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In the
She is the earthly, living representative
of our Gracious Goddess. She must be obeyed and respected in all things. She is Our Lady and above all others, a queen
in the highest sense of the word.
All female coveners must curtsy whenever they come before her and say,
"Blessed Be." All male coveners must bend the knee and give her a
kiss on the right cheek and say, "Blessed Be."
He is the earthly, living
representative of the Great Horned God and in the Magic Circle, He commandeth
the respect due to one who is a Magus, a Lord Counselor, and father.
1. The Law was made and ardane of
old.
2. The Law was made for the Wicca to
advise and help in their troubles.
3. The Wicca should give due worship
to the Gods and obey Their will, which They ardane, for it was made for the
good of the Wicca, as the worship of the Wicca is good for the Gods. For the Gods love the brethren of the Wicca.
4. As a man loveth a woman by
mastering her,
5. So the Wicca should love the Gods
by mastering them.
6.
And it is necessary that 0 (
7. And the Wicca should be properly
prepared and purified to enter into the presence of the Gods.
8. With love and worship in their
hearts, they shall raise power from their bodies to give power to the Gods.
9. As has been taught of old.
10. For in this way only may man have
a communion with the Gods, for the Gods cannot help men without the help of
man.
11.
And the High Priestess shall rule Her Coven as the representative of the
Goddess.
12. And the High Priest shall support
Her as the representative of the God.
13. And the High Priestess shall
choose whom She will, if he have sufficient rank, to be Her High Priest.
14. For, as the God himself kissed
Her feet in the Fivefold salute, laying His power at the feet of the Goddess,
because of Her youth and beauty, Her sweetness and kindness, Her wisdom and Her
justice, Her humility and gentleness and generosity,
15. So He resigned all His power to
Her.
16. But the High Priestess should
ever mind that all power comes from Him.
17. It is only lent, to be used
wisely and justly.
18. And the greatest virtue of a High
Priestess be that She recognizes that youth is necessary to the representative
of the Goddess.
19. So will She gracefully retire in
favor of a younger woman, should the Coven so decide in council.
20. For the true High Priestess
realizes that gracefully surrendering the pride of place is one of the greatest
virtues.
21. And that thereby will She return
to that pride of place in another life, with greater power and beauty.
22.
In the old days, when Witches extended far, we were free and worshipped
in all the greatest temples.
23.
But, in these unhappy times, we must celebrate our Sacred Mysteries in
secret.
24. So be it ardane, that none but
the Wicca may see our mysteries, for our enemies are many and torture loosens
the tongue of men.
25. So be it ardane, that no Coven
shall know where the next Coven bide.
26. Or who its members be, save only
the Priest and Priestess and the Messenger.
27 And there shall be no
communication between them, save only by the Messenger of the Gods, or the
Summoner.
28. And only if it be safe may the
Covens meet in some safe place for the Great Festivals.
29. And while there, none shall say
whence they come, nor give their true
names.
30. To this end, that if any be
tortured, in their agony, they may not tell if they do not know.
31. So be it ardane, that no one
shall tell anyone, not of the Craft, who be of the Wicca, or give any names, or
where any abide, or in any way tell anything which can betray any of us to our
faces.
32. Nor may he tell where the
Covendom be.
33. Or the Covenstead.
34. Or where the meetings be.
35. And if any break these Laws, even
under torture, the Curse of the Goddess shall be upon them, so they may never
be reborn on earth, and may they remain where they belong, in the Hell of the
Christians.
36. Let each High Priestess govern
Her Coven with justice and love, with the help and advice of the High Priest and the Elders, always
heeding the advice of the Messenger of the Gods if He comes.
37. She will heed all complaints of
all Brothers and strive to settle all differences among them.
38. But it must be recognized that
there will always be people who will ever strive to force others to do as they
will.
39. These are not necessarily evil.
40. And they oft have good ideas, and
such ideas should be talked over in council.
41. But, if they will not agree with
their Brothers or if they say:
42. "I will not work under this
High Priestess."
43. It hath ever been the Old Law, to
be convenient for the Brethren, and to avoid disputes.
44. Any of the third may claim to
found a new Coven, because they live over a league from the Covenstead or are
about to do so.
45. Anyone living within the Covendom
and wishing to form a new Coven shall tell the Elders of their intentions and
on the instant avoid their dwelling and remove to a new Covendom.
46. Members of the old Coven may join the new one when it is formed, but if they do they must utterly
avoid the old Coven.
47. The Elders of the old and new Covens should meet in peace
and brotherly love to decide the new boundaries.
48. Those of the Craft who live
outside both Covens may join either indifferent, but not both.
49. Though all may, if the Elders
agree, meet for the Great Festivals, if it be truly in peace and brotherly
love.
50. But splitting the Coven oft means
strife, so for this reason these Laws were made of old, and may the Curse of the Goddess be on
any who disregard them!
SO BE IT ARDANE.
51. If you would keep a book (your Black Book) let it be in your own hand of write, let Brothers and
Sisters copy what they will, but never let the book out of your hands and never
keep the writings of another.
52.
For if it be in their hand of write, they may be taken and engained.
53. Le each guard his own writings,
and destroy them whenever danger
threatens.
54.
Learn as much as you may
by heart, and when danger
is past, rewrite your book when it be safe.
55. For this reason, if any die, destroy their book, an
they have not been able to.
56. For, an it be found, 'tis clear
proof against them.
57. And our oppressors know well:
"Ye may not be a Witch alone."
58. So all their kin and friend be in
danger of torture.
59. So destroy everything not
necessary.
60. If your book be found on you, 'tis clear proof against you alone. You
may be engained.
61. Keep all thoughts of the Craft
from your mind.
62. If the torture
be too great to bear, say:
"I will confess. I cannot
bear this torture. What do you want me to say?"
63. If they try to make you talk of
the Brotherhood, do not.
64.
But if they try to make
you speak of impossibilities such as flying through the
air, consorting with
the Christian Devil, or sacrificing children or eating men's
flesh,
65.
To obtain relief from the torture, say,
"I hold an evil dream, I was beside myself, I was crazed.:
66. Not all the magistrates are bad;
if there be any excuse, they may show
mercy.
67. If you have confessed ought, deny it
afterwards. Say you babbled under the
torture, say you do not know what you said.
68. If you are condemned, fear not.
69.
Fear not, the Brotherhood is powerful,
they will help you to escape if you stand steadfast.
70. But if you betray ought, there is no hope for you in
this life or that to come.
71.
Be sure, if steadfast you go to
the pyre, drugs will reach you, you will
feel naught. You but go to death and what lies beyond.
72. To avoid discovery, let the working tools be as ordinary things that any may have in their
houses.
73. Let the Pentacles be of wax so that they may be broken at once
or melted.
74. Have no sword, unless your rank
allows you one.
75. Have no names or signs on
anything.
76. Write the names or signs on them in ink immediately before consecrating them, and
wash it off immediately afterwards.
77. Do not engrave them lest they
cause discovery.
78. Let the color of the hilts tell
which is which.
79. Ever remember, ye are the
"Hidden Children of the
Goddess," so never do anything to
disgrace them or her.
80.
Never boast, never threaten, never say
you would wish ill of anyone.
81.
If any person, not in the magic
circle, speak of the Craft say,
"Speak not to me of such, it frightens me. 'Tis eveil luck to speak of
it."
82. For this reason: the Christians
have their spied everywhere. These speak as if they were well affected to us, as if they would come to our meetings saying, "My mother used to go
worship the Old Ones. I would I
could go myself."
83. To such as these, ever deny all
knowledge.
84. But to others,
ever say, "'Tis foolish
talk of Witches flying through the air. To do so they must be light as thistledown. And men say that Witches all be so bleary-eyed, old crones, so what pleasure can there be at
a Witch meeting such as folks talk on?"
85. And say "Many wise men now
say there be no such creatures."
86. Ever make it a jest and in
some future time, perhaps, the
persecution may die and we may worship our Gods in safety again.
87. Let us all pray for that happy
day.
88. May the blessings of the Goddess
and God be on all who keep these Laws
which are ardane.
89. If the Craft have any Appenage,
let all guard it, and help to keep it clear and good for the Craft.
90. And let all justly guard all
monies of the Craft.
91.
But if any brother truly wrought it, 'tis right they have their pay, and it be just. And this
be not taking money for the Art, but for good and honest work.
92. And ever the Christians say, "The laborer is worthy of his hire" but if any brother work willingly for the good of the Craft without pay, 'tis to their greatest
honor.
SO BE IT ARDANE
93. If there be any quarrels or disputes among the brethren the High Priestess shall straightly convene the Elders and inquire into
the matter and they shall hear both sides, first alone, then together.
94.
And they shall decide justly,
not favoring the one side or the other.
95. Ever recognizing there be people
who can never agree to work under others.
96. But at the same time, there be
some people who cannot rule justly.
97. To those who ever must be chief,
there is one answer.
98. Void the Coven, or seek another one or make a Coven of your own, taking with you those who will
go.
99.
To those who cannot rule justly
the answer be, "Those who cannot bear your rule will leave
you."
100. For none may come to meetings with those with whom they are at variance.
101.
So, an either cannot agree, "Get
hence, for the Craft must ever survive."
SO BE IT ARDANE
102.
In the olden days, when
we had power, we could use
the Art against any who ill-treated
the Brotherhood. But in these
evil days, we must not do so!
For our enemies have devised a burning pit of everlasting fire, into which
they say their God casteth all the people who worship Him, except it be the very few who are released by their priest's spells and masses. And this be chiefly by giving monies and rich gifts to receive
His favor, for their God is ever in
need of money.
103. But as our Gods need our aid to
make fertility for man and crops, so it is the
God of the Christians ever is in
need of man's help to search out
and destroy us. Their priests ever
tell them that any who get our help
are damned to this Hell forever, so men be mad with the terror of it.
104. But they make men believe that they may escape this Hell if
they give Witches to the tormentors. So for this reason,
all be forever spying, thinking, "An I catch but one of the Wicca,
I will escape this fiery pit."
105. So for this reason we have our
hidels, and men searching long and not
finding say, "There be none,
or if there be, they be in a far country."
106. But when one of our oppressors
dies, or even be sick, ever is the cry, "This be Witches' malice," and the hunt is up again and though they slay ten of their own to one of ours, still they care not. They have
countless thousands.
107. While we are few indeed.
SO BE IT ARDANE
108. That none shall use the Art in
any way to do ill to any.
109. However much they injure us,
HARM NONE and now times many believe we exist not.
SO BE IT ARDANE
110. That this Law shall ever continue to help us in our plight. No one, however great an injury or injustice they receive, may use the Art
in any way to do ill
or harm any. But they may,
after great consultations with
all, use the Art
to restrain Christians
from harming us or tax others, but only to let or constrain them.
111. To this end, men will say: "Such a one is a mighty searcher out and a persecutor of old women whom they deemeth to be
Witches, and none hath done him skith, so they be proof they cannot, or
more truly where be none."
112.
For all know full well, that
so many folk have died because someone had a grudge against
them, or were persecuted because they had money or goods to seize, or because they had none to bribe the searchers. And many have died because they were scolding old women. So much that men now say that
"only old women are Witches."
113. And this be to our advantage,
and turns suspicions away from us.
114. In
115. So never break this Law, however much you are
tempted, and never consent to it being broken in the least.
116. If you know it is being broken, you must work strongly against it.
117. And any High Priestess who consents to its breach must immediately be deposed. "For
'tis the blood of the Brethren they endanger."
118. Do good, an it be safe and only
if it be safe.
119. And strictly keep to the old
Law.
120. Never accept money for the use
of the Art. For money ever smeareth the taker.
"'Tis sorcerers and conjurers
and priests of the Christians who ever accept money for the use of their Arts. And they sell dwale, and evil loves spells
and pardons, so let men escape from
their sins."
121.
Be not as these. If you accept no
money, you will be free from temptation
to use the Art for evil courses.
122. All may use the Art for their
own advantage, or for the advantage of the Craft, only if you are sure you harm
none.
123. But ever let the Coven debate
this at length. Only if all be satisfied and none be harmed may the Art be
used.
124. If it is not possible to achieve
your ends one way, perchance the aim may be achieved by acting in a
different way, so as to harm none. May
the Curse of the Goddess be on any who breaketh this Law.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
125. 'Tis judged lawful if any of the Craft need a house or land and none will sell, to
incline the owner's mind so as
to be willing to sell, providing it harmeth it
not in anyway and the full price
is paid, without haggling.
126. Never bargain or cheapen
anything whilst you live by the Art.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
127. 'Tis the old Law and the most important of all Laws that no one may do anything which will endanger any of the Craft, or bring them into contact with the law of
the land, or any of our persecutors.
128. In any disputes between the brethren, no one may invoke any Laws but
those of the Craft.
129. Or any tribunal but that of the
Priestess, Priest and Elders. And may the Curse of the Goddess be on any who do
so.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
130. It is not forbidden to say as
Christians do: "There be Witchcraft in
the land," because our oppressors of
old make it heresy not to believe in Witchcraft, and so a crime to deny it, which thereby puts you under suspicion.
131. But ever say "I know not of it here, perchance there may be,
but afar off - I know not where."
132. But ever speak of those as old crones, consorting
with the Devil and riding through the air.
133.
But ever say: "But how many men may ride through the air an they be
not light as thistledown?"
134. But the Curse of the Goddess be
on any who cast any suspicion on any of
the Brotherhood.
135. Or who speaks of any real
meeting place where any abide.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
136. Let the Craft keep books with the names of all herbs which are good for men, and all cures, so
all may learn.
137. But keep another book with all the Bales and Apies and let only the Elders and other trustworthy
people have this knowledge.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
138. Remember the Art is the
secret of the Gods and only may be used in earnest and never for show or pride,
or vainglory.
139. Magicians and Christians may
taunt us saying, "You have no power. Do magic before our eyes. Then only
will we believe." Seeking to cause us to betray our Art before them.
140. Heed them not. For the Art is
holy, and may only be used in need. And the Curse of the Gods be on any who
break this Law.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
141.
It ever be the way with women,
and with men also that they ever seek new love..
142. Nor should we reprove them for
this.
143. But it may be found to the
disadvantage of the Craft.
144. As, so many a time
it has happened that a High
Priest or High Priestess impelled by love, hath departed with their love, that is, they have left the Coven.
145. Now if a High Priestess wishes
to resign, they may do so in full Coven.
146. And this resignation is valid.
147. But if they should run off without resigning, who may know if they may not return within a few
months.
148. So the Law is: If a High
Priestess leaves her Coven, but returns
within the space of a year and a day, then she shall be taken back and all shall be as before.
149.
Meanwhile, if she has a
deputy, that deputy shall act as High Priestess for as long as the High
Priestess is away.
150. If she returns not at the end of
a year and a day, then shall the Coven elect a new High Priestess.
151. Unless there be a good reason to
the contrary, the person who has done the work should reap the benefit of the
reward.
152. If somebody else is elected, the
deputy is made maiden and deputy of the High Priestess.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
153. It hath been found that practicing the Art doth cause a fondness
between aspirant and tutor, and it is
the cause of better results if this be
so.
154.
But if for any reason this
be undesirable, it can easily be avoided by both
persons from the outset firmly resolving in their minds that if any such ensure, it
shall be that of brother and sister, or parent and child.
155. And it is for this reason that a
man may be taught by a woman and a woman by a man and that woman and woman and
man and man should never attempt these practices together.
156. And may all the Curses of the
Mighty Ones be on any who make such an attempt.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
157. Order and discipline must be
kept.
158.
A High Priestess or a High
Priest may and should punish all faults.
159. To this end: all the Craft must receive their correction
willingly.
160.
All, properly prepared, the culprit kneeling, should be told his fault,
and his sentence pronounced.
161. Punishment should be the $
followed by something amusing such as
several S S S S, or something of this nature.
162. The culprit must acknowledge the justice of the punishment by kissing the hand of the Priestess and by kissing the $ on receiving sentence; and again thanking
for punishment received.
SO BE IT ARDANE.
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