There has been some controversy
over the Laws, are they original, are they not? Well, these are the ones we
Georgians follow. If someone feels
they are not they are more than welcome to point it out. And if they can show me otherwise I will
change what is written here. I was told
you can’t change the Laws, this applies to EVERYONE! Regardless of who you are. But, keep in mind, the world changes and we
as Georgians MUST also change to meet the new world. The Laws were written many years ago, keep
that in mind as you read them.
The Laws
The High Priestess
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 coveners
must greet the High Priestess with a kiss and say, “Blessed Be.”
The High Priest
He is the Earthly, living representative of the Great
Horned God, and in the Magick Circle he commandeth the respect due to one who is a Magus, a Lord
Counselor and father.
He is chosen from the male Coveners
of proper rank by the High Priestess.
The Law
1.
The laws were made and ordained of old.
2.
The laws were 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 ordain; 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
working with her, so the Wicca should love the Gods by working with Them.
5.
And it is necessary that the Circle, which is the
6.
With Love and Worship in their hearts they shall raise
power from their bodies to give power to the Gods as has been taught of
Old. For in this way only may men have communion with the Gods for the Gods cannot
help man without the help of man.
7.
And the High Priestess shall rule her Coven as the
Representative of the Goddess, and the High Priest shall support her as the
Representative of the God.
8.
When beginning a new Coven, it shall be preferred that such
be started by both Priestess and Priest, both the 3rd º. However, a new Coven may be started by either
a 3rd º Priestess or Priest, in which case she or he may select a
suitable person of lesser degree, who is a member of the Coven, to be acting Priestess
or Priest.
9.
For as the God Himself kissed Her feet in the five-fold
salute, laying his power at the
feet of the Goddess, because of her
youth and beauty, her sweetness
and kindness, her humility and
generosity; so he resigned all his power to her. But the High
Priestess should ever mind what power comes from Him. It is lent; to be used wisely and
justly.
10.
And the greatest virtue of a High Priestess be that she recognize that youth is necessary to the
representative of the Goddess. So she
will gratefully retire in favor of a younger woman should the Coven so decide
in Council.
11.
For a true High Priestess realizes that gracefully
surrendering Pride of Place is one of the greatest Virtues. And that thereby she will return to that
Pride of Place in another life, with greater Power and Beauty.
12.
In the old days, when witchdom extended far, we were
free and worshiped in all the great temples.
But in these unhappy times, we must celebrate our Sacred Mysteries in
secret.
13.
So be it ordained that none but the Wicca may see our
Mysteries, for our enemies are many,
14.
An’ if it be safe covens may join together for the Sabbats.
15.
So be it ordained that no one shall tell anyone not of the
Craft who be of the Wicca, nor give any names or where
they bide, or in any way tell anything which can betray us to our foes. Nor, may he tell
where the Covendom be, or the Covenstead,
or where the meetings be.
16.
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
remain where they belong – in the hell of the Christians.
17.
Let each High Priestess govern her coven with justice and
love, with the help and advice of the High Priest and Elders; always heeding the advice of
the Messenger of the Gods, if he cometh. {{All must convene and discuss together any initiations to be done by any in the
Coven. If they have displayed intent to establish a Coven & had the
blessings of the High Priestess, then the glory & the Karma is upon them for their own decision. And, they may not hark
back to the Lady Priestess for blame. Nor, shall any give lie to the beauty of
the Initiation by doing it in secret from the Coven. Any who countenance this,
shall surely learn in hardship what the Curse of the Goddess may be. So be it ordained.}}
18.
She will heed all complaints of all brothers and strive to
settle all differences among them. But
it must be recognized that there will always be people who will ever strive to
force others to do as they will. These
are not necessarily evil, and they oft have good ideas and such ideas should be
talked over in Council.
19.
But if they will not agree with their brothers, or if they
say, “I will not work under this High Priestess,” it hath ever been the Old Law
to be convenient to the Brethren and to avoid disputes. any of the Third º may claim to found a Coven.
20.
Anyone wishing to form a new coven shall inform the Elders of their intentions
straight-a-way. Members of the Old Coven may join the new one when it is
formed. But if they do, they must utterly
avoid the meetings of the Old Coven.
21.
The Elders of the Old and New Covens should meet in peace
and Brotherly love, for discussion and exchange of knowledge. Those of the Craft wishing to join a Coven
may do so, but may not join more than one.
Though all may, if the Elders agree, meet for the Great Festivals, if it
be truly in peace and Brotherly Love.
But splitting a Coven off 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 ordained.
22.
If you would keep a 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 own hands, and never keep
the writings of another. Let each guard
his own writings of his own hand and destroy them whenever danger threatens.
23.
Learn as much of your book by heart, that
is possible. If any die, destroy their
book if they have not been able to, or pass it on to the person he or she has
designated.
24.
Ever remember, ye are the hidden children of the Goddess,
so never do anything to disgrace your tools or Her. Never boast, never threaten, never say you
wish ill of anyone. May the blessings of the Goddess and the God be
on all who keep these Laws, which are ordained.
25.
If the Craft have any appange,
let all guard it and help to keep it clear and good for the Craft. And, let all
justly guard the monies of the Craft.
26.
And if any brother
truly wrought it, ‘tis right they have their pay, an’ it be just. An’ this be not
taking money for the Art, but for good and honest work. And even the Christians say, “The labourer is worthy of his hire,” but if any brethren work
willingly for the good of the Craft, ‘tis but to their greater honour. So it be ordained.
27.
If there be any dispute or quarrel 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. And, they shall justly decide, not favouring one side or the other; ever recognizing that there
are people who cannot agree to work under others.
28.
But at the same time, there be some people who cannot
{accept} rule justly. To those who ever
must be chief, there is one answer. Void
the Coven, or seek another, or make a Coven of your own, taking with you those
who will go.
29.
To those who cannot rule justly, the answer be, “Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you”. For none may come to meetings with those whom
they are at variance. so, an’
either cannot agree, get hence, For the Craft must ever survive, so be
it ordained.
30.
In the old 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 their God casteth all the
people who worship him, except it be the very few that are released by their
priests, 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. But, as our Gods need our aid to
make fertility for man and crops, so is the Christian’s god ever in need of man’s help to search out and destroy
us. Their priests tell them that any who
get our help are damned to this hell, forever; so men be
mad with the terror of it. They believe
they will escape this damnation if they catch one of the Wicca and expose
her/him.
31.
But when one of our oppressors die,
or even be sick, ever is the cry, “This be Witch’s 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. while we are few indeed.
32.
So be it ordained that none shall use the Art in any way to
do ill to any. However much they may
injure us, harm none.
33.
That this Law shall ever continue to help us in our plight;
no one, however great an injury or injustice they may receive, may use
the Art to in any way do ill or harm to any.
But they may, after great consultations with all, use the Art to
restrain the Christians from harming us Brothers, but only to constrain them
and never to punish.
34.
So never break this Law, however much you are tempted, and
never consent to it being broken in the least.
If you know it is being broken, you must work strongly against it. and, any High Priestess or High Priest
who consents to its breach must immediately be deposed for ‘tis the blood of
the Brethren they endanger.
35.
Do good an’ it be safe, and only if it be safe. Keep strictly to the Old Laws. 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 take money for the use of their
Arts. And they sell pardons to let men
escape from their sins. Be not as these. If you accept no money, you will be free of
temptation to use the Art for evil causes.
36.
All may use the Art
for their own advantage, or for the advantage of the Craft, only if you be sure
you harm none. But ever let the Coven
debate this at length. Only if all are
satisfied that none may be harmed, may the Art be used. 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 no one. MAY THE CURSE OF THE
GODDESS BE ON ANY WHO BREAKETH THIS LAW. So be it ordained.
37.
‘Tis judged lawful if ever 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, provided it harmeth him
not, and the full price is paid without haggling. Never bargain or cheapen anything
whilst you buy, by the Art. So be it ordained.
38.
‘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 persecutors.
In any disputes between the Brethren no one may invoke any laws but
those of the Craft; or
any tribunal but that of the Priestess, Priest & Elders.
39.
But the Curse of the Goddess be on
any who cast suspicion on any of the Brotherhood. or who speak of any real meeting place or where they bide.
40.
Let the Craft keep books with the names of all herbs which
are good, and all cures so that all may learn.
But keep another book with all harmful drugs and poisons and let only the Elders and other trustworthy people
have this knowledge. So be it
ordained! may the Blessings of the Gods be on all who keep these laws,
and the Curses of the both the Goddess and the God be on all who break them.
41.
Remember, the Art is the Secret of the Gods, and may only
be used in earnest and never for show or vain-glory. Magicians and Christians may taunt us,
saying, “You have no power, show us your power.
Do magick before our eyes, then only will be believe,” seeking to cause us to betray the Art before
them. Heed them not, for the Art is Holy
and may be used only in need, and the Curse of the Gods be
on any who break this law.
42.
It ever be the way with women and
men, also, that they ever seek new love.
Nor should we reprove them for this.
But it may be found to be a disadvantage to the Craft. And so many times before 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. Now if the High Priestess wishes
to resign, she may do so in full Coven. and,
this resignation is valid. but if
they should run off without resigning, who may know if they may not return in a
few months?
43.
So the Law is, if a High Priestess leaves her Coven, she
shall be taken back and all as before.
Meanwhile, if she has a deputy, (maiden) that deputy shall act as High
Priestess for as long as the High Priestess is away.
44.
If she returns not at the end of a year and a day, then
shall the Coven elect a new High Priestess. Unless there is a good reason to the
contrary. the person who has done
the work shall reap the benefit of the reward, maiden and deputy of the High Priestess.
45.
It has 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. And, if for any reason this
be undesirable, it can be easily avoided by both persons firmly resolving in
their minds to be as brother and sister or parent and child. And it is for this reason that a man may only
be taught by a woman and a woman by a man, in strict accordance with the Laws of
the Goddess. And a woman and woman, and
a man and man, should not attempt these practices together. So be it ordained. This case is in exception;
parents may teach their children if there is no one of the opposite sex qualified to teach
the young ones.
46.
Order and discipline must be kept. A High Priestess or a High Priest may and
should punish all faults. To this end
all in the Craft must receive correction willingly. All properly prepared, the culprit kneeling,
should be told of his fault, and sentence pronounced. Punishment should be followed by something
amusing. The culprit must acknowledge
the justice of the punishment by kissing the hand (of Pst or Pstss) upon
sentencing, and again after punishment, thanking her for her care of them. So
Be It Ordained.
47.
Ye shall wear the blue star upon your brow for protection,
especially when sleeping. You will see the blue star in the heavens to the
southeast for a sign of your protection. {Use it to guard yourself and loved
ones in times of danger.}
48.
Ye must live the Craft every day, an’ teach your children
of its tenets, that they may receive the favor of the Gracious Goddess.
49.
Our Lady’s Law is Love unto all beings. But an ever there
is a one who continually transgresseth upon your
peace, avoid him. it is best to
send thoughts of love to these unfortunate persons; however it is advised to
regard them with compassion, shun them. For it is truly said that, “the good
you give shall be thine own returned thrice.” So be
it ordained.
So Mote it Be!
