Book of Shadows

Wiccan Magick and Ethics
Laws of Wicca

The Laws, or Ordains are an important part of many Wiccan traditions. There are several versions in existence.

Here is an updated version, (without archaic language and with obsolete sections dropped) consisting of forty-two Ordains.

These forty-two Ordains are divided into the following sections:

1. Personal Standards
2. Responsibilities with Others
3. Within the Coven
4. Within the Craft

Personal Standards

1. An ye harm none, do as ye will.
2. If you know the Rede is being broken you must work strongly to correct the situation.
3. Watch, Listen, and withhold judgment; in debate, let your silences be long, your thoughts be clear, and your words carefully chosen.
4. Never boast, threaten, or speak ill of anyone.
5. Be truthful always, save when speaking would lead to a great harm.
6. Do not haggle over the price of your ritual tools.
7. Keep clean your body, your clothes and your house.
8. Should you take a task upon yourself, work hard and well to accomplish it properly and in good time.


Responsibilities with Others

9. Revere, honor, tend and heal the Earth. (It is the ONLY ONE we have!)
10. Of that which you grow, make, or use, let as much as possible return to the Earth as an offering to Her, as a way to nourish the cycle of life.
11. Do not judge those of other paths, instead offer them love and aid.
12. Do not steal from human, animal, or spirit; if you have needs you cannot meet, turn to our community.
13. Offer friendship and hospitality to those who visit among you.
14. You shall NEVER handfast (wed) someone you do not love.
15. Honor the relationships and commitments of others, and do not couple together if it will (or could) cause pain to another.
16. Raise your children with kindness; feed, clothe, and house them as well as you can. Show them love and affection; teach them strength and wisdom.
17. You may not own slaves, or willingly be part of any nation, community, or organization which allows this practice.
18. Deal fairly and honestly in all your transactions with others, following the letter and spirit of any contract you agree to, either in writing or verbally.


Within the Coven

19. The High Priestess shall rule her coven as a representative of the Goddess.
20. The High Priestess shall choose whom she will have as High Priest, providing he has sufficient training and rank.
21. The High Priest shall support haer as a representative of the God.
22. In the circle, the commands and wishes of the High Priestess are law.
23. The High Priest commands the respect due a magus, counselor, and father.
24. If there are disputes among you, let the High Priestess convene the Elders. They shall hear all sides, alone, then together, and make a just decision.
25. If the High Priestess and High Priest find it necessary to correct, rebuke, or punish a covener, this should be done in private and accepted with good grace by the recipient.
26. Any who will not work under the High Priestess may hive off and form a new coven, if they have reached third degree. They and any members who choose to go with them must avoid the old coven for a time, until the new coven has bonded and harmonious relations can be established between the two covens.
27. If a High Priestess leaves her coven, but returns within a year and a day, she will be taken back and all shall be as before. Meanwhile, her Maiden or chief deputy shall act as High Priestess. If the High Priestess does not return within the allotted time, then a new High Priestess shall be elected, usually the person who has been acting in that role, unless there is powerful reason to the contrary.
28. The High Priestess shall gracefully retire in favor of a new High Priestess, should the coven so decide in Council.
29. You must immediately depose any High Priestess who consents to the breaking of the Rede.
30. Before the coven uses magick, let them debate at length; only if all are satisfied that none will be harmed may magick be used.
31. The circle must be duly cast and purified. The Wicca should be prepared and purified to enter the circle.
32. No one may tell outsiders where the covenstead is, or the meetings, without the consent of the coven.


Within the Craft

33. Do not gossip or speak evil of others of the Wicca.
34. Never lie to the Elders or to any of the Wicca.
35. None but the Wicca may see our inner mysteries; but with the consent of the coven, friends and relatives may be invited to the ordinary rituals.
36. No one shall reveal to outsiders who is Wiccan, or give names or addresses, or anything that can betray any of us. No one may do anything that will endanger any of the Craft, or bring them into contact with the law of the land, or any of our persecutors.
37. Keep within your Book of Shadows the teachings of your coven, and also a record of your own rites and learning.
38. None may come to meetings with those with whom they are at odds. In any disputes among Wiccans, no one may invoke any laws but those of the Craft, nor any court but that of the Priest, Priestess, and Elders.
39. It is all right to accept money for the work of your hands, but not for work done within the circle. Never accept money for the use of magick, or for the teaching of the Craft within the circle.
40. Never use magick for show, pride, or for glory.
41. Give your skills, your work and your earnings to your coven, to the Craft, to priests and priestesses who do Her work, and to worthy causes that honor the Lady and the Lord. Honor those others who work willingly for the good of the Craft without pay.
42. Never do anything to disgrace the Goddess or the Wicca.