Charging the Magickal WeaponCharging the Magickal Weapon

This is where the This is where the Knighthood candidate Knighthood candidate charges their Magickal charges their Magickal Weapon with the Power of Weapon with the Power of the four elements (earth, the four elements (earth, air, fire and water), names air, fire and water), names their Weapon and brings it their Weapon and brings it to “life” with the fifth to “life” with the fifth element, spirit.element, spirit.


Oath of KnighthoodOath of Knighthood ““By the power of earth, water, air, fire, and spirit, before the Gods, By the power of earth, water, air, fire, and spirit, before the Gods,

the Sidhe and the Ancestors, I do declare before this assemblage the Sidhe and the Ancestors, I do declare before this assemblage my fealty and allegiance to the Order of Paladins, to its thirteen my fealty and allegiance to the Order of Paladins, to its thirteen precepts, and to the rule of law. precepts, and to the rule of law.

““So shall I ever defend the values of Sincerity, Courtesy, So shall I ever defend the values of Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Truth, and Honor, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Truth, and Honor, which in this modern world are so often neglected. I take these which in this modern world are so often neglected. I take these values into my heart and soul that they may manifest themselves values into my heart and soul that they may manifest themselves in my words and deeds.in my words and deeds.

““Standing proud and free, radiating my inner truth, exultant in my 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 power, I raise up my voice and proclaim myself to be a knight of the Order of Paladins and to dedicate myself to the mastery and the Order of Paladins and to dedicate myself to the mastery and defense of these values. I vow to do my will while harming none. defense of these values. I vow to do my will while harming none. In this I am resolved. This I declare before the Gods, the Sidhe In this I am resolved. This I declare before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors.and the Ancestors.

““Biodh Se!”Biodh Se!”


““Dubbing”Dubbing”

Each candidate then comes up and stands Each candidate then comes up and stands before the Grand Master, who knights him/her before the Grand Master, who knights him/her by dubbing them on the shoulders with the by dubbing them on the shoulders with the sword (left, right, left) while intoning:sword (left, right, left) while intoning:

““By the power of the Gods, of the Sidhe, of the By the power of the Gods, of the Sidhe, of the Ancestors and of the elements, I make you a Ancestors and of the elements, I make you a Knight of the Order of Paladins. Carry your Knight of the Order of Paladins. Carry your weapons forward in defense of the weak and weapons forward in defense of the weak and be glorious.”be glorious.”

Grand Master ties brown belt around the new Grand Master ties brown belt around the new Knight.Knight.


CredoCredo

Once all of the candidates have been Once all of the candidates have been Knighted, the Grand Master addresses the new Knighted, the Grand Master addresses the new Knights with the Order of Paladins credo:Knights with the Order of Paladins credo:

““Soldiers march. Warriors dance. Both fight, Soldiers march. Warriors dance. Both fight, but only a Warrior fights with honor. Soldiers but only a Warrior fights with honor. Soldiers act. Warriors choose. An it harm none, do act. Warriors choose. An it harm none, do what thou wilt. Be vigilant. Beware of the foe what thou wilt. Be vigilant. Beware of the foe in your shadow. Who dares, wins. Injustice is in your shadow. Who dares, wins. Injustice is what gives you the right to mete justice.”what gives you the right to mete justice.”

Participants clash weapons or slap thighs and Participants clash weapons or slap thighs and cry: “Biodh Se!”cry: “Biodh Se!”


Psychic Exercise: Psychic Exercise:

To go through the upcoming Arming To go through the upcoming Arming ritual of Wiccan Knighthood, you have ritual of Wiccan Knighthood, you have to choose one of four Magickal to choose one of four Magickal WeaponsWeapons


Focussing ToolFocussing Tool

The Sword or Athame can be used as a focusing tool The Sword or Athame can be used as a focusing tool in a similar fashion to the Wand. The same techniques in a similar fashion to the Wand. The same techniques apply. Try the Pushing the Sky exercise with the apply. Try the Pushing the Sky exercise with the sword. Try sending chi out and drawing chi in. Record sword. Try sending chi out and drawing chi in. Record your impressions in your Book of Shadows. If you your impressions in your Book of Shadows. If you have trouble visualizing the flow of energy through your have trouble visualizing the flow of energy through your Sword, try the hand squeezing exercise that I mention Sword, try the hand squeezing exercise that I mention later in relation to Wands. Let the chi flow down your later in relation to Wands. Let the chi flow down your arm as the tension in it dissolves. As this wave of arm as the tension in it dissolves. As this wave of energy reaches your hand it will stream through the energy reaches your hand it will stream through the Athame or Sword. Athame or Sword.


Greater Magickal WeaponsGreater Magickal Weapons

For the next few lessons we’ll be working For the next few lessons we’ll be working with the Greater Magickal Weapons: with the Greater Magickal Weapons: Sword, Staff, Cauldron, and Shield. Sword, Staff, Cauldron, and Shield. These larger versions of the Lesser These larger versions of the Lesser Magickal Weapons (athame, wand, grail, Magickal Weapons (athame, wand, grail, and stone) teach us that with greater and stone) teach us that with greater power comes greater responsibilitypower comes greater responsibility


Eilean a' CheoEilean a' Cheo

Caer Paladin

Isle of Scathach


Eilean a' CheoEilean a' Cheo


Eilean a' CheoEilean a' Cheo Exercise Exercise

By now you should have attempted to go By now you should have attempted to go to the Island north of the Caer. to the Island north of the Caer.

You should have submitted a “report” on You should have submitted a “report” on what you’ve found and experienced what you’ve found and experienced there.there.


Lesson 12 homework Lesson 12 homework reminderreminder

Chose 2 subjects that you’d like to teach Chose 2 subjects that you’d like to teach in the coming year and prepare a lesson in the coming year and prepare a lesson plan. Your lesson can eventually be plan. Your lesson can eventually be posted on the Order of Paladins blog.posted on the Order of Paladins blog.


Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Be Glorious!


Order of Paladins Lesson : 12 The Arming copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain.

Documents

Transcript of Order of Paladins Lesson : 12 The Arming copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain.