Vanic Value 7: Partnership
Partnership
Riane Eisler’s book The Chalice and the Blade changed my life. In her book she clearly shows the difference between dominator and partnership models of relationships. She also shows that partnership models are not utopian fantasies but realities that have been lived in the past and can be lived again now and in the future.
As I read her book I came to see that the Aesir and their people are primarily about domination and the Vanir, Elves, Disir, Jotuns, Dwarves and their people are primarily about partnership. I say primarily because there are exceptions. Freyja and Freyr are definitely about partnership. They are partners themselves, the Lady and the Lord. They partner with the Elves, Disir, Jotuns, Dwarves, humans, animals, plants, earth, air, fire and water. In some degree they partner even with the Aesir; at least they try.
Partnership overlaps with the other six Vanic Values. Partnership is about respecting, connecting, cooperating and collaborating with every being with which I share this Place. It is about Power with others in this Place rather than a destructive, dominating Power over others in this Place.
Partnership is about Peace, being at Peace and bringing forth the Power of peace in this Place. It is about Protecting this Place and the Power and Peace of all who share this Place. Partnership is about Pleasure. It is about enjoying life in the Place, its Power, Peace, and Protection. It is about everyone sharing in all of the Pleasures of life. And Partnership is certainly about Plenty. It is about everyone prospering together and sharing their prosperity for the good of all.
I value Partnership, sharing common goals, working together to achieve common goals, valuing our different strengths and creative contributions as we use them to achieve our common goals. I value leadership that is about Partnership rather than domination.
Leadership in a Partnership model directs the group’s attention to its shared goals. It inspires the group to put forth its best efforts to achieve its goals. It helps the group make decisions and affirms, confirms and celebrates the group’s progress toward achieving its goals. It mediates the conflicts that naturally arise in a group as it works toward its goals. Leaders in Partnership models work within the group as members with a specific function that is of equal value with the others in the group. They do not work from outside or above the group as superiors who dominant the group. They are partners who carry out one necessary function with the group they lead. They value the uniqueness and diversity of everyone in the group they lead.
The Vanir, especially Freyja and Freyr, value Partnership. They live it, not perfectly but most of the time. As one who is true to both the Lady and Lord I value Partnership too. I also live it even if I do so imperfectly.