Wiccan Rede

Bide the Wiccan law ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust;
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill;
‘An ye harm none, do as ye will’;
Lest in self-defense it be, ever mind the rule of three;
Follow this with mind and heart;
And merry ye meet and merry ye part.

The Charge to New Initiates

O Thou who hast declared intent to become one of us, hear then that
which thou must know to do: Single is the race, single of men and of
Gods, from a single source we both draw breath, but a difference of
power in everything keeps us apart, for we are as nothing but the Gods
stay forever. Yet we can, in greatness of minds, be like the Gods.
Though we know not to what goal by day or in the night, Fate has
written that we shall run beyond all seas, and earth's last boundaries.
Beyond the Spring of night and the Heaven's vast expanse there lies a
majesty which is the domain of the Gods. Those who would pass
through the Gates of Night and Day to that sweet place, which is
between the world of men and the domains of the Lords of the Outer
Spaces, know that unless there is truth in thy heart, thy every effort is
doomed to failure. HEAR THEN THE LAW: That thou lovest all
things in nature. That thou walkest humbly in the ways of men and the
ways of the Gods. Also it is the law that contentment thou shalt learn,
through suffering, and from long years, and from nobility of mind and
of purpose. FOR THE WISE NEVER GROW OLD. Their minds
are nourished by living in the daylight of the Gods and if among the
vulgar some discoveries should arise concerning some maxims of thy
belief in the Gods so do thou, for the most part, keep silent. For there
is a great risk of those who straightaway vomit up that which they hast
not digested. And when someone shall say to thee, thou knowest
naught and it bites thee naught, then knowest thou that thou hast
begun the work. And as sheep do not bring their food to the shepherd
to show how much they have eaten but digesting inwardly their
provender do bear outwardly wool and milk, even so, do not display
the maxims to the vulgar, but rather the works that flow when they are
digested.

NOTES
This is part of Lady Sheba's First Degree Initiation Ritual, where it is given as a speech made to
the Candidate by the High Priestess

First Degree Initiation

People:
Hierophant (H) (Initiator)
Candidate (C)
Hierophant's Working Partner (P)
Summoner (S) (Hierophant does his part if S unavailable)
High Priestess (HPS) (actually, H or P, depending on gender)
Needs:
blindfold
nine foot red cord
short white cord
oil
scourge
all ordinary esbat requirements

Preparation:
Candidate stands outside Circle to NE, blindfolded and bound by members of the opposite gender. Wrists
are bound together in back by middle of a 9 foot red cord, knotted in front at throat with ends hanging
down front as cable-tow. A short white cord is fastened to the right ankle with ends tucked in so as not to
trip C up, saying:
Feet neither bound nor free
HPS casts Circle. Opening ritual is followed to the end of the Drawing Down of the Moon, but the
Charge is not yet declaimed.
Summoner fetches Sword (or athame) from the altar, and opens a gate in NE. S, H, and P face C and S
issues the Challenge:
S:
O thou who standest on the threshold between the pleasant world
of men and the dread domains of the Lords of the Outer Spaces,
hast thou the courage to make the assay?
Placing point of blade against C's heart, S continues:
S:
For I say verily, it were better to rush on my blade and perish,
than make the attempt with fear in thy heart.
C:
I have two passwords. Perfect love and perfect trust.
S:
All who have such are doubly welcome.
H:
I give thee a third to pass thee through this dread door.
H grasps C above waist with H's left arm, kisses C on the lips, and swings C into the Circle with H's
body, from behind.
S (or P if no S) closes the gate.
H leads C to each Quarter in turn, saying:
H:
Take heed, ye lords of the East (South/West/North) that N... is
properly prepared to be initiated a priest[ess] and witch.
H leads C back to centre of Circle (via East) while coven dances around, singing:
Eko, eko Azrak, (etc.)....
... over and over, meanwhile pushing C back and forth among them, until H calls a halt.
Partner then rings bell three times as H turns C to stand before the altar, with C's back to the altar (i.e.
facing South if altar is in North). H stands in centre of Circle, facing C (and altar). H says:
H:
In other religions, the postulant kneels, while the priest towers
above. But in the Art Magical we are taught to be humble, and we
kneel to welcome her [/him] and we say: [kneels]
Blessed be thy feet, which have brought thee in these ways;[kiss r.
foot, then l. foot]
Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar;[kiss r.
knee, then l. knee]
Blessed be thy womb[/phallus], without which we would not
be;[kiss above pubes]
Blessed be thy breasts [/breast], erected in beauty [/formed in
strength];[kiss r. breast, then l. breast]
Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the sacred names.[kiss on lips]
[rises]
H:
Now we are going to take your measure.
H, aided by another witch of the same gender, stretches a button thread from the ground by C's foot to
crown of C's head and cuts it there with athame or bolline.
Measure C once about the forehead with the cut thread and knot at the point of overlap, again about the
heart starting from the same end [knot], and lastly about the hips across the genitals [knot]. The measure
is wound and placed upon the altar. H asks:
H:
Before thou art sworn, art thou ready to pass the ordeal and be
purified?
C:
I am.
H, aided by another witch of the same gender, helps C to kneel, head and shoulders bowed forward. The
loose ends of the short cord are unwound and C's ankles bound securely. The cable tow is fastened to the
altar. H fetches scourge from altar as Partner rings bell three times, saying:
P:
Three.,
H scourges C firmly, but tenderly, thrice.
P says (but doesn't ring bell):
P:
Seven ... Nine ... Twenty-one.,
And each time H scourges C with the number of strokes P has named, and all should be light, yet firm,
save only the very last which may sting somewhat as a reminder that H. has been deliberately restrained.
Hierophant then says:
H:
Bravely thou hast passed the test. Art thou ready to swear that
thou wilt always be true to the Art?,
C:
I am,
H:
Art thou ever ready to help, protect and defend thy brothers and
sisters of the Art, even though it should cost thee thy life.?,
C:
I am,
H:
Then say after me: I, N..., in the presence of the Mighty Ones, do
of my own free will and accord, most solemnly swear, without any
reservation in me whatever, that I will ever keep secret, and never
reveal, the secrets of the Art, except it be to a proper person,
properly prepared within a Circle such as I am now in. This I
swear by my hopes of a future life, mindful that my measure has
been taken; and may my weapons turn against me if I break this
my solemn oath,
H and other witch of the same gender help C to feet. P fetches anointing oil and chalice of wine. H
moistens fingertip with oil saying:
H:
I hereby sign thee with the Triple Sign. I consecrate thee with oil
...,
H touches moistened finger to just above pubes, right breast, left breast, and above pubes again. H
moistens fingertip with wine and anoints the same three places, saying:
H:
I consecrate thee with wine ...,
H:
I consecrate thee with my lips ... [kiss as above] Priest[ess] and
witch.,
C is now unbound and the blindfold removed by H and assistant of same gender. New Initiate is
welcomed by coven, then presented with the Working Tools. As each tool is named, H takes it from the
altar and passes it to the Initiate with a kiss. As each tool is finished with, the assistant takes it from the
Initiate [kiss] and replaces it upon the altar. H says:
H:
Now I present to thee the Working Tools.,
First, the Magic Sword.,
With this, as with the athame, thou canst form all Magic Circles,
dominate, subdue and punish all rebellious spirits and daemons,
and even pursuade angels and good spirits. With this in thy hand,
thou art ruler of the Circle.,
Next I present the Athame. This is the true witch's weapon and
has all the powers of the Magic Sword.,
Next I present the White-hilted knife. Its use is to form all
instruments used in the Art. It can only be used in a Magic
Circle.,
Next I present the Wand. Its use is to call up and control certain
angels and genii to whom it would not be meet to use the Magic
Sword.,
Next I present the Cup. This is the vessel of the Goddess, the
Cauldron of Cerridwen, the Holy Grail of Immortality. From this
we drink in comradeship, and in honour of the Goddess,
Next I present the Pentacle. This is for the purpose of calling up
appropriate spirits.,
Next I present the Scourge. This is the sign of power and
domination. It is also used to cause purification and
enlightenment. For it is written: 'To learn you must suffer and be
purified.' Art thou willing to suffer to learn?,
C:
I am,
H:
Next and lastly I present the Cords. They are of use to bind the
sigils of the Art; also the material basis; also they are necessary in
the Oath,
I now salute thee in the name of Aradia, newly made priest[ess]
and witch [kiss],
H and P now face the new Initiate and deliver the Charge.
The Initiate may consecrate his athame here; he must consecrate it before using it.
Cakes and Wine
The Initiate is now presented to each Quarter in turn by the Hierophant, saying:
H:
Hear ye Mighty Ones of the East [S./W./N.]; N... has been
consecrated priest[ess], witch and hidden child of the Goddess.
to north declaim:
Hear ye Mighty Ones of the North; Boreas, thou guardian of the
Northern portals; thou powerful God, thou gentle Goddess; N...
.... (etc.)
Close Circle.
A graduation party should follow.

NOTES
l published in Janet and Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Way

Initiation of the Second Degree

HPS casts Circle as usual. Esbat rite is followed to end of Invocation of the Horned God.
Candidate, properly prepared (in centre of Circle), is bound and blindfolded as in the First Degree, but
with the addition of a blue cord bound about the knees. Hierophant leads Candidate to each Quarter in
turn, proclaiming:
H:
Hear ye O Mighty Ones of the East [S, W, N], N...., a duly
consecrated Priest(ess) and Witch is now properly prepared to be
made a High Priest and Magus (High Priestess and Witch Queen).
Candidate is returned to center, facing altar. Coven links hands and thrice circle C.
Candidate is now assisted to kneel and rebound securely, facing altar. Hierophant says:
H:
To attain to this sublime degree, it is necessary to suffer and be
purified. Art thou willing to suffer to learn?
C:
I am
H:
I purify thee to take this great Oath rightly.
The bell is rung thrice and purification follows: 3, 7, 9, 21 (=40) strokes. Scourge and bell are returned to
the altar as Hierophant says:
H:
I now give thee a new name, N... What is thy name?(giving light
smack or push)
C:
My name is N.... (giving light smack or push)
Each member of the Coven in turn gives Candidate a light swat or push, asking:
Each Covener:
What is thy name?(giving light smack or push)
Candidate responds to each with his (her) new name. When all have put the question, all return to their
places and H. administers the Oath saying:
H:
Repeat thy new name after me: I, N...., swear upon my mother's
womb, and by mine honour among men and my Brothers and
Sisters of the Art, that I will never reveal, to any at all, any of the
secrets of the Art, except it be to a worthy person, properly
prepared, in the center of a Magic Circle such as I am now in; and
that I will never deny the secrets to such a person, if he or she has
been properly vouched for by a Brother or Sister of the Art. All
this I swear by my hopes of salvation, my past lives and my hopes
of future ones to come; and I devote myself and my measure to
utter destruction if I break this my solemn oath.
Kneeling, H. places left hand under Candidate's knee and right hand upon his (her) head to form the
Magical Link and concentrates long enough to fully charge C, saying:
H:
I will all my power into thee.
Candidate's knees and ankles are now unbound, and he/she is assisted to rise. Hierophant takes up oil and
anoints C. at pubes, right breast, left hip, right hip, left breast, and above pubic hair again, saying:
H:
I consecrate thee with oil.
And again with wine, saying:
H:
I consecrate thee with wine.,?TD>
And lastly kisses Candidate in the same pattern:
H:
I consecrate thee with my lips, High Priest(ess) and Magus (Witch
Queen).
The blindfold and cable-tow are now removed and the Initiate is congratulated by coveners.
H. takes up Magic Sword from altar, saying:
H:
You will now show the use of each of the Working Tools in turn.
First the Magic Sword. (S)
(Initiate silently redraws Circle and returns Sword with a S.)
H:
Second the Athame. (S)
(Initiate silently redraws Circle and returns Sword with a S.)
(Initiate again recasts Circle in silence. (S)
&nbps;
H:
Third, the White-Hilted Knife. (S)
(Initiate inscribes pentagram in new white candle. S)
H:
Fourth, the Wand. (S)
(Initiate circumambulates presenting Wand to each Quarter. S)
H:
Fifth, the Cup. (S)
(Initiate consecrates wine; may be assisted by H. S)
H:
Sixth, the Pentacle. (S)
(Initiate consecrates cakes; may be assisted by H. S)
H:
Seventh, the Cords. (S)
(Initiate, with help from Partner, binds H. as s/he was bound to take this degree. S)
H:
Eighth, the Scourge. For learn, in Witchcraft you must ever give
as you receive, but ever triple. So where I gave thee three, return
nine; where I gave thee seven, return twenty-one; where I gave
thee nine, return twenty-seven; where I gave thee twenty-one,
return sixty-three.
(Initiate gives 9, 21, 27, 63 = 120 strokes with Scourge.)
H:
Though hast obeyed the Law. But mark well, when thou receivest
good, so equally art thou bound to return good threefold.
H. is unbound and assisted to rise, then leads Initiate to each Quarter in turn, saying:
H:
Hear ye, Mighty Ones of the East [S. W. N.]: N.... has been duly
consecrated High Priest(ess) and Magus (Witch Queen).,
H. leads Initiate back to center of Circle, saying:
H:
Having learned this far, you must know why the Wicca are called
the Hidden Children of the Goddess.
Proceed with the Legend of the Descent of the Goddess. Generally Initiate and Hierophant act the
appropriate parts. H. appoints Narrator and Guardian.

NOTES
published in Janet and Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Way
lots of other published sources too.

The Legend of the Descent of the Goddess

roles:
Narrator (N)
Goddess
Lord of Death (D)
Guardian(s)
needs:
veils, jewellery
Horned Crown
Sword
Scourge
She who will portray the Goddess removes her necklace and places it upon the altar, donning veils and
jewellery in its stead.
He who will portray the God dons the Horned Crown and stands before the altar with scourge and blade
in the God position.
(S)he who portrays the Guardians bears the Sword.
Each will act out their parts as the Narrator reads:
N:
In Ancient time, out Lord, the Horned One, was as he still is, the
Consoler, the Comforter, but men knew him as the dread Lord of
Shadows - lonely, stern and just.
Now our Lady the Goddess had never loved, but she would solve
all the Mysteries, even the mystery of Death; and so she journeyed
to the Underworld.
The Guardians of the Portal challenged her:
Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels; for naught mayest
thou bring with thee into this our land.
So she laid down her garments and her jewels, and was bound, as
are all who enter the Realms of death, the Mighty One.
Such was her beauty, that Death himself knelt and kissed her feet,
saying:
Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Abide
with me; but let me place my cold hand on thy heart.
She replied:
I love thee not. Why dost thou cause all things that I love and take
delight in to fade and die?
Death replied:
'Lady 'tis age and fate, against which I am helpless. Age causes all
things to wither; but when men die at the end of time, I give them
rest and peace, and strength so that they may return. But thou !
Thou art lovely. Return not; abide with me!
But she answered:
I love thee not!
Then said Death:
An thou receivest not my hand upon thy heart, thou must kneel to
Death's scourge.
It is fate - better so,
She said. And she knelt, and Death scourged her tenderly.
And she cried:
I feel the pangs of love.
And Death raised her, and said:
Blessed be!
And he gave her the Fivefold kiss, saying:
Thus only mayest thou attain to joy and knowledge.
And he taught her all his Mysteries, and they loved and were one.
And she taught him her mystery of the sacred cup which is the
cauldron of rebirth. And he gave her the necklace which is the
circle of rebirth, and taught her all the magicks.
For there are three great events in the life of man: Love, Death
and Resurrection in the new body; and Magic controls them all.
For to fulfill love you must return again at the same time and
place as the loved one, and you must meet, and know, and
remember, and love them again. But to be reborn, you must die
and be made ready for a new body; and to die, you must be born;
and without love, you may not be born; and this is all the Magicks.

NOTES
published in Janet and Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Way(as the end of the Second Degree
Initiation), and in their Eight Sabbats For Witches (as part of the Requiem).

The version given here draws from both of these sources. I don't remember what other sources I
actually used here, but of course this ritual exists in every standard Gardnerian or Alexandrian
BOS.

Initiation of the Third Degree

HPS sits upon the altar, facing South, in the Osiris position. HP kneels before her, kisses both knees,
extends arms along thighs, and adores. HP then fetches filled chalice and celebrates Wine and Cakes. HP
again kneels before HPS, kisses knees and extends arms in adoration as before. Both rise.
HP says:
HP:
Ere I proceed with this sublime rite, I must beg purification at thy
hands.
HPS takes up a red cord and binds his arms, then taking up the cable-tow, leads him once about the
Circle.
HP kneels facing altar.
Scourge.
HP rises and is unbound whereupon he binds HPS as she bound him, leads her about the Circle and
scourges her as she kneels before the altar. HPS rises and HP takes her by the cable-tow to each Quarter
in turn, saying:
HP:
Hear ye, Mighty Ones of the East [S, W, N]: the twice consecrated
and holy N...., High Priestess and Witch Queen [High Priest and
Magus], is properly prepared, and will now proceed to erect the
Sacred Altar./FONT>
HP unties HPS and says:
HP:
Now again I must beg purification.
HPS binds him, leads him about the Circle and Scourges him kneeling before the altar, as before. He
stands and is unbound and says:
HP:
Now I must reveal a great mystery.,
HPS stands vefore altar in God Position.
HP gives her Fivefold Salute. [After he kisses feet, HPS opens into Goddess position, still holding
scourge and athame].
HPS then sets scourge and athame aside and lies in the middle of the Circle with her head to the East and
her womb in the shekinah point. HP kneels beside her facing North. [At each point marked (S) below he
kisses her womb unless instructed otherwise.] HP says:
HP:
Assist me to erect the ancient altar,
At which in days past all worshipped,
The Great Altar of all things;
For in old times, Woman was the altar.
Thus was the altar made and placed;
And the sacred point was the point within the centre of the Circle.
As we have of old been taught that the point within the centre
is the origin of all things,
Therefore should we adore it. [kiss]
Therefore whom we adore we also invoke,
by the power of the Lifted Lance.[touch phallus]
O Circle of Stars [kiss]
Whereof our father is but the younger brother [kiss]
Marvel beyond imagination, soul of infinite space,
Before whom time is bewildered and understanding dark,
Not unto thee may we attain unless thine image be love. [kiss]
Therefore by seed and root, by stem and bud,
by leaf and flower and fruit, Do we invoke thee,
O Queen of Space, O dew of light,
Continuous one of the heavens [kiss]
Let it be ever thus, that men speak not of thee as one, but as none;
And let them not speak of thee at all, since thou art continuous.
For thou art the point within the circle [kiss]
which we adore, [kiss]
The fount of life without which we would not be, [kiss]
And in this way are erected the Holy Twin Pillars.
[kiss breasts, left then right]
In beauty and in strength were they erected,
To the wonder and glory of all men.
If the Great Rite is to be actual, non-participants leave, sealing gate behind.
HP:
O Secret of Secrets,
That art hidden in the being of all lives,
Not thee do we adore,
For that which adoreth is also thou.
Thou art That, and That am I. [kiss]
I am the flame that burns in the heart of every man,
And in the core of every star.
I am life, and the giver of life.
Yet therefore is the knowledge of me the knowledge of death.
I am alone, the Lord within ourselves,
Whose name is Mystery of Mysteries.
HP now kisses HPS in the Sigil of the Third Degree as follows:
[There's a diagram in the non-computer version which I can't reproduce. It shows the Priestess with the
points of the Third Degree Sigil marked on her body. The points are: 1. genitals/womb; 2. right foot; 3.
left knee; 4. right knee; 5.left foot; 6. genitals/womb; 7. lips; 8. left breast; 9. right breast; 10. lips.]
and then lays his body gently over hers, saying:
HP:
Make open the path of intelligence between us;
For these truly are the Five Points of Fellowship -
Foot to foot,
knee to knee,
Lance to Grail,
Breast to breast,
Lips to lips.
By the great and holy name Cernunnos;
In the name of Aradia;
Encorage our hearts,
Let the light crystalize itself in our blood,
Fulfilling of us resurrection.
For there is no part of us that is not of the Gods."
.....
HP rises and goes to each Quarter in turn saying:
HP:
Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East [S, W, N]; the thrice
consecrated High Priestess greets you and thanks you.

NOTES
published in Janet and Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Wayand Stewart Farrar's What Witches Do.
(Probably a few other places too, but these are the ones I'm sure of.) The Farrars say that they are
giving GBG's Text B version.

The Great Rite

(Alternative Verse Version of Priest's Declamation)

Assist me to build
As the Mighty Ones willed
An altar of praise
From beginning of days.
Thus doth it lie
'Twixt the points of the sky
For thus was it placed
When the Goddess embraced
The Horn'd One, her Lord,
Who taught her the Word
That quickened the womb
And conquered the tomb.
Be thus as of yore,
The shrine we adore, [kiss]
The feast without fail,
The life-giving Grail. [kiss]
Before it uprear
The Miraculous Spear [touches own phallus]
And invoke in this sign
The Goddess divine! [kiss]
Thou who at noon of night doth reign
Queen of the starry realms above,
Not unto thee may we attain
Unless thine image be of love. [kiss]
By moon-ray's silver shaft of power,
By green leaf breaking from the bud,
By seed that springeth into flower,
By life that courseth in the blood, [kiss]
By rushing wind and leaping fire,
By flowing water and green earth,
Pour us the wine of our desire
From out thy Cauldron of Rebirth. [kiss]
Here may we see in vision clear
Thy secret strange unveiled at length,
Thy wondrous Twin Pillars rear
Erect in beauty and in strength. [kisses on the breasts]
Altar of mysteries manifold,
The Sacred Circle's central point
Thus do I sign thee as of old;
With kisses of my lips anoint. [kisses of the Third Degree Sigil]
Open for me the secret way,
The pathway of intelligence
beyond the gates of night and day,
Beyond the bounds of time and sense.
Behold the Mystery aright;
The five true points of fellowship,
Here where the Lance and Grail unite,
And feet and knees and breast and lip.

NOTES
This replaces the Priest's declamation in the standard Great Rite.
It was published in Janet and Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Way.
They say it was written by Doreen Valiente, and included in GBG's Text C.

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