February 3rd (Age 15)
Let me go back to the beginning. I’ve given absolutely no indication of who I am or what my life is like, meaning that I’m failing at the core purpose of this journal. Given my soul’s apparent purpose is to spread our culture, I suppose it makes sense to start at the beginning and explain it to myself in full. Perhaps one day I will go back and re-write these volumes to publish.
I’m sorry in advance to my future self because while I am well educated, I am only fifteen and I know my writing probably lacks some finesse. I’ll do my best.
So, what would I share with people who wanted to learn of the Sharizi ways? Well…
Bloodline
As a bloodline, the Sharizi are known for our particular looks of blue-black hair and brilliant blue or violet eyes. We often go so far as to marry in others that look similar in order to keep ourselves within a certain aesthetic, this is of course, dependent on one of our three mantras: Love as you will. In other words, regardless of how one looks, if we love them, then we will be with with them. Still, its peculiar, but more often than not it seems we fall for those with such looks (not that I know anything of love at my age).
While we come from a Tribe of Mann that is wel lknown for their skills in battle, the Sharizi have no interest in such things. No - our County is prized as a pinnacle of culture, grace, and mysticism. People that travel to Sharizi lands do so for a magical experience of exquisite food and wine, the scent of lavender, our lavish decor, and our masterful storytelling. While we do have some soldiers, and I myself am trained in combat arts, our whole society is far more based on the principles of love, knowledge, and the sacredness of every person.
Balance & the Domine-Serva Bond
Before I can go much further, I have to explain the foundation on which our society is built. We believe strongly in balance and aim for it in all we do: Balance of mind, body, and heart for example. Furthermore, we believe there are two types of people: those who serve and those who are served. In our society, we call these the Serva and the Domine.
If you think back throughout history, there are those who lead and those who follow. In some cases, and these are quite terrible, people in other cultures have been forced into servitude or even slavery.
In Sharizi society, we believe every mann has the right to the life they want to live.
Some want to lead and direct. They want to mold and shape the world with their hands. They want to guard the weak. These are the Domine.
Others want to live a relaxed life of few questions. They want to be told what to do and what is needed of them. They long to please and be seen and respected. These are the Serva.
Here, no one is forced into any one role, especially not service. We do not believe anyone's right to chose should ever be taken away, But, we still firmly believe people are predominantly one or the other.
The Sharizi hire and prize their servants, giving them the honored title of Serva. Most Servas in their lifetime will just take on the roles of workers, waitstaff, farmers, soldiers, and so on. Servas serve everyone - not just the Domine. They are the power behind life. The energy.
The Domine are the driving force. They are what harnesses all that energy and put it towards purpose. Thus, balance is achieved as Serva and Domine work together.
Not everyone in society is officially titled a Serva or Domine. But - Domines, genuine Domines - are assigned a Serva who will watch over them and attend to their every need. This is a sort of life bond.
Domines tend to be leaders and influential people in society - the ones making changes on a big scale. But, sometimes people, even born into a noble family, have a desire to be a Serva rather than a Domine. Basically, everyone's wishes are respected here, and no one is ever, ever forced into a role they do not like. But, I probably already said that.
Those that do not fall into the Domine category may still be served by Servas - they’re just not assigned one as a companion. Servas are people that love nothing more than to be of service to and give to others. That does not mean they do not live lives of luxury and pleasure. It simply means that their core purpose is to be subservient. They relish in the opportunity to do what needs to be done.
A serva, once assigned to a Domine, is theirs for the rest of their life, unless they chose to break the contract. There are contracts signed at the time a Serva wills themselves into service and there are stipulations to said contract. Ultimately, if one is truly not happy, they can be let go - but they shall never be a Serva again.
It is a special bond that a true Domine and Serva share - one unlike anything else I can imagine. It is second only to the deepest bond: the Soul Sharing.
Cassius is my Serva. But, more on him later. He deserves his own entry.
Triads
The importance of the number three is seen throughout our society. AS I’ve just mentioned, love, knowledge, and the sacredness of every person are our core principles. This is reflected in our three mantras. I’ve already mentioned Love as you will. The others are: The body is a sacred vessel, and All knowledge is worth having. This reflects on our triad of body, mind, and heart/Soul.
the number three itself is sacred to us, and the idea of mind, body, and heart (or soul) is particularly important. Everything we do can be related back in some way to balancing these systems. We’ve the three mantras, the three systems, and the three elements (earth, air, and water). Then, we’ve little life sayings or lessons such as: The three primary forms of singing: poetry, recitation, and singing with the harp.
Mysticism
As I have briefly mentioned, the Sharizi absolutely adore mysticism, particularly ritual and divination. We have an oracle system using a special deck of cards to read into possible futures. Only certain people are allowed to learn this art. Those are Domines of the noble line, Priests, Priestesses, the Linagee, and some Servas. I don’t have any training in this yet, so i can’t really talk about it much.
Symbolism and heraldry
Our county’s sacred symbols are the key, lavender, and the raven feather.
The feather represents the Serva and the body being a symbol of willful obedience and serenity of mind. The Serva are brought true serenity through their willingness to serve and be obedient to the Domine.
The key represents the Domine and the mind. Keys are symbolic of knowledge, that which the Sharizi seek above all else, but also of guardianship and dominion. The Domine ensure their Serva are safe and content, just as much as the Serva give back in return.
The Lavender, a type of flower, is our sacred herb. It represents the heart or soul and the emotion of joy. It is seen as a symbol of the purity of love, serenity, and visions. It is highly prized by our priests and priestesses, used as a cleanser, and often found in many of our most favored dishes.
Souls
We do not believe everyone will come into contact with a soul, but regardless, we treat everyone fairly and equitably. Heart and soul are thus combined when we speak of our three systems because the soul and heart’s purpose are often as one, and those without a soul still love and have their own passions. It is just that some are without a drive that pulls through the astral plane.
We take the idea of reincarnation very seriously, and people are often given journals as 12 year olds in case they come in touch with a soul. That way, we can write down our memories to keep in the Library after our passing. I wrote about that a little bit earlier in my journal, so I won’t say too much more.
The Linagee is the special scholar who studies the journals of those passed. In case a where a soul resurfaces and wants to remember the full details of their pasts, they can meet with the Linagee who will give them their full history. It is a highly revered position in our society and one that people compete for fiercely.
As the Linagee and I agreed, I have no soul history so far, so… I’m a new spark, a once born. This means I have a blank canvas, so to speak, for this energy I now contain. I can become anything! It also means I have not yet met who I will someday share my soul with… And that’s an exciting and nerve shattering prospect!
Marriage & Soul Sharing
Marriage is seen as the most intensely important ceremony that one can go through within Sharizi society - even more important than the birth of a child. There is a great deal of fanfare around the decision to be wed and the weddings themselves. First, a couple announces their wish to be joined. That day, they sit down with one of the mystical diviners, who performs a ritualistic oracle reading using a beautiful and ancient deck of cards. If that is deemed a positive reading (which in cases of true love it always is) then, there is a period of handfasting.
The handfasting is the first of intense events - the couple is physically bound together for one night and the bounds removed the following morning. Then, they live together for one year, unmarried, but living as if they are.
After the year, if they still feel that same love, they spend three days in thought about whether or not they want to get married and soul share (if they possess souls). Soul sharing is the ultimate form of love within our society for those who possess souls which I will write more about in a moment. The three days of thinking represents the mind.
After the three days of contemplation, they have three days to plan. This represents the body - the physical planning. Most couples will have talked about their ideal wedding long before now, and people will have known it is likely to come, so some prior arrangements may have been made. On the third day of this phase, everything is set up and ready to go for the final trio of days.
The first of the last trio is a day where gifts are brought to the couple to be married. The second day, the ceremony is performed, which lasts three hours and is an incredible event, ending in a great feast. The last of the three days is a secretive one. It is said that only our high priests and priestesses know exactly what happens, but it is here that soul binding takes place, if it does. Without souls, there is a more bodily representation of the union. I have seen matching tattoos on several couples who I suspect are without souls.
Otherwise, there is the secret ritual called the Binding. It is, I have heard, quite beautiful and lifetimes altering. Once it is done, supposedly it cannot be undone. The sacred foreverness is something that must never be taken lightly. This ritual binds two souls together permanently so that even in another lifetime, the two can find one another again with ease. It is a love that can last eternity.
Gender & Sexual Equality
Menn and womenn are considered equal and although the Sharizi line seems particularly adept at producing male heirs, a female is never shunned or thought of as any less. Some people who experience a sense of genderlessness or gender-fluidity are respected by their own individual identities, and sexuality is considered a blessed treasure of the physical, emotional, and mental bodies, to be treated with respect. Many are open in their preferences and it is not at all uncommon for people to date the same and different genders.
Overall, what is most important in Sharizi society is:
The balance of Domine and Serva, or dominant and submissive.
The trinity of body, mind, and heart/soul.
The number three in many forms, including sacred triad lessons.
Knowledge, Love, and Peace.
Mysticism and ritual.
Equity and people doing what they love.
Okay. Wow. I wrote a lot more than I expected. But, this should be a good start for myself… A guide as I move forward.
-Imreius
