Comments on Nias sword - Claws, Tusks and Fangs needed.

tom hyle · 8th February 2005, 06:14 AM

I generally don't feel you should modify a fetish or ritual object whose meaning, construction, and use you don't understand; such action can be detrimental to its spirit, mood, power, and lifetimes of experience and use. Also, this tusk-ball looks like it's in pretty good shape, anyway. I might tie down any loose ends, but replacing parts without the proper rituals, respect, and communications could be very harmful to whatever psychic field it has going. Replacing parts meant for a purpose with parts meant for show is a dangerous and slippery slope. Many people have no respect for this kind of talk, about invisible things, but I frankly don't know that such people should even be allowed near old magical/religious items....respect means taking someone for who he is; not for where you'd like to fit him into your pre-existing world. I'm a freind to the swords.....I gurss I feel this ritual ball is fairly clearly more talismanic than a simple item of "dress" and is a valuable and meaningful object its own self. Then there's the fact that it's one thing to kill someone and take his teeth, and it's another to buy teeth, and are objects made out of the two types of teeth truly the same object? My concern in this case is for poluting the magical essence of the ball. BTW, note resemblance to a takraw ball.

Naga Basuki · 8th February 2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

I generally don't feel you should modify a fetish or ritual object whose meaning, construction, and use you don't understand; such action can be detrimental to its spirit, mood, power, and lifetimes of experience and use. Also, this tusk-ball looks like it's in pretty good shape, anyway. I might tie down any loose ends, but replacing parts without the proper rituals, respect, and communications could be very harmful to whatever psychic field it has going. Replacing parts meant for a purpose with parts meant for show is a dangerous and slippery slope. Many people have no respect for this kind of talk, about invisible things, but I frankly don't know that such people should even be allowed near old magical/religious items....respect means taking someone for who he is; not for where you'd like to fit him into your pre-existing world. I'm a freind to the swords.....I gurss I feel this ritual ball is fairly clearly more talismanic than a simple item of "dress" and is a valuable and meaningful object its own self. Then there's the fact that it's one thing to kill someone and take his teeth, and it's another to buy teeth, and are objects made out of the two types of teeth truly the same object? My concern in this case is for poluting the magical essence of the ball. BTW, note resemblance to a takraw ball.

Tom,

That is a beautiful statement and one that I will take to heart. I will PM you about more info.

Beautiful and appropriate.

Bill

Conogre · 14th February 2005, 10:25 PM

If, perchance, you do decide to at least add to the ball, keep in mind that Florida now has a legal alligator season and I suspect that the teeth could be easily obtained.
From a strict appearance standpoint, the teeth would be hard to differentiate from a crocodile, and while alligators are generally considered to be less aggressive than crocs, the number that have started adding senior citizens to their diet in past years may change that soon.**grin**
Mike

Ian · 14th February 2005, 11:16 PM

Bill:

Your example is every bit as complete and fine as Artzi's. Personally, I would not touch it except to clean any rust from the blade and keep the hilt lightly oiled to prevent cracking. Excellent find.

8th February 2005, 06:14 AM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I generally don't feel you should modify a fetish or ritual object whose meaning, construction, and use you don't understand; such action can be detrimental to its spirit, mood, power, and lifetimes of experience and use. Also, this tusk-ball looks like it's in pretty good shape, anyway. I might tie down any loose ends, but replacing parts without the proper rituals, respect, and communications could be very harmful to whatever psychic field it has going. Replacing parts meant for a purpose with parts meant for show is a dangerous and slippery slope. Many people have no respect for this kind of talk, about invisible things, but I frankly don't know that such people should even be allowed near old magical/religious items....respect means taking someone for who he is; not for where you'd like to fit him into your pre-existing world. I'm a freind to the swords.....I gurss I feel this ritual ball is fairly clearly more talismanic than a simple item of "dress" and is a valuable and meaningful object its own self. Then there's the fact that it's one thing to kill someone and take his teeth, and it's another to buy teeth, and are objects made out of the two types of teeth truly the same object? My concern in this case is for poluting the magical essence of the ball. BTW, note resemblance to a takraw ball. Last edited by tom hyle; 8th February 2005 at 07:19 AM.

14th February 2005, 11:16 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Fine balato Bill: Your example is every bit as complete and fine as Artzi's. Personally, I would not touch it except to clean any rust from the blade and keep the hilt lightly oiled to prevent cracking. Excellent find.

14th February 2005, 10:25 PM	#3
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	If, perchance, you do decide to at least add to the ball, keep in mind that Florida now has a legal alligator season and I suspect that the teeth could be easily obtained. From a strict appearance standpoint, the teeth would be hard to differentiate from a crocodile, and while alligators are generally considered to be less aggressive than crocs, the number that have started adding senior citizens to their diet in past years may change that soon.grin Mike