Order of Paladins Lesson : 19 The Mastering copyright 2014 Kerr Cuhulain.

Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Lesson : 19

The Masteringcopyright 2014 Kerr Cuhulaincopyright 2014 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 2014 Kerr Cuhulaincopyright 2014 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 MasteryThe Mastery

“The choice and master spirits of this age.”

Shakespeare, Julius Caesar


The Armoring & ArmingThe Armoring & Arming

When you were initiated as a Squire in When you were initiated as a Squire in the Armoring, you just needed to the Armoring, you just needed to complete the lessons that led up to it.complete the lessons that led up to it.

When you were initiated as a Knight in When you were initiated as a Knight in the Arming, you needed to write a ritual the Arming, you needed to write a ritual to show that you understood how to use to show that you understood how to use ritualritual


The MasteringThe Mastering

Unlike the previous two initiations, the Unlike the previous two initiations, the Mastering is something that you have to Mastering is something that you have to be confident enough to ask for. The be confident enough to ask for. The Masters won’t give you this initiation Masters won’t give you this initiation unless you ask for it. unless you ask for it.


Know ThyselfKnow Thyself

““First know yourself, then know others” First know yourself, then know others” (( 先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ - - Mazu Mazu onore o shire, shikashite ta o shire. onore o shire, shikashite ta o shire. This This is, of course, the first precept of our is, of course, the first precept of our Order.Order.


You, the WeaponYou, the Weapon

Being a Warrior is Being a Warrior is notnot about fighting, its about fighting, its about winning. It’s not about using your about winning. It’s not about using your hands, it is about using your head. hands, it is about using your head. Remember your Sun Tsu. This is Remember your Sun Tsu. This is especially true of this situation, because especially true of this situation, because in the Mastering ritual you in the Mastering ritual you becomebecome the the Magickal Weapon. Magickal Weapon.


Mind and SpiritMind and Spirit

The Mastering is about the fifth pair of The Mastering is about the fifth pair of Magickal Weapons: Mind and spirit. The Magickal Weapons: Mind and spirit. The Niju Kun tells us: “The mind must be set Niju Kun tells us: “The mind must be set free”free” ( ( 心は放たん事を要す心は放たん事を要す - Kokoro wa - Kokoro wa hanatan koto o yosu)hanatan koto o yosu)


Battle of ProofBattle of Proof

Part of the reason for this is Part of the reason for this is that for the Mastering, that for the Mastering, candidate Knights need to candidate Knights need to come up with a short come up with a short demonstration of their demonstration of their mastery for the ritual. mastery for the ritual.

This demonstration, called This demonstration, called the Battle of Proof, the Battle of Proof, maymay involve their Magickal involve their Magickal Weapon of choice.Weapon of choice.



The challenge facing those of you The challenge facing those of you approaching this milestone in your approaching this milestone in your Knighthood is what to do when the Knighthood is what to do when the Seneschal challenges you at the Seneschal challenges you at the entrance to the Mastering ritual: “How entrance to the Mastering ritual: “How will you demonstrate your Mastery?” will you demonstrate your Mastery?”


A DemonstrationA Demonstration

The Battle of Proof is a short The Battle of Proof is a short demonstration. And this demonstration. And this cancan take the take the form of an actual demonstration involving form of an actual demonstration involving your chosen Magickal Weapon, the one your chosen Magickal Weapon, the one that you dedicated yourself to in the that you dedicated yourself to in the Arming ritual that made you a Knight. It Arming ritual that made you a Knight. It couldcould be a bojutsu kata, a display of be a bojutsu kata, a display of swordsmanship, or an Arnis siniwali form. swordsmanship, or an Arnis siniwali form.


What To Demonstrate?What To Demonstrate?

But think about this: What does your But think about this: What does your Magickal Weapon represent? Creativity? Magickal Weapon represent? Creativity? Will? Vision? Strength? Spirit? Then Will? Vision? Strength? Spirit? Then consider: What could be a symbol of this consider: What could be a symbol of this path that others can see? An action? A path that others can see? An action? A statement? A symbol? statement? A symbol?


A Demonstration…A Demonstration…

The Battle of Proof is a short demonstration in which The Battle of Proof is a short demonstration in which the candidate for initiation the candidate for initiation maymay actually use their actually use their chosen Magickal Weapon. It could be a bo kata, a chosen Magickal Weapon. It could be a bo kata, a display of swordsmanship, or a siniwali form. This display of swordsmanship, or a siniwali form. This option has clearly been one of the first things option has clearly been one of the first things considered by candidates for the upcoming Mastering. considered by candidates for the upcoming Mastering. This is not surprising, since this is a Warrior tradition, This is not surprising, since this is a Warrior tradition, and since our training is clearly influenced by martial and since our training is clearly influenced by martial arts. We all dedicated ourselves to Magickal Weapons arts. We all dedicated ourselves to Magickal Weapons at the Arming ritual that made us Knights. The at the Arming ritual that made us Knights. The candidate for the Mastering knows that they have to candidate for the Mastering knows that they have to bring that Magickal Weapon to the Mastering Ritual to bring that Magickal Weapon to the Mastering Ritual to become a Master. If you don’t succeed, you won’t get become a Master. If you don’t succeed, you won’t get initiated. initiated.


What to do?What to do?

It is not surprising to me that so many It is not surprising to me that so many approaching this milestone seem to struggle approaching this milestone seem to struggle trying to come up with ideas for what they will trying to come up with ideas for what they will do in the upcoming Battle of Proof.do in the upcoming Battle of Proof.

The problem is that you’re all thinking martial The problem is that you’re all thinking martial arts as fighting. Let me remind you that in that arts as fighting. Let me remind you that in that very first class I taught you:very first class I taught you:

Soldiers march. Warriors dance.Soldiers march. Warriors dance.


ConfidenceConfidence

The Battle of Proof is about confidence. The Battle of Proof is about confidence. Remember the definition of a Warrior? Remember the definition of a Warrior?

““A Warrior is a person who makes a A Warrior is a person who makes a fearless and objective inventory of their fearless and objective inventory of their personal characteristics and then uses personal characteristics and then uses this information to take control of their this information to take control of their life.”life.”


It Could Be Anything…It Could Be Anything…

The Battle of Proof could be a Warrior dance, a demonstration of The Battle of Proof could be a Warrior dance, a demonstration of psychic ability, or a written essay on a related subject. If you’re psychic ability, or a written essay on a related subject. If you’re dedicated to the grail and cauldron it might involve healing or dedicated to the grail and cauldron it might involve healing or cooking (the cauldron as the cornucopia, remember from Lesson cooking (the cauldron as the cornucopia, remember from Lesson 13?). If you’re dedicated to the stone and shield, it might be 13?). If you’re dedicated to the stone and shield, it might be something that you forged or made (basic anvil magick - something that you forged or made (basic anvil magick - remember Lesson 14?). It just has to be something that remember Lesson 14?). It just has to be something that demonstrates Mastery, that is to say, understanding of the true demonstrates Mastery, that is to say, understanding of the true meaning and symbolism of the Magickal Weapon that you are meaning and symbolism of the Magickal Weapon that you are dedicated to. dedicated to.


What are we Proving?What are we Proving?

Presumably the candidate would not even be here Presumably the candidate would not even be here seeking this initiation if they had not already met the seeking this initiation if they had not already met the requirements by demonstrating the Mastery that they requirements by demonstrating the Mastery that they wish to be recognized for. Specifically, before applying wish to be recognized for. Specifically, before applying to be initiated as Masters they must be able to write to be initiated as Masters they must be able to write and perform Sabbat rituals, teach classes in the and perform Sabbat rituals, teach classes in the subjects that are part of the magickal curriculum of the subjects that are part of the magickal curriculum of the Order of Paladins, and prove that they have engaged Order of Paladins, and prove that they have engaged in charitable work of some sort for their community. in charitable work of some sort for their community. They also must be able to prove that they’ve attained They also must be able to prove that they’ve attained some level of mastery of the Magickal Weapon to some level of mastery of the Magickal Weapon to which they dedicated themselves in the Arming which they dedicated themselves in the Arming initiation. initiation.


Keep It SimpleKeep It Simple

The Battle of Proof needn’t be long or The Battle of Proof needn’t be long or elaborate: In fact it is better that it is short elaborate: In fact it is better that it is short and concise. If an expression of your and concise. If an expression of your Mastery takes the form of a physical Mastery takes the form of a physical demonstration involving a Magickal demonstration involving a Magickal Weapon, like a kata, no problem. Weapon, like a kata, no problem.


Be Creative…Be Creative…

And this brings us back to the Battle of And this brings us back to the Battle of Proof, because that’s exactly what the Proof, because that’s exactly what the Battle of Proof is for.Battle of Proof is for.

So be creative. Look closely at what So be creative. Look closely at what your Magickal Weapon represents and your Magickal Weapon represents and chose wisely.chose wisely.


Warriors DanceWarriors Dance

Remember Paul Tuitean’s description of a Remember Paul Tuitean’s description of a Warrior? He said:Warrior? He said:

Soldiers march. Warriors dance.Soldiers march. Warriors dance.


Our Definition of “Warrior”:Our Definition of “Warrior”:

A Warrior is a person who makes a A Warrior is a person who makes a fearless and objective inventory of fearless and objective inventory of their personal characteristics and then their personal characteristics and then uses this information to take control uses this information to take control of their life.of their life.


KoansKoans

One way to look at the Battle of Proof is like a Zen One way to look at the Battle of Proof is like a Zen Koan. For those of you unfamiliar with that: In Zen Koan. For those of you unfamiliar with that: In Zen Buddhism, Zen Masters give their students riddles Buddhism, Zen Masters give their students riddles called koans to solve. The Japanese word “koan” called koans to solve. The Japanese word “koan” (the Chinese equivalent being “kung-an”) means (the Chinese equivalent being “kung-an”) means “public case”. That’s exactly what this Battle of “public case”. That’s exactly what this Battle of Proof is, a public case. In answering a koan the Zen Proof is, a public case. In answering a koan the Zen student is allowed to do student is allowed to do anythinganything. Anything at all. . Anything at all. As in this case, the answer can be a gesture, a As in this case, the answer can be a gesture, a pantomine, a statement, or a single word. pantomine, a statement, or a single word.


An old Zen poem states:An old Zen poem states:

Everywhere I went I met with words,Everywhere I went I met with words, But I couldn’t understand them.But I couldn’t understand them. The ball of doubt within my heartThe ball of doubt within my heart Was as big as a wicker basket.Was as big as a wicker basket. The Master, from his mat of felt,The Master, from his mat of felt, Rose up like a dragon,Rose up like a dragon, And, baring his right arm,And, baring his right arm, Struck my chest a single blow.Struck my chest a single blow. My ball of doubt, fright-shattered,My ball of doubt, fright-shattered, Fell to the ground with a crash!Fell to the ground with a crash!


The first koan of the Inzan School The first koan of the Inzan School of Zen is:of Zen is:

““In clapping both hands a sound is heard: In clapping both hands a sound is heard: What is the sound of one hand What is the sound of one hand clapping?”clapping?”


Answer to the First Koan:Answer to the First Koan:

The student faces The student faces his Master, takes a his Master, takes a correct posture, and correct posture, and without a word, without a word, thrusts one hand thrusts one hand forward… As simple forward… As simple and as elegant as and as elegant as that.that.



The Battle of Proof is my koan to you. The Battle of Proof is my koan to you. Like the Zen monk, you can do anything Like the Zen monk, you can do anything within reason to answer it. So be within reason to answer it. So be creative. Look closely at what your creative. Look closely at what your Magickal Weapon represents and chose Magickal Weapon represents and chose wisely.wisely.



The Battle of Proof can be a recital, a The Battle of Proof can be a recital, a poem or haiku, or a song you wrote to poem or haiku, or a song you wrote to honor your Warrior path. It could be a honor your Warrior path. It could be a Warrior dance, a demonstration of Warrior dance, a demonstration of psychic ability, or a written essay on a psychic ability, or a written essay on a related subject. Or it could be as simple related subject. Or it could be as simple as a gesture, a symbol, that represents as a gesture, a symbol, that represents your achievement. your achievement.


The ZendoThe Zendo


The ZendoThe Zendo

The Zendo is a place where the earth The Zendo is a place where the earth energies and air energies merge, energies and air energies merge, creating a suitable place to do meditation creating a suitable place to do meditation to focus will.to focus will.

As mentioned in Lesson 14, this is a As mentioned in Lesson 14, this is a good place to meditate to discover what good place to meditate to discover what you should do for your Battle of Proof.you should do for your Battle of Proof.


Challenge Challenge formationformation


Battle of Proof 2Battle of Proof 2

SeneschalSeneschal: “You cannot enter : “You cannot enter the Mastery unless you have the Mastery unless you have made your purpose clear. Why made your purpose clear. Why do you believe yourself ready to do you believe yourself ready to be recognized as a Master of be recognized as a Master of the Order of Paladins?”the Order of Paladins?”

Candidate answers.Candidate answers. SeneschalSeneschal: “How will you : “How will you

demonstrate your Mastery?”demonstrate your Mastery?” Candidate answers as best they Candidate answers as best they

can, doing a demonstration of can, doing a demonstration of whatever skill they have whatever skill they have chosen.chosen.


Battle of Proof 3Battle of Proof 3

SeneschalSeneschal: “How will you serve the Order of : “How will you serve the Order of Paladins as a Master Knight?”Paladins as a Master Knight?”

Candidate answers as best they can.Candidate answers as best they can. If the responses are acceptable, the Seneschal If the responses are acceptable, the Seneschal

anoints the candidate’s forehead with the sign anoints the candidate’s forehead with the sign of Scáthach (circle, vertical line through middle, of Scáthach (circle, vertical line through middle, one dot to left of line, two to the right) and then one dot to left of line, two to the right) and then the Seneschal directs the Sergeants to admit the Seneschal directs the Sergeants to admit the Mastery candidate to the Circle. Seneschal the Mastery candidate to the Circle. Seneschal deals with each candidate for Mastery one by deals with each candidate for Mastery one by one.one.


Magickal WeaponsMagickal Weapons

In the Arming ritual which made you a In the Arming ritual which made you a Knight, you dedicated yourself to one of Knight, you dedicated yourself to one of the pairs of Magickal Weapons:the pairs of Magickal Weapons: Sword/AthameSword/Athame Staff/WandStaff/Wand Cauldron/GrailCauldron/Grail Shield/StoneShield/Stone


PrerequisitePrerequisite

Candidates for the Candidates for the Mastering ritual Mastering ritual should bring the should bring the Magickal Weapons Magickal Weapons that they were that they were dedicated to in the dedicated to in the Arming ritual that Arming ritual that made them made them Knights.Knights.


55thth Pair of Magickal Weapons Pair of Magickal Weapons

In the Mastering ritual, you dedicate In the Mastering ritual, you dedicate yourself to Mind and Spirit, the 5yourself to Mind and Spirit, the 5thth pair of pair of Magickal Weapons, which masters the Magickal Weapons, which masters the other 4other 4


Empty HandEmpty Hand

Remember what the Remember what the Japanese word Japanese word “karate” means? It “karate” means? It means: “empty hand”. means: “empty hand”.


Empty HandEmpty Hand

Think of hands and feet Think of hands and feet as swordsas swords人の手足を剣と思へ人の手足を剣と思へHi to no te-ashi wa ken to Hi to no te-ashi wa ken to omoeomoe


The MasteringThe Mastering

In the Arming ritual, In the Arming ritual, the candidate the candidate becomes the master becomes the master of their chosen of their chosen Magickal Weapon.Magickal Weapon.

In the Mastering In the Mastering Ceremony, the Ceremony, the candidate candidate becomes a becomes a Magickal Weapon Magickal Weapon themselvesthemselves..


Mirror MagickMirror Magick

““The face is the mirror of the mind, and The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart.”secrets of the heart.”



Following the Battle of Proof the initiate is Following the Battle of Proof the initiate is confronted by Knights representing the confronted by Knights representing the five elements (air, fire, water, earth, and five elements (air, fire, water, earth, and spirit) who show the initiate their spirit) who show the initiate their reflection in a hand mirror. This is a form reflection in a hand mirror. This is a form of mirror magickof mirror magick



““Mirror working” is something that Dion Fortune talked Mirror working” is something that Dion Fortune talked about in her book Moon Magick. Mirrors are curious about in her book Moon Magick. Mirrors are curious things. You’d think that what they are showing you is things. You’d think that what they are showing you is reality. In actual fact, because your eyeballs are reality. In actual fact, because your eyeballs are connected to your brain, your mind is interpreting what connected to your brain, your mind is interpreting what you see. This means that what you actually see may you see. This means that what you actually see may be what you hope to see or what you fear to see.be what you hope to see or what you fear to see.



Instead of just sitting back and letting this Instead of just sitting back and letting this happen, you can actually focus your mind happen, you can actually focus your mind on the image and “steer it” to take you on the image and “steer it” to take you places on the astral or in the world that places on the astral or in the world that you need to see. You can also use this you need to see. You can also use this vision in the mirror to steer yourself away vision in the mirror to steer yourself away from your fears and towards your hopes from your fears and towards your hopes and goals. Many people find it easier to and goals. Many people find it easier to see “psychically” in a mirror. see “psychically” in a mirror.


Ceremony of MasteryCeremony of Mastery

The Grand Master hands the candidate each of The Grand Master hands the candidate each of the four Magickal Weapons and the candidate the four Magickal Weapons and the candidate must demonstrate their mastery of each.must demonstrate their mastery of each.

It concludes with the Grand Master telling the It concludes with the Grand Master telling the candidate to “Wear the crown of spirit. Carry candidate to “Wear the crown of spirit. Carry the weight of responsibility,” having them take the weight of responsibility,” having them take on the responsibility for the mastery that they on the responsibility for the mastery that they have just demonstrated.have just demonstrated.


Laurel WreathLaurel Wreath

Following the oath of Following the oath of Mastery, the Grand Mastery, the Grand Master crowns the Master crowns the successful candidate with successful candidate with a Laurel Wreath.a Laurel Wreath.


Homer, in his Homeric Hymns, speaks of the Homer, in his Homeric Hymns, speaks of the

laurel wreath in "Hymn to Dionysis":laurel wreath in "Hymn to Dionysis":

"...I begin to sing of ivy-crowned Dionysus, the loud-"...I begin to sing of ivy-crowned Dionysus, the loud-crying god, splendid son of Zeus and glorious Semele. crying god, splendid son of Zeus and glorious Semele. The rich- haired Nymphs received him in their bosoms The rich- haired Nymphs received him in their bosoms from the lord his father, and fostered and nurtured him from the lord his father, and fostered and nurtured him carefully in the dells of Nyssa, where by the will of his carefully in the dells of Nyssa, where by the will of his father he grew up in a sweet- smelling cave, being father he grew up in a sweet- smelling cave, being reckoned among the immortals. But when the reckoned among the immortals. But when the goddesses had brought him up, a god oft hymned, then goddesses had brought him up, a god oft hymned, then began he to wander continually through the woody began he to wander continually through the woody coombes, thickly wreathed with ivy and laurel. And the coombes, thickly wreathed with ivy and laurel. And the Nymphs followed in his train with him for their leader; Nymphs followed in his train with him for their leader; and the boundless forest was filled with their outcry..."and the boundless forest was filled with their outcry..."


Laurel WreathLaurel Wreath

The ancient Greek name for the Laurel is The ancient Greek name for the Laurel is "dhafni", (named for the myth of the nymph "dhafni", (named for the myth of the nymph Daphne). Daphne).

Laurel wreaths were given to graduates and Laurel wreaths were given to graduates and poets in recognition of their scholarship. Newly poets in recognition of their scholarship. Newly qualified Doctors received a laurel crown qualified Doctors received a laurel crown because it was considered a cure-all plant. because it was considered a cure-all plant.

This is why the term “bacca-laureate” (literally This is why the term “bacca-laureate” (literally “Laurel berries”) refers to the completion of a “Laurel berries”) refers to the completion of a bachelor degree.bachelor degree.


Pythian Games, DelphiPythian Games, Delphi

Originally the prize for Olympic athletes in the Originally the prize for Olympic athletes in the ancient Hellada was an olive wreath. A laurel ancient Hellada was an olive wreath. A laurel wreath was the award for another of the Pan-wreath was the award for another of the Pan-Hellenic games, the Pythian games at Delphi. Hellenic games, the Pythian games at Delphi. Delphi was a renowned center of divination, Delphi was a renowned center of divination, and since psychic abilities are so important to and since psychic abilities are so important to us, it is appropriate that we should use the us, it is appropriate that we should use the laurel wreath in recognition of Mastery. laurel wreath in recognition of Mastery.


Mastering CredoMastering Credo

““He that would govern others, first should He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself. Master yourself be the master of himself. Master yourself and you can master anything. Master and you can master anything. Master yourself and be master of your fate and yourself and be master of your fate and the captain of your soul. With mastery the captain of your soul. With mastery comes responsibility. Be wise; Soar not comes responsibility. Be wise; Soar not too high to fall; but stoop to rise.”too high to fall; but stoop to rise.”


The QuestThe Quest

Your task before beginning the next Your task before beginning the next phase of training is to give some thought phase of training is to give some thought to choosing a quest: A project, a great to choosing a quest: A project, a great work, a service you can engage in to work, a service you can engage in to assist the community.assist the community.


Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Be Glorious!


Order of Paladins Lesson : 19 The Mastering copyright 2014 Kerr Cuhulain.

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Transcript of Order of Paladins Lesson : 19 The Mastering copyright 2014 Kerr Cuhulain.