My fellow anime lovers might be acquaintance with the ‘geis’ or rather recognized as geas from the series ‘Code Geas’. In Irish mythology, a geis is an idiosyncratic taboo, whether of obligation or prohibition, similar to being under a vow or spell. A geis can be compared with a curse or, paradoxically, a gift. There are other terms for this phenomenon, changing slightly from culture but the essence remains the same. A burden… A gift… A duty… A geis is all this, a chain that leads from one thing to another, without escape or exceptions.
We’ve all felt this heavy magic on us at least once in our life, to some stronger than others; I believe it varies with the potential of each. When this geis presents itself before us we have two options: make the contract with it or let it pass by. Both options are good, but one tends to be selfish, the other frightening.
The strongest comes in the form of a promise, a promise to yourself or someone else. The path is not easy nor with a promise of a happy voyage, but it is the mean to fulfill it. It is the way to make a difference, to make a change. It doesn’t always come because we want it, but because it has been imposed unto us. There is always a higher power, a greater authority.
That we will all have to face one sooner or later, of that I am sure. The question is: will we have the guts to take it on? It isn’t to be taken lightly. Consequences don’t affect only us.
To be continued…
