The Laws of the Outer Grove

WTC 27-1-0, 5 November 1998

The Laws are binding upon all members of the Grove during the year of its existence and their membership therein.

1. The Law was made and ordained as of old.
2. The Law was made for the good of the People to advise and help in their troubles.
3. As has been taught of old, be healthy and live your life in love and worship.
4. In this way only may the person have communication with the Gods, for the Gods cannot help people without the help of the person.
5. In days of old when Pagandom extended far, the People were free and worshipped in all the greater temples.
6. In more recent unhappier times we celebrated our sacred Mysteries in secret.
7. So be it ordained that in these happier days that many may hear of our Mysteries from the mouths of the wise Elders. But none but the People may see our Mysteries. Our enemies are still many and it is all too easy to loosen the tongues of the people against the Old Ways.
8. Of old it was ordained that no Coven should know where the next bide. So be it ordained in these happier times that no Covener shall speak of where the next Coven bide. Nor shall those of Outer Grove.
9. Of old there was no communication between Covens save by the Messenger of the Gods, or Summoner who was recognised by his token of office, and if it be not safe this shall be so again.
10. Only if it be safe may the Covens meet in some secure place for the great festivals.
11. If you would keep a Book, let it be in your own hand of write. Let brothers and sisters amongst the People copy what they will, but never keep the magical writings of another.
12. For if it be found in their hand of write, only they may be taken and arraigned.
13. Let each guard his own writings and destroy them whenever danger threatens.
14. Learn as much as you may by heart and when danger is past, rewrite your Book, when it be safe.
15. Your Book, if it be found, is clear proof against you.
16. Of old our oppressors knew well, "Ye may not be a Witch alone".
17. So, if arraigned, all your kin and friends be in danger and of old that meant torture, or death.
18. So destroy everything not necessary to your work.
19. Of old to avoid discovery the working tools were as ordinary things that any may have in their houses.
20. Thus it was that the tools were such that they could be broken or melted at once.
21. Ever remember ye are children of the Goddess, so never do anything to disgrace them or her.
22. Without unity amongst the Grove, its members are but as useless chips of rock of value to no one but themselves.
23. Never boast, never threaten, never say you wish ill of anyone.
24. To those of you who have no sure knowledge, it is best if you deny all knowledge of the Old Ways. It is always best to notify the Elders about inquisitive people.
25. Let all justly guard all monies and possessions of the Grove.
26. We will always be but few.
27. None shall use the Art in any way to do ill to another.
28. However much they injure us, raise not harm against them, though you can return their own back to them. Because of old we have done this, many believe we exist not.
29. All know full well that many have died because someone had a grudge against them, or were persecuted because they had money or goods of size, or because they had none to bribe the searchers. Many have died because they were scolding old women, till now the people say, "Only old women are Witches."
30. In England, Scotland, Ireland, and America 'tis now many a year since a Witch hath died the death, but any misuse of the Power could raise the persecution again.
31. So never break this Law, however much you are tempted, and never consent to it being broken in the least.
32. 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 upon any who break this Law. So be it ordained.
33. If you know it is being broken and bringing harm you must work strongly against it.
34. Never accept money for the use of the Art, for money ever smeareth the taker. Sell no pardons.
35. If you accept no money, you will be free of temptation to use your Art for evil causes.
36. Never bargain or cheapen anything whilst you buy for the Art. So be it ordained.
37. In any dispute between the People, no one may invoke any Laws but those of the People.
38. 'Tis the old Law and most important of all Laws, that no one may do anything which will endanger any of the People or bring them into contact with the Law of the land or any persecutors.
39. The curse of the Goddess be upon any who endangers a brother or sister by his loose tongue.
40. Speak not of any real meeting place or where any bide.
41. It hath been found that practising the Art doth cause a fondness between aspirant and tutor, and it is the cause of better results if this be so.
42. If for any reason this be undesirable, it can easily be avoided, by both persons form the outset firmly resolving, in their minds to be as brother and sister, or parent and child.
43. The Coven is the source of these charges of honour. Those of Outer Grove are compelled by right of truth to obey the Coven's councils and decisions.
44. The High Priestess is the Coven's law-giver by right of the Goddess charge. All others are her servants, as she is the servant of the Goddess. Her word is Law for she is of the wisest Elders.
45. The High Priest is the Coven's councillor and father as the High Priestess be its mother. He carries out her will and speaks for her. Injustice of the Priestess will not reflect on her or the Goddess but on him, for he is her councillor of wisdom.
46. Everyday behaviour of the People will reflect these Laws of the Wise.
47. Outer Grove is for the study of Pagan wisdom. Study is to prepare the aspirant to be worthy of practice. Mundane matters of no relation to the People have no place near the sanctuary of the Coven.
48. If you break these laws in a way that the Goddess cannot forgive... expulsion will occur.
49. None may claim to be a Witch, unless they be duly initiated to the First Degree, preferably within a Coven.
50. Initiation comes to those who live by the Laws. Thus live the Law of love and no other will say nay.
51. May the blessings of the Gods be on all who keep these Laws, and the curse of the God and the Goddess be on all who break them.
52. So be it ordained, by tangled grove and twisted tree and by my will so mote it be.

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