Words from the Elder
O ye Daughters and Sons of the Earth, adore the Gods, and be blessed by them with the fullness of life.
Know that they have brought you to these writings, for herein lie the secrets of the Craft of Wicca, to serve and fulfill the keepers of the Wisdom, the tenders of the Sacred Flame of knowledge.
Run the ancient rites with love and joy, and the Gods will confound those who work against you; but for those who work harm needlessly, their curse shall be the only fruit.
Remember, keep close to your heart, that you are of the Wise. No longer do you trod the ways of humanity; you skip on the path of Light, ever climbing from shadow to shadow to the highest realm of existence. But though we are bearers of truth, man does not wish to share our knowledge, so we meet in the shadows and run our rites beneath moon-filled skies. But we are happy.
Live life fully, for that is why we are here; refrain not from earthly life, for from such we grow an learn and understand, until such time that we are reborn to learn more, and to repeat this cycle till we have spiraled up the path to perfection, and can finally call the gods our kindred.
Walk the fields and forests; be refreshed by the cool winds and the touch of a nodding flower. The Sun and Moon sing in the ancient and wild places; the deserted seashore, the hushed valley, the raging waterfall. We are of the earth and should revere her, so walk lightly upon the ground and honor her.
Celebrate the rites on the appropriate days and seasons, and call the gods when the time is meet, but use the power only when necessary, not for frivolous ends. And know that using the power for harm be a perversion in the sight of the gods.
But for those who love and magnify love, as the dew-drop magnifies the sun, the richness of life shall be your reward, and all of nature will celebrate.
So love the gods, and harm none!
Blessed be!
(Scott Cunningham, Cunningham's Book of Shadows. Published 2009.)
The Nature of Our Way
As often as possible, the rites should be held in forests, by the seashore, on deserted mountaintops or near quiet, tranquil lakes. If this is impossible, some chamber will suffice, if it is readied with fumes or flowers.
Seek out the wisdom in books, rare manuscripts, and cryptic poems, if you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs, and in the cry of the wild bird. Listen to the whisperings of the wind and the roar of the ocean if you would discover magic, for it is here that the old secrets are preserved.
Books contain words, trees energies, and wisdom book ne'er dreamed of.
Ever remember that the old ways are constantly revealing themselves; therefore be as the river willow, that bends and sways with the winds of time; that which remains changeless shall outlive its spirit; but that which evolves and grows will shine for centures.
There can be no monopoly on wisdom; therefore share what you will with whom you will; but hide mystic ways from the eyes of those who would destroy, for to do otherwise inscreases their destruction.
Mock not the ways or spells of another, for who can say yours are greater in power or wisdom?
Take not one among you who serves to dominate you; who controls and manipulates your workings and reverences. Only within ourselves can true reverence for the old ones occur; therefore look with suspicion on those who would twist worship from you for their own gain.
All should share equally in the workings; thus none shall grow contemptuous of others in our way.
Honor all living things, for we are of the stag, and the salmon, and the bee; so destroy not life, save it be to preserve your own.
Blessings of the ancient ones to all.
(Scott Cunningham, Cunningham's Book of Shadows. Published 2009.)
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