Various related Wiccan traditions have since evolved or been adapted from the form established by Gardner, which came to be called Gardnerian Wicca. These other traditions of Wicca each have distinctive beliefs, rituals, and practices. Many traditions of Wicca remain secretive and require that members be initiated. There is also a movement of Eclectic Wiccans who do not believe that any doctrine or traditional initiation is necessary in order to practice Wicca.
In the end Wicca is less than a hundred years old and most versions are a shadow of the original form and beliefs set down by Gardner. What use to be an extensive belief system has been "dummied down" for faster dissemination and processing by today's modern practitioner. Below are the original tenets as written by Gerald Gardner.
The Law was made and Ardane of old. The law was made for the Wica, to advise and help in their troubles.
The Wica should give due worship to the Gods & obey their will which they Ardane, for it was made for the good of the Wica. As the Wicas worship is good for the Gods. For the Gods love the Wica, as a man loveth a woman by mastering her. So the Wica should love the Gods, by being mastered by them. And it is necessary that the Circle, which is the Temple of the Gods, should be truly cast and purified, that it may be a fit place for the Gods to enter. And the Wica should be properly prepared and purified, to enter into the presence of the Gods. With love and worship in their hearts they shall raise power from their bodies to give power to the Gods, as has been taught us of old. For in this way only may man have communion with the Gods, for the Gods cannot help man without the help of men.
And the High Priestess shall rule her Coven as representative of the Goddess, and the High Priest shall support her as the representative of the God. And the High Priestess shall choose whom she will, if he have sufficient rank, to be her High Priest. For, the God himself, kissed her feet in the five fold salute, laying his power at the feet of the Goddess, because of her youth & beauty, her sweetness & kindness, her wisdom & Justice, her humility & generosity, So he resigned his lordship to her, But the Priestess should ever mind that all power comes from him. It is only lent when it is used wisely and justly. And the greatest virtue of a High Priestess is that she recognizes that youth is necessary to the representative of the Goddess, so that she will retire gracefully in favor of a younger woman, Should the Coven so decide in Council. For the true High Priestess realizes that gracefully surrendering pride of place is one of the greatest of virtues, and that thereby she will return to that pride of place in another life, with greater power beauty.
In the days when Witchdom extended far, we were free and worshiped in Alther Greatest temples. But, in these unhappy times we must hold our sacred mysteries in secret.
So it be Ardane, that none but the Wica may see our mysteries. for our enemies are many, And torture looseth the tongues of many. It be ardane that each Coven shall not know where the next Coven bide, or who its members are, save the Priest and Priestess [and messenger]. That there shall be no communication between them, save by the Messenger of the Gods. or the Summoner. Only if it be safe, may the Covens meet, in some safe place For the great festivals. And while there, none shall say whence they come, or give their true names. To the end that if any are tortured, in their agony, they can not tell if they know not.
So it be Ardane that no one may tell any not of the Craft who be of the Wica. nor give any names, or where they Byde, or in any way tell anything which can betray any to our foes. Nor may they tell where the Covenstead be, or where is the Covendom, or where be the meetings, or that there have been meetings. And if any break these laws, even under torture, The Curse of the Goddess shall be upon them, so they never be reborn on earth, And may the remain where they belong, in the Hell of the Christians.
Let each High Priestess govern her Coven with Justice and love. with the help of the advice of the elders. Always heading the advice of the Messenger of the Gods. If he cometh.
She will heed all complaints of brothers, And strive to settle all differences among them. But it must be recognized that there be people who will ever strive to force others to do as they will.
They are not necessarily evil. And they often do have good ideas. and such ideas should be talked over in council. And if they will not agree with their brothers, or if they say, I will not work under this High Priestess, It hath always been the old law, to be convenient for the brethren, and to void disputes, Any of the Third may claim to found a new Coven because they live over a league from the Covenstead, or that they are about to do so. Anyone living within the Covendom wishing to form a new Coven, to avoid strife, shall tell the Elders of his intention And on the instant void his dwelling and remove to the new Covendom. Members of the old Coven may join the New one when it be formed, but if they do, must utterly void the old Coven. The Elders of the New and the Old Covens should meet in peace and brotherly love, to decide the new boundaries.
Those of the Craft who dwell outside both Covendoms may join either indifferent, but not both. Though all may, if the Elders agree, meet for the Great Festivals, if it be truely in peace and brotherly love. But splitting the Coven oft means strife. So for this reason these laws were made of old. And may the curse of the GODDESS be on any who disregard them. So be it Ardane.
If you would keep a book, let it be in your own hand of write, let brothers and sisters copy what they will, but never let the book out of your hands, and never keep the writings of another, for if it be found in their hard of write, they well may be taken and Engined.
Each should guard his own writings & destroy it whenever danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by heart, and when danger is past, rewrite your book, an it be safe. For this reason, if any die, destroy their book if they have not been able to. For an it be found, tis clear proof against them, And, our oppressors well know, "Ye may not be a witch alone" So all their kin & friends be in danger of torture. So ever destroy anything not necessary. If your book be found on you. tis clear proof against you alone. You may be engined. Keep all thoughts of the Craft from your mind. Say you had bad dreams, a devil caused you to write it without your knowledge. Think to yourself. I know, nothing. I remember nothing. I have forgotten everything. Drive this into your mind.
If the torture be to great to bear. Say, I will confess. I cannot bear this torture, What do you want me to say? I will say it. If they try to make you speak of the brotherhood, Do NOT. But if they try to make you speak of impossibilities such as flying through the air, Consorting with the Christian Devil, or sacrificing children, or eating mens flesh. To obtain relief from torture. say. I had an evil dream, I was not myself. I was crazed. Not all Magistrates are bad, if there be an excuse they may show mercy. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards, say you babbled under torture. You knew not what you said. If you are condemned, fear not. The Brotherhood is powerful. They may help you to escape, if you stand steadfast.
If you betray aught. There is no hope for you, ln this life, or in that which is to come.
Be sure. if steadfast you go to the pyre, Dwale will reach you, you will feel naught. You go but to Death and what lies beyond. The ecstasy of the Goddess.
Tis probable that before you are engined, Dwale will reach you. Always remember that Christians fear much that any die under torture. At the first sign of swoon, they cause it to be stopped, and blame the tormentors, for that reason, the tormentors themselves are apt to feign to torment, but do not, so it is best not to die at first.
If Dwale reaches you, tis a sign that you have a friend somewhere. you may be helped to escape, so despair not. If the worst comes, and you go to the pyre. wait till the flames and smoke spring up, bend your head over, and breath in with long breaths, you choke & die swiftly. & wake in the arms of the Goddess.
To void discovery, Let the working tools be as ordinary things that any may have in their houses. Let the Pentacles be of wax, so they may be broken at once. Have no sword unless your rank allows you one. Have no names or signs on anything.
Write the names and signs on them in ink before consecrating them and wash it off immediately after. Do not Bigrave them. lest they cause discovery. Let the color of the hilts tell which is which. [Do not engrave them lest they cause discovery.] Ever remember, ye are the Hidden Children of the Gods. So never do anything to disgrace them [or Her].
Never boast, Never threaten, Never say you would wish Ill to anyone. If you or any, not in the Circle, speak of the craft, say, "Speak not to me of such, it frightens me. tis evil luck to speak of it" For this reason. The Christians have spies everywhere. These speak as if they were well affected, as if they would come to Meetings, saying "My mother used to go, to worship, the Old Ones. I would that I could go myself." To these ever deny all knowledge.
But, to others ever say, tis foolish, men talk of witches flying through the air, to do so, they must be light as thistledown. and. Men say that witches all be bleared eyed old crones, so what pleasure can there be in witch meetings? such as folk talk on? Say, Many wise men now say there be no such creatures. Ever make it a jest, and in some future time, perhaps the persecution will die. and we may worship safely again. let us all pray for that happy day.
May the blessings of the Goddess and the God be on all who keep their Ardane.
If the Craft hath any Appendage, let all brothers guard it, and help to keep it clear and good for the Craft, And let all justly guard all monies of the Craft. But if some brothers truly wrought it, Tis right that they have their pay, an it be just. And this be not taking money for the use of the Art. but for good and honest work. And even the Christians say "A laborer is worthy of his hire." But if any brothers work willingly for the good of the craft without pay, tis but to their greater honor. So it be Ardane.
If there be any disputes or quarrels among the brethren, The High Priestess shall straight Convene the Elders & enquirer into the matter, and they shall hear both sides. first alone. then together. And they shall decide justly, not favoring the one side or the other.
Ever recognizing that there be people who can never agree to work under others. but at the same time there be some people who cannot rule justly. To those who ever must be chief, there is one answer, Void the Coven & seek another, or, make a Coven of your own, taking with you those who will to go, To those who cannot rule justly. The answer be. those who cannot bear your rule will leave you, For none may come to meetings with those with whom they are at variance. So an either cannot agree. get hence. For the Craft must ever survive. So it be Ardane.
In the olden days when we had power, we could use our Arts against any who ill treated any of the Brotherhood. But in these Evil Times, we may not do so, For our enemies have devised a burning pit of everlasting fire, into which they say their God casteth all the people who worship him, except it be the very few who are released by their priests spells and Masses. and this be chiefly by giving money and rich gifts to receive his favor, for their Alther Greatest God is ever in need of Money.
But as our Gods need our aid to make fertility for men and crops. So the God of the Christians is ever in need of mans help to search out and destroy us. Their priests tell them that any who get our help or our cures are damned to this Hell forever, so men be mad for the terror of it,. But they make men believe that they may scape this hell if they give victims to the tormentors. So for this reason. All be forever spying, thinking an I can but catch one of the Wica I will scape this fiery pit.
But we have our hidels, and men searching long and not finding say, "there be none, or lf they be, they be in a far country." But, when one of our oppressors die. or, even be sick, ever is the cry "This be Witches Malice." and the hunt is up again. and though they slay ten of their people, to one of ours, still. they care not, they have many thousands, while we are few indeed.
So it is Ardane, that none shall use the Art in any way to do ill to any. how ever much they have injured us. And for long we have obeyed this law. "Harm none" and now times, many believe we exist not. So it be Ardane that this law shall still continue to help us in our plight. "No one, however great an injury or injustice they receive, may use the Art in any to do ill or harm any."
But, they may, after great consultations with all, use the Art to prevent or restrain Christians from harming us and others. but only to let or constrain them and never to punish. To this end. Men say, "Such an one is a mighty searcher our and persecutor of Old Women whom he deemeth to be Witches. and none hath done him Skith. so this be proof they cannot, or more truly, that there be none." For all know full well, that so many folk have died because someone had a grudge against them, or were persecuted because they had money or goods to seize. or because they had none to bribe the searchers. And many have died because they were scolding old women. So much so, that men now say that only Old Women are witches. And this be to our advantage, and turns suspicion away from us. In England tis now many it year since a witch hath died the death. but any misuse of the power might raise the Persecution again. So never break this law, however much you are tempted. and never consent to its being broken, if you know it is being broken in the least, you must work strongly against it, And any High Priestess or High Priest who consents to it must be immediately deposed. For tis the Blood of the Brethren they endanger. Do good, an it be safe, and only if it be safe. for any talk may endanger us. And strictly keep to the Old Law, never accept money for the use of the Art, for money ever smears the taker, Tis Carcerors and Conjurers and Priests of Christ who ever accept money for the use of their Arts. and they sell Dwale and evil love spells and pardons to let men scape from their sins. Be not as these. "Be not as these" if you accept not money, you will be free of temptation to use the Art for evil causes. All may use the Art for your own advantage, or for the advantage of the Craft, only if you be sure you harm none. But ever let the Coven debate the matter at length, only if all are satisfied that none may be harmed may the Art be used. If it is not possible to achieve your ends one way without harming any, perchance the aim may be achieved by acting in a different way, so as to harm none. May the Curse of the Goddess, be on any who breach this law. So It be ardane.
Tis adjudged lawful an anyone need a house or land, an none will sell. to incline the owners mind to be willing to sell, provided it harmeth him not in any way, & that the full worth is paid, without haggling. Never bargain or cheapen anything which you buy by the Art. So it be Ardane.
lt is the Old Law and the most important of all Laws, That no one may do or say anything which will endanger any of the Craft, or bring them in contact with the law of the land. or the Law of the Church or any of our persecutors. ln any disputes between the brethren, no one may invoke any laws but those of the Craft. or any Tribunal but that of the Priestess and the Priest and the Elders. And may the Curse of the Goddess be on any who so do. So it be Ardane.
lt is not forbiden to say as Christians do. "There be Witchcraft in the Land" Because out oppressors of old made it Heresy not to believe in Witchcraft, & so a crime to deny it. which thereby put you under suspicion. But ever say I know not of it here, perchance they may be, but afar off. I know not where. but ever speak so you cause others to doubt they be as they are Always speak of them as Old Crones, consorting with the Devil and riding through the air. But ever say, but how may men ride through the air an they be not as light as Thistle Down? But the Curse of the Goddess be on any who cast any suspicion on any of the Brotherhood. (134) or speaks of any real meeting place. or where any byde. So it be Ardane.
Let the Craft keep books with the names of all Herbs which are good for man. and all cures, that all may learn. But keep another book with all the Banes & Apies. & let only the Elders and trustworthy people have this knowledge. So it be Ardane.
And may the Blessings of the Gods be on all who keep these Laws and the Curses of both God and Goddess be on all who break them. So it be Ardane.
Remember the art is the secret of the gods and may only be used in earnest and never for show or vainglory. Magicians and Christians may taunt us saying, "You have no power, show us your power. Do magic before our eyes, then only will we believe," seeking to cause us to betray the art before them. Heed them not, for the art is holy and may only be used in need, and the curse of the gods be on any who break this Law.
It ever be the way with women and with men also, that they ever seek new love. Nor should we reprove them for this. But it may be found a disadvantage to the craft. And so many a time it has happened that a High Priest or a High Priestess, impelled by love, hath departed with their love. That is, they left the Coven. Now if the High Priestess wishes to resign, she may do so in full Coven. And this resignation is valid. But if they should run off without resigning, who may know if they may not return in a few months? So the Law is, if a High Priestess leaves her Coven, she be taken back and all be as before. Meanwhile, if she has a deputy, that deputy shall act as High Priestess for as long as the High Priestess is away. If she returns not at the end of a year and a day, then shall the Coven elect a new High Priestess, Unless there is a good reason to the contrary. The person who has done the work should reap the benefit of the reward. If somebody else is elected, the deputy is made maiden and deputy of the High Priestess.
It has been found that practicing the art doth cause a fondness between aspirant and tutor, and it is the cause of better results if this be so. And if for any reason this be undesirable, it can easily be avoided by both persons from the outset firmly resolving in their minds to be as brother and sister or parent and child. And it is for this reason that a man may be taught only by a woman and a woman by a man, and women and women should not attempt these practices together. So be it ordained.
Order and discipline must be kept. A High Priestess or a High Priest may, and should, punish all faults. To this end all the craft must receive correction willingly. All properly prepared, the culprit kneeling should be told his fault and his sentence pronounced. Punishment should be followed by something amusing. The culprit must acknowledge the justice of the punishment by kissing the hand on receiving sentence and again thanking for punishment received. So be it ordained. ]]>