Well here I am to teach you how to use the simple version of X mapping: firstX. I figured since there is a greater demand for simpler essence mapping, rather than more advanced essence mapping, it would be good to start here.

This will not be a tutorial that assumes no prior knowledge of essence mapping. For the most part, you guys already know it, and want something similar. I will get a new, entry-level tutorial up, but this comes first. Basically I will be explaining the transitions necessary to convert from Xbasic to firstX.

The first thing to realize is that in firstX there is only one kind of 'piece' of a map: a metaphor. You can call it an element, an attribute, what you want, but it is still the same thing. We, personally, call them attributes, just to make them consistent with X+, but in this article I will stick with the word 'metaphor.'

You don't have different kinds of levels, you don't have different brackets or anything like that. It is all very simple (though, of course, because of this, it is quite a bit limited in comparison to X+).

The anatomy of a metaphor is simple: an optional title separated from the content by a colon. If you don't have a title, you can just skip the colon.

That's it. A firstX map is simply a list of metaphors.

And that is, at its core, what essence mapping is all about. So it is very simple and easy.

The important thing that separates it from poetry, though, is of course the titling, but also the embedding. Because just like in all other forms of essence mapping, you can use multiple metaphors to describe another metaphor. You portray this hierarchy with indentation (you can also use dots, dashes, whatever is easiest for you).

Like this firstX example I did of a castle for my interactive course on firstX (it will be up for sale soon, actually):

Color:
 Light:
  Motion: steady, beaming, radiance
  Texture: rays breaking through the surface of a pool

Shape:
 Motion: geyser rocketing into the air
 Texture:
  Color: sky blue/ deep water aquamarine
  Texture: ancient stained glass in a vaulted ceiling
  Shape: high lattices networked together in the form of a statue
 Shape: knife slicing the air

Depth:
 Shape: anchored to a stone
 Size: the peak of a monolithic granite boulder protruding from the sea

See how simple that is? I used titles on all of them, but in some cases they could have been left out with minimal loss of meaning (like the “high lattices networked together in the form of a statue” bit for example).

That is it! Nothing more.

I like it. It's simple and easy to understand. I also like the titles in front of the metaphors.

I like it, Jay! =)

eruheran

Thanks.

For me, starting with the freestyle maps was challenging enough. So firstX was, in my mind, going to be really tough. But when I figured out the places of the colons, thanks to your article, I basically have it down.

Um, sometime.

Give me enough kicks and eventually it may come out.

On it!

Thanks.

*kick*

eruheran

I was going to do that as well, Eru, but then I thought better of it. Hehe!

My actions often precede my thoughts.

eruheran

So I'm attempting my first essence map and I'm trying firstX. It's not clear to me what you do when you have multiple metaphors under the same title. Do you separate them with a comma, a slash, or put them on their own indented lines? Or something else completely?

Good question! Thank you, Leandra. Good luck with your mapping!

You put them on their own indented lines.

Okay, thanks! *returns to mapping*

No problem! My pleasure.

I explain this all in more detail, interactively on my course that you can purchase online here. If you can't afford it, and you really want it, send me a private message and I can get you a free subscription.

Did you make that website? Holy codsocks that's good! I can only make basic websites, but I will subscribe one of these days. Maybe after the Japan missions trip.

Haha, no, I didn't. Wish I had, but I didn't. I just made the course. Hope to have you on board soon!

It may not be as soon as you think. I don't know if I'm going this year or next year.

That's fine.

Another question: what's meta-essence?

A term we use to describe an intersection of essences. An essence of essence, so to speak.

*Is thoroughly confused*

Hear, hear!

I found that just trying helps some.

Yeah, I think I got it!... think...

M'kay...I'm not sure how good I'll be at essence mapping, but it's worth a try, I suppose.

Try it, Milly!

eru

I honestly think it is quite fun.

*raises hand* I've a question!

Um...how is this different than freestyle? I did a freestyle map here's a portion of it:

-Body/Appearance:

First impression:
Tall
- A young tree
Figure
- A warrior
Hair
- A mane
- A shadow
- A knotted wood-grain

My question is, how is this freestyle method inferior to firstx and what is the difference other than formatting (or is there a profound difference in formatting in firstx that opens up new possibilities)?

I don't think I would say your freestyle is inferior to firstX...I like it myself. As far as I can see, the only difference lies in the formatting and the concept is the same, though it is hard to tell from the limitations of the example. FirstX is a very simple system, and you could have an endless array of syntax that you could use to express the same thing as it.

Really? Thanks! I think it's called Simple Essence Mapping...anyway that's what I was trying to do.
If you want a bigger example, here's (an outdated version of) my first essence map: viewtopic.php?f=50&p=130474#p130474 if you want, I could show you the latest one by sharing the gdoc.
Okay, that's what I was thinking, thanks for the help!

Thanks and you're welcome!

I don't have an account....

Okay no matter.