Intergalactic Summit

My first thread didn't exactly generate the specific type of discussion I was hoping for but none the less I'll be continuing. Being that the previous installment was pertaining to my interpretation of some of the important parts of traditional Amarrian beliefs, I feel it only natural to make this next thread centered around the common "counterpoint" to them, Matari spirituality.

Now before I begin I have to reiterate a few important things. Firstly, by any measure I am no more than a curious soul and amateur theologian. My knowledge of this subject is limited, and my presentation of it may lead to some confusion and perhaps offend some people. That is not my intent and I apologize in advance if that occurs, however if you read past this point it means you're essentially prepared for that outcome.

Matari Spirituality

The exact origins of current Matari spiritual practices and beliefs are, at best, difficult to determine. The Amarr did far too thorough of a job at destroying most of the items and artifacts that may have provided information about how old this belief system actually is, where and when it originated. Also, either by necessity or choice it seems the vast majority of information relating to Matari religious practices is passed on through oral tradition, rather than set in stone, paper, or digital information. However the Shamans of the Matari tribes and clans take great care in preserving and passing along their knowledge both accurately and in ways the next generation can understand. As admirable as this practice is it has a noted disadvantage compared to actually compiling works of scripture in that knowledge can change more readily as it's passed down. This is debatable in it's importance because one could argue the compilations of scripture, while less prone to direct change, are possibly more susceptible to reinterpretation by larger groups of people. Like any belief system, Matari spirituality can be a unifying factor for it's adherents, and by the same token it can also divide them. However, compared to the stricter regulation present in Imperial faith, the Matari belief system is much more dynamic and adaptable to change and practically encourages change rather than trying to restrict it. Also like any other belief system there seems to be an undercurrent of reasoning and structure that helps to provide not only personal stability, but social stability.

Much like all systems of belief across the cluster, Matari spiritual practices do have their core tenants or primary ideas central to the wider and more varied individual practices. To my understanding those core tenants are; an acceptance that there is no single route to enlightenment, reverence for all aspects of the world both tangible and intangible, respect for ones elders, and selflessness. This set of guiding principles is not entirely unique to the Matari, but like all faiths the groups that practice them do so in their own ways.

In my estimation perhaps the single most important detail of Matari belief is that the path of one's life, the hardships experienced and the lessons learned, will be different than those of the person next to you. To put it differently, the steps one takes toward, or away, from spiritual understanding are simply held to be different for each person. What one person finds to be an epiphany might seem mundane or utterly inconsequential to another person. Regardless of the details, one thing all spiritual Matari seem to agree upon is that the path itself exists. There is always a means to better oneself and others in this life right up until the end of it, and even after death a person can be a guiding influence to their friends and loved ones. This fluid nature, this varied dynamic is reflective in some ways of the tribal society of the Matari themselves, but beyond that it also suggests a simple but profound belief. That since the world is so dynamic and mutable, so too must be the quest for understanding and enlightenment. Now this idea doesn't eliminate the fact that there are wrong actions, wrong steps on the path, it only allows for multiple right ones.
The second of chiefly important ideas in Matari spirituality is that there isn't a singular unified entity or being at the core of worship, rather there are quite possibly trillions of interconnected entities, or spirits. The myriad of entities a spiritual Matari might worship or invoke all boil down to the concept that very nearly everything in the world has a spirit in some sense. As mind boggling as that might sound on the surface it isn't quite as specific and distinct as one might think. Every single drop of rain may not have it's own unique spirit but each drop is connected to the spirits of, in this case, local water sources and weather patterns. The spirit of the local lake is connected to the wider spirit of water but interacts with the spirits of the ground beneath it, the wind whipping across the lake surface, and the even the system's star. Through these spiritual interactions the physical world is shaped, and through actions in the physical world the spirit realm is shaped. To use a metaphor the interplay is similar to desert sand dunes. The wind helps shape the dunes, but the dunes also redirect the wind. The spirits of nature are not the only spirits to be sought. The spirits of one's departed loved ones, recent and reaching back into ancient ancestry, can be contacted for guidance, knowledge, and strength.

Hello Captain Fernah;

I want to thank you for the excellent review of the major faiths of the Cluster. I greatly look forward to your treatise on Gallente faith, given the polyglot nature of their society and the deep intermingling of cultures therein. Regardless, I'm certain that the results will be entertaining.

If you don't mind, I'd like to expand upon or question two points that you made in this review of Minmatar faith. First, the oral nature of the tradition seems likely to be the element that allowed it to survive its long period of dormancy, and is a great source of its dynamism. Given the oppression it was under, literary and hard copy encoding of the memeplexes would have been destroyed quickly, as you point out. By preserving the information in memory it would have been far more difficult to root out.

More importantly, by storing the structures as neural engrams, the belief would have gained a certain mutability impossible to maintain in hard code. Even if the textual information was perfectly preserved in memory, the order, emphasis, and inflection of the body of knowledge would be free to adapt as needed, providing the more stable societal bond of which you spoke. Changes in content and intent were also likely prevalent during this period, though it is difficult to say.

I would also like to speak about the Matari custom of tattooing, which I both admire and adore on several levels. They are works of art in their own right, expressing the deep creativity and empathy of the artist. They are a compact form of communication; much like the colour- changing lizards of Todaki, they allow silent communication of ideas between members who understand the coding, which can be very deep and subtle. The most telling impact of this custom, however, is the open-ness of the Matari society. As you mention, being willing to tattoo ones life is much like the saying 'to wear your heart on your sleeve.' A society that encourages this habit encourages communication and honesty. It is an admirable custom, one which other peoples of the Cluster would be wise to consider.

Thank you again for your excellent review. I eagerly await your next report in this fascinating series!

---

P.s. please excuse any spelling errors or poor grammar. I have a neural dysfunction which inhibits communication. It is generally limited to speech, but not always.

I think you have the wrong idea about Minmatar tattoos.

The first tattoo is always the Voluval, and Uraniae would have no choice for what that would end up being. Any further tattoos are bestowed and worn in the same manner as badges or medals, and this they represent only what Uraniae is or has done. It's not a choice of decoration that she can simply pick and choose.

I may have it wrong as well though, so it might be best to consult a Matari shaman.

Captain Fehrnah thank you for your postings on spirituality in the cluster. I've found them very enlightening. They've also given me a sense of hope that somehow we'll find that there's more that unites us than divides us.

Captain Oniseki:

Oh, yes, I was aware of the implication of my question and should have been more clear. I was asking what she considered her greatest accomplishments and her life's 'vector,' more than just what adornment she would find most attractive. It's an open question for anyone, or not as the individual desires, given how personal it is. The lexicon of the Voluval and other marks could fill volumes, I'm sure; its a heiroglyphic language unto itself.

Captain Fehrnah;

Thank you for sharing! The fact that you have wanted to explore so deeply says many good things about your character.

The only redeeming element of Minmatar spirituality are all the lovely herbs and mushrooms you lot consume to better commune with your spirit-Fedo or whatever. I'd buy those by the crate-load, got to keep the nightclub crowd well-supplied in exciting new hallucinogens.

You have to realise that such a society would put him firmly out of a job.

Some comments on the original without reading the whole discussion:

1) You seem to miss out on the concept of Fate, which is important to many (though not all) Minmatar belief systems.

2) I would not describe the variance in Matari spiritual belief as "many paths to enlightenment", as I do not think enlightenment as such features strongly in the minds of most Minmatar. A good life, such as good deeds, fulfilling your Fate and respecting your ancestors, might be associated with various spiritual or after-death rewards (e.g. such as the ability to escape the judgment of the Nameless God and to leave the world to live with ancestor spirits and/or to become one), but the rewards are not usually described as a personal spiritual achievement of salvation or a heightened mental state. Some mystics and shamans are the exception in this, not the rule.

3) I do not think it is correct to describe the Minmatar attitude to individualism as "selfishness", which implies altruism. Rather, the Minmatar selfishness operates on a different level than e.g. the Gallentean (individual fulfillment) or Amarrian (personal salvation). The spiritual and practical idea that makes some people perceive Matari as "selfless" is not about altruism and charity and denial of personal pleasures as much as it is about putting the survival and prosperity of your clan ahead of your personal satisfaction. We do not value seeking personal happiness - but we value bringing those to our kin, and in that can be very "selfish" indeed.

Interesting. So, based upon your comments, Ms Rhiannon, would it be fair to say that it is a distinctly insular and exclusive tradition?

The contrast with the faith of the Empire, which promotes its own spread at all costs, regardless of the interests of others, would seem to be quite stark. I wonder if this is, in fact, not coincidental?

As far as you can say "it" about Minmatar traditions, I guess you could describe it so. I am not sure you can speak of "the" Minmatar tradition that way, though - as opposed to Minmatar traditions, many of which are insular and exclusive. Each kinship group of various levels is in itself exclusive - you are either in or you are not, and you cannot just decide to become, say, Rhiannon, even if you knew everything about our traditions. They are insular to a varying degree, though obviously for example each clan is also interested in maintaining enough diversity and alliances to remain viable.


That is an interesting thought. It can be speculated that this has been one historical reason behind why the Minmatar even more than other nations have become the arch-enemy of the Empire; it could also be one reason why the Minmatar have proved singularly resistant to Amarrian influence. On the other hand it can be speculated some of this could be a reaction to the Empire's oppressive attempts.