The Shemm't

I am a Kheprian Warrior.  I have been such, reborn again and again, for more years than

modern archeology would agree is possible based on the currently accepted fossil records of

the human race.  Throughout a good many of my incarnations, for which I still hold memory, I

have walked my path with a weapon in hand.  During this journey I have embraced the many

lifestyles and ideologies and traditions of martial cultures both well documented and long

forgotten.  Before me have fallen more enemies than I care to recount and because of me

have survived more allies than I can begin to remember.  The blood of brother and foe,

innocent and guilty alike stain me to the core of my soul.  I ask not forgiveness nor do I bear

shame, for my own blood has been served up and stained the field of battle at least as often

by them.  I am simultaneously both hero and monster, slayer and defender, builder and

destroyer...  Thus is my place within the cycle.

But I am more than merely the sum of my past.  My experiences over centuries have served

to teach me many valuable lessons.  How to  temper the hero’s ego and how to cage the

monster...  how to distract the slayer and keep the defender from senseless martyrdom... how

to encourage the builder and pacify the destroyer.

These lessons have taught me to live in the eye of the hurricane which is the primal essence

of my Warrior being.  These lessons apply to both times of conflict as well as times of peace.

These lessons are  universal among the warrior cultures, clans, guilds, and brotherhoods

from  across the globe and throughout recorded history and before. Distilled  from their ethnic

identities leaving only the most basic ideology, they present a cohesive ethos which can serve

well any who would identify with the Warrior archetype.

I have chosen the term “Shemm’t” to represent the nine basic principles which embody the

Warrior tradition based on my own ancient ties to pre-dynastic Egypt (known then as

Kemmet).  The word Shemm’t  is ancient Egyptian in origin and means; path, way, or road.

Please consider that I have not applied such strict labels as “code” or “law”, for the implication

of “road” confers a rather different meaning than these other terms and one which is in

compliance with Kheprian (and universal)  ideology of “Seek Your Own Truth”.   Simply stated,

each Warrior is an  individual free to pursue his own truth, and thus the Shemm’t is not

written to be a list of dogmatic edicts to shackle a Warrior’s behavior.

Consider the mythic notion that each person is a hero on an adventurous journey.  It is the

road the hero travels upon during his journey which is most important, not his destination.  By

focusing primarily upon the destination one can easily get lost by missing a turn or incur injury

by tripping over obstacles along the path.  By concentrating one’s attention on the here and

now, action that is right can be achieved in each moment and therefore the hero will always

arrive safely at the proper destination.

Like a road or path, the Shemm’t guides the solid placement of the Warrior’s footsteps but

does not dictate where the Warrior should stand, which side of the road to walk on, how fast

to travel, or even which path to choose.  The Warrior’s journey may take him on winding

routes and through thick jungles, up steep mountains and into low valleys, and across both

friendly and enemy territory alike.  During all of this, the Shemm’t provides the tools necessary

to avoid pitfalls, confront danger, accept joy or hardship, and elect the course of right action.

An underlying element hidden within the Shemm’t, yet none the less essential to Warriors, is

that of death.  A Warrior accepts that life and death are the same... or perhaps stated more

directly, that both, as we perceive them, are illusions.  The continuous cycle of corporeal

manifestation / disembodiment is merely an expression of our spiritually  immortal existence.

Death, birth, loss, gain, etc. are all simply stages along our overall journey.  Change, in its

many forms, is not a thing to dread or avoid and once the greater scope of a Warrior’s true

reality has been fathomed, he can choose his path based on principle, not fear.

There is more to a Warrior than the imposing prowess of his physical body... more than his

role as protector, defender, or destroyer... more than the fashion in which his subtle body

grounds energy... and more than his many lifetimes spent with a weapon gripped tightly in

hand.  Indeed, there is a deep and expansive spirituality often belied by his appearance and

mannerisms that perhaps not even the Warrior himself is aware of.  However, the discipline

and understanding of the Shemm’t offers insight to both the Warrior and those who deal with

him concerning the depth of his true self.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bellow are listed and explained the eight plus one principles of Shemm’t.  They are written to

be basic good advice for anyone.  However, for a true Warrior, who’s volatile nature can be

troublesome if not outright unstable, it is much more than favorable counsel.  The Shemm’t

offers to the Warrior an often necessary regimental way to approach life which provides a

stabilizing force in an otherwise chaotic world.

As will be illustrated more precisely later, I refer to the number of principles as “eight plus one”

instead of “nine” to make a point.  In short, I use this turn of phrase to reinforce the notion that

there are indeed only eight true principles with the final, or ninth, principle being a summation

of the whole.  It also serves as a reminder that often, in the life of a Warrior, the fine line of

semantics can make the difference between life and death.

~ Fealty ~

A Warrior lives and dies on the razor sharp edge of his weapon.  Indeed, on the keen edge of

his innermost self both actually, in times of war, and figuratively, in times of peace.  The wise

Warrior can learn to understand how other non-Warriors may fathom life in terms of black and

white and the many shades of grey which lay between.  However, the Warrior himself sees

life in only one color... blood red.

Burning in every cell of a Warrior’s body is a primal aggression.  Rampant in the mind of the

Warrior is a seemingly insatiable rage.  And inseparable from the Warrior’s soul is an

instinctual and blood thirsty beast.  This fierce nature cannot live in a vacuum.  It cannot exist

merely for the sake of existence and ever have hope of societal integration.  Eventually it will

turn in upon itself and drive the Warrior mad or turn outward and wreck havoc upon

whomever or whatever is handy.  What then will quench the fire, quell the rage and quiet the

beast?

The average person in the midst of mundane daily life needs a reason to get up in the

morning and face the challenges of their existence.  For most, it is simply the pursuit and

promise of hearth, home, and family which sates this need.  However, the Warrior perceives

his existence, consciously or not, in mythic terms.  Even the small details of life often take on

an intangibly dire air.  How much more then does a person who looks at the world in this

extreme fashion need a sense of meaning and purpose?  Whether this need is met by service

in the military, care and protection of family, devotion to spirituality, commitment to a noble

cause, group, or liege, Warriors of all time have taken up oaths of fealty, both spoke and/or

implied.  Even mercenaries are bound heart and soul to the acquisition of wealth.

The root of the word fealty is from the Latin term “Fidelis” which means “Loyal” or “Faithful”.

Fealty, then, for the purpose of a Warrior, must not be associated with the notion of promises

or contracts.  Such things are exterior binding circumstances brought about by means of

negotiation and agreement.  They entail writs and clauses bent on the institutions of social or

legal obligation.  A contract can be rightfully broken if the proper conditions arise.  Even if such

conditions are not met, a contract can be broken if one of the principle parties are willing to

incur the punitive repercussions.  This sort of usury and manipulation is not worthy of a true

Warrior.

When a Warrior chooses the focus of his fealty, he is choosing the focus of his existence.

Such an oath verily given becomes the foundation upon which the edifice of the rest of his life

will be built.  When understood and accepted in this manner, fealty becomes that which

mediates the tempests of fire, rage, and beast within the Warrior’s mind, heart, and soul.

Know also that to turn away from an oath of fealty once given is to undermine that

foundation... it is to accept defeat upon the internal battleground and admit weakness of which

the Warrior has no greater enemy.

~ Veracity ~

Good and evil are typically cultural, moral, or spiritual  conceptualizations based entirely on

point of view.  It has been the failing of humanity since the dawn of time to immediately

consider the opposition “evil”, for it is a certainty that the opposition feels the same way about

us.  Who, then, is to be objectively considered “good” and who, “evil”?  Upon what criteria are

we to base the rationalizations of right and wrong?

And what of Right and wrong?  These are also often  similarly  skewed ideologies contingent

on personally biased and self centered beliefs.  The closed minded perspective so many

embrace asserts that if one’s ideas are correct and righteous, then all other ideas are

incorrect and faulty.  This is a simple, if erroneous, “if-then” axiom.  However, right and wrong

thinking leaves little room for the possibility of each individual  seeking their own truth.  And if

you embrace such a philosophy you must be either prepared to accept the falsehood of your

own convictions or the  notion that more than one path can be correct.

Unfortunately, in our world of duality there will always remain that which is revered and

accepted as good and that which is reviled and denied as evil.  And certainly, if not for all,

then at least for our selves, there will also remain personal concepts of right and wrong.  Yet

before any of these other duplicitous notions can be given consideration, there must exist the

truth distilled of all that is false and/or extraneous.

Wisdom and right action demand that we use a razor sharp knife wielded by a brutal hand to

carve away from  the  core  truth  that  which  would delude us from it... even if it means

spilling our own precious blood in the process.  In the pursuit of truth we must abandon all

attachment to self interest.  We must rid ourselves of emotional concerns which may serve

only to blind us.  We must have the conviction to face and accept what remains after all

mendacity has been discarded.  It is without question that nothing good can be achieved and

nothing right can be maintained without the bare truth to back it up.

As Warrior and occultist, I am deeply concerned on several levels with the interactions of the

subtle reality and the material reality.  The material reality alone can be  a tangled knot of

worldly concerns to unravel at times.  However, the subtle reality is an even more nebulous

and often confusing aspect of my existence.  Without a firm and unrelenting commitment to

the truth, I run the risk of being ensnared in delusion.

As members of a Warrior tradition, we cannot accept nor offer anything less than complete

verity.  The strength of our defense, the integrity of our attack, and the purity of our Mettle is

wholly dependant upon a firmament of truth.  It is said that a fortress built on a foundation of

falsehood is destined for ruin.

~ Integrity ~

The word integrity is a noun that quite literally means “The quality or state of being complete

or undivided”.  Strength of character, strength of mind, and strength of body, etc. cannot be

achieved nor maintained if the efforts of our total self are not unified.  Only through wholeness

and focus can  our  full  potentials  be  realized... and it is one of the Warrior Tradition’s basic

tenets to strive toward a state of full potential.

In the most basic terms, there are three parts which comprise to make our total being; a

physical body, a thinking mind, and an eternal spirit.  Any one of these or all three can easily

wander off in their own separate direction.  The body becomes lazy, the mind gets distracted,

and the spirit drifts into slumber or is ignored altogether.  However, through the discipline of

integrity, these three powerful identities unite to form a formidable synergy.

Everyone has encountered that person or people who speak of one thing, but act in a

completely different manner... or believes in a particular ethos but lacks the conviction to

follow it... or feels certain emotions but never takes the time to understand them.  These

individuals are often rather frustrating to interact with because they are, by their very nature,

unreliable.  To illustrate this point, our lungs breath oxygen into our blood, our heart pumps the

blood throughout our body, and our cells absorb and utilize the oxygen.  If any one of these

systems became similarly unreliable, our physical bodies would suffer.

Integration must not be confused with cooperation.  Cooperation is the capacity for two or

more parts to work together thus achieving a common goal.  Integration does not imply a

team effort, but instead suggests a true unification where all parts involved become one single

whole.

It is good practice for anyone to cultivate integrity and certainly all who follow a spiritual

tradition should encouraged to do so.  After all, integrity is undeniably one of the many stages

of transformation and growth.  However, considering the various capacities a Warrior carries

within and the responsibility he bears outwardly, this quality is paramount even in time of

peace.

Within the being of the ideal Warrior, the spirit wills, the mind thinks, and the body acts all as

one.  Not as a progression flowing from one stage to then next , but a synchronous single

event.  Through this synthesis the Warrior learns to have faith and trust in his ability and

therefore engenders faith and trust from those around him.  This level of integration shines as

a total sincerity of being and is understood as an icon of truthfulness.  When a Warrior

speaks, one knows that his words represent both what is in his heart and what his actions will

soon be.

~ Propriety ~

Warriors, as beings who are awakened to our true nature, or as those who would choose to

follow the path of such an awakening, we  must accept an inherited responsibility.  Even

though we may struggle  with the chaos personal transformation brings into our lives, we

cannot  escape our nature as catalysts of change.  The active state of our energetic

interactions, which are intrinsic to our core self, subtly stirs the fabric of space and time... they

gently alter the course of the lives around us... and kick up karmic dust in our wake.  For good

or ill, stagnation and/or  stability often begin to crumble with our mere presence.  To remain

irresponsibly ignorant of these effects is to enact a great disservice to both ourselves and the

worlds we encounter.

In addition to being the harbingers of transformation, we are also the embodiment of an

archetype. The weight of our singular archetypal existence is often consciously or

subconsciously experienced at once as both impressive and oppressive.  Dependant upon the

interaction of personalities or the attitude we choose to project, we can inadvertently  inspire

either fascination or fear.  Undoubtedly, such ability does not come without a price.

And finally, as Warriors, we understand that we are, in essence, a  living weapon.  Some may

be dull and rusted from lack of use or care.  Some may seem dormant, like a weapon in its

sheath.  And yet others may appear intimidating like a blade brandished during attack.

Whatever the case may be, whether passive or aggressive, honed or blunt a Warrior carries

within him a dangerous and volatile potential.  Correct management of that potential can be

the difference between sanity and madness.

These three aspects of transformation, archetype, and severity combined, demand a relatively

impressive degree of personal decorum, polite courtesy, and patient understanding with both

others of our kind and  the world at large.  If we fall distressingly short of these ideals we run

the  risk of becoming the monsters we keep locked inside.  As difficult as it  can seem at

times, for we are often arrogant by nature, we must strive to be beyond reproach.

It is through self discipline and observance of propriety that we are separated from and rise

above mere instinctual wild forces of nature.  And while often misjudged as brutish thugs or

harsh mercenaries, Warriors are no less evolved than any other archetype.  Therefore we

must endeavor to resist being sold short in this regard. 

~ Empathy ~

As seen above within the first four principles of the Shemm’t, there is an unmistakable

capacity for harsh decision making and austere action.  Fealty expressed an unwavering

loyalty to the family and an inescapable bond to specific patterns.  Veracity embraced a non-

compromising dedication to the truth and a marked disdain for dualities such as “good vs evil”.

Integrity views a lack of personal focus to be an intolerable condition.  And Propriety chastises

for even the possibility of inappropriate or irresponsible behavior.

With such a rigid ethos as this, one might be left with the impression that Warriors are bereft

of social understanding and/or compassion.  However, as with all things, there must eventually

be balance.  The balancing force which trims the rough edges from the principles of the

Shemm’t is that of Empathy.

As part of an ever changing world and a catalyst of transformation,  the Warrior must be

willing to adapt to the tides of reality which swirl about him always.  Obdurate resistance to

such inevitable and persistent pressure will, in time, assuredly fail.  Some may believe that a

Warrior’s strength resides in only in  his shield-like resistance to external force.   However,

that is not always the case.  Take for example the elements  which comprise to make an

excellent sword.  The steel of the blade must  be both hardened and tempered.  The

hardness of a blade allows it to  hold a keen edge over time while the temper allows the blade

to flex but not break under pressure.  A blade that is too rigid will easily snap and  one that is

overly pliant will always be dull.  A true Warrior is able to  embrace both of these concepts

and apply then equally when appropriate.

Due to the shielded and grounded nature of a Warrior’s being, Empathy is perhaps the most

difficult of the principles to embrace and maintain.  For a Warrior it is easier to understand

and accept the regiment of a strict code of unquestioned Law.  However, such an ethical

system of complete intolerance is at best unduly limiting and at worst, prejudiced.  Remaining

willfully  ignorant  of potential mitigating circumstances regarding any situation is foolish for it

precludes many possible truths.  Intolerance also stands in direct opposition of the universal

injunction to Seek Your Own Truth.  While your own personal truth may contain elements of

intolerance, enforcing those elements upon others may restrain the search for their truth.

Empathy is the quality of temper within the excellent sword we call the Shemm’t.  Empathy is

the capacity to experience and understand reality from points of view other than our own.

Empathy allows us a level of benevolence which balances the harsh forces of destruction a

Warrior keeps precariously in reserve.

There is one last aspect of empathy which must not be accidentally discarded  nor

intentionally refused.  Empathy with and for one’s own self.  It is true that the Shemm’t is

harsh as is the path of a Warrior.  However, the warrior must remember that these six plus

one principles are idyllic and it is the self and struggle for them which is important, not strict

achievement.

~ Fortitude ~

It can be honestly said that the underlying personality of the Warrior  is also that of a martyr,

for generally speaking, a Warrior will undoubtedly  sacrifice of himself for “the cause”.

However, while a Warrior does not  shy away from sacrifice, or pain, or injury, or even death,

he will not exert  his fortitude in a frivolous manner.  Childish displays of bravado merely to

prove a Warriors exalted levels of machismo are both a useless expenditure of personal

energy and a clear sign of character weakness.

As martyrs, Warriors often find it easier to face dire circumstances and hardship rather than

accept the simple joys of everyday living.  Without the battlefield to clearly define a Warrior’s

purpose or without an  easily defined enemy to vanquish, he may unwittingly turn his rage

inward upon himself or outward upon his friends and family.  The typical expression of this

unharnessed aggression is “manageable” antisocial behavior.  However, in extreme cases it

can manifest as criminal activity or even mental instability.  In these extreme instances,

Fortitude is not so much about the courage to march headlong into mortal combat, but

instead about the strength to confront one’s inner being.

In times of peace, a Warrior must learn to leave the physical field of battle behind in favor of a

more conceptual or psychological milieu.  In this case, martial practice, while still physically

demanding, becomes more a focus on mental discipline.  The enemy, while still cunning and

dangerous, becomes that which blocks the path on a Warrior’s journey.  And strategies of

attack and defense, while still skillfully applied, take on a metaphorical aspect.  In essence,

conflict is conflict... the distinction  between the physical  and the cerebral  is  entirely  a

mater of perspective.  It was said by philosophers of old that “once the battle has been won in

the Warrior’s soul, he cannot be defeated”.  From this philosophy one  might glean that be it a

time of peace or war, the most important aspect of conflict is the Warrior’s attitude, not his

physical prowess. 

The principle of Fortitude, like the principle of Empathy above, is defined by the five principles

which precede it.  Fealty, Veracity, Integrity, Propriety, and Empathy all combine to assist a

Warrior in choosing the course of right action along his life path.  Fortitude, then, is the

strength of character to actualize those choices regardless of opposition.  And furthermore,

not only is Fortitude the quality necessary after the choice of right  action  has been decided,

but it is also the force of will which demands the application of the first five principles.  Simply

stated, Fortitude is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

Finally, a Warrior must also understand that Fortitude is not the opposite of fear.  The

presence of fear does not indicate a lack of  strength or courage.  Fear is a natural and

instinctual survival  mechanism  which helps us gauge the level of peril we face.  Through

Fortitude, a Warrior accepts his fear, absorbs it into his being, and becomes stronger for it.

~ Eminence ~

When a Warrior dies and passes from this mortal world the most valuable thing he leaves

behind is his reputation.  How will those who knew and encountered him remember his effect

on them and the world?  Will he be held in high regard for his accomplishments great and

small or will he be mocked for being inept?  And what of the days, months, and years that

pass prior to slipping this corporeal coil?  How will his comrades, peers, family, etc. view him;

Honorable, valorous, dependable... or weak, cowardly, and foolish? 

   

Most Warriors never receive medals of commendation or have marble statues carved in their

likeness.  The heroes of everyday life are the fathers, mothers, plumbers, security officers,

etc. who never get the opportunity to bask in the glory of accolade, yet they serve as best they

can.  The legacy of a lifetime is often only as reputable as the quality of one's deeds during

that life.

   

Ten years from now no one will remember how quickly you accomplished your assigned

functions or with what flourish your actions were performed.  Instead they will remember either

the excellence or impotence with which your actions were executed for your deeds will stand

out, for good or ill, as a lasting testament.  Quality over quantity is the maxim of a noteworthy

Warrior because everything one does is a measure of one's whole being.

   

The vast majority of people go blithely through everyday of their lives with no consideration of

how important each moment truly is.  A Warrior must learn to perform every action as if it

were his last.  Death may arrive at any moment upon the field of battle and a true Warrior

understands that every place he sets his feet is indeed a battlefield.  It matters little in what

form the adversary presents itself... be it an armored foe or merely a simple task at hand,

both, and all things between, are challenges to one's mettle that must be met and overcome.

   

The gravity of this immanent outlook on life is not meant to be oppressive and every effort

should be made to keep it from becoming so.  The truer shackle is thinking that nothing one

does is important or will ever make a difference.  Such a belief will certainly bind a Warrior

and restrict him from doing what must be done.  Eminence is liberating for it shatters the cold

iron chains of complacency and drives the hero on to great deeds.

   

Mythology and religion are replete with tales of judgement in the afterlife.  Elysium or Tartarus,

Valhalla or Nifhel, Heaven or Hell.  These fables have ingrained in mankind that the potential

for reward is more important than the deed which earned it or in simpler terms, that tomorrow

is more important than today.  For a Warrior, there is no tomorrow... only now.  Each moment

matters because that is all one truly possesses.  The past is done and gone.  The future does

not yet exist.  All material things are transient.  Pay attention to now.  Do your best now and

all other concerns will fall into place.

   

The phrase "do the right thing because it is the right thing to do" is a popular motivational tool

used in modern business practices.  Popular because it sets into motion right action and

engenders reward if the form of self gratification.  However, for the Warrior it should more

appropriately read; "Do the right Thing because it is the ONLY thing to do".  It is the only thing

which will strengthen a Warrior's mettle... the only thing which will satisfy a Warriors honor...

and the only course of action which will ensure victory.

                              

                                                             

~ Impenitence ~

                                  

It must be first understood what the principle of impenitence is not.  It is not a license to be

rude, disrupt harmony, or disregard the mental, emotional, or physical well being of others.  It

s not permission to march blindly forward without considering the consequences of one's

actions.  And, it is not absolution from accidental or foolish injury one may cause in the course

of their life path.

   

When a Warrior wrongs someone, his Propriety demands he apologize.  When a Warrior

causes unintended collateral damage, his Mettle will suffer if he fails to make amends.  Every

living being is fallible and even the most vigilant Warrior will make mistakes.  However, the

inability to recognize such mistakes or worse, the purposeful avoidance of said recognition

and recompense stands in direct opposition to the principles of the Shemm’t.

   

Instead of an outward ill mannered carte blanche, the principle of impenitence refers to the

internal attitude a Warrior must be mindful of regarding the basic nature of his being.  When

the course of right action dictates, a Warrior is a severe force with which to be reckoned.

Once provoked, and all matters of propriety are satisfied, a Warrior must not be restricted be

feelings of guilt or he will be unable to respond with the full measure of his prowess.

   

While it may sound redundant, a Warrior must be free to do what must be done.  In 1578,

John Lyly wrote "The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war".  Much has been done

over the ages to "civilize" the act of war.  Modern governments would like to place a pleasing

mask over the face of combat to make it easier to look upon.  However, no matter what color

you paint it, the bloody shade of battle always shows through.  Once the gauntlet has been

thrown down... once a Warrior is committed to brutal action, the rules of polite society no

longer apply.

   

It cannot be stressed strongly enough that a true Warrior is not a mindless element of

destruction.  A Warrior is a weapon and those foolish enough to dash themselves upon the

sharp point of such a weapon also bear the responsibility of the wounds they receive.  A

sword does not experience angst or woe over those who have fallen to its dangerous

potential.  Nor should a Warrior.

   

A secondary element to be considered within the principle of impenitence is regret.  First and

foremost, a Warrior should strive to live a life that offers no reason for regret.  However, that

goal is impossible for we  have already determined that refusal to accept one's own fallibility is

sheer ignorance.  Instead, as in all things, it is the journey through life toward such a goal

which is far more important.  By employing the previous seven principles (Fealty, Veracity,

Integrity, Propriety, Empathy, Fortitude, and Eminence) as best he can within the framework of

his life, the Warrior reduces the chance of regret to a minimum.

   

It must be remembered though that moments which will test the soul of a Warrior will arise.

Temptation, weakness, oversight, and ignorance are a part of everyone's life.  A Warrior faces

these things in no less a noble manner as he would an honorable victory.  Just as success is

a part of one's journey, so is failure.  Both aspects are at least equally important.  To regret

the mistakes one makes in life is to devalue those moments and the truest mistake and the

ultimate failure is to learn nothing from them.

~ Mettle ~

Our physical body is a reflection of our subtle body... and our subtle body is a reflection of our

physical body.  The mirror which symbolically exists between these two aspects acts as a

door which swings both ways allowing influence to pass to and from each.  The synergy of

this process is that which simultaneously creates and defines our total being. 

Each of us, as unique and total beings, exhibits a unique energetic frequency or resonance

characteristic of who and what we are.  The interaction of this resonance with both the subtle

and physical worlds as well as with other beings in those worlds is, in large part, responsible

for shaping the nature of reality.  In other words, the core essence of our being not only

determines the course of our life path, but also how we deal with others and how others deal

with us along that path.

Keeping this give and take between the physical and subtle realities in mind, the principle of

Mettle is understood in a radically different  manner that the other principles of Shemm’t.  In

fact, Mettle isn’t even a principle at all, but is instead the sum total of a Warrior’s existence.

Mettle is the combined measure of a Warrior’s physical form, subtle body, thought, word, and

deed in this lifetime and all previous lifetimes.

It is not a coincidence that the word “mettle”, which means; “the material or substance of

which a person or thing is made”, is a homonym of the word “metal” which is a particular

subset of elements or alloy of thereof.  And just like the careful alloy of metals which comprise

the blade in a sword of quality, there is an impeccable alloy of Mettle  required to produce a

Warrior of quality as well.  However, where as fine steel is made of such things as iron,

carbon, molybdenum, manganese, etc., the consummate Warrior is a deliberate combination

of the six previous principles of the Shemm’t.  Too much of one or not enough of the other

can make the Warrior/weapon too rigid or too pliant.  A prudent balance is key.

During the historic proliferation of steel weapons within most cultures there  arose  a

philosophy  based upon not only the strength of steel, but upon the weakness of men.  It was

often said by those who trained the young men of the tribe or clan to be warriors that only in

the strength of steel could trust be ensured.  Implied is the notion that all else was subject to

acts of betrayal.  In this philosophy, the Warrior strives to see himself as the weapon worthy

of such trust.

Furthermore, the Warrior is not only metaphorically comparable to a sword and its

composition, but also comparable to the skilled weapon smith who forges such.  Each choice

of lifestyle, action (right or otherwise), thought, belief, etc. a Warrior commits to is like unto the

blows of the hammer that either shape or shatter the white hot ingot of steel.   And just as the

overall worth of the final product of steel is the purview of the weapon smith alone, the

Warrior, for good or ill, is solely responsible  for his worth also.

~Gryphon M