10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Order of Paladins Introduction An Order of Knighthood

 Policies are many, Principles are few, Policies will change, Principles never do."- John Maxwell 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Hint:  Check out the notes pages for each slide. There is a lot of additional information cached in the notes.

Paladins: Etymology  The word paladin comes from the Latin palatinus, referring to an Roman official of the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill. Eventually the term came to refer to other high-level officials in the imperial, majestic and royal courts. It appeared in Old French as palatin and Middle French as paladin. Paladin first appeared in the English language in a poem written by Samuel Daniel in /20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Hero’s Quest TTTThe Quest is an essential part of the Order of Paladins. Knighthood is about responsibility, integrity, and service. Members of the Order of Paladins choose quests to serve the Order and/or the community

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Order of Paladins AAAA tradition founded in November 2007 and then revised in 2013 by Wiccan author Kerr Cuhulain, embracing Warrior philosophies as outlined in his books Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, Magickal Self Defense and Modern Knighthood.

There’s a little bit of Warrior in All of us  Being a Warrior isn’t about using your hands, it is about using your head. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

Commitment:  Since the founding of the original Order in 2007 we have discovered that while many start down this path, few get any further than the 6 th lesson where they would become Squires. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

Self Discipline  This is because this Order is for people who are self starters. We aren’t going to chase after you to get lessons done: If you really want this, you’ll pursue it. If you don’t, then you don’t belong here. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Wiccan Rede:  Members of the Order of Paladins must honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all its aspects: An it harm none, do what thou wilt

The Rede is Double Edged  The Order of Paladins focuses on both halves of the Wiccan Rede. Harm none is very important, but so is being all that you can be. Many within the Wiccan community focus on the first half, harm none. This is fine: The world could certainly use more harm none. But it is an incomplete interpretation. The other half of the Rede encourages us to be all that we can be. To reach for the stars. To be glorious. To be a Warrior, you have to follow both halves of the Wiccan Rede 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Precepts: Members of the Order of Paladins must follow the 13 warrior precepts: 1.Know thyself. 2.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters. 3.You create your own reality. 4.Develop a sense of Right Action. 5.Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters. 6.Your body is your temple: Care for it! 7.Minimal appearance, maximum content. 8.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye. 9.Power with. 10.Who dares wins. 11.The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves. 12.Be creative! 13.Do not engage in useless activity.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Know Thyself AAAA Warrior is a person who makes a fearless and objective inventory of their personal characteristics and then uses this information to take control of their life.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters TTTThe Warrior must learn to dip below the surface and arrive at a true understanding of things in order to act appropriately and effectively.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain You create your own reality TTTThis the ultimate purpose of magick. The second half of the Wiccan Rede encourages us to do just this: DO what thou wilt. It invites us to go forward and be what we want to be.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain /20/2015 "Hope" by Kerr Cuhulain 4. Right Action SSSSimply stated, right action is "what is right, just and true.” Honor is being ever mindful of how your actions reflect upon yourself and your community.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters. AAAAttention to detail is one of the most effective ways to prevent unexpected problems. The Warrior plans for all possible contingencies.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Your body is your temple: Care for it! TTTThe better shape that you are in, the more effective your magick will be. Chi flows more efficiently through a body that is fit.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Minimal appearance, maximum content. YYYYou don’t need to do complicated, lengthy rituals to do effective magick. The best approach is to adhere to the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple and Straightforward).

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye. TTTThis is about clearing your mind of distractions, becoming aware of subtle currents, instincts, and emotions, and seeing into the depths not only of the world around you, but into the depths of human nature too.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Power With TTTThe Warrior’s aim is to harmonize or entrain herself with the universe surrounding her, which all exists on one level, overlapping. You become the valve or gateway through which the energy flows.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Who dares, wins. TTTTo dare is to DO what thou wilt. To dare is to have faith in yourself and your abilities. To let go of your inhibitions and doubts.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves SSSSelf mastery requires self discipline and determination. Dan Millman's teacher Socrates gave him this advice: "Urges do not matter; actions do. Persist as a Warrior."

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Be creative! DDDDon’t do something because “this is the way that it has always been done.” Don’t do things simply because they are “traditional.” Use a particular technique because it works.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain Do not engage in useless activity IIIIf you find that a particular technique or “spell” doesn’t work, you should set it aside. Perhaps it won’t work for you at your present stage of development. Maybe it isn’t a technique that will work for you at all. If this is the case, toss it out.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Code of Chivalry The thirteen chivalric values that the Order upholds are:  Sincerity  Courtesy  Compassion  Perseverance  Industriousness  Justice  Loyalty  Courage  Self-Discipline  Humility  Largesse  Truth  Honor.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Sincerity FFFFreedom from deceit, duplicity and hypocrisy.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Courtesy SSSShowing respect and consideration at all times towards others.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Compassion SSSSympathy and consideration for others. CCCCompassion is one of the ethical principles in Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess: “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Perseverance SSSSteadfastness. Seeing things through to completion.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Industriousness LLLLiving life to the full through being creative.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Justice UUUUpholding freedom, rationality, equality and enlightenment and the rule of law. AAAAn essential element of right action

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Loyalty KKKKeeping one’s word and supporting those around you. The Ásatrú call it Troth: Fealty, faith, and fidelity.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Courage SSSStanding by one’s principles in the face of fear.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Self-Discipline TTTTaking responsibility for one’s actions is what the Wiccan Rede is all about.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Humility TTTTo be modest and dignified rather than arrogant.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Largesse GGGGenerosity towards friends and community.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Truth BBBBeing committed to truth and clear perception.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 and Honor HHHHonor is defined in Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary as: "... A sense of what is right, just and true; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle, or moral rectitude." This is what we mean by the expression “right action”.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Precept of the Month  All year: Precept: Know Thyself Chivalry: Honor MonthPreceptChivalric Quality JanuaryNurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters. Sincerity FebruaryYou create your own reality.Truth MarchDevelop a sense of Right Action.Compassion AprilDo not be negligent, even in trifling matters Perseverance MayYour body is your temple: Care for it!Self-Discipline JuneMinimal appearance, maximum content Industriousness JulyPerceive that which cannot be seen with the eye. Justice AugustPower withLargesse SeptemberWho dares winsCourage OctoberThe Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves Humility NovemberBe creative!Courtesy DecemberDo not engage in useless activityLoyalty

Inner and Outer Courts  The Outer court includes friends of the Order who support the Order and attend open rituals and functions but do not commit to the training  The Inner Court consists of members of the Order committed to training to become Knights, Masters, or Paladins of the Order 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

Inner VS Outer  Outer: place for people to find themselves, to find peace  Inner: place for people to master themselves, to make peace 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

Outer Court  Members of the Outer court are known as “Sentinels” 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

4 Degrees The Order of Paladins has four degrees: 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

1 st Degree: Squire  The first phase of training (Novice) has to do with energy, psychic skills and magick. Learning about all you are. It is also about learning the 4 levels of service. The novice is on probation and must prove their worthiness. At the end of this first phase the novice becomes a Squire at an Armoring ceremony. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

2 nd Degree: Knight  The second phase of training has to do with learning to use all that you have discovered within yourself. It includes training in ritual and magickal weapons. At the end of this second phase the Squire becomes a Knight at an Arming ceremony. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

3 rd Degree: Master  The third phase of training is about teaching and leadership. At the end of this third phase the Knight becomes a Master at a Mastering ceremony. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

4 th Degree: Paladin  The fourth and final phase of training is about the knight’s quest. At the end of this third phase the Master becomes a Paladin at a Dedication ceremony. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Order of Paladins Degrees Unlike most Wiccan traditions, the Order of Paladins uses colored belts rather than cords to indicate the level of initiation attained:  Novice: white  Squire: green  Knight: brown  Master: black  Paladin: black with purple band

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Novice This comes from the Middle English word “novyce” (1330 – 50), which is derived from the Latin “novicius” (“newly come into a particular status”).

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Squire This word is derived from the word “esquire”, which comes from the late Middle English (1425 – 75) term “esquier”, derived in turn from the Middle French word “escuier”. These all stem from the Latin term “scutarius”, which means “shield bearer”.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Knight Having completed the second cycle of training, the Squire becomes a Knight in the Arming ceremony.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Master Having completed the third cycle of training, the Knight becomes a Master in the Mastering ceremony. At this stage the Master begins working at training others.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Paladins CCCCharlemagne called the foremost warriors of his court “The paladins”. They were sometimes also referred to as the Twelve Peers. They first appear in the early chansons de geste such as The Song of Roland, where they represent Christian valor against the Saracen hordes. The paladins and their associated exploits are largely later fictional inventions, with some basis on historical Frankish retainers of the 8th century and events such as the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. By the 13th century words referring specifically to Charlemagne's peers began appearing in European languages. Eventually paladin came to refer to any chivalrous hero. TTTThe term appealed to our founder as a term for our Order as he is directly descended from Charlemagne.

Paladin  Having completed the 4 th level of training, the Master becomes a Paladin at the Dedication Ceremony. 10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Magick The Order of Paladins teaches its members how to use energy and do effective magick. We do a lot of work to develop psychic abilities. We also take our Magickal Weapons seriously and train with them.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Book of Shadows TTTThe Order of Paladins returns to the original intent of a BOS, as I outlined in my book Full Contact Magick: A personal journal. Every member is to keep one and use it to record their work. It can be a notebook, it can be a binder, it can be a computer file, it could be written in some obscure magickal script, but you’ll have one.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 A “dry” Tradition There will be no liquor in Order of Paladins Circles or rituals. The Order of Paladins may have social events outside of Circle where such beverages are available, but they will not be used in ritual.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Drug Free The Order of Paladins is a drug free tradition. No illegal drugs will be tolerated, period. Members of the Order of Paladins will obey the laws and uphold them. Our position on this subject is well documented in Kerr’s books Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, and Magickal Self Defense. We will support anyone committed to recovery efforts.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Kid Friendly The Order of Paladins is is a family tradition and children are entirely welcome in Circle and out. The rules are the same for kids as for adults: People in Circle are expected to behave with courtesy towards others.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Order of Paladins Ritual Dress For public events we wear a tabard or surcoat with our heraldry and the Order of Paladins logo on the breast in white or a gi with this design on the back. For public events we wear a tabard or surcoat with our heraldry and the Order of Paladins logo on the breast in white or a gi with this design on the back.

10/20/2015Copyright Kerr Cuhulain 2013 Order of Paladins Be Glorious!