Holy Man/Woman
From Plastic Tub
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Fancy Gloves Grades |
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The Call of the Hermaphrodite
Many uninformed commentators have written that candidates for the Holy Man/Woman grade are divided by gender so that, as one might imagine, female candidates are Holy Women and male candidates, Holy Men. This however, is a falsehood arising from a lack of thorough investigation. In fact both men and women are known as "Holy Man/Woman" or, as it appears in some known pamphlets, "Holy Man-Woman." Although the exact meaning of the name is unknown, evidence suggests that it refers to a kind of symbolic hermaphroditism such as may be found in occultic, especially alchemical literature. Speculation is rampant, but the recent discovery of a ritual called "Recovering the Other" lends some credence to the theory.
Cock and Cunt
The Holy Man/Woman is awarded metal guantlets upon whose middle knuckles are affixed silver phalli. Each guantlet, when formed into a clenched fist, also mimics a vagina, the lips of which decorate the thumb and forefinger, the space between becoming the hole. With this highly unusual pair of handware the Holy Man/Woman is able to perform the salute and handshake of their grade. This symbolism lies behind the name of London pub The Cock and Swallow, an obscure east end watering-hole frequented by Gloved Ones.
