The New Wiccan Book of the Law
Compiled and edited by our Founder Lady Galadriel, The New Wiccan Book of the Law is a compilation and modernization of other sets of Laws collected by Lady Galadriel. The sources include The Book of the Law, The Old Laws for the Old Religion, The Great Book of the Law, and The Dragon Law. It is a detailed list of Laws that we hope to live by and which should help guide us.
The New Wiccan Book of the Law will be available for sale in the store in the near future.
Here is Lady Galadriel's preface to the first edition (1985):
In my years of teaching and running a group, I have always had a dissatisfaction with the popular Book of the Law available to most Seekers. I felt it to be too archaic in its wording and perspective-- and while it was valuable in the Burning Times, it simply does not address the concerns and needs of contemporary Witches. Over the years I became familiar with several other sets of Laws. Each of these had many good points, yet they also had their disadvantages as well.
In 1985, I decided to do something daring-- I took the four different versions of the Laws which I had, and combined and reworked them. I deleted what was no longer pertinent or meaningful, rewording others to make them clearer and more understandable, as well as adding some new ones which I felt had been lacking.
I believe that what has evolved out of this work is a set of Laws which are readable, usable, and most importantly, pertinent to the needs of today's Witches and Neo-Pagans. It is with these thoughts and hopes that I would like to share them with you. If you should find merit or worth in them, then I will feel as though I have accomplished something. It is my sincere hope that A New Wiccan Book of the Law will be of use to the Craft Community.
...and to the second edition (1992):
With the above preface I introduced A New Wiccan Book of the Law six years ago. Since then thousands of copies have circulated, and I have received letters and calls from many of you. In that time many different groups and traditions across the country have adopted A New Wiccan Book of the Law as their own.
While initially apprehensive that many would view my work as impertinent or --still worse-- sacreligious, to my knowledge A New Wiccan Book of the Law has received only two negative reviews out of dozens. Many people within the Wiccan/Neo Pagan community have told me that I did indeed accomplish the goals stated in my original introduction. To this I can only respond, "The Lady guided my hand and my heart."
In this new edition, I have made some grammatical changes, and in a few instances have reworded passages for better clarity and understanding. This edition has also sparked a change in the title. This was brought about by my desire that this set of laws not be confused with Crowley's Book of the Law. I hope that these changes, along with the new artwork, will make this edition more useful and aesthetic for all.
Blessed Be,
Lady Galadriel