Las 161 leyes de Wicca son
nombradas con frecuencia pero pocos las han
leído o las tienen en cuenta, se deconoce quien las escribió pero
aparecen en el Libro de las Sombras de Gerald Gardner, luego son leyes usadas
en la Wicca Gardneriana, pero también de la Alejandrina, y posteriormente
fueron plagiadas y cambiadas por Lady Sheba, autora de El Grimorio de Lady
Sheba, esta bruja americana las copió del Libro de las Sombras de Alex Sanders.
Estas leyes fueron revisadas en 1979. Debéis recordar que concieren a Wicca
Tradicional, por si algunas cosas os parecen un poco extrañas. Aquí las tenéis
en inglés para los que quieran revisarlas:
1. The Law was made and ordained 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 ordain, for it was made for the good of Wicca as the
worship of the Wicca is good for the gods. For the gods love the brethren of
Wicca.
4. As a man loveth a woman by mastering her,
5. So should the Wicca love the gods by being mastered by
them.
6. And it is necessary that the Circle which is the temple
of the gods, should be truly cast and purified. And that it may be a fit place
for the gods to enter.
7. And the Wicca shall 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 men have communion with the
gods, for the gods cannot help man without the help of man.
High Priestess and High Priest
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, be he
of sufficient rank, to be her High Priest.
14. 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 wisdom and justice, Her humility and
generosity,
15. So He resigned all His power to Her.
16. But the High Priestess should ever mind that the 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
recognize that youth is necessary to the representative of the Goddess.
19. So she will gracefully retire in favour of a younger
woman should the Coven so decide in council.
20. For a true High Priestess realizes that gracefully
surrendering pride of place is one of the greatest virtues.
21. And that thereby she will return to that pride of place
in anotherlife, with greater power and beauty.
Security
22. In the old days, when witchdom extended far, we were
free an worshipped in all the greater .
23. But in these unhappy times we must celebrate our sacred
mysteries in secret.
24. So be it ordained that none but the Wicca may see our
mysteries, for our enemies are many and torture loosens the tongue of man.
25. So be it ordained that no Coven shall know where the
next Coven bide.
26. Or who its members be, save only the Priest and
Priestess and messenger.
27. And there shall be no communication between them, save
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 came 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 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 any of us to our foes.
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 remain where they belong, in the hell of the Christians.
Disputes
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 cometh.
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 to the
Brethren and to avoid disputes.
New Covens
44. Any of the third may claim to found a new Coven because
they live over a league away 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 intention, and on the instant avoid
their dwelling and remove to the 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 new and old Covens should meet in
peace and brotherly love to decide the new boundaries.
48. Those of the craft who dwell outside both Covendoms may
join either 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 often 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.
Grimoire
51. 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 hands, and never keep the writings of another.
52. For if it be found in their hand of write, they may be
taken and arraigned.
53. Let 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, an 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 friends 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 arraigned.
Persecutions
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 speak of the Brotherhood, do
not.
64. But if they try to make you speak of impossibilities
such as flying through the air, consorting with a Christian devil or
sacrificing children, or eating men's flesh,
65. To obtain relief from torture say "I had an evil
dream, I was beside myself, I was crazed."
66. Not all magistrates are bad, if there be an excuse, they
may show mercy.
67. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards, say you
babbled under torture, say you knew not what you said.
68. If you are condemned, fear not.
69. The Brotherhood is powerful and will help you to escape
if you stand steadfast, but if you betray aught there is no hope for you in
this life or in that to come.
70. Be sure, if steadfast you go to the pyre, drugs will
reach you, you will feel naught. You go to death and what lies beyond, the
ecstasy of the goddess.
Tools
71. To avoid discovery, let the working tools be as ordinary
things that any may have in their houses.
72. Let the pentacles be of wax so that they may be broken
at once or melted.
73. Have no sword unless your rank allows it.
74. Have no names or signs on anything.
75. Write the names and signs on them in ink before
consecrating them and wash it off immediately afterwards.
76. Let the colours of the hilts tell which is which.
77. Do not engrave them lest they cause discovery.
Conduct
78. Ever remember ye are the hidden children of the Goddess
so never do anything to disgrace them or Her.
79. Never boast, never threaten, never say you would wish
ill of anyone.
80. If any person not in the Circle, speak of the craft,
say, "Speak not to me of such, it frightens me, 'tis evil luck to speak of
it."
81. For this reason, the Christians have their spies
everywhere. These speak as if they were well affected to us, as if they would
come to our meetings, saying, "My mother used to worship the Old Ones. I
would I could go myself."
82. To such as these, ever deny all knowledge.
83. But to others, ever say, "'Tis foolish men talk of
witches flying through the air. To do so they must be as light as thistledown.
And men say that witches all be blear-eyed old crones, so what pleasure can
there be at a witch meeting such as folks talk on ?"
84. And say, "Many wise men now say there be no such
creatures."
85. Ever make it jest) and in some future time perhaps, the
persecution may die and we may worship our gods in safety again.
86. Let us all pray for that happy day.
87. May the blessings of the Goddess and God be on all who
keep these Laws which are ordained.
Valuables
88. If the craft hath any appanage, let all guard it and
help to keep it clear and good for the craft.
89. And let all justly guard all monies of the craft.
90. 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.
91. And even the Christians say, "The labourer is
worthy of his hire," but if any Brother work willingly for the good of the
craft without pay, 'tis but to their greater honour. So be it ordained.
Quarrels
92. 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 and then ogether.
93. And they shall decide justly, not favouring one side or
the other.
94. Ever recognising there be people who can never agree to
work under others.
95. But at the same time, there be some people who cannot
rule justly.
96. To those who must ever be chief, there is one answer.
97. "'Void the Coven or seek another one, or make a
Coven of your own, taking with you those who will go."
98. To those who cannot rule justly, the answer be,
"Those who cannot bear your rule will leave you."
99. For none may come to meetings with those with whom they
are at variance.
100. So, an either cannot agree, get hence, for the craft
must ever survive. So be it ordained.
Curses
101. 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 favour for their great
god is ever in need of money.
102. But as our gods need our aid to make fertility for man
and crops, so is the god of the Christians ever 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.
103. But they make men believe that they may escape this
hell if they give victims to the tormentors. So for this reason all be forever
spying, thinking, "An I can catch but one of these Wicca, I will escape
from this fiery pit."
104. 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."
105. 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 own to one of ours, still they care not. They
have countless thousands.
106. While we are few indeed. So be it ordained.
107. That none shall use the art in any way to do ill to
any.
108. However much they may injure us, harm none. And
nowtimes many believe we exist not.
109. 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 Brothers, but only
to constrain them and never to punish.
110. 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 harm, so it be proof that they cannot or more truly
there be none."
111. 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 sieze, 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.
112. And this be to our advantage and turns suspicion away
from us.
113. In England and Scotland 'tis now many a year since a
witch hath died the death. But any misuse of the power might raise the persecution
again.
114. So never break this Law, however much you are tempted,
and never consent to its being broken in the least.
115. If you know it is being broken, you must work strongly
against it.
116. 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.
117. Do good, an it be safe, and only if it be safe.
118. And keep strictly to the Old Law.
Payment
119. Never accept money for the use of the art, for money
ever smeareth the taker. 'Tis sorcerors and conjurers and the priests of the
Christians who ever accept money for the use of their arts. And they sell
pardons to let men ascape from their sins.
120. Be not as these. If you accept no money, you will be
free from temptation to use the art for evil causes.
121. All may use the art for their own advantage or for the
advantage of the craft only if you are sure you harm none.
122. But ever let the Coven debate this at length. Only if
all are satisfied that none may be harmed, may the art be used.
123. 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
ordained.
124. '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 in any way and the full price is
paid without haggling.
125. Never bargain or cheapen anything whilst you buy by the
art. So be it ordained.
Law of the Land
126. "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.
127. In any dispute between Brethren, no one may invoke any
laws but those of the craft.
128. Or any tribunal but that of the Priestess, Priest and
Elders.
Discussion of Witchcraft
129. It is not forbidden to say as Christians do,
"There be witchcraft in the land," because our oppressors of old make
it a heresy not to believe in witchcraft and so a crime to deny it which
thereby puts you under suspicion.
130. But ever say, "I know not of it here, perchance
there may be but afar off, I know not where."
131. But ever speak of them as old crones, consorting with
the devil and riding through the air.
132. And ever say, "But how may many ride the air if
they be not as light as thistledown."
133. But the curse of the Goddess be on any who cast
suspicion on any of the Brotherhood.
134. Or who speak of any real meeting-place or where they
bide.
Wortcunning
135. Let the craft keep books with the names of all herbs
which are good, and all cures so all may learn.
136. 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
ordained.
137. And may the blessings of the gods be on all who keep
these Laws, and the curses of both the God and the Goddess be on all who break
them.
Use of the Art
138. Remember the art is the secret of the gods and may only
be used in earnest and never for show or vainglory.
139. Magicians and Christians may taunt us saying, "You
have no power, show us your power. Do magic before our eyes, then only will we
believe," seeking to cause us to betray the 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.
Resignations
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 a disadvantage to the craft.
144. And so many a time it has happened that a High Priest
or a High Priestess, impelled by love, hath departed with their love. That is,
they left the Coven.
145. Now if the High Priestess wishes to resign, she 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 in a few months?
148. So the Law is, if a High Priestess leaves her Coven,
she be taken back and all 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 is a good reason to the contrary.
152. The person who has done the work should reap the
benefit of the reward. If somebody else is elected, the deputy is made maiden
and deputy of the High Priestess.
Training
153. 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.
154. And if for any reason this be undesireable, it can
easily be avoided by both persons from the outset firmly resolving in their
minds to be as brother and sister or parent and child.
155. And it is for this reason that a man may be taught only
by a woman and a woman by a man, and women and women should not attempt these
practices together. So be it ordained.
Punishment
156. Order and discipline must be kept.
157. A High Priestess or a High Priest may, and should,
punish all faults.
158. To this end all the craft must receive correction
willingly.
159. All properly prepared, the culprit kneeling should be
told his fault and his sentence pronounced.
160. Punishment should be followed by something amusing.
161. The culprit must acknowledge the justice of the
punishment by kissing the hand on receiving sentence and again thanking for
punishment received. So be it ordained.
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