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Date 1/09/11
Due Date 2/12/11
Due Date 2/12/11
First Degree: Lesson Two
The History of Wicca, Wiccan Beliefs and Wicca Today
Introduction: What is Wicca?
We begin the study of Wicca by defining it while saying first that it can not really be defined. Since Wicca is a very personal form of spirituality based on the right of free will the definition can vary from one individual to another. Even within the same circle or coven there may be slight differences in belief or practice. Most Wicca hold to certain set beliefs however and it is the majority belief that we will use as a definition. Although no formal census has ever been taken the largest Neo-Pagan group is believed to be Wicca. Wicca is possibly one of the world's gentlest faiths, Goddess centered yet balanced by a strong, compassionate God modern Wiccans concentrate on love, nurturing, responsibility to Mother Earth and harming nothing.
Gerald Brosseau Gardner Modern Wiccan history began in England with Gerald Gardner, often called the Father of Modern Wicca. Gardner was initiated into a coven in 1939 and worked to uncover the ancient teachings even though the religion was still illegal in his homeland. His first public coven when the anti-witchcraft laws were repealed set the stage for the religion to move out of hiding for the first time since the various witch trials. In the United States little was still known of Wicca or Witchcraft until the mid-1960's when Raymond Buckland contacted Gardner about the subject. Buckland was instrumental in spreading the belief into the United States. Whether due to the earlier persecution, the ongoing misinformation or the nature of the religion Wicca is still practiced quietly and secretly by many. Wicca is a non-proselytizing religion which takes that a step farther even by actually discouraging converts. Many covens are happy to educate the interested but give little encouragement due to a belief that each must choose their own path from their heart.
The basic tenets of the faith are few with only two 'laws' governing most Wiccans, the first and most important of which is the Wiccan Rede. In your research you will find different versions of the Rede as modifications to tenets are accepted in the faith. In all versions however you will find the line or ones similar to, 'as it harm none'. This is perhaps the most important and basic of any Wiccan spiritual law. Causing no harm whether to another person or the earth or even in the patterns the universe sets in motion is the goal of all Wicca. This applies to the way we choose to live our mundane and magical lives and how we practice our spirituality. The second basic Wiccan tenant would be a version of Karmic Law known to most as The Rule of Three. It states in various wordings that whatever one does, for good or evil, will come back to them at least three times. In place of a set of guiding rules Wiccans look to various long accepted writings on which to base their spiritual beliefs and rituals. These writings are powerful and play an important part in the faith. The Charge of the Goddess, possibly one of the most beloved of all Wiccan writings describes the Goddess, her desires and gifts to her followers and gives instruction for worshiping her. Various other Charges come from the Dark Goddess and the God. Other writings that may be drawn on for guidance in the faith are the Book of Shadows by Lady Sheba, the writings of Gerald Gardner, Aleister and Virginia Crowley, Raymond Buckland and others.
Religious rites and beliefs follow the natural cycle based on the early agricultural seasons. Life, death and rebirth are celebrated through the yearly cycle marked by phases of the moon, the equinoxes and solstices. Wiccan holidays and religious rites follow the same pattern of personal choice. While most Wiccans celebrate each full moon, solstice and equinox there are many that hold fewer or more rituals. The full moon ritual forms the base of religious rites being celebrated each month either solitary or in groups. This rite is described in the Charge of the Goddess as a time for celebrating freedom, for learning and feasting and dancing under the moonlight in celebration and worship of Her. Most consider the equinox and solstice days as spiritual days and celebrate the Great Sabbats of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasagh and Samhain and the Lesser Sabbats of Ostara, Litha, Mabon and Yule.
Possibly the most well-known and least understood of Wiccan ritual is the spell. Wicca do not cast spells, hexes or curses on people considering their belief in harming none and their strong sense of personal freedom. Wiccans do however believe that everything in nature has a purpose and an energy force and can be used to bring about overall change in their surroundings. As such they gather items such as crystals, herbs and candles to strengthen their work or as offerings to the universe. The directions and list of materials used for any purpose is called a spell; basically a recipe for change of some kind. Spells are generally worked for one of three purposes; a spell for good sent towards the universe, a spell to help the individual or group and a spell to raise healing energy.
Exercise:
Book of Shadows A Wicca's BOS is the most important and personal item they can create and own. It contains not only the knowledge they have gained but also provides a record of their journey along the way. To begin your studies and path you need to create your own Book of Shadows. While you might also prefer to keep a computer copy you will want a physical book and this is your exercise for this lesson. You can use anything from a loose leaf binder to a fancy leather bound book however keep several things in mind. You will want to be able to add and remove pages as necessary and also to have the book as easy to use as possible. While not as nice initially to look at a plain plastic notebook may be preferable to a fancy BOS that is complicated to maintain and is filled with expensive and hard to obtain parchment paper. Others however prefer the complicated and form a small ritual around each opening and closing of their book.
Decorate your book's covers in any way you desire and begin immediately to add things to it. Some suggestions might be the questions you answered in lesson one, versions of the Wiccan Rede or Charge of the Goddess you find compelling, lesson research or questions that you may want to look into. As your lessons progress you may want to add sections for correspondences, Gods and Goddesses, writings you like, dream journals, results of meditations or any number of other things. Above all else you want to make this a personal expression and not dependent on what other's believe you should have or what they need. Over time your Book of Shadows will become filled with personal energy and can greatly assist your growth and ability.
The History of Wicca
Scholars, historians, religious researchers and even Wiccans themselves disagree on the exact history of Wicca. There are almost no documented Wiccan writings which date before the 1950's and much of what the religion is based on comes to us through oral tradition or educated guesses. Complicating the matter even more is the wide variety of traditions in Wicca and the lack of any recognized formal hierarchy or governing body. Traditional views on the history of Wicca generally fall into two categories; those who feel Wicca is one of the worlds oldest religions and those who believe today's Wicca is a reinvention of what we can piece together of old beliefs. Each side has valid arguments with neither proving nor disproving either theory. In Wicca it is up to the practitioner to determine what they find valid and true and where in history they choose to place Wicca.
Besides compelling evidence the theory that Wicca is one of the world's oldest religions probably has the most basis in logic. We know from scientific findings such as cave paintings, carvings and statues that man had well developed spirituality practices as early as Paleolithic times. Artifacts and cave paintings estimated to be approximately 30,000 years old show depictions of what can only be God and Goddess aspects. One painting depicts a man with a stag's head and a pregnant woman standing in the center of a circle surrounded by 11 other people. The resemblance to Wiccan ritual and our depiction of the God and Goddess is plainly clear. The Wilendorf Goddess, a statue discovered approximately 28,000 years ago near Wilendorf, Austria and the many statues like it also mirror today's Goddess image. Using this example there would seem to be ample proof that some form of what we know today as Wicca began with the dawn of early man.
Mentions of witchcraft and witches appear often in early literature and art. Homer's Odyssey is probably the most well know novel specifically containing witches. Later the works of Shakespeare and even King James I of England have clear evidence of a belief in if not the actuality of Wiccan practices. Scholars and scientists also point to Pagan and possibly Wiccan influence in the earlier Abrahamic religions and especially Christianity. Religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas are based upon earlier pagan rituals and mirror the Wiccan sabbats of Ostara and Yule. The history of Christianity and its conversion of the populace are full of stories of pagan conversions using the words meaning 'witch' in their descriptions. This may have been a general term used for all non-Christians and have nothing to do with Wicca or it may point to the existence of Wicca prior to Christianity. Again, we are likely never to know for sure.
Many however argue with these findings and conclusions stating they do not prove the existence of Wicca but merely show an unknown pagan religion. They point out that most pagan religions use the same god figures and that fertility goddesses such as Wilendorf do not prove a connection to Wicca. Even the painting found depicting circle rituals is questioned. While the figures number the traditional 13 for a Wiccan coven and the god figures match those used in Wicca many do not feel this proves conclusive. Most pagan religious rites took the forms of circles or circle dances and so they feel this is not definite proof of the early presence of Wicca. Realistically speaking there is no way to ever find proof that the earliest religion was specifically Wiccan. Man had no written language and the lines between pagan spiritual traditions are vague at best. We can be sure however that a pagan style religion strongly resembling today's Wicca constituted man's earliest spirituality.
New Age Wicca, while a popular term, does not really describe the second major theory on the development of the spiritual tradition. Modern Wicca, or the so-called New Age variety, began with Gerald Gardner long before that term was ever coined. Wiccans today honor Gardner's work and he is considered the father of modern day witchcraft. Most traditions followed today including were developed from Gardner or one of his student's work and are used whether the individual feels they are following the ancient or new version of the religion. In 1939 Gardner joined his first coven in England however his actual history with Wicca began long before that. One of Gardner's ancestors was burned as a witch in 1610 and his grandfather married a woman reputed to be a witch. As a child Gardner suffered from asthma and as such traveled world-wide in search of relief. He developed an early curiosity about other cultures and religions that lasted throughout his life and upon his return to England as an adult his involvement with the Masonic group The Fellowship of Crotona introduced him to his first coven.
New Forest coven was reputed to be a hereditary coven practicing beliefs handed down from the Middle Ages. Under the guidance of Dorothy Clutterbuck Gardner studied those practices and began to record the traditions. At this time Wicca was forbidden by law in England so Gardner's works were written underground using assumed names. His novel "High Magic's Aid" published under the name of Scire in 1949 is based on the rituals of his actual coven. In 1951 when England's witchcraft laws were repealed Gardner started his own coven and brought Wicca into the public eye. In connection with Doreen Valiente and others he developed the Gardnerian tradition of modern witchcraft. While Gardner's work and writings on Wicca are verifiable and seem to definitely put Wicca as a newer religion a great deal of question still remains. Many doubt the claim that Dorothy Clutterbuck's knowledge was as ancient as stated. Some believe claims Gardner made in later years that it dated back far beyond the middle ages. Many attribute the formation or re-formation of Wicca directly to Gardner due to comments made by Valiente after Gardner's death. She is reputed to have made the comment that some of Gardner's writings were not ancient as he described but were actually written by him and were based on principles he felt Wicca should embrace.
Raymond Buckland One of Gardner's earliest students after going public was Raymond Buckland. A native of England he was at that time living on the western coast of the United States and was seeking information on Wicca. Buckland was initiated into Gardner's Wiccan tradition in Scotland and later brought it to public notice in the United States. Considered to be one of the most prolific of Wiccan writers Buckland is partly responsible for Wicca's huge growth and resurgance. In later years he drew away from his earlier dedication to the Guardnerian tradition to return to a more basic form of Wicca and solitary style of spiritual practice. Buckland's newer works bring forth a more ancient form of Wicca with less emphasis on formal ritual and trappings.
Probably the most well known chapter in Wiccan history is that of the witch trials. Beginning in the late 12th century and continuing until as late as 1999 those practicing Witch craft have traditionally been persecuted, tortured and executed. And yes, I did say 2008, that's not a typo. In January 1999 Hlanjiwe Qamza was burned to death at Ludeke near Bizana, S.A. for the crime of being a witch. And that isn't an isolated incident or confined to third-world countries. In 1997 in Verkhnesadovye, Ukraine a convicted prisoner was burnt to death on the charge of witchcraft. More recently witch craft charges have been lodged against several women in the middle east. These are the stories that have become public. It is not only possible but very likely that such things continue today unpublished or covered up as the result of other circumstances. The stories of the witchcraft trials in Europe and here in our own country are well known for the most part. To try to document even a portion of these would take an entire course of study by itself. Students are encouraged to read and research as much as possible of what we call the burning times on their own. Not only should we learn from these events of the past but we also need to understand the social conditionings that caused them to occur. We face these same prejudices and oppositions in present day life and only by understanding why and how they happened can we hope to prevent them in the future. As we examine the stories of past religious persecution we must also remember that Wicca is not the only victim of religious intolerance. Every major religion has suffered at the hands of believers following a different way and believing theirs was the only right way. By studying these mistakes we hope to learn more tolerance for others and how to share our place in the world in peace.
To get your interest peeked and give you a few places to start we’re included some prominent dates and occurrences.
* Nearly 7 million people were tortured and executed during the witch hunts in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries.
* 1000 people were executed in Scotland under accusation of witchcraft.
* In 1431 the most famous witch of all, Joan of Arc, was burned for witchcraft and heresy at Rouen. Of course they later decided they had made a mistake and she was canonized in 1920.
* In 1521 Pope Leo X ensures that the courts will execute those convicted of witchcraft by the Inquisition.
* In 1563 the Elizabethan Statute against witchcraft is enacted in England.
* In 1604 James I of England repeals the earlier Elizabethan Statute against witchcraft as he feels it is too weak. He rewrites the statute making it stronger and becomes England and Scotland's greatest foe against witch craft. During his reign he published pamphlets detailing how to torture and execture witches and even participated in these practices.
* In 1648 Margaret Jones becomes the first person executed as a witch in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
* In 1661 Florence Newton is arrested and later burned as a witch in Ireland.
* Im 1670 One Major Weir is burnt as a witch in Scotland.
* In 1692 Bridget Bishop is hung for witchcraft in connection with the Salem Witch Trials.
After reading down our list you may very well be wondering how this happened to what is one of the worlds most peaceful and giving of all religions. To understand how it came about one needs to go back again to the early history of organized religion. Religion has and will always be a source of contention between individuals. Differing belief systems clash and in the passion over spirituality this has historically lead to violence and one belief destroying or conquering the other.
In early Egypt during the time of the Aton Cult, one of the first monogamous religions, the practice of paganism was forbidden. Early Rome went back and fourth in the power struggle between the young Christian religion and the older Pagan beliefs with both sides committing atrocities on the other. While many Wiccans blame the rise of Christianity for the physical persecution of Wiccans and other pagans the reverse is actually true - at least for the early years. Desiring an end to the loss of constant religious wars and the drain on his pocketbook Pope Gregory set forth a mandate for conquering non-believers around 600AD. In this he encouraged religious monks and travelers to absorb the non-believer's culture as a way toward non-violent conversion. He recommended converting temples into churches and honoring beloved gods and goddess with Christian feast days or as saints. So strong was this preference toward peaceful conversion that it is still practiced by the Roman Catholic Church today. In their guideline for missionary work, chapter CCC854, they site 'inculturation' as a primary method of conversion.
Unfortunately while this is still practiced later followers of Pope Gregory weren't so lenient toward other religions. Along with the wars between Christian denominations all sides declared and conducted war on the pagan population. Unable to convert believers from their spirituality the church began to resort to a campaign of propaganda. Priests, priestesses and other pagan leaders were cast in the role of devil worshiper. Primary in their attack was the Wiccan God often depicted as wearing horns or antlers. Priests and monks bribed village leaders or maneuvered them into believing this god was actually the Christian Satan. To simple country people the resemblance was easy to see and many quickly forgot the gentle Cernunnos and Herne they had followed for years. From there it was but a short psychological step to the converts taking action against their resisting neighbors. Town leaders played upon people's fears by blaming everything from bad crops to the latest plaque on witchcraft. Church leaders added the belief that the converted needed to 'save' the resisting from themselves and the clutches of Satan.
Most of the people at this time was uneducated and all knowledge came from the government or the church, often times one and the same. Psychological control was maintained through fear of damnation and the hardships of life provided many examples of evil castings. Church leaders took use of the great plagues to further inflame the public about the evils of witches. While the Pope stated that the illness was not due to sin most of the rural priests preached exactly the opposite to the people. By this time it was not so politically correct to want to save your neighbors from Satan as to send them to Him. Death, sickness and loss were all placed at the door of the witch to induce their neighbors to turn against them. With the connections between church and state at the time most rulers were also considered to be heads of their respective churches. Probably the most famous of these in relation to the history of Wicca is King James I of England. King James was well known for his hatred of witches. He blamed a group of Scottish witches for causing a storm that delayed his sailing and also accused them in 1590 of trying to overthrow his government. In 1604, only one year after uniting Scotland and England, he repealed Elizabeth I's Witchcraft Statue making it much stricter. As King of England he published a pamphlet, Daemonologie, in which he encouraged torture for getting a witch to confess and burning for execution. Historical evidence shows that he also participated in torture and the burning of his victims. Of course the King's opinion of witches greatly swayed public opinion towards hysteria. His later rewriting of the Bible in 1611 set things on fire and changed the course of Wiccan history forever. From that time forth Wiccans have been condemned to death by God.
When King James rewrote the Bible his reasoning was to make it more accessible for the common man. As such he felt some things needed a bit more translation to be understandable and so he used his own version of what he believed the words said. In the 111 changes he made strictly to wording almost a third have been deemed by scholars to be incorrect and among these are Exodus 22:18 where we find the infamous 'thou shall not suffer a witch to live'. Biblical and language scholars now agree that while the original term used could be translated as 'witch' that translation did not follow the original intent. The word translated from was loosely described as a poisoner or someone who murdered by intent and trickery. Nothing at all to do with Wicca. However the King had his grudges and while we can suspect he supported the change in retaliation against witches we'll never really know. This little change was one that is still today relatively unknown. The story requires research that few today will do and no common man at that time would have been able to do. The population took the King's word as law and the King James Version of the Bible was the first most people were able to own or read. It remains the most purchased and read book to this day and is still uncorrected as to James I's mis-use of the term witch. Armed with the word of God on their side those in the coming witch trials pointed to this chapter as evidence of their spiritual right. To this day Wiccans are branded by that chapter and have the distinction of being the only religious group Christians are extolled to kill.
Witch Trial
The Bible began the ability of most men to be able to own or at least read literature and also formed the basis for many tales. Fables and fairy tales were written to illustrate points of the Bible and the witch was often used in these. Most of us remember the evil witches in Hansel & Gretel and Rapunzel and witches were favorite bad guys in stage plays and puppet shows. Once the hysteria of the witch trials passed and it was no longer considered civilized in many countries to execute witches the church needed another method to ensure the people’s hatred of Wiccans. After the embarrassment of the trials any thought of public condemnation or being actively involved in the persecution was against church policy. With their hands tied the church was relegated to the role of teaching anti-witchcraft only in relation to church services. Once the church was no longer involved people's opinion of Wicca and witches didn't mellow however. The theme of the wicked witch appears frequently in books, movies and songs from almost all periods of history. Witches are depicted with very few exceptions as ugly, evil, greedy, cannibalistic and murderous just to name a few traits. They are shown as having ugly faces that match their ugly souls with hideous long hair and finger nails. Nasty habits such as cursing people, kidnapping children, roasting babies and casting the evil eye are only some of the things witches are portrayed as doing. Where the church left off the entertainment industry took over, first in the early Shakespearian plays and old fairy tales and later in our modern television and movies.
Even today when Wicca is the fastest growing religion our culture still continues to prey on witches and the fear of them generated centuries ago by the founding churches. Movies about evil are good sellers, even more so if they're frightening. Although there are a few exceptions such as the cute and non-threatening Bewitched television show, most entertainments still carry the theme of the witch being the evil one, or misguided and in need of being saved or as a dangerous person. Even when shown in a more realistic or pleasant light the Wiccan is never treated realistically. Great Britain, with one of the largest populations of public witches has led the way on changing the entertainment industry and their portrayal of witches. Even there though the theme is misconception instead of solid fact. Witches are still shown as frightening people abet through not understanding or controlling their powers instead of being deliberately harmful. Themes now days are heavily into the Gothic and dark concerning Wicca and have little to do with the actual light and joy found in its practitioners. Today the witch stands at an uncertain future. With the growth of New Age religions and the expansion of spiritual awareness the term 'witch' can not be applied to Wiccans alone. At the same time the explosive growth of the religion with each new member bringing their own particular beliefs and values has shaken up much of the Wiccan community. We are still not an accepted part of the religious climate in the world and as shown are still subject to death for our beliefs.
Wicca Principles and Beliefs
People often remark on first hearing about Wicca that it must be nice to follow a religion with so few rules. They seem to feel the lack of direction means Wiccans can do as they please with no regard for consequences. Upon occasion you may even encounter a person who says Wicca is not a 'real' religion as there are so few rules. While this may appear to be the case from the outside nothing could be further from the truth. To say Wiccans don't need the same rules as other people would be incorrect and suggest that we are somehow better than others. Wiccans are no better or worse than a member of any other belief. We simply have principles engrained that do not allow us to even consider actions that others might need rules for. We are also lucky in that thorough wonderful wording our few rules cover almost any circumstances and good training takes care of the rest.
Most Wiccans seem to naturally gravitate toward a belief in caring for the world and everything in it. We feel a responsibility to the earth, the plants and animals upon her and even the rocks that make her up. The cycles of nature are not as constricting to Wiccans as to those of other beliefs as we understand their purpose. We choose to enjoy the cold dark months rather than rant and fight against them as we understand it is a resting time for the growing period to come. We do not struggle against the things we can not change in nature be they killer storms, animal population problems or environmental disturbances as we know they are acts of the universe that understands better than we what is needed in the world. Even the cycles of birth and death are accepted as we understand their purpose in the great circle of life. Read back over that again. We’re describing a group of people who accept both the good and bad about life on this planet with an understanding and acceptance that boarders on serenity. Oh, we may contribute to save the whales and other species or become involved in politics or environmental issues, most Wiccans usually do, but on the whole we are convinced that life is progressing as it should guided by the universe and the Goddess and God. As Wiccans we happily step forward to participate and enjoy this harmony.
What makes such a faith and sureness possible? One needs only to look at Wiccan writings and principles to know where we get our strengths. Handed down through the years, many times with no sure author or source, these writings form the basis for every part of our religion. From the old style of the Wiccan Rede to the brief Rule of Three to the beautiful Charge of the Goddess Wiccan writings are both all encompassing and soul stirring.
Ye Wiccan Rede
Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give
Form the circle thrice about, to keep evil spirits out
To bind ye spell every time, let ye spell be spake in rhyme
Soft of eye, light of touch, speak lityl, listen much
Deosil go by the waxing moon, singing out ye Witches' Rune
Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out ye Baneful Rune
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss your hand to her times two
When the moon rides at her peak, then ye hearts' desire seek
Heed the North wind's mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss ye on the mouth
When the wind blows from the West, departed souls will have no rest
When the wind blows from the east, expect the new and set the feast
Nine woods in ye cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow
Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be
When the wheel begins to turn, soon the Beltain fires'll burn
When the wheel has turned to Yule, light the log the Horned One rules
Heed ye flower, bush and tree, by the Lady blessed be
Where the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth ye'll know
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others' reed
With a fool no season spend, nor be counted as his friend
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart
Mind the threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good
When misfortune is anow, wear the star upon your brow
True in love ye must ever be, lest thy love be falst to thee
I these eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, an ye harm none, do what ye will.
The Rede, which comes in many forms other than printed above, has been credited to several different authors. Some historians believe that Gerald Gardner is responsible for its creation with or without influence by Crowley. Doreen Valiente is reported to also have been its author although in this case the question is if she was the original author or rewrote work done by Gardner. Lady Gwen Thompson is also credited and by her admission feels that she is the author of the Rede. At the time her Rede was published in 1975 she stated:
"Our own particular Rede, however, has appeared within the past year in a perverted form. That is to say, the wording has been changed."Gwen Thompson. The Green Egg. Vol. III. No. 69. Ostara 1975.
No one is really certain of exactly how the Rede came into being or much of its history other than the eight words 'an ye harm none, do what ye will'. This phrase or similar is found in every version of the Rede and is believed to have been passed down through the ages from the very beginnings of Wicca. I say believed as research into the earliest history of Wicca has led some to believe that the Rede did not exist at the beginning or did not apply to the Goddess and God. We do know that from earliest recorded history of modern Wicca though to today the Rede has figured prominently in the beliefs of the religion. As you research this lesson you will find countless versions of the Wiccan Rede and should feel free to choose the one(s) that speak to you. Like most Wiccan writings it is not the style or the words that count but the ultimate message and any spiritual writing will hold more power and meaning if it is a version that resonates within you.
While we can point now to possible evidence of the long use of the Rede it did not appear in public print until the 1970's when Wicca first began to come out of hiding. Prior to that most study and practice of the religion had been done in secret as many countries had severe penalties towards those who practiced Wicca or witchcraft. Gardnerian and Alexandrian witchcraft traditions were being formed during the same time period in the United States and knowledge of the Rede began to grow. During the 1980's authors such as Raymond Buckland and Scott Cunningham published books containing versions of the Rede. Yet one of the first Wiccan authors, Gerald Gardner, did not even mention the Rede in his first two books on the subject and gave it only minor mention in the third. Possibly it had not been written or rediscovered yet or it may have simply been that Gardner did not discuss ethics at all in his first books. In the third writing, "The Meaning of Witchcraft", Gardner includes only
"[Witches] are inclined to the morality of the legendary Good King Pausol, "Do what you like so long as you harm no one." But they believe a certain law to be important, "You must not use magic for anything which will cause harm to anyone, and if, to prevent a greater wrong being done, you must discommode someone, you must do it only in a way which will abate the harm.",
yet this still carries with it the flavor of the Rede as we now recognize it. Actually the quote and mentioned King Pausol were from a literary novel of the time with no relationship to Wicca at all. Gardner may have been calling upon it to relate oral tradition he had heard, recent views or simply his own beliefs. Further Gardnerian laws make no other mention of the Rede except for the notation that the law has been obeyed for years and is 'harm none'. Most scholars of the craft feel that Gardner was not the originator of the concept of harming none or the Rede but was working from premises made by Aleister Crowley's Law of Thelema;
Aleister Crowley "Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into the word. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, and the man of Earth. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law."
Crowley is alleged to have received the information for the Law of Thelema from an angel of the highest order named Aiwass. There is some evidence however of Crowley being influenced by an earlier novel, "Gargantua", published in 1534 by Francois Rebelais. A quote from that book: "DO AS THOU WILT because men that are free, of gentle birth, well bred and at home in civilized company possess a natural instinct that inclines them to virtue and saves them from vice. This instinct they name their honor.", brings to mind similar feelings as the Rede and both the name of Crowley's abbey in Sicily and references in "Magic in Theory and Practice" show that he was familiar with Rebelais' work. However it came about the Rede has become the accepted and much loved guide for the Wiccan practitioner.
The concept of the Rule of Three, or Threefold Law, was taken from the Rede itself. Although treated separately at times for emphasis it is not a stand alone writing in and of itself. Traditionally written as "Mind the threefold law ye must, three times good or three times bad" the words form a law important enough to stand on its own apart from the Rede. These lines are so compelling to Wicca that practitioners will work to the utmost of their powers to avoid causing karmic retribution. In cases where it can not be avoided they willing accept the responsibility and possible lessons to come.
Strangely enough there is no equal preference for reward under the Threefold system, probably one of the few places where the Wicca religion is unbalanced. While we are told that all actions will receive a return we do not feel the need to perform rites or live our lives for gain from the Rule of Three. On the contrary Wiccans feel that the return of good is a bonus and it is in the action towards doing good that they receive their actual reward. Doing good for goods sake is the common theme and not one of good in return for reward. This concept is far removed from the normal ideas associated with our current world and view of life. Most people and many religions view actions only as things to be accomplished for gain and not as experiences in themselves. Certainly the Abrahamic religions with their strictures of following rules to gain admittance into Heaven is a well known example of using Karmic good as reward.
Doreen Valiente Because the Wiccan Rede alludes to or contains the wording of the Law of Three some Wicca's feel stating a separate Threefold Law is redundant and the concept not needed. Some even allude to the Rule of Three as being conceived of to keep novices in check until they have the ability to decide right from wrong. Still others cite the similar Christian Golden Rule and feel that the Law is something converted Christians brought to Wicca for security. The earliest the Three Fold Law can be pinpointed is with Gerald Gardner as part of the emphasis on ethics in the Gardnerian version of Wicca. Prior to that the secrecy and oral traditions of Wicca may have kept such a law hidden. Some also believe the Law is strictly a device of Gardner's as commented on by Doreen Valiente (pictured at right) in an interview in 1991,
"I think old Gerald cooked it up in one of his rituals, and people took it terribly literally."
Regardless of how the Rule of Three came to pass it has become an important part of the Wiccan religion no matter how it is viewed.
Discussing Wiccan written traditions is a fascinating subject but like much about Wicca it leaves a great deal unanswered. Wicca is traditionally a close knit belief where traditions are passed on orally more often than in writing. Because of this any conversation involving Wiccan ethics that stops at the Rede and Three Fold Law is not complete. Much guidance needs to come in the form of discovering what these writings actually mean and what exactly is meant by 'harm'. Much time is spent in any learning environment discussing these definitions and how we perceive them. To a Wiccan 'harm none' means exactly that. We do our best to avoid harming anything around us be it the earth, plants, animals, ourselves or other people. And we don't limit this to words or actions nor do we always perceive harm in the traditional sense. We believe we can harm someone simply by affecting their lives in the wrong manner. While sometimes far fetched this concept is so compelling that it is more than worth the effort for the return we receive in personal growth and opportunity.
Harming none includes not only the deeds you do towards others but your perceptions and thoughts about them and yourself. We’ve all had the experience of walking down the street and seeing someone who didn't quite fit in. Automatically we may have been reluctant to trust doing business with them or even aiding them if they need help. In this case our prejudices and our perception of another person have caused them harm even though we have taken no direct action against them. The same can be said of a carelessly spoken word when we're having a rough day. Forgetting part of your order may not have been a big deal to either you or your waitress but add in a frayed temper or two and your hastily spoken comments may loose someone a job. This is not to say you should not be able to express an opinion or to stand up for yourself when you don't receive what's expected. Neither should you foolishly trust every person with a sad story. However we must learn to temper our actions with thought and not just follow society by rote without considering any possible consequences what we do may cause. In the same vein a Wiccan will also do their best to try to avoid harming the world around them. There as no where else can we see the far ranging consequences of our actions. A person may console themselves that the cigarette butt they tossed on the ground is outweighed by the fact that they recycle religiously. But is it really? And is it truly that difficult to go the extra steps to find an ashtray? In trying to harm none a Wiccan will become more conscious of their actions and realize that even the simplest of things can have large consequences. Take that same cigarette butt for instance. Imagine a young child watches what you do with it. Will that child then grow up to consider the earth in their actions or feel that harm, if small enough, is not a problem? Or might that child even learn from your behavior and someday cause a serious fire due to a carelessly disgarded cigarette? Gives a lot of pause for thought when you consider how far reaching even the simplest of your actions can be.
As a Wiccan you will learn skills that can affect the existence of even the smallest thing. You will have the ability to control power that is unlimited in size and amount; power that can cause great harm if used unwisely or unnecessarily. As such it is imperative that you learn the harm that can be caused early and well for even the most harmless seeming of incidents can backfire. This may seem like an impossible task at first; this being aware of your actions and their effects or may even be so overwhelming as to cause inaction. Neither the Goddess nor the God, in whatever form you see them, require or even expect you to be perfect, only to be your best. Once you start it soon becomes easier to see how you affect the world around you and how by only a small change you can affect it for the better. In return you will find your outlook brightened and that the Three Fold law truly does return actions many times over.
As part of the belief in harming none a Wiccan also holds the right of free will highest on the list of rights. Each person has the right to be and do what they will without interference from another. Now of course this doesn't mean those that commit crimes or are violent should be allowed to do as they please. What it does mean is that we as Wiccans will not interfere in another's free will to make their own decisions whether for good or bad. Those decisions are theirs to make and the effects, for good or bad that they will receive are their responsibility to deal with. Probably the most famous example of this is the well-known love spell. Countless people everyday contact witches asking for a spell that will make another person fall in love with them. They may even find such a spell but if so it's not from a modern Wiccan. To cast a spell directly onto another person without that person's express and informed consent is something no modern Wiccan will do without very extenuating circumstances. Forcing another, for that's what it amounts to, to fall in love with someone is a blatant disregard of their free will. Not only that, casting any spell directly on another person without their knowledge and consent is causing harm to them. The love spell is a wonderful example as by now many of you will be wondering what exactly is so bad about falling in love? Nothing. If it's your choice. But what if that other person was intended to fall in love with a different individual? What if because of the interference their path was changed for them, without their consent? A Wiccan takes this right of free will to the extent that even healing spells will not be worked without consent. Even if injured by another party a Wiccan can not and won't take direct action against the person through the use of magic or manipulation. We will attempt to work out the situation, concentrate on protecting ourselves, even use the legal system if necessary but we won't harm or interfere with someone else.
Likewise, we expect the same treatment in return and resent others interfering in our lives. Here though we're guided by another principle of the Wiccan beliefs; personal responsibility. Or, in a way, yet another version of the Three Fold Law in that you reap what you sow. If you take responsibility for your actions and their effects others will have less reason to feel interference is necessary. You can not ignore the needs and demands of life such as bills, work and family and still expect people to take you and your beliefs seriously. In taking responsibility you must live your life, not according to society's rules, but in a way that does not violate another's rights. In this lesson you take your first steps to understanding the responsibility all of us bear to each other and the world around us and how were are encouraged to behave by our core written beliefs. As you study you will encounter many other Wiccan writings and are encouraged to put copies of them into your Book of Shadows.
Wicca Today
Today's Wicca has changed a great deal from earliest pagan beliefs and even early Wicca. As the belief system gains followers they bring with them current societal beliefs. Where Wicca once stood apart for its acceptance of others it is now fast becoming a force critical of modern Christianity. Large numbers of people 'harmed' in their view by a Christian upbringing now use Wicca as a soapbox against that religion. While these people point fingers at flaws within other religions they rarely recognize the same flaws in their actions or Wicca groups. Currently we are on a slide down a slippery slope toward treating other spiritual systems with the same distain we have been subjected to ourselves.
This tendency to bleed social values into the spiritual has also brought about great imbalance within the Wiccan belief system. Often viewed and promoted as a 'woman's religion' Wicca is now taught for the purpose of female empowerment. Male roles including that of the God have been tossed aside or ignored in favor of what is views as the downtrodden female sex. Covenant of the Goddess, the largest Wicca regulatory group requires its members to recognize both a male and female energy source but does not practice or promote a similar relationship with the God. Traditions such as the Dianic emphasis female only circles and the belief is based upon a Goddess-centered cosmology and the primacy of She Who is All and Whole unto Herself.” Rarely in such circles is honor paid to the God or His role even considered which violates the basic Wicca concept of balance and equal yet different forms of divinity. Wicca without a strong God figure is no better than the patriarchal system of the Abrahamic religions. In order to survive and regain balance Wicca must return to an emphasis on dual divinity and reclaim knowledge of its gods, not just honor the feminine.
Also of concern in modern Wicca is the entertainment industry and the rampant growth of Wicca in general. Shows depicting fantasy creatures are the current rage no matter how far fetched their theme is. Focus on magic and spells grows along with the popularity of movies such as the Harry Potter series often with negative results. While interest in Wicca training has grown the primary desire of many new students is strictly the learning of magic and/or gaining of power. Instead of being viewed as a spiritual system that at times uses energy manipulation modern Wicca is developing a following of magic users with no spiritual ties or understanding. With the huge growth in the internet has also come growth in the available of Wiccan teachings and supplies. Today hundreds of witch craft schools spring up each month while others close just as quickly. The average citizen picks up a book and calls themselves a master without the traditional years of study of supervision. While the lack of governing authority is unique and necessary to Wicca it also makes us vunerable to loss of quality and understanding in our teaching. In the past, when circles and covens were local and small, this was not so much a problem but in today's society with its mega-sized witch craft schools student focus and intent can no longer be easily monitored.
In today's world Wicca often no longer follows its basic beliefs of acceptance not its ties to tradition. While for years it was accepted 'law' that one did not charge money for training or aid such is commonplace today. Magazines, TV ads and the internet all offer a wide selection of training and spell casting all for a price. Disagreements between Wicca associations boil over and result in permanent splits and segregation.
Here is your second lesson...You will have your test up in roughly 2-3 weeks, if you have any questions or want me to eliberate on anything please dont hesitate to ask,
Blessings,
~AmythestMoon Of Avalon
~AmythestMoon Of Avalon
