Date: Fri, 24 Jun 1994 11:01:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Joy Williams Subject: Glossary of lovestyle terms To: cawpagan-l@netcom.com Glossary of Relationship Terminology (arranged conceptually rather than alphabetically) Compiled by the Triskelion Family of the Church of All Worlds LOVE_ That condition wherein the other person's happiness is essential to your own. (Robert A. Heinlein, SISL) SEXUALOVE_ The synergic fusing of love and sexuality into a single erotic emotion in an intimate relationship. COMPERSION_ Warm happy feelings experienced when noticing ones loved ones enjoying loving relationships with others. (Kerista) The opposite of jealousy. JEALOUSY_ Neurotic anxiety based on fear of losing control over a partner one regards as a possession. JEALOUS_ Resentfully envious or suspicious of rival influences. LOVESTYLE_ Refers to the design of a sexualove relationship style. Like the term "lifestyle," it implies a conscious choice. HETEROSEXUAL/STRAIGHT_ (hetero=different) A lovestyle orientation in which sexualove is experienced only between members of opposite sexes. HOMOSEXUAL/GAY_ (homo=same) A lovestyle orientation in which sexualove is experienced only between members of the same sex.. BISEXUAL/BI_ (bi=two) A lovestyle orientation in which sexualove is experienced both between members of the same and opposite sexes. DYAD_ A sexualove relationship consisting of two primary partners. TRIAD_ The most basic and common form of multipartner relationship, consisting of three adult primary partners, usually two of one sex and one of the other. PRIMARY RELATIONSHIP_ A committed, long term, live in sexualove relationship which may or may not include marriage and/or shared economy. SECONDARY RELATIONSHIP_ An ongoing sexualove relationship in which the partners usually do not live together, and do not consider their relationship a first priority. TERTIARY RELATIONSHIP_ A friendly but casual sexualove relationship of an occasional or temporary nature. OPEN RELATIONSHIP_ A sexualove relationship in which the partners have agreed that each may independently form outside sexualove relationships. CLOSED/EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP_ A sexualove relationship in which the partners have agreed to have no other lovers outside of the relationship. INCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP_ An intimate sexualove relationship in which all partners have agreed to form a synergistic group and in which each dyad is warm and trusting. The existing relationship may expand to include more people with mutual consent. MULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP_ Similar to an inclusive relationship or expanded family, but all partners are primary, whether or not they are married. MULTIPARTNER RELATIONSHIP_ Any non monogamous lovestyle. CONDOM COMMITMENT_ An agreement among all the members of any open sexualove relationship group that all partners be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, and that condoms be used with any lovers outside of the group. MARRIAGE_ A contractually committed partnership, including sexualove, cohabitation, shared economy/property and mutual childrearing. OPEN MARRIAGE_ A marriage of two partners that is not sexually exclusive, but permits either or both partners to have other lovers outside of the primary relationship within the marriage. GROUP MARRIAGE_ (see Polygamy) Marriage in which three or more adult partners are married to each other. A group marriage may be open, closed or inclusive. PLURAL MARRIAGE_ A term often applied to Mormon style polygyny. All wives may live together, or each may have her own home. OPEN GROUP MARRIAGE_ A marriage of three or more adult partners that is not sexually exclusive, but permits partners to have other outside lovers. LINE MARRIAGE_ An inclusive group marriage designed to continue in perpetuity as new members may be added by mutual consent of the existing partners, replacing any who leave or die. (Robert A. Heinlein) CORPORATE MARRIAGE_ A group marriage that is legally structured and registered as a corporate entity, whether a DBA, Partnership, Trust, Corporation or other legal form MONOGAMY_ (mono=one; gamy=marriage) The practice or state of being married to only one person at a time. Sexual exclusivity is implied. MONOGAMOUS_ Inclined, capable and desiring of sexual exclusivity in a marriage with a single partner. SERIAL MONOGAMY_ The most common lovestyle in the US today. Consists of being married to one partner at a time with frequent changes in partners. NON MONOGAMY_ (see Polyamory) Any lovestyle which allows more than one sexualoving relationship at the same time. POLYAMORY_ (poly=many; amor=love) The practice, state or ability of having multiple sexualove partners at the same time. (Otter G'Zell) POLYAMOROUS_ Inclined, capable and desiring of having multiple sexualove partners at the same time. (Morning Glory Zell) POLYGAMY_ (poly=many; gamy=marriage) The practice or state of being married to two or more partners at the same time. No limitations are implied as to the sex or number of the partners. The generic term for group marriages. POLYGAMOUS_ Inclined, capable and desiring of marriage with several partners at the same time. POLYGYNY_ (poly=many; gyno=woman) Polygamy in which one man has two or more wives at the same time. POLYANDRY_ (poly=many; andro=man) Polygamy in which one woman has two or more husbands at the same time. POLYFIDELITY_ (poly=many; fidelis=faithful) The state or practice of sexual exclusivity among a group of three or more primary partners. (Kerista) A closed group marriage emphasizing equal primacy of all relationships. POLYFIDELITOUS_ Inclined, capable and desiring of sexual exclusivity among a group of three or more primary partners. (Kerista) PROMISCUOUS_ (pro=forth; miscere=to mix) Engaging in casual sexual relations with many persons indiscriminately. SWINGING_ Sport sex for couples. A form of non sexually exclusive monogamy in which two primary partners agree to have casual sex with other couples or singles as long as there is no emotional involvement. SWAPPING_ A form of swinging in which two or more primary partnered couples exchange partners for recreational sex. FAMILY_ A group of adults and/or children bound together by ties of mutual commitment, primary relationships, intimacy and shared lives, and regarding themselves as a family. CELLULAR FAMILY_ A multi adult family whose structure allows new partners to be added to the family with mutual consent. EXPANDED FAMILY_ A lovestyle in which three or more partners consciously choose a committed, multiple, primary, sexualoving relationship. Rules about outside partners vary, as does sexual orientation. CLAN_ An extended family, including secondary and tertiary relationships, who regard themselves as a clan. TRIBE_ An affiliation of families and clans sharing common values, customs and traditions, and regarding themselves as a tribe. INTIMATE NETWORK (INTINET)_ A web of lovers in varying degrees of intimate relationships within a social circle. NEST_ A congregation of the Church of All Worlds, bound together by ties of intimacy and water brotherhood. WATER BROTHERS_ Members of an intimate network who have pledged themselves in a water sharing ceremony to lifelong mutual committment. FREEMATE, PARAMOUR, CONSORT_ Terms used to describe nonmarried members of a multimate relationship. CO WIFE, CO HUSBAND_ Terms used to descibe one's other partners in a group marriage. SPIRITUALITY_ One's personal attitudes, practices, observances and relationships with the non material realm apart from any cultural context. RELIGION_ (Latin religio=re linking) A body of expressions of sacred myths, metaphors, observances and practices in a given cultural context designed to connect individuals with Divinity and heal the alienation between polarized aspects of existence. DIVINITY_ The fullest level of aware consciousness accessible to any living being, manifesting itself in the self actualization of that being. IMMANENT DIVINITY_ The theological position that Nature includes Divinity; that Divinity is a quality, not a quantity, and may be found within rather than without. Expressed in the phrase "Thou art God/dess." (Robert A. Heinlein, SISL) PAGAN_ (Latin paganus=peasant or country dweller) Of or pertaining to indigenous (native) pantheistic folk religions and peoples. A person who worships nature, considers life to be sacred, and identifies with others who accept the label of Pagan. CHURCH_ A body of adherents to the same religion. CHURCH OF ALL WORLDS_ A Neo Pagan religion founded in 1962 and incorporated March 4, 1968. Taking its name and much of its founding philosophy from Robert Heinlein's 1961 novel, Stranger in a Strange Land, CAW is inspired by science fiction as mythology, and is dedicated to the celebration of Life, the maximal actualization of human potential, and the realization of ultimate individual freedom and personal responsibility in harmonious eco psychic relationship with the total biosphere of Holy Mother Earth. Joy Williams / dhummer@netcom.com Scion in the Church of All Worlds