Comments on: Let the Sword Fall http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/ Thoughts on Dreams, Life, and Spirit Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:32:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Macha http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6473 Macha Wed, 02 May 2007 22:40:06 +0000 http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6473 Actually, we do have an analagous system in the magical arts. At least some trads do. The system of elevations, 1st degree, etc. Sometimes they're called other names. In a guild system (such as the Good Hair Guild???), they'd be called apprentice, journey[wo]man, master/mistress. Probably we anti-authoritarian types don't see them as useful, rather see them as 'power over.' In their truest sense they're intended to be a recognition of the acquisition of knowledge and skills and successfully (gradually) integrating them into the self of the person being recognized. So one of my questions is: if Reclaiming is truly a non-hierarchical system (which I do not, and have never, experienced it as being), then what are senior WitchCamp teachers, etc.? Hnf! Actually, we do have an analagous system in the magical arts. At least some trads do. The system of elevations, 1st degree, etc. Sometimes they’re called other names. In a guild system (such as the Good Hair Guild???), they’d be called apprentice, journey[wo]man, master/mistress. Probably we anti-authoritarian types don’t see them as useful, rather see them as ‘power over.’ In their truest sense they’re intended to be a recognition of the acquisition of knowledge and skills and successfully (gradually) integrating them into the self of the person being recognized.

So one of my questions is: if Reclaiming is truly a non-hierarchical system (which I do not, and have never, experienced it as being), then what are senior WitchCamp teachers, etc.? Hnf!

]]> By: Marjie http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6464 Marjie Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:45:26 +0000 http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6464 I think part of the trust is REALLY believing that one has a Power Greater Than Oneself and REALLY believing that it is NOT ME! Then, for me, it is possible to *let the sword fall* and believe it is still guided. But I get the martial arts thing, too. I *got* it the first time I broke a board. It's not all in the power of the strike. I can't really explain it well. It's part attitude, part belief. I think part of the trust is REALLY believing that one has a Power Greater Than Oneself and REALLY believing that it is NOT ME!
Then, for me, it is possible to *let the sword fall* and believe it is still guided.

But I get the martial arts thing, too. I *got* it the first time I broke a board. It’s not all in the power of the strike. I can’t really explain it well. It’s part attitude, part belief.

]]> By: Anne http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6463 Anne Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:05:41 +0000 http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6463 Ain't it the truth! The trick is to figure out ways to keep the mind engaged while going through those years of preparation. I think that's why the colored belt system was developed. I can't see any analogous system in the magical arts. And Reya, I love that "follow through, girls!" Words of wisdom in so many settings. How fortunate for you and your sisters that you had that early training in form and intention. Ain’t it the truth! The trick is to figure out ways to keep the mind engaged while going through those years of preparation. I think that’s why the colored belt system was developed. I can’t see any analogous system in the magical arts.

And Reya, I love that “follow through, girls!” Words of wisdom in so many settings. How fortunate for you and your sisters that you had that early training in form and intention.

]]> By: Thorn Coyle http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6462 Thorn Coyle Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:38:29 +0000 http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6462 The thing about simplicity is that it most often takes years of preparation. The thing about simplicity is that it most often takes years of preparation.

]]> By: Reya Mellicker http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6461 Reya Mellicker Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:31:05 +0000 http://gnosiscafe.com/gcblog/2007/04/24/let-the-sword-fall/#comment-6461 It wasn't at all difficult to read, nor obscure either. Brilliant, actually. My father was a bowling coach. He taught us form, taught us how to focus on one of the spots halfway up the alley. "Let the ball swing your arm," he would say. "Follow through, girls!" was another favorite phrase. It meant, let go of the ball, really let go, but continue the form. It's true that you are much more blunt than you used to be, a quality that recently has been of great help to me. Thank you! It wasn’t at all difficult to read, nor obscure either. Brilliant, actually. My father was a bowling coach. He taught us form, taught us how to focus on one of the spots halfway up the alley. “Let the ball swing your arm,” he would say. “Follow through, girls!” was another favorite phrase. It meant, let go of the ball, really let go, but continue the form.

It’s true that you are much more blunt than you used to be, a quality that recently has been of great help to me. Thank you!

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