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Initiation
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Initiation and Ceremony: Man's Quest for Unity by Mark Alan Trimeloni Acceptance is the key word in the art of initiation. We continually strive to be accepted by our peers. Initiation into a group provides just such a feeling of acceptance. Initiation has been a central rite of passage for new members into religious, fraternal, and other organizations for as long as man can remember. The use of initiations to strengthen bonds among group members is evidenced throughout history. Initiation is usually a series of trials a new member must endure to gain entrance into an organization. These rituals are mostly of a symbolic nature pertaining to the history or background of the group. One central theme of initiations involves the passing from an unenlightened stage into the light of knowledge provided by the organization. This knowledge of group signs and secrets provides the new member with a feeling of belonging to a greater group. The ceremonies performed differ from organization to organization. Some use the ceremonies as a rite of passage from adolescence to manhood. The Australian Aborigine's use this type of ritual. The ritual requires the boys to endure long separation from their families. Tests of strength, stamina, and the ability to endure pain are used. All the ceremonies are used to take the boys through a ritual death before they are reborn as men. Although the practices differ, the reasoning remains the same. A passage through trials to eventually belong to a larger group. Initiation is alive today. Everyone knows about the trials faced by college students to gain entrance into a sorority or fraternity. The same bonding element is present. Most organizations have a hierarchy within the group. A member can gain levels by performing additional ceremonies or tasks. This subsequent rising within the organization is a perfect measure for ensuring member loyalty. Many groups use this inner advancement mechanism to ensure the stability of the organization. The initiation is a potent form of group control. The rite provide the new members with a feeling of acceptance by their peers. The organization gains a solid member to teach its practices to. You must admit, the power of ceremonies is astounding. Source material: Time-Life Books, Inc.: Ancient Wisdom and Secret Sects, Richmond, Virginia: Time Inc., 1989 Afterward by Lee Manges, Bard. Mr. Trimeloni has brought up a point missed by most reenactors. The initiation is a solemn part of history. Many claim such affiliations. Few know of the initiation, let alone how they should act when approached. For example let us look at the knights, druids, Masons. Each has a set of conditions. For a knight, to go through the lower ranks of page and squire. Understanding of principals: the druids about the relevance to nature. Finally, rituals that would be followed. Masons show this. As a candidate enters he prays, then stops at the Junior Warden, then the senior warden, etc. Each group offers different salutes, hand shakes, and secret ways of recognizing each other. The next time you are at a reenactment, you might look for those little idiosyncrasies. Until next time, may the wisdom guide you! |
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