As we witness and participate in the balancing of the male and female energies on the planet, it is important for men to reconnect to a more noble vision of masculine power in order to help heal the distortion of masculine energy on the planet. One way is to reconnect with the mythos of the knight protector (without the historic connection to male-dominate religion and condescension toward women).
These are some ideas for men to consider. (The first part is my modern re-interpretation, the latter the ancient codes of conduct, from an unknown source -- and regrettably uncredited.)
A good knight is:
A Liberator of Light, who will at all times be without judgment and criticism of self and others.
Will be at all times compassionate and forgiving of self and others.
Will be held to his word, which is a sacred bond.
Will speak the truth, tempered with compassion, even to his death.
Will be protective of all peoples unable to defend themselves.
Will honor absolutely another's free will to make their own choices, no matter how seemingly self-destructive, but will never allow another to impose their will, destructive or otherwise, on another.
Will be guardians of the natural environment and the animal kingdoms.
Will honor the masculine in men and the feminine in women and both energies within themselves, maintaining a state of balance.
Will anchor light on the planet at all times.
Will exhibit humility and gratitude, not as signs of weakness, but as examples of divine power.
Will be prepared to sacrifice their life to save another.
Will never fear death.
Will honor their body.
Will be brothers to all.
Will seek the good in all.
Will take full responsibility for their thoughts and actions at all times.
and so it is.
The Code of Chivalry
The code of chivalry is an embodiment of those virtues that a knight strives to live by. It is the sword with which the knight combats injustice, and the shield that defends against corruption. It is the very heart and spirit of the knight. The Syraandorian Code of Chivalry is made up of three parts: the Virtues, the Code, and the Measure. The Code and Measure are a list of tenets to live by, which exemplify the Knightly Virtues.
The Virtues of Knighthood.
Prowess: To seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a knight, martial and otherwise, seeking strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal aggrandizement.
Justice: Seek always the path of right, unencumbered by bias or personal interest. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy.
Loyalty: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is not amongst them.
Defense: The knight is sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and those who depended upon him. Seek always to defend your nation, your family, and those to whom you have sworn to protect.
Courage: Being a knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a knight should seek wisdom to see that stupidity and courage are cousins. Courage also means taking the side of truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, for the pure truth can bring grief.
Faith: A knight must stand firm in himself and in his beliefs, for this faith roots him and gives hope against the despair.
Humility: Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In this way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all those who may be called knights.
Largesse: Be generous in so far as your resources allow; largesse used in this way counters gluttony.
Nobility: Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness.
Franchise: Seek to emulate the Code as sincerely as possible, not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse every aspect of your life with these qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be well remembered for your quality and virtue.
In addition to the Virtues of Knighthood, Knights of Syraandor must uphold the Code and Measure, a number of tenets or commandments, which embody the meaning of Nobility. The Code and Measure are similar in many lands throughout the world, suggesting they originate from an ancient, widespread source.
The Code and Measure.
THE CODE.
Thou shalt respect the weak and constitute thyself the defender of them.
Thou shalt love the land to which thou hast sworn fealty.
Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
Thou shalt make war upon evil without cessation.
Thou shalt scrupulously perform thy noble duties be they not contrary to the laws of the land.
Thou shalt be generous and give freely to everyone.
Thou shalt never lie and shall always be faithful to thy word.
Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
THE MEASURE.
A Knight is sworn to Valor;
His heart must know only Virtue;
His Perfect blade must defend the helpless,
And his might shall uphold all weak.
His breath shall bring a word that speaks only truth.
His justly wrath shall undo the wicked.
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