Gebo, the dynamic reciprocity
Gebo: it is a rune sign, or a letter. But it's also a word. A word related to “give”, but also to a lesser extent with words for “movement”, think “go”. The word refers to reciprocity, but just different from the well-known “what you do not want you to be done” line of thought. Here is an explanation of the valuable principle behind the concept of Gebo. And what happens when it's forgotten. Principe - Gebo represents the essential principle of reciprocity, of balance. Any relationship, regardless of whether it is with a human, animal or Deity, has an underlying transaction, an exchange of energy. This energy can be represented in money, time, material goods, attention, recognition, wisdom or any other matter, physical or not. In some relationships, this is clearly acknowledged and agreed, as in the case of an employment contract. One party gives energy in the form of time, attention, actions and certain responsibilities. And the other party gives energy in the form of recognized currency. But in other relationships it is less framed, less demarcated. For example, in relations between man and (house) animal, between man and man, and between man and Deity. In a healthy relationship there is a certain balance in terms of energy. How this balance looks, of course, differs enormously, whether there is a right balance can only really be known by the parties directly involved. Very important to remember here is that different forms of energy per person can differ in value. For one, it is very valuable when you invite them to come by, for the other such an invitation feels more like a cost. To find out for yourself and for the other how these relationships work together is an important part of building a sustainable relationship. A component that will always remain in development. Man and (house) animal - People could not have built civilizations as we know them, without establishing relationships with other animals. Wolves/dogs that helped with hunting, cattle from which all kinds of valuable goods come, cats that hunt pests, all of them have been important in our march of “civilization”. But more than the other relationships mentioned here, the danger of imbalance is clear and visible worldwide in the relationship between humans and animals. The dog, once a valued and necessary partner. But the dog became increasingly dependent on man, and man independent of the dog. The dog lived and planted on to the whims of man, and could not bring anything against it. While man had more and more space for specialization and entertainment. The positions grew more and more unevenly, dogs that could never form packs, people who bred dogs based on fashion trends. And now there are “purebred dogs” whose brains don't fit inside their skull, dogs are raised to hyperaggressive fighters worldwide, and are thrown away elsewhere when they're not cute enough anymore. The dog has been devalued from living creature to utensils. And partly because of this, man has fallen from partner to, I can't say anything but monster and martyr. We pay in our empathic capacity, in our 'humanity'. (note, this is a simplified explanation for illustration and concerns humanity and rabies as general) For livestock money this problem much more. The relationship between the energy we put into our livestock is in no relation to what comes out. Animal feed is produced in huge quantities and feels less expensive for us (the environmental damage is not passed on unfortunately), the physical space per living creature has become much smaller, and production in meat, milk or eggs per animal has increased tremendously. But now we as (western) people have become dependent on this situation. In fact, we live on the pof. Building the 'cost' on. Global environmental damage, health problems, future pandemics. Gebo requires reckoning, not as punishment, but as a cause-effect. And interest rates are growing cumulatively. As a more positive example, the house cat (I focus here specifically on the fine part, problems around breed cats etc.. are like dogs a tearful reality). A house cat gets a safe home from birth to death, access to food and drink, attention and access to warm sunny spots. In return, they give us some release from mice, but above all something intangible and valuable. The presence of a living being? Entertainment? rest? I don't really have a good word for it.. But I think most of the better cat owners can agree that when the animal is away for a long time, there is a clear loss in the house. gods - Also in a relationship between man and Deity, such a balance is necessary. Only it is impossible for a man to comprehend what, how and who exactly is a Deity. Never expect anything from the Gods for nothing. But what gift or regift can reasonably be expected is inconvenient for an outsider to say. Both historical and modern, there is a variety of options to discover. A fraught term in this is “sacrifice”. Maar gods zijn geen fysieke wezens aan wie je iets makkelijk kan overhandigen. It takes some skill to make the difference between offering a sacrifice (physical or intangible) and simply throwing your gift into the void as pure waste. Start differently with undivided attention, as a kind of invitation or welcome gift. Call this prayer or meditation, the terminology is like the methodology for humans and no objective distinction. In the absence of a better word, “attention” seems to be widely appreciated. If the meditation/prayer is not directly for you, you can also give that attention in other ways. For example, by learning about the Deity in question, or by making or doing something that shows your appreciation for them. For example, a work of art or an article on the internet. Don't keep 'praying' if you feel like not receiving anything in return. Maar houd wel in je achterhoofd dat de gods geen mensen zijn. The simple feeling of being heard, or even more basic the feeling of having spoken can already be a regift. But perhaps when you learn to pay attention, you will notice that the influence of this Deity is gradually becoming more present in yourself and in your life. Maybe Freya teaches you to love and mourn, maybe Mijmer teaches you to be considered, maybe Wodan will teach you the ecstasy of anger, or Hoenir will teach you the power of silence. Or maybe the “gifts” come across as punishments. Help in discovering the necessary lessons and confrontations in your life for example. Unless you are lucky enough to employ a very devoted and gifted priest, you will have to and may experience this for yourself. And also discover the balance yourself. In this you may make mistakes, but those mistakes will never be without consequence. Do not forget the great wisdom of the Havamal: “Every gift requires a regift.” Gratitude and appreciation can already be good regivers, as long as it is truly sincere. And sincere appreciation you show again not only with a “thank you”. #Heidenisme #paganism #rune #spirituality #philosophy #bore #reciprocity #religie
