Witch Law...
I think I've written about these before, but I can't find it, so I'll start from scratch.
Sixth Letter:It doesn't really matter how wise or knowledgeable one is - providing one can love and be loved in return - in this way the Christian ethos of 'loving ones neighbor' is very true all one needs after that is the witch 'Law':
Do not do what you desire - do what is necessary.
Take all you are given - give all of yourself.
"What I have - I hold!"
When all else is lost, and not until then, prepare to die with dignity.
These may sound like peculiar laws, but they are wise and based upon experience - the first is perhaps one of the most difficult criterions to live by - since there is no room for illusion - the second allows you little time for yourself - the third is the keystone of wisdom and the fourth is the basic key to the "witch" personality.
First of all, the whole verse from the "Christian ethos" is love thy neighbour as thyself. Before you can love your neighbour, you have to love yourself. That is the hard part. This means loving every part of you. From Feri, "I would know myself in all my parts." The dark parts of ourselves are just as much a part of us as the light parts, the parts we want to show to the world. We have to learn to love all of ourselves, even the parts we might wish we didn't have.
Ok, now for the Law.
Do not do what you desire - do what is necessary.
Sometimes these two are the same thing, other times, not. As RC says, this is the hardest part to live by, because it goes against our nature. By nature, we want to please ourselves, or please others, to be accepted. But sometimes what is necessary puts us at odds with what we want to do, or with others. We might be rejected for it. This is part of the reason witches have never been accepted by society. Even if you look at the shamans of Siberia, they are respected by the people, but they are set apart, never really a member of the society. They are leaders, yes, but never part. What is necessary can often be unpopular, and it takes strength of character to step out and do it regardless of what others will think.
Take all you are given - give all of yourself.
This law is two fold. One is your reaction to others, the other is what you do for others. Part of taking all you are given is that a witch should always be a student, always learning from other people, from the spirits and gods, from the world around them. There is always more to learn, more to experience. The craft is a life-long learning experience, many lifetimes perhaps. This law also applies to power. Power that is given to you, you are to take. There's a saying in Feri, "Never submit your life force to another." If someone gives you the keys to be master over them, take it. I have issues with this, but it's what the law seems to imply. Am I willing to? I'm not sure. The second part, I think, has to do with being a servant to those around you. I don't think it means giving your life force, the keys to your freedom, over to them, but using your power to serve them. A witch served the community, using his or her power to help them (not necessarily for free). Just as a Siberian shaman serves the tribe, being a guide and a "witch doctor" for them.
"What I have - I hold!"
I think this goes back to what I said about not submitting your life force to another. The power you have is yours; you do not give it up. This also has to do with those under your power or protection, those you care about. You don't just let someone take them from you. I'm a little more grey on this, because everyone has free will and I don't believe anyone has ownership over another. If they want to leave, let them, but don't let them be forced to leave. As far as actual possessions, you have a duty to protect that which is yours.
When all else is lost, and not until then, prepare to die with dignity.
This is fighting until the very end. Never give up. Never surrender. A witch has his or her independence and freedom, and never gives these up, even under threat of death. RC says this is the keystone to the "witch" personality. (If RC truly believed this, he must have felt he had no other option at the end.) You choose the time and circumstances of your death, not letting it be at the hands of others.
FFF,
~Muninn's Kiss
Sixth Letter:It doesn't really matter how wise or knowledgeable one is - providing one can love and be loved in return - in this way the Christian ethos of 'loving ones neighbor' is very true all one needs after that is the witch 'Law':
Do not do what you desire - do what is necessary.
Take all you are given - give all of yourself.
"What I have - I hold!"
When all else is lost, and not until then, prepare to die with dignity.
These may sound like peculiar laws, but they are wise and based upon experience - the first is perhaps one of the most difficult criterions to live by - since there is no room for illusion - the second allows you little time for yourself - the third is the keystone of wisdom and the fourth is the basic key to the "witch" personality.
First of all, the whole verse from the "Christian ethos" is love thy neighbour as thyself. Before you can love your neighbour, you have to love yourself. That is the hard part. This means loving every part of you. From Feri, "I would know myself in all my parts." The dark parts of ourselves are just as much a part of us as the light parts, the parts we want to show to the world. We have to learn to love all of ourselves, even the parts we might wish we didn't have.
Ok, now for the Law.
Do not do what you desire - do what is necessary.
Sometimes these two are the same thing, other times, not. As RC says, this is the hardest part to live by, because it goes against our nature. By nature, we want to please ourselves, or please others, to be accepted. But sometimes what is necessary puts us at odds with what we want to do, or with others. We might be rejected for it. This is part of the reason witches have never been accepted by society. Even if you look at the shamans of Siberia, they are respected by the people, but they are set apart, never really a member of the society. They are leaders, yes, but never part. What is necessary can often be unpopular, and it takes strength of character to step out and do it regardless of what others will think.
Take all you are given - give all of yourself.
This law is two fold. One is your reaction to others, the other is what you do for others. Part of taking all you are given is that a witch should always be a student, always learning from other people, from the spirits and gods, from the world around them. There is always more to learn, more to experience. The craft is a life-long learning experience, many lifetimes perhaps. This law also applies to power. Power that is given to you, you are to take. There's a saying in Feri, "Never submit your life force to another." If someone gives you the keys to be master over them, take it. I have issues with this, but it's what the law seems to imply. Am I willing to? I'm not sure. The second part, I think, has to do with being a servant to those around you. I don't think it means giving your life force, the keys to your freedom, over to them, but using your power to serve them. A witch served the community, using his or her power to help them (not necessarily for free). Just as a Siberian shaman serves the tribe, being a guide and a "witch doctor" for them.
"What I have - I hold!"
I think this goes back to what I said about not submitting your life force to another. The power you have is yours; you do not give it up. This also has to do with those under your power or protection, those you care about. You don't just let someone take them from you. I'm a little more grey on this, because everyone has free will and I don't believe anyone has ownership over another. If they want to leave, let them, but don't let them be forced to leave. As far as actual possessions, you have a duty to protect that which is yours.
When all else is lost, and not until then, prepare to die with dignity.
This is fighting until the very end. Never give up. Never surrender. A witch has his or her independence and freedom, and never gives these up, even under threat of death. RC says this is the keystone to the "witch" personality. (If RC truly believed this, he must have felt he had no other option at the end.) You choose the time and circumstances of your death, not letting it be at the hands of others.
FFF,
~Muninn's Kiss