Remembering rituals and symbols

[GreekFreak]

Just to clarify: what I have is a SUMMARY of some (not all) of the symbols (the various parts of the crest, for example), not a copy of a ritual book or an explanation of the meaning of the ritual (even though the crest etc are technically part of the ritual).

If you have even a passing knowledge of heraldry or symbolism behind colors, flowers, etc. it's probably pretty easy to guess at the meaning (or come close to guessing) behind the symbols each group has chosen. And even if you did have a copy of the ritual book, it would make absolutely no sense to anyone unless they participated in it.

I'm glad I have this summary. I'm not even sure they do it anymore since I was initiated in '92. While I will always remember what my letters stand for, over time I've found some of the finer points of the crest, etc. can become fuzzy.

It sounds as if this isn't really something other groups do, which is what I was curious about. Thanks!

[texas*princess]

that's cool GreakFreak .. which NPC did you say you were part of?

maybe other GC members of your org can clarify if this is still done

[GreekFreak]

Hmmm...I'm not sure if I want to say which group, because I don't want to get anyone in trouble now!! It sounds as if this is kind of a touchy subject and I don't want anyone to have a cow about ritual-like things being distributed. HOWEVER, I will say that the group that I belong to was one of the founding members of NPC back in 1902.

I could call the chapter I initiated in the next day or so and ask if they still do this. I'm not sure if I'd get a straight answer though because they don't know me and even if I tell them that I'm an alum they might be defensive about some stranger calling out of the blue and asking them about ritual stuff!! But I can still try to find out...I'm curious now myself!!

I, too, sort of wondered why I was given this summary when I received it. So much emphasis was put on these things being a secret and when they gave this folder to me I wondered if that was a good idea because everyone knows how easily things can get lost or misplaced as we move around in life.

I will call them and post an answer if they give me one!

[texas*princess]

why would that get the group in trouble? if that's just what they do nationally, it shouldn't be a problem.

[GreekFreak]

I don't think it's something that is done nationally by this group. I had a friend who was initated into the same group in another state and she didn't receive anything like this. We always used to joke that if something ever happened to me that she had to come to my house and specifically ask for this one item!!

It also doesn't sound like it's something other national groups do either, judging by the replies on this thread.

Let me call the chapter I initiated in and see what they say. Then if you still want to know the group I can tell you (or better yet, PM you!).

[roqueemae]

Sounds like your group had good intentions but went about it the wrong way.

[kddani]

sounds like the poster is a ritual fisher

[roqueemae]

Perhaps...

But I would like to think everyone is good and honest.

[kddani]

nothing involving ritual should even be remotely discussed online

[Little E]

She's also being evasive not posting her org. How would people get in trouble 10yrs later?

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by kddani
nothing involving ritual should even be remotely discussed online

What's a ritual?

[texas*princess]

Originally posted by Little E
She's also being evasive not posting her org. How would people get in trouble 10yrs later?

that's kind of what i was thinking... why send a pm about what org you're in? usually ppl here are so proud of their orgs they plaster 10-inch greek letters in their signature

and besides, even if the chapter was doing something that they shouldn't have been, they should all be alums now 10 yrs later, right?

[Jill1228]

I agree with this. And from my point of view, I always either learn something new or catch something I missed...
I definitely agree with going to as many as you can. It also helps you renew your enthusiam and committment

Originally posted by Glitter650
we wouldn't be allowed to make copies of anything like that, but I second what others have said. Attend an initiation of a chapter near you, you'll remember.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by Jill1228
I agree with this. And from my point of view, I always either learn something new or catch something I missed...
I definitely agree with going to as many as you can. It also helps you renew your enthusiam and committment

You got that right, girl!! Even when we would do Initiation three times a year, I would still find at least one thing that seemed new to me! It was the best part of being an Advisor!

[Wolfman]

Greekfreak-

I feel for you! One of the most precious things that I possess is a copy of The Ritual of my fraternity. Since we had a revision of the
ritual in the 90s, the previous one was no longer in use, even though 95% is still the same. I kept one for myself. After I was initiated I was elected president and had the job of keeping ritualistic material. I read and mediated on what I went through and it made a lasting impression on me--the profound spiritual (biblical) values and lessons for life that the initiation ritual contained. I know that brothers in my fraternity often have unofficial sessions where older brothers give them information to refresh their memories on what they experiences and its significance. There are many brothers who can quote much of the ritual verbatim--now living up to the ideals of it all the time is another matter!

And this gets to another issue:if there is too much esoterica in initiation rituals, people can miss the big picture,and it become somewhat "cartoonish." Anthropologists tell that rites-of-passage ceremonies (e.g., of Greek-letter groups) appeal to levels in us deeper than simply the intellect.