Respect and Reciprocation

Respect and Reciprocation

"Comb me smooth and stroke my head,
And every hair a sheaf shall be,
And every sheaf a golden tree."
   ___ George Peele, "The Old Wives' Tale"


   Many folk tales tell of spirits who, if they are granted respect, give generously but who, if they are abused, give gifts that are less desirable. In Peele's tale The Old Wives' Tale, a girl who comes to draw water from the well meets the spirit of the well - a floating head that has the power to grant wishes in return for respect. It has ears of corn growing on its head rather than hair, yet when the girl combs the head, the ears of corn turn to gold and she combs it into her lap.
   The wisdom of folk tales still has much to teach us. Heroes have respect toward the beings they encounter on their adventures. They never rush on by without a greeting or take what belongs to someone else without permission. However strange or frightening the appearance of those whom they meet, the protagonists of folk tales have a duty to be polite.
    This advice still holds good when we approach sacred beings, spirits of the land or our own spiritual helpers and friends. While these beings are sources of benefit to us, they also deserve and require our interaction and respect. To always go knocking on the otherworldly doors to ask for spiritual gifts without recompense or friendly conversation is hardly good manners: such as behavior in our own world would eventually cause even our friends and neighbors to grant us short shrift.
   With those who are spiritually dear to us, we have a special duty of reciprocation. And even toward those spirits whom we do not know, we can extend a cautious respect, one that bridges the worlds between us but does not steal anything or incur any offence.

"Mediate upon and go meet one of your spiritual helpers. Ask what service you can perform for that helper."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthew]