The Ancient High and Reverent Order of Aslan, more commonly known as the Order of the Lion, is the highest honor extended to friends of Narnia.

If you would be a member of the order, you must be willing to serve others. A knight of the order knows that life outside the self is an extension of life within, and an injustice done against anyone anywhere is perpetrated against everyone everywhere. To withhold the just deed is as if to act unjustly.

Firstly, a Knight of Narnia must have character. And to the Order, character is the four selves: self-respect, self-control, self-esteem and self-reliance. They are the four posts that hold up the pavillion. Remove one and the pavillion sags, remove two and it falls.

Secondly, a Knight of Narnia must have fitness. And to the Order, there are four types of fitness to which the ideal Knight aspires: mental fitness (through study), physical fitness (through hard work), emotional fitness (through self control), and moral fitness (through prayer and restraint). Physical and mental fitness are clear cut and simple goals, even though they are hard work. Moral fitness and emotional fitness are more nebulous goals and more difficult to achieve. But remember my children that even the largest of problems can be expunged with repeated and faithful action. The sin in your life may be a giant locust tree, but with disciplined blows of the axe it eventually yields with all its mighty girth and dreadful thorns notwithstanding. Living for righteousness is much harder than dying for righteousness. We say we would die on the stone table like Aslan, but when asked to but prick our finger each day, we yield to temptation. Be strong for the great challenges, but most of all be wary of the small pebbles that add up to a millstone about your neck.

Thirdly a Knight of Narnia must be a worthy citizen. And to the Order, there are three dimensions of citizenship: in the past we learn of the sacrifices and gifts made by our forebearers to bring us where we are today. We sing the old songs and remember the old heroes. In the present we look to our daily tasks with the diligence which befits a knight, whether it be to sweep the floor or slay the dragon. In the future we plan, dream, work and pray for those things which can leave our world a better place. A Knight of Narnia never says "Someone should do something about this!" without remembering that they are someone.

If you would be a Knight of Narnia, look for some skill you can use to leave the world a better place. Whether it is your singing, your compassion, your artwork or your sword, do it and seek thereby to improve the lot of your fellows that you passed this way. Determine to use this skill with courage, modesty and a cheerful spirit.

Start out as a squire. The Knight who would go questing must first kill the dragon in his own castle. And that dragon makes itself manifest shortly after the joy of undertaking the discipline of Knighthood. It may be a weakness or a temptation to be led astray. Identify it through introspection, target it through prayer, overcome it through steadfastness.

When you are ready to become a Knight, there is no way for the Soverign of the Order to dub you, obviously. But you can become a Knight in the eyes of God if you are set to become God's right hand man. Spend time in introspection and prayer over the tools of your trade--your brush, your pen, your uniform. Then when you feel ready to bear the title of Knight of Narnia accept it with humility and bear it well, keeping its honor and striving to achieve its goals.

If you would discuss this with me, email me at magescribe@comcast.net.

EveningStar, Mage Scribe
Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Lion
House of the Royal Magi