10/20/2015copyright kerr cuhulain 2013 order of paladins introduction an order of knighthood

04/20/2304/20/23 Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Introduction

An Order of Knighthood

Policies are many, Principles are few, Policies are many, Principles are few, Policies will change, Principles never Policies will change, Principles never do."- John Maxwelldo."- John Maxwell



Hint:Hint:

Check out the notes pages for each slide. Check out the notes pages for each slide. There is a lot of additional information There is a lot of additional information cached in the notes.cached in the notes.

Paladins: EtymologyPaladins: Etymology

The word paladin comes from the Latin The word paladin comes from the Latin palatinus, referring to an Roman official of the palatinus, referring to an Roman official of the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill. Eventually imperial palace on the Palatine Hill. Eventually the term came to refer to other high-level the term came to refer to other high-level officials in the imperial, majestic and royal officials in the imperial, majestic and royal courts. It appeared in Old French as palatin courts. It appeared in Old French as palatin and Middle French as paladin. Paladin first and Middle French as paladin. Paladin first appeared in the English language in a poem appeared in the English language in a poem written by Samuel Daniel in 1592. written by Samuel Daniel in 1592.



Hero’s QuestHero’s Quest

The Quest is an essential part The Quest is an essential part of the Order of Paladins. of the Order of Paladins. Knighthood is about Knighthood is about responsibility, integrity, and responsibility, integrity, and service. Members of the Order service. Members of the Order of Paladins choose quests to of Paladins choose quests to serve the Order and/or the serve the Order and/or the community community



A tradition founded in November 2007 and A tradition founded in November 2007 and then revised in 2013 by Wiccan author Kerr then revised in 2013 by Wiccan author Kerr Cuhulain, embracing Warrior philosophies as Cuhulain, embracing Warrior philosophies as outlined in his books outlined in his books Wiccan Warrior,Wiccan Warrior, Full Full Contact MagickContact Magick, , Magickal Self Defense and Magickal Self Defense and Modern KnighthoodModern Knighthood. .

There’s a little bit of Warrior in There’s a little bit of Warrior in All of usAll of us

Being a Warrior isn’t about using your Being a Warrior isn’t about using your hands, it is about using your head.hands, it is about using your head.


Commitment:Commitment:

Since the founding of the original Order Since the founding of the original Order in 2007 we have discovered that while in 2007 we have discovered that while many start down this path, few get any many start down this path, few get any further than the 6further than the 6thth lesson where they lesson where they would become Squires.would become Squires.


Self DisciplineSelf Discipline

This is because this Order is for people This is because this Order is for people who are self starters. We aren’t going to who are self starters. We aren’t going to chase after you to get lessons done: If chase after you to get lessons done: If you really want this, you’ll pursue it. If you really want this, you’ll pursue it. If you don’t, then you don’t belong here.you don’t, then you don’t belong here.



Wiccan Rede:Wiccan Rede:

Members of the Order of Paladins must Members of the Order of Paladins must honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all its aspects:its aspects:

An it harm none, do what thou wiltAn it harm none, do what thou wilt

The Rede is Double The Rede is Double EdgedEdged

The Order of Paladins focuses on both halves of the The Order of Paladins focuses on both halves of the Wiccan Rede. Harm none is very important, but so is Wiccan Rede. Harm none is very important, but so is being all that you can be. Many within the Wiccan being all that you can be. Many within the Wiccan community focus on the first half, harm none. This is community focus on the first half, harm none. This is fine: The world could certainly use more harm none. fine: The world could certainly use more harm none. But it is an incomplete interpretation. The other half of But it is an incomplete interpretation. The other half of the Rede encourages us to be all that we can be. To the Rede encourages us to be all that we can be. To reach for the stars. To be glorious. To be a Warrior, reach for the stars. To be glorious. To be a Warrior, you have to follow both halves of the Wiccan Redeyou have to follow both halves of the Wiccan Rede



13 Precepts:13 Precepts:

Members of the Order of Paladins must follow the 13 warrior precepts:Members of the Order of Paladins must follow the 13 warrior 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.


1. Know Thyself1. Know Thyself

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


2. Nurture the ability to 2. Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all perceive the truth in all mattersmatters

The Warrior must The Warrior must learn to dip below the learn to dip below the surface and arrive at a surface and arrive at a true understanding of true understanding of things in order to act things in order to act appropriately and appropriately and effectively. effectively.


3. You create your own reality3. You create your own reality

This the ultimate This the ultimate purpose of magick. purpose of magick. The second half of The second half of the Wiccan Rede the Wiccan Rede encourages us to do encourages us to do just this: DO what just this: DO what thou wilt. It invites thou wilt. It invites us to go forward and us to go forward and be what we want to be what we want to be. be.

04/20/2304/20/23 Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 201304/20/2304/20/23 "Hope" by Kerr Cuhulain"Hope" by Kerr Cuhulain

4. Right Action4. Right Action

Simply stated, right Simply stated, right action is "what is action is "what is right, just and true.” right, just and true.” Honor is being ever Honor is being ever mindful of how your mindful of how your actions reflect upon actions reflect upon yourself and your yourself and your community. community.


5. Do not be negligent, even in 5. Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.trifling matters.

Attention to detail is Attention to detail is one of the most one of the most effective ways to effective ways to prevent unexpected prevent unexpected problems. The problems. The Warrior plans for all Warrior plans for all possible possible contingencies. contingencies.


6. Your body is your temple: Care 6. Your body is your temple: Care for it!for it!

The better shape The better shape that you are in, the that you are in, the more effective more effective your magick will your magick will be. Chi flows be. Chi flows more efficiently more efficiently through a body through a body that is fit. that is fit.


7. Minimal appearance, maximum 7. Minimal appearance, maximum content.content.

You don’t need to You don’t need to do complicated, do complicated, lengthy rituals to do lengthy rituals to do effective magick. effective magick. The best approach The best approach is to adhere to the is to adhere to the K.I.S.S. principle K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple and (Keep It Simple and Straightforward). Straightforward).


8. Perceive that which cannot be 8. Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.seen with the eye.

This is about clearing This is about clearing your mind of your mind of distractions, distractions, becoming aware of becoming aware of subtle currents, subtle currents, instincts, and instincts, and emotions, and seeing emotions, and seeing into the depths not into the depths not only of the world only of the world around you, but into around you, but into the depths of human the depths of human nature too. nature too.


9. Power With9. Power With

The Warrior’s aim The Warrior’s aim is to harmonize or is to harmonize or entrain herself entrain herself with the universe with the universe surrounding her, surrounding her, which all exists on which all exists on one level, one level, overlapping. You overlapping. You become the valve become the valve or gateway or gateway through which the through which the energy flows.energy flows.


10. Who dares, wins.10. Who dares, wins.

To dare is to DO To dare is to DO what thou wilt. To what thou wilt. To dare is to have faith dare is to have faith in yourself and your in yourself and your abilities. To let go abilities. To let go of your inhibitions of your inhibitions and doubts. and doubts.


11. The Gods cannot help those 11. The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselveswho will not help themselves

Self mastery Self mastery requires self requires self discipline and discipline and determination. Dan determination. Dan Millman's teacher Millman's teacher Socrates gave him Socrates gave him this advice: "Urges this advice: "Urges do not matter; do not matter; actions do. Persist actions do. Persist as a Warrior."as a Warrior."


12. Be creative!12. Be creative!

Don’t do something Don’t do something because “this is the because “this is the way that it has always way that it has always been done.” Don’t do been done.” Don’t do things simply because things simply because they are “traditional.” they are “traditional.” Use a particular Use a particular technique because it technique because it works.works.


13. Do not engage in 13. Do not engage in useless activityuseless activity

If you find that a If you find that a particular technique or particular technique or “spell” doesn’t work, “spell” doesn’t work, you should set it you should set it aside. Perhaps it aside. Perhaps it won’t work for you at won’t work for you at your present stage of your present stage of development. Maybe development. Maybe it isn’t a technique that it isn’t a technique that will work for you at all. will work for you at all. If this is the case, toss If this is the case, toss it out. it out.


Code of ChivalryCode of Chivalry

The thirteen chivalric values that The thirteen chivalric values that the Order upholds are: the Order upholds are:

SinceritySincerity CourtesyCourtesy CompassionCompassion PerseverancePerseverance IndustriousnessIndustriousness JusticeJustice LoyaltyLoyalty CourageCourage Self-DisciplineSelf-Discipline HumilityHumility LargesseLargesse TruthTruth Honor. Honor.


SinceritySincerity

Freedom from deceit, Freedom from deceit, duplicity and duplicity and hypocrisy.hypocrisy.


CourtesyCourtesy

Showing Showing respect and respect and consideration consideration at all times at all times towards towards others.others.


CompassionCompassion

Sympathy and consideration for others. Sympathy and consideration for others. Compassion is one of the ethical principles in Compassion is one of the ethical principles in

Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess: “Let my Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess: “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”humility, mirth and reverence within you.”


PerseverancePerseverance

Steadfastness. Steadfastness. Seeing things Seeing things through to through to completion.completion.


IndustriousnessIndustriousness

Living life to the Living life to the full through being full through being creative. creative.


JusticeJustice

Upholding Upholding freedom, freedom, rationality, equality rationality, equality and enlightenment and enlightenment and the rule of law.and the rule of law.

An essential An essential element of right element of right actionaction


LoyaltyLoyalty

Keeping one’s Keeping one’s word and word and supporting supporting those around those around you. The you. The Ásatrú call it Ásatrú call it Troth: Fealty, Troth: Fealty, faith, and faith, and fidelity. fidelity.


CourageCourage

Standing by one’s Standing by one’s principles in the principles in the face of fear.face of fear.


Self-DisciplineSelf-Discipline

Taking Taking responsibility for responsibility for one’s actions is one’s actions is what the Wiccan what the Wiccan Rede is all about.Rede is all about.


HumilityHumility

To be modest To be modest and dignified and dignified rather than rather than arrogant.arrogant.


LargesseLargesse

Generosity towards Generosity towards friends and friends and community.community.


TruthTruth

Being Being committed to committed to truth and truth and clear clear perception.perception.


and Honorand Honor

Honor is defined in Honor is defined in Webster’s New Twentieth Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary as: ". . . Century Dictionary as: ". . . A sense of what is right, just A sense of what is right, just and true; dignified respect and true; dignified respect for character, springing from for character, springing from probity, principle, or moral probity, principle, or moral rectitude." This is what we rectitude." This is what we mean by the expression mean by the expression “right action”.“right action”.


Precept of the MonthPrecept of the Month All yearAll year: : PreceptPrecept: Know Thyself : Know Thyself ChivalryChivalry: Honor: Honor

Month Precept Chivalric Quality

January Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.

Sincerity

February You create your own reality. Truth

March Develop a sense of Right Action. Compassion

April Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters

Perseverance

May Your body is your temple: Care for it! Self-Discipline

June Minimal appearance, maximum content

Industriousness

July Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.

Justice

August Power with Largesse

September Who dares wins Courage

October The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves

Humility

November Be creative! Courtesy

December Do not engage in useless activity Loyalty

Inner and Outer CourtsInner and Outer Courts

The Outer court The Outer court includes friends of includes friends of the Order who the Order who support the Order support the Order and attend open and attend open rituals and functions rituals and functions but do not commit to but do not commit to the training the training

The Inner Court The Inner Court consists of members consists of members of the Order of the Order committed to training committed to training to become Knights, to become Knights, Masters, or Paladins Masters, or Paladins of the Orderof the Order


Inner VS OuterInner VS Outer

Outer: place for Outer: place for people to find people to find themselves, to find themselves, to find peacepeace

Inner: place for Inner: place for people to master people to master themselves, to themselves, to make peacemake peace


Outer CourtOuter Court

Members of the Outer court are known Members of the Outer court are known as “Sentinels” as “Sentinels”


4 Degrees4 Degrees

The Order of The Order of Paladins has Paladins has four degrees:four degrees:


11stst Degree: Squire Degree: Squire

The first phase of training (Novice) has to The first phase of training (Novice) has to do with energy, psychic skills and do with energy, psychic skills and magick. Learning about all you are. It is magick. Learning about all you are. It is also about learning the 4 levels of also about learning the 4 levels of service. The novice is on probation and service. The novice is on probation and must prove their worthiness. At the end must prove their worthiness. At the end of this first phase the novice becomes a of this first phase the novice becomes a SquireSquire at an at an ArmoringArmoring ceremony. ceremony.


22ndnd Degree: Knight Degree: Knight

The second phase of training has to do The second phase of training has to do with learning to use all that you have with learning to use all that you have discovered within yourself. It includes discovered within yourself. It includes training in ritual and magickal weapons. training in ritual and magickal weapons. At the end of this second phase the At the end of this second phase the SquireSquire becomes a becomes a KnightKnight at an at an ArmingArming ceremony.ceremony.


33rdrd Degree: Master Degree: Master

The third phase of training is about The third phase of training is about teaching and leadership. At the end of teaching and leadership. At the end of this third phase the this third phase the KnightKnight becomes a becomes a MasterMaster at a at a MasteringMastering ceremony. ceremony.


44thth Degree: Paladin Degree: Paladin

The fourth and final phase of training is The fourth and final phase of training is about the knight’s quest. At the end of about the knight’s quest. At the end of this third phase the this third phase the Master Master becomes a becomes a Paladin Paladin at a at a Dedication Dedication ceremony.ceremony.



Order of Paladins DegreesOrder of Paladins Degrees

Unlike most Wiccan traditions, the Order of Unlike most Wiccan traditions, the Order of Paladins uses colored belts rather than Paladins uses colored belts rather than cords to indicate the level of initiation cords to indicate the level of initiation attained:attained:

Novice: whiteNovice: white Squire: greenSquire: green Knight: brownKnight: brown Master: blackMaster: black Paladin: black with purple bandPaladin: black with purple band


NoviceNovice

This comes from This comes from the Middle English the Middle English word “novyce” word “novyce” (1330 – 50), which (1330 – 50), which is derived from the is derived from the Latin “novicius” Latin “novicius” (“newly come into (“newly come into a particular a particular status”).status”).


SquireSquire

This word is derived This word is derived from the word from the word “esquire”, which comes “esquire”, which comes from the late Middle from the late Middle English (1425 – 75) English (1425 – 75) term “esquier”, derived term “esquier”, derived in turn from the Middle in turn from the Middle French word “escuier”. French word “escuier”. These all stem from These all stem from the Latin term the Latin term “scutarius”, which “scutarius”, which means “shield bearer”. means “shield bearer”.


KnightKnightHaving completed the second cycle of Having completed the second cycle of training, the Squire becomes a Knight training, the Squire becomes a Knight in the Arming ceremony. in the Arming ceremony.


MasterMasterHaving completed the third cycle of training, the Having completed the third cycle of training, the

Knight becomes a Master in the Mastering Knight becomes a Master in the Mastering ceremony. At this stage the Master begins ceremony. At this stage the Master begins working at training others.working at training others.


PaladinsPaladins Charlemagne called the foremost warriors of his Charlemagne called the foremost warriors of his

court “The paladins”. They were sometimes also court “The paladins”. They were sometimes also referred to as the Twelve Peers. They first referred to as the Twelve Peers. They first appear in the early chansons de geste such as appear in the early chansons de geste such as The Song of Roland, where they represent The Song of Roland, where they represent Christian valor against the Saracen hordes. The Christian valor against the Saracen hordes. The paladins and their associated exploits are paladins and their associated exploits are largely later fictional inventions, with some basis largely later fictional inventions, with some basis on historical Frankish retainers of the 8th on historical Frankish retainers of the 8th century and events such as the Battle of century and events such as the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. By the 13th century words Roncevaux Pass. By the 13th century words referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers began appearing in European languages. began appearing in European languages. Eventually paladin came to refer to any Eventually paladin came to refer to any chivalrous hero.chivalrous hero.

The term appealed to our founder as a term for The term appealed to our founder as a term for our Order as he is directly descended from our Order as he is directly descended from Charlemagne.Charlemagne.

PaladinPaladin

Having completed the 4Having completed the 4thth level of training, level of training, the Master becomes a Paladin at the the Master becomes a Paladin at the Dedication Ceremony.Dedication Ceremony.



MagickMagick

The Order of Paladins The Order of Paladins teaches its members how to teaches its members how to use energy and do effective use energy and do effective magick. We do a lot of work magick. We do a lot of work to develop psychic abilities. to develop psychic abilities. We also take our Magickal We also take our Magickal Weapons seriously and train Weapons seriously and train with them.with them.


Book of ShadowsBook of Shadows

The Order of Paladins returns The Order of Paladins returns to the original intent of a BOS, to the original intent of a BOS, as I outlined in my book as I outlined in my book Full Full Contact MagickContact Magick: A personal : A personal journal. Every member is to journal. Every member is to keep one and use it to record keep one and use it to record their work. It can be a their work. It can be a notebook, it can be a binder, it notebook, it can be a binder, it can be a computer file, it can be a computer file, it could be written in some could be written in some obscure magickal script, but obscure magickal script, but you’ll have one. you’ll have one.


A “dry” TraditionA “dry” Tradition

There will be no liquor There will be no liquor in Order of Paladins in Order of Paladins Circles or rituals. The Circles or rituals. The Order of Paladins may Order of Paladins may have social events have social events outside of Circle outside of Circle where such beverages where such beverages are available, but they are available, but they will not be used in will not be used in ritual.ritual.


Drug FreeDrug Free

The Order of Paladins is a drug The Order of Paladins is a drug free tradition. No illegal drugs free tradition. No illegal drugs will be tolerated, period. will be tolerated, period. Members of the Order of Members of the Order of Paladins will obey the laws and Paladins will obey the laws and uphold them. Our position on uphold them. Our position on this subject is well documented this subject is well documented in Kerr’s books in Kerr’s books Wiccan Warrior, Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact MagickFull Contact Magick, and , and Magickal Self DefenseMagickal Self Defense. We will . We will support anyone committed to support anyone committed to recovery efforts. recovery efforts.


Kid FriendlyKid Friendly

The Order of Paladins is is The Order of Paladins is is a family tradition and a family tradition and children are entirely children are entirely welcome in Circle and out. welcome in Circle and out. The rules are the same The rules are the same for kids as for adults: for kids as for adults: People in Circle are People in Circle are expected to behave with expected to behave with courtesy towards others.courtesy towards others.


Order of Paladins Order of Paladins Ritual DressRitual Dress

For public For public events we wear events we wear a tabard or a tabard or surcoat with our surcoat with our heraldry and the heraldry and the Order of Order of Paladins logo Paladins logo on the breast in on the breast in white or a gi white or a gi with this design with this design on the back. on the back.



Be Glorious!

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