An Introduction to Sekki Benki (written by Dan Comstock)
By Hyoshin Tatsuo, former-High Guildmaster of the Healer’s Guilds of Avendale
The magic of Sekki Benki is an ancient art practiced in Nebulonde and Draelonde. In recent years, the cultures on the surface of Tyrra have begun to take an interest in this complicated though rewarding science.
Sekki Benki operates on the theory that magic is all around us, and that it flows in streams. This invisible stream of magic is affected by the geometry it flows over. The speed of the stream can affect how we live. If we spend too much time in a fast part of the stream, our life will become chaotic and rushed. If we spend too much time in a slow part of the stream, our lives become dull and we lose our ambition.
Sekki Benki is the art of living in coordination with the magic stream. It is the science of placing objects to help the magic flow smoothly.
This guide is a very brief introduction to Sekki Benki.
Magic is all around us. It flows up out of Tyrra like steam off a boiling pot. It pours down on us from the stars like rain. It comes from the other planes like light shining through a cloth veil. Aura comes from nature, and it returns to nature when spent.
We, as mortals, do not have the ability to sense this magic in as pure a form as it exists. Invisible magic flows all around us like wind through the air. It will enter a building through the front door and then try to exit through the back door or windows. The way it flows off of physical objects, like tables and plants, changes the way it flows, like water rushing past rocks.
Magic is within our spirits. We use it as our natural energy, our ability to stay focused and live in harmony with Tyrra. The more we act, the more our spirit energy decreases. When you sit in the stream of magic, your personal energy is replenished by it. When you are tired at the end of the day, it is your spirit crying out for you to sit still for a while and let the magic flow through you again.
When the magic is disturbed, it does not flow smoothly, but rushes quickly like water cascading over a rock. If we spend too much time around this magic, it perturbs us and makes us uncomfortable. Magic can be disturbed by death, or by sharp objects. The 90 degree angle of a table or bed will cause magic to flow like this. As a result, you do not want to have any 90 degree angles pointing towards the place where you sleep at night. You do not want to sleep on a battlefield where many have died before.
It is recommended that you reposition tables or other furniture so that the sharp angles are not pointing at a place where you will rest or sit. If there is an unmovable angle, such as a wall, soften the angle by draping cloth over it.
In the dark corners of a room, magic tends to slow down and become stagnant. If you sleep in one of these spots, it will cause you to become unenergetic, disinterested in life.
It is wise to try to speed up the magic in these stagnant corners. You can do this by hanging lamps or bringing in bright colors. Some new bright paint, or an energetic painting will draw the magic stream faster. You will almost immediately notice how much more energetic that corner of the room feels.
You should try to keep the primary elements in balance within a room. In addition, the elements should be balanced geographically - if you have a fire place or candles along one wall, put a fish tank, or a fountain on the other side of the room. Plants should be positioned opposite to open windows. If physical objects cannot be found to represent the elements, colors will work as well. Banners, tapestries, or even bed sheets of appropriate colors can honor the elements and keep them in balance. Red and orange represents fire, blue and gray represent water, white and yellow represent air, and green and brown represent earth.
The function of Sekki Benki is to balance a room aesthetically, elementally, magically, and spiritually. Your spirit is sensitive to these harmonies. If you sit in silent meditation within a room, you will slowly become aware of the balance of the room. Your spirit, in the form of intuition, may provide you with ideas on how to create concordance between the various aspects of the room.
It is jested amongst artisans of Sekki Benki that it is our knowledge of the magic of placement that has earned the Dark Elves their longevity. If anything, it has provided many with a calm attention to detail and a sensitivity to balance, both external and internal.
I wish you much luck and balance.