New pans and Stav
Published: Wed, 01/03/18
Venetia’s parents very kindly gave us a nice set of pans for Christmas. Endorsed by Gordon Ramsey no less, well they have his picture on the label. I guess that makes it okay if there is some bad language in the kitchen when something goes wrong. These pans are also non-stick so there are detailed instructions regarding which kind of utensil to use (nothing metal), how to clean them (nothing scratchy) and if you burn the pan be careful as the teflon surface can give off dangerous fumes at high temperatures. V cooked some peas in the small pan last night and that seemed to work okay.
Opening up the new pans reminded me of one of my students coming up with the term ‘Teflon Stav’. Eg, non-stick Stav. Over the past 25 years we have been teaching Stav there has been an emphasis on martial training. There is a good reason for this in that it actually means that you have to do something. The whole person, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, needs to be involved and challenged. You can work on esoteric subjects, such as runes without doing anything physically active but to me that would be rather boring. It can also be dangerous in the sense that activities which powerfully stimulate the mind and emotions but do not balance this process by strengthening and disciplining the body can lead to mental and emotional problems. By learning the runes and the principles of Stav through martial training the balance between the different aspects of the self is maintained.
Martial training also provides a rather effective filter. If someone asks me to teach them how to manipulate the fabric of the universe and how to force the powers of darkness to do their bidding then I suggest that we start with some simple staff exercises. They generally do not want to bother with anything so mundane. If they are prepared to do some proper practice then they may even learn some sense and realise that demonic powers are best left well alone. Either way it saves a lot of pointless discussion.
However, I am aware that there is a lot to learn about runes and the principles of Stav which should be studied more directly. Not instead of martial training, not for me anyway, but as part of the process of developing ‘knowledge of the rune staves’ which is what Stav literally means. At the Mercian Gathering 2016 I remember promising that I would come up with a study programme that would provide a foundation of knowledge of the runes as we use them in Stav. I have worked on it in fits and starts but have not yet completed the project.
Part of the problem is that I am not quite sure how it will work. Which means I either put the idea on hold (which is what I have effectively been doing for the past year) or, I find some brave people who are willing to plunge in with me and see how we get on. The idea I have been working on would use nine distance learning modules which would introduce the stances, studying the runes, looking at the five principles, working with bind runes and rune counseling. The programme would also include a day course to do the stances in detail and do practical training and discussion on what was learned from the modules. Ideally those participating would sign up three months before the day course and receive one module a week for nine weeks. Then attend the course and consolidate what had been learned. The intention being to lay a foundation for personal practice of Stav even if the student is not attending regular classes.
So, I am looking to do a trial run. I have scheduled a day at the end of the month here in Beverly. This will not give time to send out all nine modules before the event but I will send out the first four or five and the rest can follow afterwards. So, I am looking for up to six people to test that out with me. See here for more details https://iceandfire.org.uk/foundation.html
On the 7th of April I will also be in Somerset when we will do martial training on the Saturday. I am willing to see if the hall is also available on Sunday the 8th and do a foundation day then too. Here is the page for the Saturday training http://iceandfire.org.uk/somerset.html let me know if you would be interested in a Foundation Day on the Sunday, there is no obligation to attend both days.
Regards
Graham
PS Strategic goals for 2018:
One is to develop a workable foundation programme, which you read about above.
A second is to publish book on my take on Stav as a Martial Training Method. I did get the proposal off to North Atlantic Books before Christmas so I hope that I am on target with that one.