Remembering rituals and symbols

[GreekFreak]

It's pretty disappointing that a posting that declared "This is what I have - did your group do something similar?" has degenerated into calling the poster "evasive" and a "ritual fisher". Puh-leeze... You flatter yourselves. Ritual doesn't mean anything to anyone else unless they can actually participate in the ceremony.

Realizing this is a touchy subject (at least for some) and knowing it could easily be misinterpreted (as it apparently has by some) I didn't want to just put my group's name out there and imply, "This is what ALL chapters of XYZ do (because I'm pretty sure they don't)." Then some hyper-sensitive bonehead poster would read it, misunderstand it (no surprise there), then post somewhere else that XYZ prints out copies of their ritual and distributes it" - or worse.

At any rate, this is what I found out today: I called my chapter and talked to a gal who was initiated last year. She knew what I was talking about, but said that the new initiates only had these summaries long enough to memorize some stuff and then they were turned in. Guess that makes sense.

Then I asked a friend of mine who initiated at the same chapter a year or so after I did if she remembers getting this (unofficial) summary, and she said yes. She said she remembers getting this folder from her Big Sis and the folder had her name on it (just like mine).

So...my guess is that at one time, new initiates did not get to keep this information. Then someone (unofficially) decided to just give their Little Sis a copy, and then it just generally evolved back into just letting new initiates keep the copy long enough to memorize or review things.

Wolfman, I'm with you! I still stand by my statement that it's kind of cool to have this, even if it's not officially sanctioned by national HQ. It's locked away in my cedar chest where no one can see it...in case anyone is still wringing their hands over this.

[33girl]

There should be nothing written about ritual except, well, the ritual. There's a difference between open info that's on websites (i.e. the Owl is Chi Omega's mascot) and things that are revealed during ritual.

I would like to state however, that initiated members should be able to (if it's written down) look at the ritual at any time. It shouldn't be "OMG only the chapter president and ritual chair are allowed to even know where it is." It belongs to everyone in the sorority.

[AOIIalum]

Originally posted by GreekFreak

I still stand by my statement that it's kind of cool to have this, even if it's not officially sanctioned by national HQ. It's locked away in my cedar chest where no one can see it...in case anyone is still wringing their hands over this.

Here's a little ritual refresher lesson for everyone still reading:

If your national organization does not permit members to write down all or part of your ritual(s), then don't write it down. If your national organization does not permit individual members to have a copy of all or part your ritual(s), then you as an individual member don't get to have a copy. If you're an initiated member, take advantage of every chance you can get to experience your ritual(s). Read them, fully participate, learn the what's and the why's about your GLO's beliefs and teachings.

Honestly, I don't care where you have it locked away, because if you are my sister I'd ask you to destroy it. It's not cool to have it. It's disrespectful, especially if "it's not officially sanctioned by national HQ." Even if I'm not your sister, I'm still going to ask you to destroy whatever ritualistic information you may have in your possession. Sure, it may be locked away and secure now, but what about the future? There are reasons why rituals aren't written. There are also reasons why most rituals can only be witnessed by initiates. Respect these reasons and respect your sisterhood (or brotherhood).

[ZetaPhi708]

ok question for this thread: for those of us that have gone thru our respected fraternity/sorority's rituals, how many of us would take the opportunity to "forget" what we know now and go thru again? I know sure as heck would in a heartbeat!!!!

It has been almost 19 years since I went thru my fraternity's ritual and I still remember well 90% of it....I plan on heading down to my chapter in May and watch to refresh my memory on the other 10%....

Time does have a way of kickin your mind's butt from time to time..LOL.....

So, far as secrets being revealed here on Greekchat....I think that we care enough about our rituals that we DO wanna share at times but we are bound by oaths and obligations to our fraternities/sororities not to reveal that information to anyone that, I guess you could say, is "on the outside looking in"....

I remember, on that night of August 29th, 1986, that I wanted to tell the world what I experienced.....It was an experience that I will never forget!!!! AHHH, the memories.....

[AlphaSigOU]

In my fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi, no copies may be made of our Ritual and Secret Work, even for rehearsal purposes. Copies are strictly controlled by the chapter. It's been over 20 years since I've taken the vows that made me a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, and I still remember them as if they happened yesterday.

As a Freemason, the rituals and ceremonies in the Grand Lodges of Texas and Oklahoma are passed down from 'mouth to ear'; as far as I know only one written copy of the ritual is kept under lock and key at Grand Lodge; even then it is only seen by the Committee on [Ritual] Work. Members who are proficient in the ritual submit to annual oral examinations in order to receive certification as an instructor. (I was once certified in both Grand Lodges at the minimum "C" level of instruction at one time - I just haven't had time lately to really sit down and study again.)

Possession of or use of unauthorized written rituals or ciphers of the Texas and Oklahoma work is illegal and may subject the member to disciplinary action up to and including reprimand, suspension or expulsion from Freemasonry. Other Masonic Grand Lodges vary in their use of written rituals and ciphers; some permit them, some do not.

[Kevin]

I can neither confirm nor deny the existance of a ritual for my fraternity.

If there were one, however, I would question our ability to keep it secret if we had printed materials discussing secret things.

[flirt5721]

We have a ritual review after every initiation. If the girls dont remember what things mean they can learn again.

[LXAAlum]

Originally posted by ZetaPhi708
I recommend that no matter where you are or if you have graduated and live away from your home chapter where you went thru ritual, find out where the closest chapter is of your fraternity or sorority and check with that chapter to see when they hold iniaition and try to attend. We may be all in different GLOs but the one thing that we all have on common is that RITUAL is what makes us GLOs. It is what binds us together. If it wasn't for RITUAL, we would all be just another organization on the local college campus. I hope this all makes sense. I just woke up. LOL....

I would do anything to "forget" what I know now just to go thru my fraternity's ritual again. Does anyone agree?

CO SIGN. I've seen LXA Ritual in at least 5 different chapters, and over a total of 30 times now, give or take. I learn something new each time I see it - a new way to apply, or based on life's new experiences, how the Ritual's teachings apply.

I make it a goal to see Ritual at least once a year...usually I get to see it twice if not three times.

I wouldn't want to re-forget just to go through it again....I put my initiation as the third most influential event in my life - second only to watching my children being born (the most incredible miracle of all!), and my wedding.

[AGDee]

It is most amazing if you can get to a Convention and see it there.

Originally posted by AGDee
It is most amazing if you can get to a Convention and see it there.

OMG yes.

The first time I witnessed Ritual with hundreds of my sisters, I had goosebumps the whole time. I was almost moved to tears.

One thing I noticed, though, and this might or might not be true for other GLOS...but while the Ritual remains the same over the years, I can see how parts of it (pronunciation, actions, etc.) might vary from chapter to chapter. Chapters might not know that they're doing/saying things incorrectly -- so it's a great feeling to go to a Convention, witness how it's SUPPOSED to be, and go back to chapter making corrections, if necessary.

[roqueemae]

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
OMG yes.

The first time I witnessed Ritual with hundreds of my sisters, I had goosebumps the whole time. I was almost moved to tears.

One thing I noticed, though, and this might or might not be true for other GLOS...but while the Ritual remains the same over the years, I can see how parts of it (pronunciation, actions, etc.) might vary from chapter to chapter. Chapters might not know that they're doing/saying things incorrectly -- so it's a great feeling to go to a Convention, witness how it's SUPPOSED to be, and go back to chapter making corrections, if necessary.

YES! I moved from a chapter that was very passionate about ritual to one that wasn't so much so. I wish that these girls could know it like I do.

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by AGDee
It is most amazing if you can get to a Convention and see it there.

It is pretty unreal to see a ritual done by "the best of the best," so to speak. I saw it done once when I went to our Conclave, and it was amazing to see everything done that well, let alone with thousands of brothers in attendance.

[33girl]

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
One thing I noticed, though, and this might or might not be true for other GLOS...but while the Ritual remains the same over the years, I can see how parts of it (pronunciation, actions, etc.) might vary from chapter to chapter.

It's also interesting (and sometimes unintentionally comedic) when some chapters and members are more, umm, musically inclined than others.

This isn't really ritual specifically, but when I pledged our chapter was full of music ed majors so we sang EVERYTHING. I cracked up when I went to convention and people were reciting instead.

[navane]

I was initiated *at* convention. I was told that I was lucky becuase I would get to go through the "gold standard" for initiation.


.....Kelly

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Originally posted by 33girl
It's also interesting (and sometimes unintentionally comedic) when some chapters and members are more, umm, musically inclined than others.

that was my chapter. i was one of the few who could hold a tune; i flat out told people behind me to stop singing, it was like nails on a chalkboard. we do initiation over 2 days, and i had to miss the second day because of a track meet. all the new members came up to me at the next meeting and said how they missed me that second day.

ETA: While I never went to convention, my chapter was installed by the national pres, and vps, so i can understand the difference. Our national officers had the ritual pretty much memorized. Every once in a while, I saw them look down, but damn- they were GOOD!!