Reading Gwynt_y_storm's latest post

[helwen]

gwynt_y_storm's post, "A Few Thoughts" was an interesting read today, at least for me. Just yesterday I had someone ask me, as part of an assignment she had from her Pelican, "What is a peer?" For the non-SCAdians reading this post, the question pertains to the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA), which is basically a group of people having fun exploring (and recreating parts of) life in medieval and renaissance times. "Peers" or "Peers of the Realm" are people who've been acknowledged for their exceptional skill in fighting, arts, or service, who spread this knowledge in some way, and are considered exemplars in behavior as well as in their area of interest.

I myself am a Laurel and a Pelican - I have peerages in the Arts & Sciences, and in Service. It is to be hoped that those who are peers are indeed positive exemplars to others. I myself do not find that this is always the case, and I know others have as well, alas. Peers aren't perfect, they're still human. But if one errs, he/she should make amends in whatever way is possible. That is the mark of a peer -- or any good person, really. I certainly strive to continue to be worthy of my peerages, both in and out of the SCA.

But essentially, what gwynt_y_storm wrote today about Druidry is what I wrote in answer to my querant yesterday, excepting of course that the SCA is not the whole world, it is only an organization within the world. Hence my rule #1 for anyone apprenticed to me - Real life comes first.