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| LeatherEagle |
on Mon 11 Feb 08, 1:31 AM to LeatherEagle's blog.
Living Kruel Leather---The Family Initiation Rite
He sat at the table having accepted a piece of our family leather. This leather braid was made from our family head's first pair of leather trousers. We each had something to say, whether one word “Welcome” or a small piece of advice and even the dramatic implication that the only way out of the family was in a pine box.
He accepted the leather and pledged his loyalty to the family and every member in it. We are his chosen family now and he is part of ours. He would now be held to the same standards as we all hold ourselves to. He was now recognized as a family Dominant.
A small piece of cigarette rolling paper with the family motto “Veritas, Respectus, Honourque en Corio” written on it was folded and put into the palm of his hand which he then held out to the centre of the table while the paper was set alight. He was to hold his hand still until there was nothing but ashes in his palm. The paper burned brightly but although the flame subsided, the paper still burned hot and smoldered. This was the hard part; to keep his hand still and stay steadfast till it all slowly burned into ash.
There is obvious symbolism here. It is far easer to remain steadfast and stand tall while the bright flame is burning far from your skin and the family is there to cheer you on. However, then you are confronted with the increasing difficulty to hold your hand still when the flames that everyone cheered for are gone but the heat of the slow burn still lies on the sensitive palm of your hand burning your flesh. The cheers stop, then everyone just waits and watches the paper burn; and smiles in support.
When the last of the red embers turns to ash, we all cheer and laugh and the dramatic welcome is complete. We are all now bound by the same ideals.
It always leaves a tender bit of flesh, even if it doesn't leave a mark.
Within hours, the mark fades and the skin is no longer tender but if you 'get it', you can always feel the tenderness in you palm, remember the ideals you have accepted as your own and the pledge you made to live by the family philosophies.
In parting, it was said “When the going gets tough, clench your fist as you did when you held nothing but ash and feel the same pride and strength as at that moment. See and feel the support of the people that stood around that table and called you brother and uncle, your family. They stood by you then and they will stand with you when it gets so hard that you want to jack it all in”.
Integrity in our family is defined as “maintaining the same standard of behaviour when no-one is looking”. Now walk the walk.
Veritas, Respectus, Honorque en Corio
Truth, Respect, Honour in Leather
| 11 Feb 08, 7:18 AM Elphis 4 yrs |
Integrity in our family is defined as “maintaining the same standard of behaviour when no-one is looking”. Now walk the walk. For me this sums up your family and is what sets it apart from anything i have ever come across before. el x
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| 11 Feb 08, 5:30 PM LeatherKate UK(B), 4 yrs |
Thank you~ [=-Embrace the beautiful lies, the chronic insanity of the sane-=] |
| 11 Feb 08, 11:00 PM Nadiajane UK, 6 yrs |
Points up with big tears in my eyes, swallows a big gulp and says..... thats my family that is...... Big huge beam of respect and pride ! |
