The SCA can be a wonderful, transformative organization, teaching others medieval arts, courtesy, and other skills that can affect not only their in-game life, but their world outside of the organization. However, like any modern organization that contains people, the SCA has a DEI puzzle to solve. When studying the medieval world, its class systems … Continue reading Omphaloskepsis: In Defense of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
philosophy
Volunteer Retention in the SCA
People are far more willing to give if they are invested but not abused; cherished, but not made a pawn; loved for who they are while also giving them space to find ways to grow and learn. Don't badger people for why they don't have awards or things you think they need, but be willing to make space for them to figure things out on their own. As long as it's not destructive, harmful, or hateful, let people be.
Family Heirlooms: how heraldic inheritance really works
With the interest in heraldry growing from the funeral of QEII, there's something I've noticed a lot of lately from folks outside of the SCA, and that is (mostly Americans) not understanding how heraldry works. So, you know those heraldic shops at cultural festivals and renaissance faires and occasionally the mall? You know, the ones … Continue reading Family Heirlooms: how heraldic inheritance really works
Gonna Show Off my Bling – Regalia vs. Badges
We all know it when someone is called before their Crown, and is handed a scroll (usually, we hope) and has a medallion placed around their necks. These are causes for celebration, of course. But what about all of those other badges that the SCA has registered? What's the difference between these? Who gets to … Continue reading Gonna Show Off my Bling – Regalia vs. Badges
Herald’s Admonishments: Chivalry for Heralds
About a decade or so ago, I became acquainted with Gerald Legh's Accedens of Armourie (1562) as a relatively new herald. Gerald Legh was an English lawyer (specifically the Inner Temple of the Inns of Court) and wrote a lot on heraldry specifically. Within the Accedens, he also admonishes that the people acting as heralds … Continue reading Herald’s Admonishments: Chivalry for Heralds
Omphaloskepsis: But I Can Do It Cheaper!
A thought. SCAdians are really bad about respecting the work of others. Hear me out. Because our culture is very much a DIY culture, it is quite easy to go "psh, I can make that - for cheaper than *that guy* is charging" without really thinking about the actual material and labour costs of what … Continue reading Omphaloskepsis: But I Can Do It Cheaper!
Omphaloskepsis: Anachronistic Learning in the Information Age
The Society for Creative Anachronism is by large a society based on information transfer, whether it be our own customs and law to how to create medieval items or even learning our method of martial art. Even with this, though, how critical is it exactly that our learning and information transfer happen only at events, … Continue reading Omphaloskepsis: Anachronistic Learning in the Information Age
Stretching Scribal Boundaries
So, over the Christmas holiday, I had the opportunity to go to an event in Meridies (hi Thor's Mountain!), and I seized the opportunity to sit and do some art while I was there. I wasn't sure what kind of art that I wanted to do, and I was kind of flying on what I … Continue reading Stretching Scribal Boundaries
Omphaloskepsis: Consent
It also means that we have got to learn how to accept that other people have boundaries, whether they be sexual, emotional, or even physical, and learn to work with people, but to also extend grace when people invariably mess up on those boundaries.
SCA Philosophy Question Ahoy!
Since November 28, 2017, I’ve been asking my social media friends list (which, yes, comprises mostly of SCA folks) questions about SCA philosophy, SCA personae, and the like. Sometimes, the questions may have been a bit pointed, and sometimes, well, it’s curiosity. I know I’ve repeated some in my questions (as I’m going through the … Continue reading SCA Philosophy Question Ahoy!
konstantia kaloethina 
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