The concept of “Rank” came about for two different reasons.
The first reason is actually not quite what some may expect. The founding years of the community was during a time when the internet was still quite rudimentary. Communication wasn't quite as quick and convenient as it is now...We didn't have social media, v-blogs and youtube channels and the idea of being on a radio show was like. Wow! We did that?!
Instead we had a very standard forum type platform (At best) and that was after hanging around chatrooms and yahoo mailing groups. The best thing about these forums was that it allowed the Administrator to control who accessed which parts of the forum. This was especially useful for study material type subjects which was provided to members from a beginning, mid, to advanced level structure.
“Ranks” were used to show that you advance from a “step one” lesson to a “step two” which then opened up different parts of the forum.
This leads us into the Second reason.
Ranks is a common practice both in ancient time’s and in modern day practice. You will find examples of Rank at school, at work, in many community programs, the military, the church and of course. It sounds really cool in fictional and mythological stories!
Since “Ranks” were being used on the forums. And much of our beliefs were inspired by Jedi as they were presented in Star Wars. It was pretty natural to apply the star wars Jedi styled Ranking System into our practice as well. Naturally the exactness of the inspiration’s were adjusted and changed depending on the structure of the forum and lessons within them. Other systems were borrowed from resources such as the knights of the round table, and other similar mythologies.
Rank’s also helped others find the right people to talk to depending on the subject they had questions on. A “Master” for example let a student know they could ask study material questions and probably get a helpful answer in return. A Knight helped mediate conversations and a so forth and so on.
Ranks are not universal. Some Jediists may not even bother using them.
But they do hold a place in our communities history.
A common ranking trend is as follows.
Initiate
Initiate Level is commonly a beginning step. It is when a new registered Member agrees to begin training at a certain group and is starting to learn the basics of Jedi.
Apprentice
Apprenticeship is commonly accepted after a selected waiting term from Initiation. Once the waiting period is breached a higher ranking member will take you on as a student and will teach based on their very own unique program and set of beliefs.
Just Jedi encourages all members to practice caution and sound judgment when entering into an Apprentice Relationship with another. Always remember that you have as much right to interview and ask personal questions just as the higher ranking potential does.
Knight
Knighthood is a marker rank. It indicates that you have gone through that groups structures, training and hoops to reach this point. Commonly Knights are allowed to teach Apprentice’s.
Knight. However is not a universal rank. Just because you earned this rank in one group does not mean it is recognized in another. It will also have different meanings depending on which group you attend. Some use the Rank of Knight as a sign of approval to the Jedi’s efforts and work in the group or community while others will use it as a Job description, earned only if your willing to work the job criteria the rank requires.
Journal Entry: Have you earned a Jedi Ranks before? If so, tell us about it! If this is your first time, or you are working towards one currently - how does aiming towards ranks make you feel?
Last Edits:
Sept 26 2020
April 20 2019