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Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/17/2005 7:45:06 PM

willing2serve

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What are the differences between tradition, rituals or symbolism? How are these included in your life?

Respectfully,
Willing2serve1

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RE: Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/17/2005 8:07:15 PM

BeachMystress

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From: Naples Island- Long Beach CA - Southern California
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Tradition is something that has been passed on through generations... time honored practices. Unless you're part of a multigeneration BDSM family, I don't see traditions playing much role. While the "Old Guard" might want to beat the tradition drum, the lack of widespread practice of their "traditions" on the part of the BDSM masses makes them not general traditions. That being said, Safe, sane and consensual might actually be considered a tradition since it is something that is shared throughout the community and will most likely be practiced by the next generations of BDSM.

Rituals are an established routine. They are well suited to BDSM since they can reinforce a subs position, remind the sub of the Dominant and such. I do not practice rituals as a part of my relationship at this time. When my sub and I are 24/7 that might change.

Symbolism.. something we choose to be a physical representation of something else. *smiles* I do love this one. My sub is soon to be collared. In the time between when we started discussing it and his formal collaring, he is wearing one of my necklaces. It makes me smile when I see it on him. It doesn't mean anything to anyone else in the world, but to us it is a physical reminder of our bond.

_____________________________

Beach Mystress
*Do not threaten the weak. Intimidate the strong. ~ Stevenson*
http://beachmystress.jigsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beachmystress/

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RE: Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/18/2005 2:12:09 AM

willing2serve

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quote:

My sub is soon to be collared

Thank you Beach Mystress. You defined these three items very well.
Also congratulations on your soon to be collaring.

Respectfully,
Willing2serve1

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RE: Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/18/2005 2:20:33 AM

BeachMystress

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Thanks! I'm excited and a bit scared about it, but every day is seeing the excited part take over the scared part. I am looking forward to his being a major part of my life. We'll be moving in together in the next few months. (We're an hour apart now and I spent 3 to 5 days a week at his place.) I'm pretty giddy. *said with a stupid grin on face*

_____________________________

Beach Mystress
*Do not threaten the weak. Intimidate the strong. ~ Stevenson*
http://beachmystress.jigsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beachmystress/

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RE: Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/18/2005 5:15:41 AM

EmeraldSlave2

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A tradition is something the recurs, either naturally or purposefully, which instills a certain emotional state and feeling of continuity.

A ritual is an act which follows a specific set of steps in order to reach a specific end result.

A symbol is anything which represents something not innately part of itself, usually not physical. Traditions and rituals can both be symbols of things greater than themselves as well.

We don't do hardly any rituals beyond kissing hello, saying I love you at the end of conversations, and me wearing my collar when I am with the Owner. We don't really have any established traditions. We're just not into them, we find them to be affectatious and prefer simply being relaxed in who we are. That's what gets us where we want to be.

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RE: Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/18/2005 7:03:35 PM

slaveofDon

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I totally agree with the statements here regarding the three terms. They are completely different.

In a dominant and submissive relationship, I have to admit that I crave the ritual and symbolism. Ritual is what reinforces my identity as his slave. Be it sexually or otherwise. With ritual, I know what he expects and he knows that he is fulfilling my needs.

The symbolism just further reinforces my place in his world. The little things like the lock in my collar or the fact that he purchased the crop in my favorite color. Those are symbolic of his possession of me. Receiving an allowance is symbolic. We both know darn well that I could run down to the bank and write myself a check off of his account. But I also know that he would be well advised to beat me silly over it.

At this point in our lives we aren't able to live in a M/s relationship 24/7 but that just makes the rituals and symbolism all that more important. It helps us slip into our roles more easily. And when I say roles, I dont' mean playtime. For us, when it happens, it is very serious. It is a way of centering us and keeping us and our marriage in sync. :) And I love sitting at his feet too! :0

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RE: Tradition/Ritual/Symbolism - 2/18/2005 7:58:08 PM

FangsNfeet

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Tradition = I will repeat myself over and over and over again when pretaining to a certain event or action.

Ritual = I will do something in a various pattern to get a desired result.

Symbolism = When I pull out the rope and cuffs it's time to stick out your wrist. When I take off my belt, show my switch, or raise my hand, it's time to be quiet and await my command to bend over. When I pull out the candles and lighter, it time to lay down.

NEXT!