Siccara and Family Conversation

On the Day of the Bull, 29th the Month of the Shadows, or June 29th 2012 by the old calendar, the faithful met in the Church of Siccara in Althainia for a discussion. The topic was how Siccara and Her powers work with the powers of Her family. Amongst those in attendance, for all or part as time permitted included: Thaydius the Frigid, Son of Siccara, King Ixi'kweez Sha'enras Aelindylos, of Shalonesti, High Justice Kiery Elistar, Sir Rassilon Shiroken, Colonel of the Shield, Marshal Damerus Firebeard of Arkane, Lt. Kuromaru Shiroken, Bishop of Austinian, Lady Leotie Shiroken of Althiania, Deacon Rarau Rashalaph of Cliath, Brother Corwaen MacLeod, Page Artor Talgale, Page Eleias uth Sacrilel, and Scholar Huyana A'isha of Arkane.

My thanks for their attendance and wisdom in this discussion. - Lady Datai d'Aggravaine, Songstress of Siccara

Lady Leotie Shiroken and I started the meeting with a short prayer:

Dear Siccara, thank yah for yer gifts of a healthy mind and spirit this eve, that we may honor Yah, and Yer family, and grow in wisdom in how to better serve Yah all in grace.

Grant us the wisdom to see things we have not seen, learn and grow in our knowledge and our understanding of what it means to be the faithful!

Amen!

I started off the discussion:

Thank yah all for being here. Today we wished to discuss not just Siccara, but how She and Her powers work with all of her family. Often we hear of the word Unity. The essence of Unity is not sameness, but many different things working in concert towards a single goal. Our Gods of good provide us with an example of how to live our lives, not just a set of rules to abide, but a way forward through their own ways and actions.

I then asked of the group, 'So, who here is a follower of a god of good who is not Siccara? Call out, please, who yah worship for our benefit.'

Huyana said softly 'Austinian.'

Marshal Damerus said 'Nadrik'

Artor said 'I follow Austinian's light.'

Sir Rassilon says said 'Austinian as well'

King Ixi'kweez said 'Austinian.'

With some gentle teasing, we found out that Sir Kuromaru was a Bishop of Austinian. I then continued, remarking, 'Alot of Austinian in the group tonight, so we will start with Him So, I ask yah all, how does Siccara work with Her Father? Any thoughts? Or how to Austinian help Siccara out with Her work?'

Huyana said softly 'It is Her influence that allows us to heal from injury, whether emotional, spiritual or physical, so that we can continue to serve with purity and righteousness.'

I replied to Huyana, 'So in being healed, we can go forth and do more Good in the world?'

Huyaha went on to explain, 'That is part of it, yes, but we also learn from the experiences, and are able to share that with others. Say I were to lose a loved one. It would take time, but I would heal, Then, when another experiences that, I can tell them that it will, in fact, be okay. Because they will heal. Not only do I then aid with Healing another, but I also learn even more and do my share of goodness.'

Sir Rassilon remarked, 'So she also teaches healing. Not just physical but... spiritual healing'

Huyana smiles toward Rassilon and nods. "Na'am."

I then said, 'I have considered also, that healing another allows them to experience a good act, it broadens the influence of Goodness, as they upon having experienced that good, will be more inclined to share it with others.'

Huyana says softly 'The saying of my people is: To plant a seed feeds not just one, but many.'

Sir Rassilon replied to this thought, saying 'That may explain a question that just came to mind'

I asked him, 'What was that, Suh?'

Sir Rassilon continued, 'Why healing is used on and found amongst the Darkness? And should be so?'

Lady Leotie then said, 'Were healing not available to those who follow paths of Darkness, redemption would not be possible! For how would they be healed of their transgressions? They would forever carry their burdens. And that wouldn't be very fun.'

I remarked to Lady Leotie, 'Ahah, yah, that gets us back to spiritual healing, I reckon.' I continued with the thought, 'I reckon healing is a good thing, and with it the hope that the one healed will come to embrace where it came from.'

Thaydius broke in with his sweet voice, 'It is more than that. The Gods of Goodness represent forces that were placed into Algoron to not only make our lives better but to promote the idea of Goodness to all who live on this world. The Goddess of Love, Taliena, extends beyond the hearts of those who are Good. Healing extends beyond those who follow my Mother. The Gods of Good are not cruel. They do not exist to enrich us so that we may deny others. I do apologize, I am not an authority. Merely an observer.'

I replied to him, 'I reckon that is a good observation.'

And Huyana said softly to Thaydius, 'What you say is the truth, however.'

Thaydius good naturedly joked, 'I've got a good view up here.'

Lady Leotie then said, 'But I think that's where healing is strongest with Austinian in what I mentioned. For it relieves not only our own burdens, but the burdens of those who come to goodness. And so through the talents of Siccara, all of us, the wicked and the good alike, are cured of those weighty burdens which might otherwise drag us down.'

With that fine conclusion, I asked the group, 'Has anyone else thoughts on Austinian and Siccara before we move on?'

Hearing nothing else, I moved the conversation on, 'Well, how about Taliena, She got a mention in there. How does Siccara work with Her Mom's Powers?'

Lady Leotie remarked, 'I think it's love which gives us the inspiration to heal.'

I started a thought, for where would we be, without love? 'Without compassion, a love of others and a wish to see their suffering end...'

Rassilon said softly 'And does much to heal us and keep us spiritually whole and healthy'

Leotie said, 'Love in and of itself is a powerful healer.'

I continued the line of thought, 'Not to mention, yah, laughter is the best medicine, too.'

Thaydius broke in and gave his thoughts, 'The three ladies of goodness always represented to me a clear message.'

I encouraged him to continue, as I felt he had a good point, 'Feel free to expand upon that, Thaydius.'

And Thaydius explained, 'It is somewhat personal, but my dreams of my Mother often featured the other two. Love, Healing and Peace. The three are interwoven, supporting one another. Their vision was of a brighter Algoron, one that could overcome evil. There are many forces at work, even amongst the Gods. But Taliena and her daughters... As you might imagine the Goddess of Love is very loving and caring of her two daughters. So their work was often in harmony. It would not surprise me if that became the case upon Algoron.'

With that thought, I moved the conversation onward, 'So, let us consider Kadiya and Peace... how does that aid Siccara's work?'

Huyana hesitatingly offered her thoughts, "My mother is a healer. She often said to me that to be at war with one's self destroyes the ability to heal another."

I replied to Huyana, 'Or to heal yerself. Someone who is distraught spiritually or of the mind will not recover from illness well, or may even become ill for it. Kadiya's teachings endorsed seeking an inner peace. An outer peace.. living in a war torn world... I can say from experiance... It is difficult to travel the roads and help and heal others when brigands and evil doers are attacking me.'

Lady Leotie said 'I think peace facilitates healing. Where love inspires it, it is peace that allows it to happen. And, in turn, healing facilitates peace. It seems circular logically, but it follows to anyone who has been healed. ...which is pretty much everyone!'

I raised another point, 'Another thing I would put forward to consider: The process of bringing about peace often requires healing wrongs done during war or from other injustices'

Thaydius gave his own observations, 'There was a great deal of writing on emotions in my studies of my Aunt. Mortals are emotional. They react emotionally. Emotions frame the experience that makes up much of their lives. My aunt lived to help mortals cope with the emotions that they felt. In that sense, the peace of mind from the power of emotions was a means of healing the soul.'

I then moved us on to the boys, 'Well, that leaves us with the gentlemen brothers. How does Siccara work with Her Brother Nadrik?'

After joking about teasing Nadrik, we all quieted and Huyana raised a point, 'Integrity. To treat another with respect and to tell them the truth.'

I remarked to this, 'It is so, if yah don't trust a healer, then yah will not go to them for aid.'

Huyana replied softly, 'It works the other way around. You trust your patient to be honest with you about what is wrong.'

Lady Leotie brought up her own thoughts, 'I know that Nadrik has always been a sort of protector for Siccara.'

Thaydius remarked, 'They protect one another.'

Lady Leotie continued, 'Us Healers can be strong, but often times we require the strength of others to help us while we tend to the wounded.'

Huyana, who had been drawing much of the time, tapped a charcoal covered finger against her cheek thoughtfully, and said, "Also, when you are whole and hale, you can think clearly and behave your best."

I replied to her, 'I'd not thought on that before, but it is true.'

Sir Rassilon had his own perspective, 'I hesitate to agree on that...'

Huyana whispered 'Admittedly, I am not the kindest person when I do not feel well.'

Sir Rassilon said softly 'And that's why. We are at our most humble when we are suffering or brought low'

I replied in question to Sir Rassilon, 'How we manage ourselves even when suffering, if we can still behave as proper followers of Nadrik then...?'

Sir Rassilon answered, 'That sounds correct. If we can display integrity, humility, honor... when we are not at our best. Then when we are... we remember those lessons, and help others with them. Which in turn helps them'

I then said to Sir Rassilon, 'But then that doesn't make the point untrue. It is easier to behave as Nadrik would like when whole of mind and body. Though it might be a better lesson in humility and greater honor to Nadrik to manage it while ill.'

Sir Rassilon conceded, somewhat, 'So its true, but only a partial truth'

And Huyana pointed out, 'Perhaps it merely depends on the individual, Sir?'

And he agreed to that point, 'Probably'

I then put forward one of Lord Gwaine's thoughts on Nadrik and Siccara, 'I would point out one of the Champion of Nadrik's favorite points about Nadrik and Siccara. It is often Nadrik's job to dispense Justice, true justice, is done with the thought towards redemption or correcting the offending party. To heal them of a disorder of sorts.'

At that point I then moved us on to Kantilles: 'And so I think poor Kantilles has got left for last. Any thoughts on how He and Siccara get along?'

Lady Leotie playfully remarked, 'That's okay, the fun people are always noticed last! Especially if they're short.'

I prompted Huyana, who had mentioned Kantilles in private to me earlier, 'I think yah had some thoughts on Kantilles too, Sister?'

Huyana replied softly, 'It is vital to know when to heal, where to heal, and how to heal. Sometimes all a person needs is time, sometimes they need a great deal in the way of treatment.'

I then made the observation, 'Responsibility is a big part of the teachings of Kantilles I've read. I think there is something to that which healers need to take care in as well. Also they both have a love of wisdom and education. Things a healer needs consider, and us all to lead safe and healthy lives.'

Thaydius said sweetly, 'Conventional healing is complex and involved. Mortals teach it to one another. They consider it a great responsibility and it is carefully considered and there are ways to do it poorly. The analogies to magic are plentiful.'

I replied to Thaydius, 'As well as the direct use of magic in healing... responsibly!'

Thaydius remarked to me, 'I cannot speak for such, I think my circumstances are a bit unique.'

Things started to wind down, and Lady Leotie then spoke up, 'I know people might be drifting a little... but I have a question for someone here.' She turned to Deacon Rarau and asked, 'You're a healer-type person, but you follow the path of Balance. I was just wondering what Siccara meant to you, if anything at all.'

Deacon Rarau replied, 'Well...Following the Path of Cliath, I have always considered Siccara's blessing of healing to allow for all beings of creation to live longer and better lives. To allow for all of us to achieve our goals, be them big or small. But most importantly...To it's to give us all a chance...for everyone gets hurt some time...and everyone needs to opportunity to heal...and thanks to Siccara, we are given that opportunity'

Lady Leotie cheerfully said 'Thanks!' to the Deacon.

Deacon Rarau said Lady Leotie Shiroken, 'Of course'

Huyana raised her hand, and I called upon her, 'And yah, Sister?'

Huyana quickly lowered her hand, and blushed a bit when she made her observation, "Ahm, also, I think that to ask about Balance is an interesting play on words when speaking of Healing. Because, when we are healthy and happy individuals, we are balanced within ourselves.'

Thaydius said sweetly 'It is different.'

Huyana said softly 'It is... ahm, just a word play.'

There we wrapped things up, Lady Leotie and I sang the "Hymn of Goodness' Strength" by by Krelzi Quan'ku to close the meeting. More information on the Gods and their Teachings can be found in the "Theology of Algoron" in the library's Theology and Philosophy‎ section.