Return
To Index Gardnerian Book Of Shadows
(1961)
The Old Laws
[A] The Law was made and Ardane
of old. The law was made for the Wicca, to advise and help
in their troubles. 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 [5] Wicca's worship is good
for the Gods, For the Gods love the Wicca. As a man loveth
a woman, by mastering her, so the Wicca should love the Gods,
by being mastered by them. And it is necessary that the Circle,
which is the Temple of the Gods, should be truly cast and
purified, that it [10] may be a fit place for the Gods to
enter. And the Wicca should be properly prepared and purified,
to enter into the presence of the Gods. With love and worship
in their hearts they shall raise power from their bodies to
give power to the Gods, as has been taught us of old, [15]
For in this way only may man have communion with the Gods,
for the Gods cannot help man without the help of men.
[B] And the High Priestess
shall rule her Coven as representative of the Goddess, and
the High Priest shall support her as the representative of
the God, And the High Priestess shall choose whom she [20]
will, if he have sufficient rank, to be her High Priest),
For 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
Justice, her humility and generosity. So he resigned his lordship
to her. But the Priestess should [25] ever mind that all power
comes from him. It is only lent when it is used wisely and
justly. And the greatest virtue of a High Priestess is that
she recognizes that youth is necessary to the representative
of the Goddess, so that she will retire gracefully in favour
of a younger woman, Should the Coven so decide in Council,
For the true [30] High Priestess realizes that gracefully
surrendering pride of place is one of the greatest of virtues,
and t hat thereby she will return to that pride of place in
another life, with greater power and beauty.
[C] In the days when Witchdom
extended far, we were free and worshipped in All their Greatest
Temples, but in these unhappy times [35] we must hold our
sacred mysteries in secret. So it be Ardane, that none but
the Wicca may see our mysteries, for our enemies are many,
And torture looseth the tongues of many. It be Ardane that
each Coven shall not know where the next Coven bide, or who
its members are, save the Priest and Priestess, [40] That
there shall be no communication between them, save by the
Messenger of the Gods, or the Summoner. Only if it be safe,
may the Covens meet, in some safe place, for the great festivals.
And while there, none shall say whence they come, or give
their true names, to the end that, if any are tortured, in
their agony, they can [45] not tell if they know not. So it
be Ardane that no one may tell any 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 any to our foes, nor
may they tell where the Covenstead be, or where is the Covendom,
[50] or where be the meeting s or that there have been meetings.
And if any break these laws, even under torture, The Curse
of the Goddess shall be upon them, so they never reborn on
earth, And may they remain where they belong, in the Hell
of the Christians.
[D] Let each High Priestess
govern her Coven with Justice and [55] love, with the help
of the advice of the elders, always heeding the advice of
the Messenger of the Gods, if he cometh. She will heed all
complaints of brothers, and strive to settle all differences
among them, but it must be recognized that there be people
who will ever strive to force others to do as they will. [60]
They are not necessarily evil, and they often do have good
ideas, and such ideas should be talked over in council. And
if they will not agree with their brothers, or if they say,
"I will not work under this High Priestess," it hath always
been the old law to be convenient for the brethren, and to
void disputes, any of the Third [65] may claim to found a
new Coven because they live over a league from the Covenstead,
or are about to do so. Anyone living within the Covendom wishing
to form a new Coven, to avoid strife, shall tell the Elders
of his intention and on the instant void his dwelling and
remove to the new Covendom. Members of the old Coven may join
the New one when it be formed, but if they do, must utterly
void the old Coven. The Elders of the New and the Old Covens
should meet in peace and brotherly love, to decide the new
boundaries. Those of the Craft who dwell outside both Covendoms
may join either indifferent, but not both, though all may,
if the Elders [75] agree, meet for the Great Festivals, if
it be truly in peace and brotherly love. 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.
[E] If you would Keep a book
let it be in your own hand of write. [80] Let brothers and
sisters copy what they will, but never let the book out of
your hands, and never keep the writings of another, for if
it be found in their hand of write, they well may be taken
and enjoined. Each should guard his own writings and destroy
it whenever danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by
heart, and when danger is [85] past, rewrite your book an
it be safe. For this reason, if any die, destroy their book
if they have not been able to, for an it be found, 'tis clear
proof against them, And our oppressors well know, "Ye may
not be a witch alone" So all their kin and friends be in danger
of torture. So ever destroy anything not necessary. [90] If
your book be found on you. 'tis clear proof against you alone.
You may be enjoined. Keep all thoughts of the Craft from your
mind. Say you had bad dreams; a devil caused you to write
it without your knowledge. Think to yourself, "I know nothing.
I remember nothing. I have forgotten everything." Drive this
[95] into your mind. If the torture be too great to bear,
say, "I will confess. I cannot bear this torture. What do
you want me to say? Tell me and I will say it." If they try
to make you speak of the brotherhood, Do NOT, but if they
try to make you speak of [100] impossibilities, such as flying
through the air, consorting with the Christian Devil, or sacrificing
children, or eating men's flesh, to obtain relief from torture,
say, "I had an evil dream. I was not myself. I was crazed."
Not all Magistrates are bad. If there [105] be an excuse they
may show mercy. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards;
say you babbled under torture, you knew not what you did or
said. If you are condemned, fear not. The Brotherhood is powerful.
They may help you to escape, if you stand steadfast, but if
you betray aught, there is no hope for you, in this [110]
life, or in that which is to come. Be sure, if steadfast you
go to the pyre, Dwale will reach you. You will feel naught.
You go but to o Death and what lies beyond, the ecstasy of
the Goddess.
[F] 'Tis probable that before
you are enjoined, Dwale will reach you. [115] Always remember
that Christians fear much that any die under torture. At the
first sign of swoon, they cause it to be stopped, and blame
the tormenters. For that reason, the tormenters themselves
are apt to feign to torment, but do not, so it is best not
to die at first. If Dwale reaches you, 'tis a sign that you
have a friend somewhere. [120] You may be helped to escape,
so despair not. If the worst comes, and you go to the pyre,
wait till the flames and smoke spring up, bend your head over,
and breath in with long breaths. You choke and die swiftly,
and wake in the arms of the Goddess.
[G] To void discovery, let
the working tools [125] be as ordinary things that any may
have in their houses. Let the Pentacles be of wax, so they
may be broken at once. Have no sword unless your rank allows
you one. Have no names or signs on anything. Write the names
and signs on them in ink before consecrating them and wash
it off immediately after. Do not Bigrave them, [130] lest
they cause discovery. Let the colour of the hilts tell which
is which.
[H] Ever remember, ye are
the Hidden Children of the Gods. So never do anything to disgrace
them. Never boast, Never threaten, Never say you would wish
ill to anyone. If you or any not in the Circle speak of the
Craft, [135] say, "Speak not to me of such. It frightens me.
'Tis evil luck to speak of it." For this reason: the Christians
have spies everywhere. These speak as if they were well affected,
as if they would come to Meetings, saying, "My mother used
to go to worship the Old Ones. I would that I could go myself."
To these ever deny all knowledge. [140] But to others ever
say, "'Tis foolish men talk of witches flying through the
air; to do so they must be light as thistledown," and "Men
say that witches all be bleared-eyed old crones, so what pleasure
can there be in witch meetings such as folk talk on?" Say,
"Many wise men now say there be no such creatures." Ever [145]
make it a jest, and in some future time, perhaps the persecution
will die, and we may worship safely again. Let us all pray
for that happy day.
[I] May the blessings of the
Goddess and the God be on all who keep these laws which are
Ardane.
[J] If the Craft hath any
Appanage, let all brothers guard it, and help to keep it clear
and good for the Craft, and let all justly guard all monies
of the Craft. But if some brothers truly wrought it, 'tis
right that they have their pay, an it be just, an this be
not taking [5] money for the use of the Art, but for good
and honest work. And even the Christians say, "A labourer
is worthy of his hire." But if any brotherswillingly for the
good of the craft without pay, 'tis but to their greater honour.
So it be Ardane.
[K] If there be any disputes
or quarrels among the brethren, the [10] High Priestess shall
straight convene the Elders and enquire into the matter, and
they shall hear both sides, first alone, then together, and
they shall decide justly, not favouring the one side or the
other, ever recognizing that there be people who can never
agree to work under others, but at the same time there be
some people who [15] cannot rule justly. To those who ever
must be chief, there is one answer, "Void the Coven and seek
an other, or make a Coven of your own, taking with you those
who will to go." 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 with whom they are at
[20] variance; so, an either cannot agree, get hence, for
the Craft must ever survive. So it be Ardane.
[L] In the olden days when
we had power, we could use our Arts against any who ill-treated
any of the Brotherhood, but in these evil times, we may not
do so, for our enemies have devised a burning [25] 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 priests' spells and Masses, and this
be chiefly by giving money and rich gifts to receive his favour,
for their Alther Greatest God [Greatest God of all] is ever
i n need of Money. [30] But as our Gods need our aid to make
fertility for men and crops, So the God of the Christians
is ever in need of man's help to search out and destroy us.
Their priests tell them that any who get our help or our cures
are damned to the Hell forever, so men be mad for the terror
of it. But they make men [35] believe that they may scape
this hell if they give victims to the tormenters. So for this
reason all be forever spying, thinking, "An I can but catch
one of the Wicca I will scape this fiery pit." But we have
our hidels, and men searching long and not finding say, "there
be none, or if they be, they be in a far country." [40] But
when one of our oppressors die, 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 people to one of ours, still
they care not; they have many thousands, while we are few
indeed. So it is Ardane that none shall use the Art in any
way to do ill [45] to any, howevermuch they have injured us.
And for long we have obeyed this law, "Harm none" and nowtimes
many believe we exist not. So it be Ardane that this law shall
still continue to help us in our plight. No one, however great
an injury or injustice they receive, may use the Art in any
to do ill or harm any. [50] But they may, after great consultations
with all, use the Art to prevent or restrain Christians from
harming us and others, but only to let or constrain them and
never to punish, to this end. Men say, "Such an one is a mighty
searcher out and persecutor of Old Women whom he deemeth to
be Witches, [55] and none hath done him Skith [harm], so this
be proof they cannot, o r more truly, that there be none,"
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 [60] because they
were scolding old women, so much so that men now say that
only old women are witches, and this be to our advantage,
and turns suspicion away from us. In England 'tis now many
a year since a witch hath died the death, but any misuse of
the power might raise the Persecution again; so never break
this law, [65] however much you are tempted, and never consent
to its being broken. If you know it is being broken in the
least, you must work strongly against it, and any High Priestess
or High Priest who consents to it must be immediately deposed,
for 'tis the blood of the Brethren they endanger. Do good,
an it be safe, and only if [70] it be safe, for any talk may
endanger us.
[M] And strictly keep to the
Old Law, never accept money for the use of the art. It is
Christian priests and sorcerers who accept money for the use
of their Arts, and they sell Dwale and evil love spells and
pardons to let men scape from their sins. [75] Be not as these.
Be not as these. If you accept not money, you will be free
of temptation to use the Art for evil causes.
[N] You may use the Art for
your own advantage, or for the advantage of the Craft, only
if you be sure you harm none. But ever let the Coven debate
the matter at length. Only if all are satisfied that none
may be harmed [80] may the Art be used. If it is not possible
to achieve your ends one way without harming any, 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 breach
this law. So it be Aredane.
[O] 'Tis adjudged lawful an
anyone need a house or land, an none will [85] sell, to incline
the owner's mind to be willing to sell, provided it harmeth
him not in any way, and that the full worth is paid, without
haggling. Never bargain or cheapen anything which you buy
by the Art. So it be Ardane.
[P] It is the Old Law and
the most important of all Laws [90] that no one may do or
say anything which will endanger any of the Craft, or bring
them in contact with the law of the land, or the Law of the
Church or any of our 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 and the Priest
and the [95] Elders. And may the Curse of the Goddess be on
any who so do. So it be Ardane.
[Q] It is not forbidden to
say as Christians do, "There be Witchcraft in the Land," because
our oppressors of old made it Heresy not to believe in Witchcraft,
and so a crime to deny it, which thereby put [100] you under
suspicion. But ever say "I know not of it here, perchance
they may be, but afar off. I know not where." But ever speak
so you cause others to doubt they be as they are. Always speak
of them as old crones, consorting with the Devil and riding
through the air. But ever say, "But how may men ride through
the air an they be not [105] as light as thistledown?" But
the curse of the Goddess be on any who cast any suspicion
on any of the Brotherhood, or speaks of any real meeting place,
or where any bide. So it be Ardane. [R] Let the Craft keep
books with the names of all Herbs which are good for man,
and all cures, that all may learn. But keep [110] another
book with all the Banes [poisons] and Apies. and let only
the elders and trustworthy people have this knowledge. So
it be Ardane. [S] And may the Blessings of the Gods be on
all who keep these Laws and the Curses of both God and Goddess
be on all who break them So it be Ardane. [The following two
sections were added after 1960.] [T] Remember the Art is the
secret of the Gods and may only be used in earnest and never
for show or vainglory. 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. 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. [U] It ever be the way with women,
and with men also, that they ever seek new love, nor should
we reprove them for this, but it may be found to disadvantage
the Craft, 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. Now, if a 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 w within a few months? 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. Meanwhile, if she has a
deputy, that deputy shall act as High Priestess for as long
as the High Priestess is away. If she returns not at the end
of a year and a day, then shall the coven elect a new High
Priestess. Unless there be a good reason to the contrary.
The person who has done the work should reap the benefit of
the reward, Maiden and deputy of the High Priestess.
Next:
The Verse Charge
|
