(Librarian Note: This work was reconstructed by the archivists at the
Aisling Library of Loures: https://github.com/hybrasyl/loures)
The Philosophy of Priesthood
by Valvalis in Dark Ages
Sign of the Times
The history and theology of the Gods of Temuair have been well documented
by many scholars of religious inclination. As such, this is neither a
theology essay nor a redundant history lesson--It is a comprehensive
discourse on the distinctions between the path of Priesthood and the
services to a religious fellowship. An examination of the Philosophy of
Priesthood in both contexts. There was a time, to be sure, when those who
held the title of "Priest" in each separate fellowship were characterized
by their devotion to the philosophical concepts and ways of life
represented by their God or Goddess of worship. During these times, which
most likely ended simultaneously with the Age of Atavism, there may or may
not have been a distinction between the path of Priesthood and the service
to a fellowship that invariably followed. The concern of this discourse is
the distinction that slowly but surely arose after Atavism. At the time of
this writing, which is the primrose autumn of Deoch 31, the state of
affairs involving the entire demographic of Priests in Temuair is simply
staggering. Those who would be so inclined as to study the Priesthood now
and today, more often than not look to meticulously documented Lore that
outlines the pragmatic skills of a Priest in the context of a healer, and
a member of a hunting party. This is not to say that the ways of the Gods
have become esoteric. The simple fact is that, in a semantic and
psychologically associative way, the term "Priest" has lost a singular
meaning. There are now two distinct meanings. The purpose of this essay is
to outline what those meanings are, to compare and contrast them, and to
enlighten those seeking Priesthood concerning how to approach their path
as well as their religion.
The Path of the Priest
In these times, the most common usage of the term "Priest" refers to the
Priest's craft, or more clearly, the study of healing magics and
protection spells. Whatever their level of theological awareness may be,
you will find with solidarity that those who take up the Priest's craft do
so out of a few basic emotions and desires which lie in a general category
of motivation. The desire to protect one's self. The desire to protect
those around you. An interest in magic and mysticism. A general distaste
for physical combat. Regardless of intentions relating to Priesthood in
the context of a religious fellowship, you will find the Path of the
Priest being followed by these types of Aislings. Once achieved, the
Priest's craft opens up a whole new world of options to the young Aisling.
Mind Over Matter
There is no mystery as to how one becomes an experienced hunter in the
burgundy autumn of the 31st Deoch. The massive amount of Lore and
knowledge that has been accumulated by the population of Temuair with
regard to hunting and combat is incredible. It is now common for a Priest
to be a master of their craft, and even more common to have mastered the
arcane magicks of Wizardry along with it. Such contradictions in lifestyle
that would have been thought absurd in the early Deochs after Atavism are
now a reality. A Priest, once inherently though implicitly characterized
by the propensity to assuage rather than dominate, has now become just
another way of attaining hunting prowess. Those once thought of as
selfless, are now disturbingly selfish. There are many exceptions to this
disheartening standard. Amidst the turmoil, there are still those who
value the oaths of the Priest's craft, or yearn for the religious
priesthood. This is not to say that the "religious Priest" is superior to
the "hunting Priest". However, the Priest who holds true to his or her
identity, as well as the oath to the craft, is righteous in that he or she
is indeed a "Priest", and not a means to an end. One who wishes for the
ability to chant the anathema "ard cradh" with proficiency, and nothing
else, has betrayed the tradition of Priesthood. The Priest craft, and the
philosophy that one lives by as a Priest, must remain pure if the Path is
to be what it was meant for in the first place. The institution of
Priesthood in the context of a religious fellowship must return to the way
it was meant to be. This can only be accomplished by a change in
philosophy by the majority of the population. Your beliefs must guide your
actions. If one's heart is true and intentions are honest, the Priesthood
shall greet you with a kind warmth. How each Aisling chooses to live their
lives as a Priest from this point on depends on a number of things.
Invariably, the next step for the Priest will be choosing a religious
fellowship to join. This choice should be guided by fate, and not made on
a whim. You must follow your heart.
The Point of Digression
The transition from Priesthood to being a Priest in the service of a
religious fellowship is the time when, idealistically, the two distinct
semantic references to the title of "Priest" become differentiated. From
this point on, there are common philosophies that all religious Priests
should abide by, but of course there are huge differences in ideology
between the individual fellowships. One who devotes his or her life to the
service in a fellowship should whole-heartedly believe in these common
philosophies as well as the specific values of the fellowship that he or
she has chosen. The following sections can be used as an overview and a
guide to understanding these universal philosophies as well as the starkly
different ways of life that proceed initiation as a Priest in one of the
eight unique fellowships in Temuair.
The Philosophy of Priesthood
All Priests should abide by the universal ideals that both identify and
qualify one as a Priest. No matter which God you worship, these
philosophies will apply. For instance, all Priests must show a sincere and
unconditional devotion to their God, as well as support and approval for
the allied Gods. The nature of prayer and the giving of thanks should be
incessant and performed with zeal. Your faith as a Priest must be of the
highest order, and as such, the constant giving of thanks is necessary.
The desecration of enemy items is also a strong way to bolster faith for
all Priests, and should be done with fervor. The choice to say mass is the
personal prerogative of every Priest, but it is strongly recommended as a
way of spreading your God or Goddess' message to others. Supplications and
Entreaties are also a must for every Priest, as it is their duty to act as
a vessel through which the divine can bequeath their miracles and
consecrations unto the Aislings who beseech them for assistance. Another
duty of every Priest is to perform competent and comprehensive initiations
for potential worshippers. This is a point whereupon much corruption has
evolved over the years. Far too many Priests perform initiations without
sufficiently assuring that the Aisling in question is suitable to be a
worshipper of that particular God or Goddess, or in some extreme cases
perform initiations for selfish or even illegal reasons. The source of
this problem is lack of education or spiritual corruption. A Priest who is
true to the path and their fellowship has no need for fear. Another
example of a Priestly duty that has become abused over the years is the
responsibility to give sufficient and affirming geasea to the worshippers.
Nowadays, this is often done to bolster experience for friends and
acquaintances, in direct violation of the Priest's oath. The purpose of a
geas is to affirm the faith of the candidate. It should provide them with
a reasonable challenge, and one that will act as a rite of passage into a
deeper understanding of their faith. This entire affair should be a
thought-provoking experience for the Priest and the candidate. Aside from
specific ritualistic duties, all Priests must live in such a way that
their day to day actions reflect upon their individual faith. This is the
essence of what it means to serve a God or Goddess. Now we shall examine
each particular faith, and explore what it is that sets them apart from
the others in philosophy. Once again, keep in mind that this is a
discourse on the ideal philosophies of Priesthood in these fellowships,
and certainly not a description of the current state of affairs. This is a
guide for the future.
The Goddess of Compassion
The Temple of Glioca lies at the entrance to Mileth, thus making it by far
the most popular fellowship in the entire world. Gliocan philosophy is
unique among the fellowships, in that Glioca herself knows no hate--not
even towards her official enemies, Gramail and Ceannlaidir. One can
observe the elements of this enmity in the doctrine, all the same. In
contrast to Gramail's strict and rigid antipathy towards law breakers,
Glioca calls for compassion and forgiveness. Where Ceannlaidir would take
pleasure in war and conflict, Glioca would engender peace and mitigation.
With this in mind, the duties of a Gliocan Priest are rather
straightforward albeit difficult. A Gliocan Priest must strive to exercise
tolerance, and use their wisdom to decide when punitive action is called
for. For example, what could possibly be grounds for excommunication from
the fellowship that supposedly shows compassion to all? This is the
double-edged nature of Gliocan Priesthood. One must keep the peace, so as
to show compassion for the members of the fellowship, however compassion
must also be shown to those accused of wrongdoing. Thankfully, wisdom is
the characteristic that Gliocan Priests value the most; they should make
use of this wisdom profusely. Mere worshippers of Glioca swear a solemn
oath to live their lives by showing compassion and forgiveness to all; as
a Priest of the Goddess, one must go above and beyond the normal
standards, setting a shining example to all. It is rather simple in
theory, yet complicated in practice. A Gliocan Priest needs not be a
weak-spirited pushover when conflict arises, yet should use their wisdom
to assuage situations instead of using force. Temperament is essential.
The Priests of Glioca should be gentle and suave, like the graceful swan.
The application of these simple philosophies to any situation makes the
life of a Gliocan Priest a constant challenge, yet no mystery to anyone.
Their duty is clear; compassion must be shown to all. In the face of
iniquity, tact shall be superior to intimidation. Emphasize the hope that
one's own good example may touch even a heart of stone. The virtues of a
Gliocan Priest include kindness, generosity, humility, piety, temperance
and trust.
The God of Divine Knowledge
Luathas is the God of gnosis, or divine knowledge, and is worshipped at
his temple in Rucesion, the densely populated center of contemporary
thought. Although the once sparse capital for Wizardry has now become a
hive for merchant guilds and stray Rogues, the nostalgic streetlights
still remind us of the history, and perhaps whisper of the omniscient
spirit that still lives there. As a Priest of Luathas, one's main purpose
is to nurture the desire and search for knowledge and arcane lore among
the worshippers of the fellowship, and to guide those who have lost their
way or seek meaning in their lives. The Luathas Priest should always be
ready and willing to provide a light to the blind. As intelligence is a
strong quality of these Priests, to the degree that one may not even enter
the temple of Luathas without sufficient intelligence, it is common for
Luathas fellowship initiations to involve rigorous tests of knowledge.
Similarly, the geas process should emphasize knowledge over all. However,
this is not done to the point where membership becomes strictly elite.
After all, those who are seeking religion to add meaning to their lives
are the very Aislings that the Priest of Luathas is sworn to assist. In
comparison to other fellowships, Luathas Priests might seem strict in
their requirements for certain rituals, however they are also completely
devoted to spreading the gnosis of Luathas. They require effort, yet will
not turn a blind eye to those in need. This is the way of a true Luathas
Priest. In times of confusion, knowledge will bring understanding.
Enlightenment can reach any Aisling who has the education and guidance
toward attaining the divine knowledge. The lineaments of a Luathas Priest
include patience, thirst for truth, respect for knowledge, self-control,
helpfulness and sincerity.
The God of Wealth
The temple of Fiosachd is the second most popular fellowship in Temuair,
most likely because it is the second closest temple to Mileth. An
extremely brief history is useful here. Less than a decade after Atavism
ended, the fear of Sgrios summonings that had spread throughout the land
had diminished, and a new plague reared its ugly head in its
place--heresy. This was a foe that nobody could vanquish no matter how
sharp the sword or powerful the spell. Due to an uncouth guild of heretics
and murders that waged war upon the whole of Temuair, the fellowship of
Fiosachd suffered some very undeserved peril. These events came to bring
about an incorrect representation of Fiosachd-- Mislabeling him as the
"God of Greed". In addition to this, many Aislings who are turned away
from the Gliocan temple as a result of heresy or wrongdoing make their way
to the temple of Fiosachd. In this way, there is a great responsibility
for the good Fiosachd Priest in dealing with corruption and spreading the
true philosophy of their God. Fiosachd is the God of wealth, swiftness,
luck, treasure and stealth--Not greed. The true Priest of Fiosachd is not
at all greedy. On the contrary, they are generous. The wealth that is
gathered by the worshippers of Fiosachd was meant to support all of his
devout worshippers, not to be hoarded by stingy and miserly Aislings. It
is not a mean-spirited philosophy of personal gain with disregard for all
others, but a universal desire for the monetary well-being of the
fellowship. The Fiosachd Priest must not simply hoard money, but ensure
the prosperity of his worshippers. In the 31st Deoch, there is much greed
in the land, and it is does not only exist in Fiosachd's fellowship--It
exists everywhere. Thus, it is essential for the righteous Fiosachd Priest
to right these wrongs to the best of his or her ability. Set an example
that will be respected. Teach your worshippers the importance of communal
well-being as well as personal gain. The swiftness and good luck of
Fiosachd shall serve you well in your quest, as you push to move beyond
the associations that history has connected to this fellowship. The traits
of a Fiosachd Priest include ambition, zeal, generosity and loyalty.
The God of War
The fellowship of Ceannlaidir is slightly unique upon examination of its
members. Since the nature of the faith involves war and conflict, you will
find that most of the worshippers are Warriors or those very interested in
combat. The Priest of Ceannlaidir is relatively rare, especially those who
are sincerely interested in the philosophy and spirituality. Being an
enemy to Glioca and Luathas, Ceannlaidir has no room for compassion or
careful thought, as he is more concerned with warfare and battle glory.
This notion of glory is what sets the true Ceannlaidir Priest apart from
the others. Although the glory of battle and victory does often result in
many deaths, Ceannlaidir is not a God of death--He is not at all identical
to his ally Sgrios. Keeping this in mind, the ideal philosophies of a
Ceannlaidir Priest involve maintaining this glory and fiery passion for
battle amongst the worshippers. One should provide guidance to those
seeking faith, ignite the morale of the Warriors who worship devoutly, and
bestow the miracles of Ceannlaidir upon those going off to deadly combat,
for power and protection. The Ceannlaidir Priest needs not be completely
intolerant to compassion and knowledge, as no Aisling can truly be devoid
of such characteristics. However, these are traits that must be kept in
check, lest they diminish the conquering spirit of the God of War. As a
Priest, it will be your duty to keep the worshippers living in this
spirit. Maintain the glory and intensity of Ceannlaidir at all times in
your fellowship, not allowing for deviation. The characteristics of a
Ceannlaidir Priest include honor, glory, ambition, propensity towards
combat, desire for domination, passion and intensity.
The God of Nature
Cail, who was sprung from a union between Glioca and Ceannlaidir, is said
to be a fortuitous God. He watches over the balance of nature. The
worshippers of Cail are very pious, consisting mostly of Monks, who spend
their entire lives seeking such a balance. An important theological aspect
of this religion is the enmity with Sgrios. Death and decay represent the
polar opposite of the growth and life that Cail represents. The duties of
a Cail Priest are to maintain the balance, be at one with nature,
cultivate peacefulness, and divulge these philosophies onto the
worshippers. The peace and tranquility of the temple of Cail should be
protected at all times. A great benevolence must lie in the soul of a Cail
Priest, and they must set an example of peace to all, like a white dove
flying above in the sky. In comparison to his ally Glioca, Cail also has a
strong propensity towards harmony and altruism. However, the principle
difference here is that the Cail fellowship should not be as apt to
extreme tolerance. The sanctity of the temple grounds must not be defiled,
and only the most devout and pious worshippers may call themselves true
followers of Cail. The Priest of Cail has a duty to ensure that these
characteristics are present in all those who might be initiated. The inner
peace and the balance of nature must be maintained. The spirit of life and
all of its beauty will be yours to spread. Guide your worshippers well,
and show them the true path. The virtues of a Cail Priest include
humility, piety, warmth, kindness, temperance, peacefulness and
tranquility.
The God of Law
In these times of turmoil, Priests of Gramail have their work cut out for
them. Crime and lawbreaking exist in extreme abundance. It is crystal
clear as to just why Glioca is the enemy of Gramail--There is no room for
compassion when dealing with such judgments and the punishments that
follow. This is not to say that a Priest of Gramail should be an
unreasonable tyrant. When attempting to keep law and order, one should be
fair, unbiased, and seek true justice. This is another simple philosophy
that becomes complicated in practice, and again the use of wisdom and good
judgment is necessary. These times of trouble perhaps call for a very
strict Gramail Priest, unmoved by pretentious excuses from criminals who
assail them for seeking justice. Tact and cleverness should be used when
dealing with such delicate issues. In times of doubt, where Glioca would
show compassion and forgiveness, a Gramail Priest may be more cautious and
suspicious. Such ways of thinking are necessary to combat the threat of
crime and injustice. The priority here is order, and justice. The Gramail
Priest must firmly believe that a greater good will come to the world by
enforcing these rigid rules. One must be strong-willed, bold and intrepid.
Keep your worshippers in line with a firm but fair hand. Do not lose sight
of what is righteous, and pursue justice by all means necessary. The
lineaments of a Gramail Priest include leadership, righteousness, justice,
order, courage, integrity and dignity.
The God of Death
Sgrios. Forgive me for mentioning that name. He is said to be an
abomination and a plague to Aislings, who feeds on their souls when they
are in mortal danger. The God of destruction, death and decay. What type
of Aisling would worship such a God? The answer has changed so much over
the years. In the days of old, the fellowship of Sgrios fell under the
influence of the witch, Avilion. The screams of the dying could be heard
everywhere as the horrific Succubus summonings wreaked havoc upon Temuair.
In those days, many Aislings recognized this power, and flocked to serve
under the infamous witch. Less than a decade after Atavism had subsided,
the Gods grew tired of these goings on, and stripped the summoning power
away from Avilion and her followers. The witch disappeared forever, and
the fellowship of Sgrios was changed permanently. The state of the
fellowship today has grown very pure. Those who serve their master
devoutly do so even without the ability to cause mass destruction. The
temple of Sgrios has grown into a place where philosophy is of the utmost
importance. Death is not limited to murder. Death comes naturally to us
all, and we cannot avoid it--It is part of life. All forms of life
eventually decay and return to the earth from whence they came. The Priest
of Sgrios is interested in assisting this process on many levels. This is
not confined to the intentional taking of an Aisling life; Sgrios
worshippers are not mindless murderers. They respect death and decay as
the natural end of all life, for which it is destined to arrive at. The
Sgrios Priest needs not be evil, nor ill-mannered, nor even aggressive. It
is a matter of philosophy and beliefs. As a Priest of the God of Decay,
one must of course ensure that the fellowship remains of this purity of
belief. Perhaps the most serious issue in the duties of the Sgrios Priest
is to ensure that initiates into the fellowship are indeed true
worshippers of Sgrios, and not confused about the purpose of the faith. As
such, one must keep an endless vigilance. Let the worshippers decide for
themselves as to just how they wish to act upon the whims of their master,
but ensure that their hearts are in the right place, and that their minds
are true to the Sgrios faith. The traits of a Sgrios priest include
dignity, intensity, loyalty and zeal; often zeal towards facilitating
destruction.
The God of Inspiration
Deoch created the first Aisling in the fall after Danaan's sacrifice, to
carry on her work. A former dubhaimid God of debauchery, he is now the God
of inspiration of whom we name our calendar periods after. Since Deoch's
faith involves the inspiration and spark inside of every Aisling, the
faith can be interpreted in many ways. The one universal certainty is that
the worship of Deoch is indeed the worship of all things grand and
wonderful about Aislinghood. Some have called Deoch the patron God of art
and creativity. The specific context matters not--Deoch represents our
spark and inspiration directed towards any purpose. To be a Priest of
Deoch is simply to nurture these beliefs, and guide the worshippers in
your congregation as to how they can utilize and cultivate their divine
inspiration. The holy mass rituals and geasea of the Deoch fellowship
should stand out from all religions as being especially meaningful. Since
the mass and the geas are a public display of faith, and a ritual
involving the application of inspiration and creativity, these are
extremely relevant to the Deoch fellowship. In addition to this, as with
any fellowship, a Priest of Deoch should ensure that possible initiates
are true worshippers of the God of inspiration, and have sincere gratitude
for the spark they have been given--Not to mention the willingness to use
it. The temple of Deoch lies far to the west, in Suomi, and therefore does
not currently have a large problem with rampant corruption or legions of
unqualified applicants. As a Priest of Deoch, you must find a balance in
this. Seek to spread the inspiration of Deoch to other Aislings far off
that have not the endurance or willpower to walk to Suomi, yet take heed
as to not draw in those who do not have a pure spirit. It is a blessing
and a curse that the Deoch fellowship is a small one. Take heart in the
positive side, and be optimistic. Do your best to keep the faith alive,
for the spark of Deoch is the most valuable thing that any of us possess.
The characteristics of a Deoch Priest include creativity, enthusiasm,
passion, aspiration and devotion.
Conclusion
There is more to being a "Priest" than hunting. Moreover, there is more to
being a religious Priest than removing scars, conjuring beothaich deums,
and summoning creatures. The institution of Priesthood was once a sacred
bond between an Aisling and their God, and to some degree this has
degenerated over the years. It is not all-encompassing, and certainly not
beyond hope. Setting a good example for those who are uneducated or
apathetic to these ways can do a world of good. Hopefully, the guidelines
and ideologies illustrated in this document will be of some use in this
movement. Perhaps we cannot go back, but we can move forward. The state of
affairs in all religious fellowships in Temuair depends entirely on the
integrity of the Priests. If the Priests do their job, the worshippers
will follow. It is in your hands to change the world. May the Gods bless
you, and watch over you.
Valhalla Valis
High Priestess of Glioca