| Vol. I,
No. 1 |
Oct.
20th, 2000 |
Living Together
Un-Binding
the Ties
Most of us are familiar with the expression "the ties that
bind." What follows, however, is a ritual for un-binding.
There's an unsubstantiated rumor that this piece is a companion
to a similar one for the marriage ceremony itself, as well as the married life
that follows. From the piece we have, we can infer something like the
following for those events.
It would appear that the original marriage ceremony involved the
actual tying of a first knot into a pair of somewhat lengthy cords that would
eventually become a sort of history of the marriage. After that,
subsequent knots were tied for each anniversary. In addition, another cord
was added and tied for the birth of each child, and subsequently woven in
for each of the rites of passage the child underwent -- baptism, communion,
confirmation, etc. Over time, then, the cords must have become intricately
intertwined, making it difficult, if not impossible, to tell where one began and
another left off.
Here, then, is the ...
Ritual for Un-Binding
{Divorce}
-
This proceeding shall be held in a hall before
witnesses. All shall assemble in the hall at the break of day.
-
Witnesses for the divorce shall gather together, with
either the husband or the wife, or in a third group which affiliates itself
with neither party in particular, and shall be prepared to say why they
believe the divorce should be granted.
-
Witnesses against the divorce shall gather among
themselves and, collectively, choose a spokesman who shall present their
case before the assembly in one voice.
-
Neither the husband nor the wife shall give voice to
their reasons for desiring a divorce. The fact of their presence shall
be considered sufficient in that regard.
-
Each party shall then proceed to give witness, in the
following order, which must be adhered to strictly: Firstly, the
witnesses for the divorce on behalf of the wife. Secondly, the
witnesses for the divorce on behalf of the husband. Thirdly, the
witnesses for the divorce who have not affiliated themselves with either the
husband or the wife. Finally, the spokesman for the witnesses against
the divorce.
-
Next, the marriage cord shall be placed on a table in the
center of the hall, visible to all assembled. The husband and wife
shall sit at opposite ends of the table, with the marriage cord between
them.
-
The marriage cord shall then be inspected closely by
someone, acknowledged by both the witnesses for and against the divorce, as
well as by the husband and the wife, of sound character and judgment.
In addition to the original knot, there should be, at least somewhat
discernible, additional knots for each anniversary, as well as for the birth
and subsequent rites of each child born to the couple.
-
If, from neglect or misuse, the marriage cord has come
undone, and neither the husband nor the wife either care to or are able to
repair it, the marriage may be annulled. No objection to the annulment
under these circumstances is permissible.
-
If, however, the marriage cord is still intact, then each
of the knots must be undone, one at a time. The untying shall be done
by either the husband or the wife, or both if they so choose.
-
Should any knot prove too difficult to untie for either
party or both, three options shall be made available:
Firstly, either more time may be taken to inspect the
knot more carefully, after which the party or the couple together shall try
again to untie it.
Secondly, the party of the couple may seek assistance from a
friend. The friend thus selected shall have nothing whatsoever to gain
from the separation and divorce of the couple. For this reason, it is
always preferable to choose a willing party from among those who have
witnessed against the divorce.
Thirdly, should any knot prove impossible to untie, an election
may be made to sever the knot by cutting. Should this third option be
chosen, it shall not be impeded by anyone present in any manner. The
cutting of a knot, therefore, shall be conducted in complete silence before
the assembly.
-
If, at any point during the undoing of the knots, either
the husband or the wife should want to reconsider the action being taken,
and if both parties are willing, they may withdraw to a separate chamber to
discuss the matter for a period of no more than one quarter of an hour,
after which time they shall return to the assembly. If, at such point,
both parties agree to terminate the proceeding, the assembly shall be
dissolved forthwith. If, however, either party wishes to continue, the
proceeding shall continue.
-
Once all knots in the cord have been undone, the husband
and wife shall take their respective seats once again at either end of the
table, with the unbraided cord between them.
-
At this point, the person who had been selected as
spokesman against the divorce shall, audibly and for all to hear, declare
the marriage terminated and the divorce granted, upon which he shall gather
together the loosened cords and place them in a wooden box, which he shall
subsequently bury. After his pronouncement, all of the assembled shall
leave the hall in an orderly fashion and observing complete silence.
The divorced parties shall remain seated during this time.
-
Finally, the divorced parties shall leave their
respective seats and the hall, likewsie in complete silence. Moreover,
except in cases of direst necessity, they shall be constrained from speaking
with one another for any reason for a period of at least one month.
*******
*******
|
