Honor Diety in all their names and forms. The Gods/Goddesses are the manifestation of the Creator and are our strength. Honor the Ancestors who have gone before.  In time of need each of them will bring help, protection, guidance, comfort and inspiration to their children when asked. Though travails and the mists of time obscure much of the past, their love abides eternal. As the love and joy between beloveds grows when nourished with respect, understanding and honor, so should you love your Gods.

Honor yourselves, for this force is also within you. We are truly their children, the hidden ones who have honored, worshipped and loved them since the dawn of creation. Be true to yourself and each other, honor your brethren and you shall stand in honor before them.

There shall be no union without true love, for anything less creates harm and is a falseness that shames man and gods alike. There shall be no union that allows the domination of one by another. Should this be the desire of both partners, the dominated one may not enter the circle. Only those who can stand in independence and strength shall enter the holy places, for never does God or Goddess stand in submission one to the other. An individual cannot be a holy temple for the Gods while under the control of another.

All sexual unions carry responsibility and consequences. Therefore think first, and place the welfare and safety of the family ahead of your desire, lust, or attractions.  Handfasting is a sacred union, oath-bound and witnessed by the gods before their priests. Remember then to make provisions for all matters that a good contract should provide. Protect the children, animals, chattels and properties that are bound together. Be even more diligent in this matter if the handfasting term should be short or the couple should be young.  Remember that handfasting is a sacred act, witnessed by the gods. Whatsoever you have sworn to, make certain to fulfill, without fail.

Should a desire to include other partners arise, let all of the family agree to this, in full knowledge of the complex problems that may occur. If even the youngest child says no, then this shall not be done while it would cause disharmony.   If a new mate is brought within the family circle, there must be entered a written contract that defines the rights and duties, responsibilities and expectations of all of the mates. This is no less a sacred oath to be honored then are the oaths of the original pair.  Cherish your mates, children and properties. Place the communal welfare always above your private wishes. Teach your children with great care and love. Share your wisdom, knowledge and experiences, and guide them by your example. Never forget that they are beloved by the Gods, a gift, not your possession.

Your person is the living temple of the Gods, make clean and cherished both mind and body.  Love yourself and rejoice in being you. Self-doubt and loathing keep you from giving or receiving true love and smother your glorious spirit. Let the God-spark within you wash out over the world.

The circle is between worlds and is the gateway of the Gods. Make your circle purified and sanctified. Likewise sanctify all those who come within. Make your circle a fit abode for the Gods and leave all ego and mundane matters at the gate, for within the circle you are a family. Cherish and support each other both within and without the sacred areas…speak your love out loud and often.

With love and worship in our hearts we shall draw power from within and without to heal, nourish, and direct the flow of our spirit. A strong body, keen mind and purity of heart, spirit and purpose are all needed for the energies to answer the call of your Will and Intent.  We are the guardians of the energy of life, the threads of creation, and we bear a sacred trust and responsibility. Therefore, let your love and joy shine forth, but avoid all such excesses that would make of you an object of shame, scorn and derision. When you belittle yourself or others, you also belittle your gods.

None shall enter the circle who have an illness that can be contagious. Rather, those healers in the family shall travel to their place of dwelling, to heal and see to their comfort. Never shall a family member turn their face from another in need. Know that all you give shall return to dwell in your own home.

Within you lies the sacred mystery…be a worthy keeper of it. Guard against the scornful tongue, the shameful deed, but above all else…discipline your inner mind. Your thoughts themselves are arrows of power…marshall them wisely.

In the dawn of time, spirit divided its immensity into two aspects, which we name male and female. From these was born all physical life. Any joining of male and female energy, be it body or mind, is a sacred act. Never enter into this exchange of energies without honor, respect and gratitude. From the God comes the power of creation, the pure energy of spirit undivided. The male provides, protects and defends, guides and guards. His alone is the raw stuff from which all is given form. From the Goddess flows all form and function. She is the creator whose love shapes the raw energies from the God. She is the well of life and the source of all sacred mysteries. From the female flows beauty, delight, vision and understandings. Into Her hands flows the power of the God. Neither is complete alone, and always does the God turn his face towards the Goddess, his equal and partner and She toward Him. It is their divine love and joining that brings forth life, love and laughter.

The priestess must always remember that the priest is her source of power. The priest must always remember that only through her is his power made manifest. The priestess must use this power wisely, out of love and with respect. She must always respect and honor her priest who is her equal and partner. Your high priest and high priestess are the living embodiment of the God and Goddess and should command the same respect, courtesy and support. Your high priestess is the ruler of your coven, supported by her high priest.  Into the hands of the duly chosen high priestess is placed the welfare of her coven family.   Let her choose wisely and always place the good of the family above her own ego and desires. Should she cause division among the family then she can be asked to surrender the reins of leadership to another priestess whom the family chooses.

When a high priestess has reached an age of diminished strength she should surrender the reins of leadership to another as her strength dwindles. Likewise should a high priest step aside in favor of a man in full flower of strength and ability at the proper time. Should the family resist this process, the high priest and high priestess shall remain in place and permit their senior initiates to take over those matters which should be managed by the young while keeping their guidance and wisdom at the ready for the benefit of the family.  Once the family has grown accustomed to the new pair of leaders, the elders shall step back and offer guidance and advice but shall allow the new pair to govern as leaders, without interference or hindrance.

If any member of the family causes discord that cannot be resolved, refuses to work with another, insists that things must be done their way in discord with the wishes of the majority of the family, even be they the high priestess or high priest…there is but one answer. “Leave the group and find another, or form a new family of like-minded peoples”. Likewise, if a minority of family members finds a need, they may likewise leave and form their own circle.

The Inner Council, formed of senior members whose rank is undisputed, shall convene to settle all matters of disagreement. Their charge is the health and welfare of the family. Always should their rulings seek to make some good come from an injustice or wrongdoing, and each member of the family is bound by their decisions and commands.  Should a member decline to fulfill any task or behavior the council has ruled, that member shall be banished from the family.   Banishment can be from holy rites alone, for a set period of time, or can be based on the completion of tasks assigned by the council. Always must the council assignments be based in love, with a true desire to aid the one before them in spiritual growth and deeper understanding. 

Should the council rulings seem harsh or vindictive, it is the duty of the high priest and high priestess to argue the case of the offender and impose a more balanced judgment on them.  If, however, the high priest and high priestess are in consensus with the judgment of the council, then they must state this to the offender so that there is no discord in the judgment rendered.

Any member or members of the circle may elect to form a new family. They should inform the elders, high priest and high priestess of their decision before speaking of it openly.  Members of the old group may join the new one, but they must leave the old circle completely rather than dividing their energy between them. It is known that such divisions usually cause strife, so only in a spirit of peace and harmony may the old and new come together in celebration of the holy rituals.

Even in this place and time there are those who will seek us out with harmful intent.
Therefore, never reveal the names and places where your family meets. Guard your records and make certain that in no place are names written other than craft names. Old ways are wise…let your tools be in appearance ordinary items of your household. Secure your writings that they will not fall into the wrong hands. Make arrangements that your sacred writings and items shall pass securely into the hands of another that the knowledge is not lost. Make knowledge your most powerful tool…commit into your memory the words and ways of your worships and rituals.  Be cautious in speaking of your beliefs, for many shall ask with only idle interest. Do not defend your ways except with silence. Meet the attacks of others with love and sincerity.  Say only “ I honor your beliefs, but they are not mine. I do not challenge yours, so grant me the same respect”.  We do not seek new members to increase our ranks. Reveal none of our sacred ways until you are certain of the purpose and heart of the seeker. Teach no child without the presence and consent of the parents. To do so undermines their rights and causes harm. Bring no wrath upon yourself or your circle family and be familiar with all such laws as govern the place of your abode.

Be truthful in word and action.

Profess only those beliefs which you hold in your heart, for the God and Goddess know your truth. Never break the laws, no matter the temptation, nor consent to their being broken. Should you become aware of the laws being broken you are bound to work strongly against it.

Take nothing that is not freely offered or that rightly belongs to another. Refuse no gift that is offered from the heart and spirit, for to do so diminishes the giver. Accept any such gifts with humility and wonder.  Take no money for the use of the power. Do not use your energies for unworthy causes. Never bargain power for goods or otherwise cheapen your craft. If your skill and work produce an income, even if they be of the craft, this is payment earned for your hard work.  Knowledge and gifts like healing are beyond price and should be freely given to any in true need. Share wisely your understandings and learning with the young, shaping your teachings to suit their ability to understand. Turn away no true seeker unless you can offer them another way to find that which they need to grow in spirit. You hold the key to the inner mysteries and are charged in making the way available to those who follow behind you.

These are the Laws of Life and are a sacred commitment between you and spirit. Review them until their truths are engraved upon your heart, do this every Moondark Esbat until you know the Laws as you know your own name.  Share these Laws only with those willing to consider them in honesty, gravity and respect. Even the reading of these Laws brings enlightenment and pondering…and once the Laws are known and your secret self sees them as truths…then you are bound in obedience to their precepts.

Each of the strictures listed in the Laws is a guideline and must be applied with wisdom, insight, love and with the guidance of the Gods. Never use them as a way to divide the peoples and set them apart one from the other. If a Law seems to need to be set aside in an individual case and your spirit speaks that this is right to do…then make an exception.  Remember that you are not a container of power…you are a vessel…and that which you hold is intended to be poured out for yourself and for others…not to be hidden away in private store for selfish gain.  If you follow the Laws and make yourself open to your Gods you will be a beacon of joy that nourishes the Universe. If you deny others then so shall you be denied in your own times of need.