For this lesson, we will discuss Rules of the Circle and Laws of Wicca. While Wiccans don't have a set of rules "delivered from on high," we strive to live up to one basic Tenet: "Harm None." This can, of course, be expanded upon. Discussions on what constitutes "harm" can provide many a spirited debate. Since Wiccans are all about honoring Deity in the form of a male and female archetype, and through observation, we can come to these basic laws:
1. Thou shalt love the God and Goddess with all thy heart and all thy
soul.
2. An it harm none, do what you will.
3. Everything you do comes back to you three-fold, aka The Law of
Threefold Return. ("As you wish to me and mine, so three times to
thee and thine.")
Even this can be expanded upon. Here is a ten-part set of laws: (Borrowed liberally from Scott Cunningham)
1. Harm None. This is the oldest law and is not subject to change.
2. We walk with the God and Goddess and receive their love. They are
to be given all due respect, love and worship in return.
3. Keep the Sabbats and Esbats to the best of your abilities.
4. Honor the Earth which is the Body of the Goddess and the Mother of
all things. Walk in beauty and leave light footprints.
5. Shed no blood in ritual or in the name of the Goddess.
6. Show kindness, compassion and respect for all.
7. Be respectful of all creatures, for they too are souls which
should be loved and cared for.
8. Teach what you know to the best of your ability. Teach not to
boost pride or personal power. Teach well and responsibly, for the
teacher is known by her students. Those who teach shall be forever
in the arms of the Goddess and God.*
9. Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.
10.Be mindful of the Law of Threefold Return.
* It is the responsibility of every Witch to teach everything they know to three students before they pass to the Summerland --old European and Native American tradition.
These laws are fairly universal, although individual traditions will have their own take on most, and likely will have some of their own. Some require certain oaths at various degrees of initiation. For some there is a high degree of secrecy about certain information. Again, this will vary from tradition to tradition.
1. Do not check your brains at the door.
2. The Circle is a place of perfect love and perfect trust. If one
person consistently violates another person's sense of safety,
they may be asked to leave.
3. Show respect, kindness and compassion at all times.
4. Do not gossip about others.
5. From the time the candles are lit to the time they are
extinguished is sacred time. Be respectful of it.
6. You should be clean and well-groomed within the Circle as a sign
of respect to the Goddess and God, to others, and to yourself.
7. No person shall be permitted in the Circle while under the effects
of alcohol or drugs. Do not take alcohol or drugs (except by
orders of a physician) for two days before Circle.
8. Sexual activity before ritual scatters a person's energies. Wait
until afterwards, please.
9. If at all possible, women should avoid acting as Priestess when
they are menstruating. This is because they are energy "sponges"
at this time and can absorb a lot of power into themselves.
10.The LWF does not practice skyclad as a group. Individuals are, of
course, free to do whatever they want in private. Robes are white
from Beltane to the full moon before Samhain, black from Samhain
to the full moon before Beltane. Robes may be trimmed as desired.
Most of this is just common sense and courtesy. You are a wise individual; think before you act. If you see a plate of cookies on the altar before Circle, it is unlikely that these are pre-ritual snacks, but rather cakes for the end of the ritual or some other offering. We actually had this happen to us at one of our Circles. If you're not sure about something, ask someone.
This concludes the information included in our old "Wicca 101" course. I hope you have found the information in this and previous lessons informative, useful and enlightening. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
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