THE CLERGY/A.K.A. OATH RING.
The reason for this Oath Ring for a Warlock or Witch of the First Church of Druwayu embodies the Warlock's or Witch's spiritual authority within the religion and symbolizes the hallowed (sacred) bond between individuals, co-clergy members, The One and Three, as well as our community. It should also be noted that when we adopt specific traditions such as this rooted in historical foundations, we avoid the mess of "fictional reconstructionism." The main reason this is avoided is because many so called reconstructionist "movements" are not only prone to ethnocentric and racist tendencies which were not factors recorded in the source material such often employ, many also impose a false narrative they are continuing an ancient tradition and thereby stray from historical authenticity, lack of evidence, literary embellishments and modern false romanticism.
Caution on Adopting Historical Traditions:
When incorporating traditions like the Oath Ring, which are based on historical practices, it’s important to avoid the pitfalls of "fictional reconstructionism." This term refers to the tendency of some modern groups to recreate past traditions in ways that lack historical accuracy.
Many of these reconstructionist efforts can lead to problematic outcomes, such as promoting ethnocentric or racist ideas that are not supported by historical records.
Additionally, these groups often create a false narrative that they are directly continuing ancient practices, despite a lack of evidence, and may include exaggerated or invented details that reflect modern biases rather than historical reality.
This can lead to the adoption of practices that were not genuinely part of the original tradition but were instead fabricated as negative propaganda to discourage people from following those traditions during historical periods of religious conversion.
For example, early Christians were falsely accused of engaging in acts like incest, infanticide, orgies, and cannibalism—claims that were later mirrored by other religious groups to discredit their rivals or those who resisted conversion.
These accusations were often exaggerated or entirely made up, and adopting such fabricated practices today would be unethical and not in line with the values of a responsible and morally grounded person.
Design description:
The ring is gold, though silver can also be used, and has a main hexagonal design based in the concepts of Geometry and a symbol of dimensional stability, as is the combined triangle and triple rings that represent the One and Three. Engraved in the sides is the "Resist True Evil" as a call to action, and under the symbol representing the One and Three is the "First Church of Druwayu Est. Oct 1, 2024" as a historical note.
Of course, there is also the symbol of the folklore-based Warlock and Three Witches as representatives of the One and Three and thus represented by the Trident and Three Broom Heads combined on an equal armed cross form, surrounded with the wreath of victory, excellence, and achievement, drawing from Ancient Greek traditions, and the five-pointed star based on the five virtues of Knighthood:
Courage: Bravery in defending justice and freedom.
Mercy: Compassion for all, especially the vulnerable.
Justice: Protection of the innocent and ensuring fair treatment for everyone.
Generosity: Charity and sharing of resources for communal welfare.
Faith: Loyalty to ethical principles and commitment to truth.
At each point is inlaid diamonds with an inlaid background of black marble. The white diamonds represent loyalty, kindness, truth, knowledge, wisdom and understanding, the hallmarks of any worthy leadership and one who is dedicated to being reliable and trustworthy rather than popular based on superficial values of others.
The Black Marble represents resistance and durability (resistance against evil and enduring will to overcome adversity). Because it is found all over the World, it also represents peaceful coexistence whenever and wherever possible while also being a reminder that regardless of where one is, personal responsibility, honesty and dependability is a constant necessity.
Additionally:
Symbol of Commitment: Rings can represent the clergy's dedication to the principles of Druwayu, including logic, humor, and the sacred bond with the One and Three. This aligns with the religion's emphasis on ethical behavior and responsibility.
Historical and Spiritual Significance: Drawing from historical traditions, rings have been used in various cultures as symbols of authority, elderhood, and spiritual connection. Incorporating this into Druwayu reinforces its ties to meaningful rituals and traditions.
Unity and Identity: Rings can serve as a unifying symbol for clergy members, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose within the community.
Design and Symbolism: The proposed designs for Druwayu clergy rings, such as hexagonal patterns and engravings like "Resist True Evil," reflect the religion's values and principles. These elements can deepen the spiritual and cultural identity of the clergy.
Modern Adaptation: By integrating rings into clergy practices, Druwayu demonstrates its ability to evolve and incorporate meaningful symbols that resonate with contemporary values while staying true to its roots.
Who provides for these rings and inheritance:
Historically individuals or members within the community may commission artisans to create custom oath rings for the clergy and to be treated with a deeper sense of reverential honor not to be passed out frivolously or for some sort of nonsense political statement that cheapens and dishonors those who do such things. Abiding by such old customs, they are taken from the dead by family and kept with family to prevent theft by unscrupulous morticians, then placed back upon their finger at the point of burial.
How burials are conducted will depend on what was requested by the individual which may include sending them off in a burning ship as a way to honor the dead and guide their spirit to the hereafter, purified by the flames or placed within a family catacomb type tomb. The ring remains with them unless they have openly passed it on before they died to those who maintained their bonds with them more closely than others.
Prototype Creation Estimate for the Oath Ring
Basic Recap:
Material: Gold (with silver as an alternative).
Design Elements: Hexagonal pattern, triangle and three-ring symbol, engravings ("Resist True Evil" and "First Church of Druwayu Est. Oct 1, 2024"), trident and broom heads on an equal-armed cross, surrounded by a wreath.
Inlays: White diamonds at each f the 6 points, black marble background.
Size: A typical ring size (e.g., US size 7–10, inner diameter 17–20 mm, width approximately 8–10 mm to accommodate the design).
Materials and Costs
Base Material (Gold or Silver):
Gold: 14k gold is a common choice for durability and cost. A ring of this size and design might weigh 5–7 grams. At $60 per gram (based on 2025 gold prices), the gold cost is $300–$420.
Silver Alternative: Sterling silver (92.5% purity) is much cheaper. The same ring would cost $1.50 per gram, so 5–7 grams is $7.50–$10.50.
Diamonds: Small white diamonds (1–2 mm each) for the points. Assuming 6 points (hexagonal design), and using low-clarity, small diamonds at $50 each, the cost is $300.
Black Marble Inlay: Thin black marble inlays can be sourced as small pieces (e.g., 5x5 mm). A small amount for a ring cost about $5–$10.
Engraving and Design Work: Custom engraving for the text, symbols, and wreath requires a jeweler’s expertise. This typically costs $50–$100 per ring for detailed work.
Labor for Assembly: A jeweler’s labor for crafting a custom ring, including setting the stones and inlays, is approximately $100–$150 per ring.
Total Cost for One Prototype
Gold Version:
Gold: $300–$420
Diamonds: $300
Black Marble: $5–$10
Engraving: $50–$100
Labor: $100–$150 Total: $755–$980
Silver Version:
Silver: $7.50–$10.50
Diamonds: $300
Black Marble: $5–$10
Engraving: $50–$100
Labor: $100–$150 Total: $462.50–$570.50
Cost-Saving Alternative: Simulated Materials to reduce costs for a prototype:
Use gold-plated brass instead of solid gold ($10–$15 for the base material).
Use cubic zirconia instead of diamonds ($5 for 6 small stones).
Use black onyx or painted resin instead of marble ($2–$5).
Revised Total (Gold-Plated Version): $117–$220 (including engraving and labor).
Production Notes
Quantity: Costs decrease with bulk production. For 10 rings, jeweler labor and material sourcing costs could drop by 20–30%.
Durability: Gold or silver ensures longevity, but gold-plated brass may wear over time, requiring re-plating.
Weight: A gold ring weighs about 5–7 grams; a silver or brass version is similar, making it lightweight for daily wear.