658 lines
32 KiB
Plaintext
658 lines
32 KiB
Plaintext
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.he THE NEW BOOK OF THE LAW
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[sources: The Book of The Law, The Old Laws for the Old Religion,
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The Great Book of the Law, The Dragon Law]
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Preface: In my years of teaching and running a group, I have
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always had a dissatisfaction with the popular "Book of the Law"
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available to most Seekers. I felt it to be too archaic in its
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wording and perspective -- and while it was valuable in the
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Burning Times, it simply does not deal with the concerns and
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needs of "modern-day" Witches. Over the years I became familiar
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with several other sets of Laws. Each of these had many good
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points, yet they also had their disadvantages as well.
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Recently, I decided to do something daring -- I took the four
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different versions of the Laws which I had, and combined and
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reworked them. I deleted what was no longer pertinent or
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meaningful, rewording others to make them clearer and more
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understandable, as well as throwing in a few new ones which I
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felt had been lacking. I believe that what has evolved out of
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this work is a set of Laws which are readable, usable, and most
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importantly, pertinent to the needs of today's Witches and Neo-
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Pagans. It is with these thoughts and hopes that I would like to
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share them with you. If you should find merit or worth in them,
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then I will feel as though I have accomplished something. The
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material in this booklet has not been copyrighted, so you may
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reproduce the Laws for students or friends, or reprint them in
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your publication. It is my sincere hope that the New Book of the
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Law will be of use to the Craft Community.
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Blessed Be,
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Lady Galadriel
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Subject: New Book o' Law 1
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PART ONE
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1. The Laws were created to give our lives form and order, that
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all might be balanced throughout all of the planes. In truth
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there are two sets of laws which govern us -- one sets forth the
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ways of the Wiccan, and the other the ways of the Universe. Both
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are important, both should be observed with respect and treated
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with honor. The Laws were shaped and molded to teach us, to
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advise us, and to counsel us in our time of mortal life on earth.
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2. Honor the Gods, for They are the channels and the
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manifestation of the Source. Honor yourself, for this force also
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lies within you. Love the Gods as They love you, and by loving
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yourself and your brothers and sisters, so the Gods shall honor
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you. As the love and joy of a man and a woman [or "lover and
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beloved" -- LAH] flowers and grows when nurtured with respect,
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and cultivated with understanding and honor, so should you love
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the Gods.
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3. The Goddess is the Great Mother, and the God is the Great
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Father, and we are Their children; and we shall worship Them, for
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They are the rulers of the Universe, and all that is therein.
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Therefore, O Children of the Gods, try Them not, nor attempt to
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test Them, for They shall show you that he Ways of the Craft are
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not to be belittled or mocked.
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4. Let the Power of the Craft flow from you only in love -- or
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not at all. For it has always been known that the energy webs
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which we weave and maintain shall eventually return to encircle
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their creator. Thus our works become either the net which
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intaglios and binds us, or the web of light by which we find the
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Gods.
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5. Let the Rites of the Wicca be a way for the children of the
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Gods to be as One -- for Power only flows when unified. Always
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should you revere the Earth, and heal and tend Her, for She is
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our life, our Mothership, on which we navigate the dark currents
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of space.
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6. When you reap the harvests of your lands, then you shall not
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reap one corner of the field, nor glean the herb gardens, or the
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fallen fruits of the orchards. These you shall offer to the
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Earth Mother, in direct return, or through offerings made to your
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Circle, or to sustain its Priests and Priestesses.
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7. Always be proud to be of the Wicca, but do not allow your
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pride to become vanity -- for those who are conceited are a
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stubling block at the door of the Temple, and they shall be cast
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adrift, to swim within their own vanity.
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8. Observe and listen, reserving your judgment, for until all the
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silver is weighed, who can know the worth thereof?
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9. As like breeds like, even more so does good beget love and
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joy. Your life will be full of love and joy if you are joyful and
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happy.
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10. Your teachers are the servants of the Gods, and they shall
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plant the seeds of knowledge within the minds of their students,
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and they shall use their power for the good of the Wicca. Yet it
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is each individual's duty to tend the seeds which are planted,
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and to make the final harvest. Those who misuse the power and the
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trust of the teacher's position shall have to answer to the Lords
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of Karma, and adjust the balance accordingly.
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11. The Temples of the Gods, which are Their abode on Earth,
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shall belong to all Their children, and each Circle shall be as a
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special family. Do naught against any Temple or any family of the
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Wicca, lest you do that thing unto the Gods, and against
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yourself.
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12. You must not be a teller of tales amongst the children of the
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Goddess, and you must hold no malice or evil thoughts towards
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others of the Wicca.
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13. You should not lie, nor give false testimony before your
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Elders, or those who are of the Wicca -- for liars are fools, and
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a menace unto themselves, and to the Wicca. Be truthful in all
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your works and deeds, especially within the Circle, for what you
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say within the presence of the Gods becomes manifest.
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14. You must not put stumbling blocks in the way of those who do
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not follow the Path of the Wicca. You must make no unrighteous
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judgments of their ways, and you should aid them with an attitude
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of love when it is asked for. Yet ever should you keep the
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Counsel of the Elders, and reveal naught to others of where our
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Circles may be, nor may you reveal our ways without the consent
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of the Priestess.
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15. When you make a vow to the Lord or the Lady, or you swear an
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oath to another of the Wicca, then you must do all that has come
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forth from your mouth, for a covenant with the Gods, or with the
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Wicca, is your Honor, and woe to those who care not for the
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fetters they attach to their souls by not keeping their word.
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16. The Great Mother and Father would not have their children
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suffer the indignities of oppressors for their sake, for what is
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within the hearts of Their children is dear and true to Them. The
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Ancient and Mighty Ones shall cause the balance to be made for
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those who desecrate the Lord and Lady, Their temples, or Their
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creations.
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17. Never shall you use Magick, nor the Craft, to cause harm, for
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this is misuse of the Power, and it is not to be condoned. To
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cause the death of another through the Craft is to require the
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death of the Self in sacrifice.
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18. Never betray any of the brethren, nor the lore of our people,
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for you are all servants of the Gods, and must live by the
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virtues of love, honor and wisdom. Let truth, loyalty and honor
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be your creed. Let them be your guides, tempered by love and
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wisdom.
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19. The Order of the Gods shall you keep, and within Their
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Circles shall you walk. You should not say "I believe" when you
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doubt, nor claim to obey the Lord and Lady's word when you never
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enter into the Temple. You must not profess with your lips that
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which is not in your heart.
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20. Do not use the names of the Gods in negative or evil ways,
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for They love and cherish Their children above all others. All
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others They love, even those who know them not. Yet those who
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hate and curse in Their name shall have the Mighty Ones take the
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measure of their worth.
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21. In any disputes between the children of the Goddess, no one
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may invoke any laws but those of the Craft, or any tribunal but
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that of Priestess, Priest, and Elders.
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22. No one of the Wicca may do anything which will endagner the
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Craft, nor bring any of the Wicca into conflict with the Law of
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the Land, or with any of our persecutors.
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23. Your magickal tools are channels to that which is most
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precious and pure within you. Do not cheapen them by haggling
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their price when you acquire them.
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24. Never accept money for the use of the Power. It is sorcerers
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and charlatans who accept money for their spells and prayers. If
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you accept no money, you will be free from the temptation to use
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the Craft for evil or unworthy causes.
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25. You shall never take unduly from any human, animal or
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elemental that which is not yours to take -- for if you steal
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from another, in the end you will have to sacrifice something
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dearer to you in order to attain the balance.
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26. Show honor to all people, that they may look up to you, and
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respect you, and their eyes shall become a mirror for your soul.
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27. Those who are of the Wicca shall not own slaves, for one
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person may not own the spirit of another, for only the Great
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Mother and Father own our souls. Nor shall you take as a pledge
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any person's life, for to do so is to take upon yourself both a
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mill and a millstone.
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28. If a stranger sojourns with you, you shall do them no wrong;
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they shall be as one of the Circle, born amongst ye, and you
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shall deal with them as you would yourself.
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29. Just weights and just balances shall be given by you, and
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just value shall you give, and thereby receive threefold.
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30. Your altars shall be kept clean, pure and holy, and all that
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is brought into the Temple or the Circle shall be cleansed and
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blessed, for the joy of the Gods, and of the Wicca.
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31. A clean mind should have a clean body. You should keep your
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body, your clothes, and your house clean, in honor of the Mother,
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who gives these things to you.
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32. Let none die without honor, without love, without respect,
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unless their actions have decreed otherwise.
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33. You should not couple together if it shall cause pain,
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jealousy or deprivation to another by doing so. Union for malice
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or evil reasons such as these upsets the balance, and the Lords
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of the Universe shall make adjustments accordingly.
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34. Let those who would love, and would be as one, and bear
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child, be handfasted. For the sharing of love in this manner is
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beauteous, and love's union in the energy of the Gods, and the
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heritage of the child. It is important for children to know and
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to identify with those who brought them here.
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35. The Law of the Goddess is that none of the Wicca shall take
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and wed someone who they do not love, whether it is to harm
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another, or for some form of material gain.
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36. Remember that your children are Goddess-spawned, and are free
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spirits. You do not own nor control them. They are your brethren,
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come to visit for a while, that they may share in the vision of
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your love and wisdom. Let each parent realize that although they
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may teach and guide with love, the child shall also teach the
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parent, and aid them in their growth and lessons.
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END OF PART ONE
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PART TWO
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37. The etheric web and energy vortexes of the earth are in
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constant flux and motion to adjust to the needs of the planet.
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The sacred trust of the Wicca is to create and to maintain
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centers of light and knowledge, using the magick of the divine
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spark within us to focus and channel the forces of the Universal
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fire. And these are the channels established between the worlds
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of the stars and the realms of the earth, bringing in and
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regulating the spirit flames which energize and activate all life
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forms. Thus we tend and guard the threads of creation, and we
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weave the patterns of life and manifestation in an ever-evolving
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tapestry.
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38. Never use your heritage or position for self-glorification or
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gain. Respect your magick and our ways. We must always recognize
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that while others may look to us to lead them, they too are our
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guides.
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39. Keep your body strong, your mind keen, and your purpose pure,
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for within your being you shall channel the Power, and it needs
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to be strong and pure. And these are the keys to the path of
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Oneness, and to communication with the Gods. Yet first you must
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learn to speak to Them in such a manner as They can comprehend
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you. For the children of the Wicca must aid the Gods, and work
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with Them, otherwise the Gods cannot aid and work with you. Ever
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remember that the Priest and Priestess are the living
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representatives of the God and Goddess Forces, and likewise that
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all humans carry these forces within them, though they may lie
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dormant and unawakened.
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40. As the Great Mother and Father come unto one another and
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create with the pure vibration of Love-Wisdom, so should you
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strive to make your Temple pure in vibration, and thus a fitting
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place wherein you may invite the Gods. Thus, your Circle should
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always be duly purified and cast, and likewise, those who would
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use the gateways and travel the Circle between the earth and
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other realms should also be duly prepared and purified.
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41. The Goddess hath said, "I shall not carry thee, yet neither
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shall I hinder thee, nor keep thee from having the same
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opportunities as all of my children. Thou art free, yet thou
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shalt not be coddled like babes in the storm. If thou hast true
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devotion within thee, then all obstacles may be overcome."
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42. The laggard is but half a person -- and though half is better
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than none, the whole is twice as good as the half. Those who do
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not work, or who lack the will and desire to learn the ways of
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the Gods, unto them is said, "The Ancient and Mighty Ones shall
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not keep thee within their house, if ye learneth not."
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43. A sanctuary you shall make unto the Gods, that They may dwell
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amongst you. And you shall fashion it to the best of your
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ability, according to all that your Elders shall show you, and
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pure energy shall you place therein.
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44. An altar shall you make to unto the Lady, and you shall make
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due reverence unto Her, for every place where She is exalted, She
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will come to you and bless you. And you shall fashion your altar
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out of wood or stone, and burn incense and candles thereon, at
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the proper times, in observance of her ways.
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45. You should set aside at least one day during each moon unto
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the Goddess, and on these days you shall do Her work; and on
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those days She shall renew Her children and bless them.
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46. Learn to build your own Temple, and to craft your own sacred
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Circle, and all the tools that are used therein -- for to be a
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person of the Craft is to be a person of consequence.
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47. Let each of you inscribe your own record of our ways and
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teachings. For the course of each Wiccan should be charted, that
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the patterns of their life-web may be made known and utilized.
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Let each Wiccan start their Book of Light with the teachings and
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lore of their tradition, yet let it also contain the rites and
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ways of each individual, which are the harvest of each child of
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the Wicca, to use the wisdom of their heritage as the seeds of
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their own wisdom. Thus shall our lore and knowledge continue to
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grow and unfold, like a beautiful flower.
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48. It is right to study and to understand the sigils, statues
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and stories of the Gods, for they shall guide your thoughts to
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Them, and They shall hear them. Yet you must ever remember that
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you worship not the sign nor the statue, but the Gods which
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inspired them.
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49. If your Circle owns any land, let all guard it, and help to
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keep it clean. Let all justly guard all moneys of the Circle, as
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well as the rights and property of all members of the Circle.
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50. If any Wiccan truly labors, then it is right that they should
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have their just pay. This is not considered the taking of money
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for the Art, but good and honest work. Yet if any Wiccan works
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willingly for the good of the Craft, or for their brothers and
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sisters without pay, then it is to their greatest honor.
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51. If any Wiccan should deny themselves some pleasure or
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material indulgence in order to do service in the Circle, this
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person shall be blessed and remembered. For those who give for
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the greater good of all shall have their spirit uplifted.
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52. Know also that if you gift the Lady's Priests and
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Priestesses, or Her Circles, this is an offering made unto the
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Mother Herself, for a true Priest or Priestess strives always to
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do Her work, and to be of service to Her children, so to honor
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and respect them is to honor and respect the Queen of All.
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53. And the offerings which are considered the most pleasing to
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the Gods are these:
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the fruits of the orchards
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the scents of the trees and herbs
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the metals of the earth
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the waters of the earth
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the flowers of the meadows
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and the milk of all mothers.
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Yet offerings of labor or money are honest too, and these will
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also be accepted -- more so if you work with love in your heart,
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for always there is work to be done for the Gods, and service to
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be given to the children of the Wicca.
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54. If your offerings are made to restore the balance, it must by
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of a nature that it not offensive to the Gods. It must be of
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value, yet given with a free heart. Thus shall the harmony be
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restored. If your offerings are given with a heart filled with
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love and devotion, or are of service to the Gods, or to the
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Craft, then shall you receive blessings manifold.
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55. And when you make an offering unto the Gods, you should offer
|
|||
|
it thru the most proper medium, at the proper times, and in such
|
|||
|
a manner as to make it acceptable. Any and all remains of the
|
|||
|
rituals shall be consumed in the fire, or buried within the
|
|||
|
Earth, as a way of returning to the Source all that we use in the
|
|||
|
observance of our ways, thus ensuring the continuity of the
|
|||
|
cycle.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
56. All may use the Craft to help and aid them, or for the
|
|||
|
advantage of their Circle, or the Craft -- yet only if you are
|
|||
|
sure that you harm none. Let each Wiccan and Circle always debate
|
|||
|
these matters at length. Only if all be satisfied that none be
|
|||
|
harmed in any way, may the Art then be used. If it is not
|
|||
|
possible to achieve your ends one way, then perhaps the goal may
|
|||
|
be achieved by acting in a different way, so as to harm none.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
57. Throughout the world it has been many a year since Wiccans
|
|||
|
have been burned. Yet misuse of the Power might raise the
|
|||
|
persecutions once again. So never break the Laws, however much
|
|||
|
you might be tempted, and never consent to their being broken.
|
|||
|
And if you know they are being broken, then you must work
|
|||
|
strongly against it.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
58. In days of old it was decided by the Mighty Ones who came
|
|||
|
before us that the Art might be used to restrain others from
|
|||
|
harming the Craft or its children, yet only after great
|
|||
|
consultation with all members of the Circle, and only then to
|
|||
|
deflect or to constrain them.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
59. And such were the ways of the Lady that She brought us forth
|
|||
|
in joy, and such were the Ways of the Lord that His reign gave
|
|||
|
all life pleasure. Offer love in your worship and all shall be
|
|||
|
joyous in beauty.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
END OF PART TWO
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
PART THREE
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
60. In the dimly remembered dawn of ages past, the Wicca were
|
|||
|
truly free. Then, in Atlantis came the Age of the Misuse of
|
|||
|
Power, followed by the Ages of Persecution and Suffering. Thus
|
|||
|
the people of the Wicca hid themselves and cloaked their
|
|||
|
knowledge, and wove veils of secrecy and silence. And this is how
|
|||
|
the Ways of the Wicca have been preserved through the time of
|
|||
|
darkness. Yet much of the ways of our people were lost to the
|
|||
|
ignorance of others.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
61. Yet the cycle spirals ever on -- and the Age of the Earth
|
|||
|
Mother once again draws nigh. We must be strong -- one with our
|
|||
|
birthright, and one with our Gods, if we are to bring forth the
|
|||
|
balance. Those who would harm us, or attempt to enslave us, we
|
|||
|
must overcome -- yet only through light and love, and never
|
|||
|
through violence or the evil of chaos. And through our efforts
|
|||
|
the time of our people will come into being once more. In the
|
|||
|
times which lie ahead, there lies much work to be done, so that
|
|||
|
once more the cycles of life are drawn to the path of light, and
|
|||
|
the balance achieved through the power of love.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
62. In order to bring the ways of Light and Love and Life to the
|
|||
|
peoples of the Earth, our secrets are slowly becoming secrets no
|
|||
|
more, and it is good that this is so -- for the age of shadow and
|
|||
|
secrecy is passing. Yet the sharing of our ways needs always to
|
|||
|
be guided by wisdom and by love. Let our rites and our mysteries
|
|||
|
be kept sacred. Let no one defile our worship or our heritage.
|
|||
|
For the defilement of our ways is an honor loss to self, and for
|
|||
|
the Craft.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
63. Let each High Priestess govern her Circle with justice and
|
|||
|
Love, and with the help and advice of the Elders and the High
|
|||
|
Priest, always heeding the messages of the Gods when they come.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
64. Ever remember that although the Priest is the force with
|
|||
|
which the Circle is built, the Priestess is the ruler therein --
|
|||
|
for it is through her that the Goddess created the world, and all
|
|||
|
things therein.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
65. The High Priestess will heed all complaints of all Pagans and
|
|||
|
Wiccans, and strive to settle any differences between them with
|
|||
|
reason and with justice.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
66. Let each Circle of Light decide how it shall be known --
|
|||
|
whether by earthly name or magickal one. For each child of the
|
|||
|
Wicca knows best the safety or dangers of their homeland.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
67. Let each Circle or Temple maintain and dedicate unto the
|
|||
|
Goddess and the God all the things that are required for Their
|
|||
|
rituals, for what is blessed in the name of the Gods rightly
|
|||
|
belongs to Them, and the Priest and Priestess shall be the
|
|||
|
caretakers thereof.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
68. Anyone of the circle who is of sufficient rank, and wishes to
|
|||
|
form a new Circle, shall tell the High Priestess and the Elders
|
|||
|
of their intentions. Members of the old Circle may join the new
|
|||
|
Circle when it is formed, but if they do so they must leave the
|
|||
|
other Circle, unless otherwise instructed. For it is the Old Law
|
|||
|
that each Wiccan may join the Circle of their choice, yet their
|
|||
|
energy should not be divided between two or more Temples.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
69. The Elders of the old and new Circles shall meet in peace and
|
|||
|
with respect, to decide the level of interaction and connection
|
|||
|
between the Circles. Yet it is known that the splitting of a
|
|||
|
Circle often means strife. So only if it is truly in a spirit of
|
|||
|
peace and harmony should the Circles meet for the celebration of
|
|||
|
the Great Festivals.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
70. None shall enter the Circle that have a sickness or an
|
|||
|
ailment which may be passed on to the Lady's other children --
|
|||
|
for to do so causes harm to yourself, as well as to the others of
|
|||
|
the Circle. Rather should the Healers go unto the sick one, that
|
|||
|
through the love of the Gods they shall be made well and whole
|
|||
|
once more.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
71. It has been judged lawful that if any of the Craft need a
|
|||
|
house, or land, and none will sell, to incline someone's mind so
|
|||
|
as to be willing to sell, providing it harms none and the full
|
|||
|
price is paid without haggling.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
72. In the matter of quarrels or disputes between the members of
|
|||
|
the Circle, the High Priestess shall convene the Council, and
|
|||
|
inquire into the matter. The Council shall hear each person
|
|||
|
privately, and then both together. And they shall decide justly,
|
|||
|
not favoring one side nor the other.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
73. If an agreeable resolution cannot be reached, then that
|
|||
|
Wiccan must leave the Circle, for a Circle of Light cannot be
|
|||
|
properly formed where there is disagreement and discord. And when
|
|||
|
a Circle is not properly formed, the energy within is either
|
|||
|
dissipated, or turns ugly, festering like a hidden sore. So let
|
|||
|
them leave, but only with love in their hearts and yours, for
|
|||
|
even though your paths may diverge, you are still all children of
|
|||
|
the Wicca, and there must be no violence between us. Bear no
|
|||
|
grudges, hold no thoughts of vengeance, for this will rot away
|
|||
|
the foundation of your power.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
74. It has ever been recognized that there are some people who
|
|||
|
can never agree to work under any others. At the same time there
|
|||
|
are also people who cannot rule justly. To those who must ever be
|
|||
|
chief there is but one answer: "Void this Circle, and seek
|
|||
|
another one, or if ye be of sufficient rank, then form a Circle
|
|||
|
of your own." To those who cannot rule justly, the answer shall
|
|||
|
be "Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you." For none may
|
|||
|
come to Circle with those with whom they are at variance, for to
|
|||
|
do so angers the Gods, and hinders the Craft.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
75. Those that do wrong without knowledge shall be held innocent;
|
|||
|
those that do wrong through carelessness shall be judged lacking
|
|||
|
in wisdom, and dealt with according to the nature of the
|
|||
|
transgression. Those who do wrong with deliberation and
|
|||
|
forethought shall be thrice punished, and the Lords of Karma
|
|||
|
shall lay low their pride.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
76. Each person must make a balance for their words and actions,
|
|||
|
and the judgments of the Elders should incline to try to make
|
|||
|
good come from the injustice or wrong-doing. Many are the ways to
|
|||
|
restore the balance, so let the judgments of the Elders and the
|
|||
|
Priestess be in keeping with this.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
77. Do not turn aside those who seek the ways of the Wicca for
|
|||
|
the want of an offering or the lack of a robe. You are the
|
|||
|
servants of the Gods, and the servants of Their people, and those
|
|||
|
that seek for the Gods you must aid in their quest.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
78. Of those who would inquire as to the ways of the Goddess, or
|
|||
|
who wish to become of the Wicca, ye shall search their hearts,
|
|||
|
and even into their spirits you shall look, as you are able. For
|
|||
|
the Wicca do not look to acquire mere numbers. Let none be turned
|
|||
|
away if their hearts are true, and their desire earnest.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
79. The hidden children are like the strings of a harp: each one
|
|||
|
may give a clear note, and when gathered together in sympathy and
|
|||
|
accord, they shall give rise to a beautiful symphony. Yet when
|
|||
|
struck without reason or thought, these notes may cause discord
|
|||
|
or disharmony. Therefore the Gods decree to Their Teachers and
|
|||
|
Priests that all must be taught to master their harp, and to
|
|||
|
pluck their strings with care, that they cause no discord or
|
|||
|
imbalance.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
80. Choose the Priests and Teachers of the Wicca with diligence
|
|||
|
and with care. The qualities that you should search for within
|
|||
|
them are Faith, Belief, Knowledge, Ability, Patience, Leadership,
|
|||
|
Humility, and a loving nature -- for they must lead and teach the
|
|||
|
children of the Goddess, and will thereby have the power to do
|
|||
|
great good, or to cause great imbalance.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
81. In practice it should be that the greatest of the Priests and
|
|||
|
Priestesses should guide the rituals within each of the Temples
|
|||
|
of the Old Gods, and truly you should be content with the advice
|
|||
|
and guidance given by them. Yet ever it should be given so that
|
|||
|
it is clear and understandable, for within the Temple each of the
|
|||
|
Wicca is free, and thus they should be able to recognize and to
|
|||
|
understand our ways and their implications. And those who cannot
|
|||
|
explain the inner workings, or give just cause and reason for
|
|||
|
their decisions, may be questioned, or the wisdom of the advice
|
|||
|
weighed.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
82. Let the Priestess and Priest lead as long as they are able,
|
|||
|
and their leadership be wise and strong, and to the benefit of
|
|||
|
the Wicca. Yet if their health is ill-favored, or if the next
|
|||
|
generation needs to try their hand, then let them have the vision
|
|||
|
and the wisdom to step away from their position, and pass the
|
|||
|
duties of the Circle to another. Let them not become overly
|
|||
|
attached to the office, nor too fond of the power.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
83. If a Priestess or a Priest should tire of their duties and
|
|||
|
charges, then they may step down, but only after having trained
|
|||
|
and acknowledged a successor. If a Priest or Priestess deserts
|
|||
|
their Circle, then they have lost the right to ever lead again
|
|||
|
within this life, so great a trust they have broken. If they
|
|||
|
should return to the Circle within one turn of the Wheel, and are
|
|||
|
judged to have true atonement in their hearts, new insight and
|
|||
|
growth, then they may be forgiven, and allowed to return to the
|
|||
|
Circle, yet they shall worship only, and hold no office or title.
|
|||
|
Leadership is a sacred commitment and an honor, and they have
|
|||
|
shown that they cannot be trusted with such responsibility.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
84. Any Priestess, Priest, or Elder who consents to a breach of
|
|||
|
the Laws regarding the use of the Craft to cause harm to others
|
|||
|
must immediately be relieved of their office, for it is the lives
|
|||
|
of the children of the Goddess which they endanger, as well as
|
|||
|
the honor of the Craft.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
85. The High Priestess may take a Sabbatical from her Circle, if
|
|||
|
her personal life and duties require it, for up to a year and a
|
|||
|
day. During that time, the Maiden shall act as High Priestess. If
|
|||
|
the High Priestess does not return at the end of a year and a
|
|||
|
day, then the Initiates of the Circle shall name a new Priestess.
|
|||
|
Unless there is good reason to the contrary, the person who has
|
|||
|
done the work of the Priestess should reap the reward. If someone
|
|||
|
else is named, then the Maiden should continue in that office.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
86. Each Priestess and Priest shall choose their own consorts,
|
|||
|
yet let them be wise in the learning of our people, and thus
|
|||
|
others shall abide by the wisdom of their choice. Yet if the
|
|||
|
Circle feels the decision is ill-advised, or that they cannot
|
|||
|
abide and work in honor and trust with that consort, then they
|
|||
|
may request a gathering of all concerned to meet and to talk, and
|
|||
|
to resolve the balance with love and honor. For only those who
|
|||
|
are pure and strong, keen and wise, patient and loving, can
|
|||
|
effectively and properly carry out the duties of a Keeper of the
|
|||
|
Circle.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
87. Those of the Priesthood shall not neglect their mates, or
|
|||
|
their children, or their house, nor anything which is in their
|
|||
|
possession; nor shall the sick and the needy be neglected for the
|
|||
|
sake of the Circle. Therefore let them adjust the one thing
|
|||
|
against the other, that neither should suffer, and that which is
|
|||
|
given by the Gods is treated with love and respect.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
88. Long ago, at the time of Creation, it was deemed that the
|
|||
|
female should hold the power of life-giving. And such was the
|
|||
|
male force drawn to the love and beauty of the Creation of life,
|
|||
|
that he surrenders unto her keeping the force of his powers in
|
|||
|
the furtherance of life. Yet the Priestess must always remember
|
|||
|
that the fuel of the flames which light the fires within her
|
|||
|
Temple comes from the Priest. Thus she must use the force wisely,
|
|||
|
and only with love, and she must honor and respect he who is the
|
|||
|
activator of the Life Force.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
HERE ENDS THE NEW BOOK OF THE LAW.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Published by: The Grove of the Unicorn PO Box 13384 Atlanta, GA
|
|||
|
30324
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Ordering Information: Send Legal size SASE A small contribution
|
|||
|
towards printing/handling costs will be appreciated.
|
|||
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
To this I would add only one more admonishment, based on my own
|
|||
|
experience: It is as important not to take oneself, one's power,
|
|||
|
and one's Craft too seriously as it is not to take them too
|
|||
|
lightly. Moderation in all things, including moderation. And
|
|||
|
remember that all acts of love and pleasure are the rites of the
|
|||
|
Goddess, and this includes HAVING FUN.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
B*B Leigh Ann
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
NOTICE: This file is part of Cassandra-News for November 1989 (CNEW1189)
|
|||
|
and its as well asthe various members of the arcive may be downloading or
|
|||
|
FREQ. The Current Issue of Cassandra-News may be FREQ with the "Fido Magic
|
|||
|
Word" CASSNEWS. Cassandra-News is a news service of the United Wiccan Church
|
|||
|
a 501(c)(3) California non-profit, tax-exempt religious corporation.
|
|||
|
Cassandra-News grants License for Non-Commercial electronic and print
|
|||
|
reproduction and distribution as long as no fee is charged for these
|
|||
|
reproductions other than the cost of reproduction and printing. The name
|
|||
|
and address of the United Wiccan Church this notice must be preserved on
|
|||
|
all copies.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
United Wiccan Church
|
|||
|
P. O. Box 16025
|
|||
|
North Hollywood California, 91615-6025, U.S.A., NA.
|
|||
|
(818) 899-3687 (3/12/2400 Baud 8N1)
|
|||
|
FIDO 1:102/922
|
|||
|
|