Listed on:

Search 4 RSS

Yeah, I'm a Technorati member

Weblog Directory Directory of blogs from all around the world.

)O( Green Man

The Elemental Model of Communication:
What styles of communication can be seen from a Pagan world view?

While working on our "Mindful, Magickal Communication" workshop for CoG's 2005 Merry Meet Leadership Institute, which was held here in New Mexico, Tehom and I felt that we needed to come up with a communication model that made more sense to Pagans than the traditional models available in the usual self-help books. So we came up with this Elemental Model, based on the five sacred elements of creation (Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Spirit).

A few words of wisdom on the use of this model: First, it is a model, a representation to help us make sense of things, it is not an absolute or a "real thing" (you are this, I am that). Beware reification! Second, no one has a personality or style that falls purely in one of the elements, or acts strictly in conformity with a particular element, just like no one's astrological chart falls all into one element. However, you are likely to find that one element is most comfortable for you overall, and that you really on particular modes in particular circumstances. For example, if your Moon is in a water sign, you may find that communication that is highly emotionally charged tends to come out with the strengths and weaknesses of the Transformer, whereas if you have an Earth Mid-Heaven, you use an Earth mode when going about your work in the world. Try monitoring your patterns of communication in different circumstances, and see what seems to fit. Observe others' communication styles. Imagine which styles you would find most difficult to deal with - if you were Fire, how well would you be able to stand the way Water or Earth like to communicate? Finally, this is a model to help you navigate, not a solution in itself. Learning skills like Nonviolent Communication, active and reflective listening, and mindfulness are also required to become successful in communicating clearly and openly in difficult situations.

This is a work in progress. Feedback is always welcome.

The Visionary

Air. Creative, has unique perspective, a bold thinker. He or she sees the big picture, as would an eagle that soars high above, looking beyond the details and minutiae. Loves to gather facts and acquire knowledge, though it may be more theoretical than experiential. Sees with clear vision; strives for clarity and uncluttered thought. Good at summarizing and generalizing. Full of possibilities—ideas rule! Conceptualizer, designer.

Strengths & Challenges

Able to generalize issues, giving reign to a wide scope and range of possibilities. Research-minded and book-minded. Imaginative in his or her approach to problem solving. All suggestions as equally viable because all viewpoints are valid and he or she has no preconceived solution in mind. Playful. Moves quickly and refuses to get bogged down in details. Mindfulness and beginner’s mind are engaged. Poses impractical solutions based on theory or hypothetical knowledge (too busy thinking to actually do anything). Low on follow-through (great ideas with no action). More comfortable exploring theories rather than connecting with people or their feelings. They may be rule-enforcers.

Tools

Brainstorming, mindfulness, beginner’s mind, curiosity rather than judgment, sharing ideas freely, asking open-ended questions, guided trance, crystal gazing, scrying, movement meditation or dance.

Questions

Have we considered all possibilities, viewpoints, ideas?
Do we have the facts or the time to research?
Can we be more creative, imaginative?
Are we approaching this with beginner’s mind, an open mind?
Are we trying to retrofit a solution into a problem?
Do we have enough raw resources?
Will this be fun?
Have we identified all the main issues?
Can we see far and high enough; are we looking beyond details?
What are our general needs and goals?
Are we being non-judgmental?
Can we allow that anything can happen?
Do we truly want to be surprised by the outcome?

The Advocate

Fire. Focused and determined, the advocate loves action, defining goals, and sorting details into a plan. Fiery and passionately committed, they will not hold back in supporting a group’s goals; an eloquent spokesperson. Makes decisions swiftly. Honest and fair; will hold up the lamp of truth, even if it reveals harsh realities. Public figures and advocates for the Craft. Courageous and willing to fill the role of advocate during disputes. Motivator, encourager.

Strengths & Challenges

Loves action over discussion and will move a group to commit to a path. Will motivate others and raise action and awareness in order to get things done. Sees or creates a clear path to a solution, organizes others, gets to the point, and generates results. Detailed only to the degree that it is necessary. Not afraid to lead; honors the power of will. Separates issues from people. Non-bureaucratic. Impulsive. May make hasty decisions or jump to conclusions or action without taking time to think things out. May manipulate or leave out details to support an action; impatient with process-related issues and those who indulge emotional episodes. Pushy and competitive; may be out in front for the publicity and fame.

Tools

Anything that defines issues or prioritizes them (lists, assessments, needs definition, multi-voting, mission statements); or tools that foster shining light on issues and separating them from personalities (explicit agendas, mediation, summarization, dip-sticking); any planning tool (agendas, goal-setting, scheduling); advocacy; magick.

Questions

Is there enough energy to accomplish this?
How can we generate more energy?
Do we stand together on this, have consensus?
Do we know our will and our collective will?
How will this action affect other actions we are planning?
Is this decision part of an existing plan?
Are we passionate enough to carry through?
Have we defined our goals, mission, or direction?
Have we assigned responsibilities so that we know things will get done?
Who is responsible for carrying out the action?
What will we do if this doesn’t work (do we have Plan B?)?
Does this require outreach to the community; do we need a public advocate?
Does anyone in the group need an advocate?

The Transformer

Water. Uses empathy, intuition, and compassion to transform conflict into positive change. Sensitive to people’s feelings; unafraid to be present during emotionally charged moments. Knows that change is natural; they help groups move through changes. The container defines the solution; willing to work with the energies that are present, recognizing that as the moon, energies wax and wane. Skilled in use of divination to aid decision-making. Healer, supporter.

Strengths & Challenges

Empathetic, loving. Good listener, good witness; can ride the changes. Allows time, doesn’t rush people when they are expressing feelings. Asks neutral questions. Flexible and adaptive. Trusts intuition. Honors the validity of the will of others. Is not afraid of what is hidden or shadow issues. May wallow in the emotional abyss or escalate conflict by remaining silent or not taking action. May trust false hunches. Indulges the “flow” too much, never coming to any conclusions. At his or her worst, this is the pop psychologist turned priest/ess who endlessly analyzes even simple issues but offers no concrete help.

Tools

Vibes reading, listening, active/reflective listening, witnessing, consensus, facilitation, divination, mediation, easing change, meditation, trance, healing.

Questions

Have all been heard?
Have all spoken?
Have feelings been expressed and respected?
How will this solution affect other people?
What is hidden that we cannot see or have not considered?
Have we been flexible enough, too flexible?
Have we used our intuition, trusted gut feelings?
Are we working from a place of compassion and love?
Am I too emotionally involved to be objective?
Will this heal us?
Do we feel heart-connection?
Do we need to restate our goals according to the change we are making?
Can we cope with this type of change; how shall we do it?

The Elder

Earth. The elder has years of experience and is grounded in reality, history, and tradition. Old and patient as the earth, the Elder is a wise realist, stable during conflict, centered in his or her self. Has deep reserves of energy. Uses the powers inherent in the cycles of nature; unhurried, favors plans that endure. Deep knowledge of the past and an awareness of how actions affect karma. Celebratory, traditional, paternal/maternal. Keeps the needs of the community, society, and the world in sight. Manifestor, grounder.

Strengths & Challenges

Knowledge based in actual experience; a life lived. Patient and stable. Exhibits faith in processes and can take the time to let things happen according to natural cycles. Expresses the voice of tradition and upholds and defends tried and true processes. A holder of the ways. Practical, pragmatic, considers physical needs of individuals and the planet. Uses raised energy to manifest. Can be slow, unresponsive, or stubborn and fixed. Too entrenched in tradition to trust major changes to be “enduring.” Bored with issues that they’ve seen play out before; sure that the solution will be just like the one they made 10 years ago (unwilling to stretch, jaded). May become an “authority”—someone who provides a solution without letting others find it on their own, rather than an elder, guiding people to their own conclusions.

Tools

Recording and documentation; being an historian; nurturing tradition; by-laws; mission statements, charters, milestones, and agendas; root cause analysis; building resources, networking; grounding, centering, anchoring.

Questions

If we feed it, will it grow?
Will it feed us?
Does this fit our tradition?
Is this grounded in reality?
Is everyone grounded and present in a shared reality?
Do we have a common bond that will endure?
How will this affect others, the community, the land, the world?
Are we stable enough to enact this?
What types of slow, measured changes can we make over time?
Do we have enough resources, energy, and commitment to succeed?
Is this the type of change we want to manifest?

The Peacemaker

Spirit. All the previous elements integrated in harmony. The core, the omphalos, the awareness of and interaction with the all-pervasive divine spirit, the sacred spark that animates all things. Love, the connection between all things and all beings. Acts as a shining light—makes things visible, reveals subtleties. Values the contributions of all. The higher self. The acts that we perform in accordance with our highest nature that move us to peace, cooperation, and connection. The fundamental intent of our communication, whether known or unknown (True Will). Exalter, transcender, revealer.

Strengths & Challenges

Expert facilitator, mediator, and guide, governed by pure intent, clarity, and wisdom. Objective viewpoint and perspective; insight that is not obscured. Functions as a bridge that connects the divine and the mundane. Inspires spiritual movement and growth toward higher purpose. Capable of deity assumption. Harmonious, balanced, self-aware. Integrates. Lofty, distant, esoteric; too idealistic or abstract. Sets unrealistic goals; desires perfection. Has unreasonable expectations of self (fears failure). Uses deity mask to advance personal agendas or attack others.

Tools

All tools mentioned. Ritual, magick, divination, group visioning, aspecting (deity assumption).

Questions

Have we acted in accord with our ethics?
Does this advance a spiritual goal?
Are actions congruent with the tenets of our faith? The Rede?
Is there anything hidden, still?
Will this action result in balance?
Will balance be restored?
Would this please the gods?
Are we connected with higher self, each other, deity?
Are we open to communication with deity?
What are the karmic implications of this action?
Have we understood our intent and was it expressed?

copyright 2005/2006 by Scott C. Lamont and Tehom