The Royal Order of the Knights of Herne: a visitor's thoughts

Ok, yes. It's been a while since I posted anything...at all. I've been working from Sunday to Sunday for the past month and before that...well...I just didn't have much to say.

I went to an all male Pagan group meeting the other day. In an umbrella of religions that are so varied and mixed, it is more rare than not to find an all male group. It's a lot easier to find either all female...it seems...or a hybrid group. So, it was refreshing to visit with the Knights of Herne, http://www.knightsofherne.org/, and be a quiet observer.

I went in with a friend of mine, she and I were the only females taking part in the meeting. The Knights of Herne is a "fraternal spirituality and service group for men of Earth-centered faiths." We were invited in by one of their members as visitors. Le and I sat near the back, trying to remain respectable of the 'maleness' that was the group. I suppose we didn't want to throw our estrogen around. However, we were coaxed up front to sit near the circle. As one of the members said "Hey ladies, testosterone isn't contagious." *chuckle* Well, I have to say it was nice being around a lot of my guy friends and feeling the difference in group energy with Herne as the inspiration and invocated diety. I found myself feeling a little jealous. I've found little enjoyment in all women groups larger than three. I don't know if it's because somehow we get dramatic, or I haven't found those special people. But really, I think I enjoy myself more with a mix. I think I'd miss the male energy and what it brings to a group. I find small groups of women work best. It's like a tighter knot. Of course, I've only been doing this magically-social thing for a little while now. I can say from here till tomorrow that I have had plenty of experience as coming up on 11 years in the Craft. But, I'm bullsh*tting {yes...I said bull...shotting :) } How much can you learn when starting young? ...I know...a lot. But, I keep finding there's so much more to learn. So much more wisdom to find. And, when you're alone, you are easily distracted. Easily taken off course and move on to other things. Having a coven or circle helps keep you on track. It helps have common goals to feel responsible for. If you are like me, *coughs* lazy *coughs*, you can find that you only want to learn what you want to learn. Oh, I love rocks. Lets learn about them. Oh, I love divination...lets only learn about tarot and reading those bits of herbs at the bottom of my cup. Nevermind, I dunno, scrying. Yeah, gets boring. Nevermind consistant meditation. I am someone that needs a group right now in my life. I'm too random. Yes, I am a hard worker, but I am also lazy when it comes to doing something I don't want to do or learn.

Watching the men work as a whole, invoking, sounding out to the Lord of the Hall, and near the end passing the wine horn. I was a little jealous. Having a group of...I dunno...*counts on fingers and toes and other people's toes....* 17 or so men joining together to discuss being better people, Pagans, and uphold honor....I liked that. Why don't we do that? Honor is as much belonging to women as it does men...why don't we own it? We use words like respect, yes, but honor? I hardly hear that in a women's group. As a woman, I like it. It's something I think that says a lot about a person to have honor. It's about integrity, personal morals, and showing yourself as true through actions not words. Perhaps I just haven't gone to the right women's groups?

When passing the horn, a man turned to me. He was tall, dark curly black hair and had the build of a blacksmith, and he said kindly "From brother to sister..." I liked that. I felt safe. I felt happy. (I eventually felt a lot more happy after a few more rounds of the horn...man am I a lightweight) I think women should think more on this idea of honor and fraternity. Sisterhood...it is a precious thing. We should take it to heart that we are precious and worthy of honor and of bestowing it on others. There should be humility along with our ideals of feminine leadership. We should also be chivilric. I think, perhaps, we don't show that characteristic nearly enough. Thank you men of the K.O.H. for sharing your Order with us. It was enlightening.