Covenant of Tenets

The Tenets of The Temple of the Sacred Moons

The Temple of the Sacred Moons believes in and adheres to the following Tenets. The Tenets that follow were drawn from the old traditional laws of the Craft. These laws are time-honored concepts so give them their due. They were made to advise and guide our lives in our relations with others. These are the tenets which shall govern all who follow our Tradition. All who wish to become a Member of the TSM must believe in and adhere to the Temples Tenets.

Tenets:

1. We reverence the Goddesses and Gods as the representations of the Divine Reality that is at once immanent and transcendent in and throughout all of the infinite creation. We celebrate the manifestations of the Divine Reality through Rites of Seasons and Rites of Passage.

2. We live in reverence and respect of the Natural world, recognizing the Sacred Cycles of ebb and flow, birth and death, creation and destruction. We acknowledge the sanctity and worth of all life forms.

3. We affirm as inalienable the Right of every individual "either alone, or in community with others, in public or in private, to manifest his or her religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observation."

4. To the extent of available spiritual and material resources, we will: teach those who seek; aid those in need; comfort those who for reasons of religion, conscience, ethnicity, or sex suffer oppression; and resist tyranny in all forms.

5. We live in peace and tolerance with all of humanity, neither converting to, nor seeking to convert those of other faiths and practices.

6. Give due worship to the Gods and obey their will as it is revealed to you. Through worship we shall better know Them and our inner-selves.

7. Know that to give and receive, the forces of life are multiplied, and with love and worship in our hearts, we shall raise the energy from our bodies to give honor and power to the Gods.

8. Gather in Circle for celebration, where each of us brings to it our unique portion of the spectrum of life, adding beauty and value to the Circle as a whole.

9, Aspire to physical, mental, and spiritual health, as all three are necessary to make a person whole.

10. All shall be properly prepared and purified to enter into the presence of the Gods, be they committed dedicates or simply sincere seekers.

11. Know that we must not place total reliance on the help of the Gods, for the Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.

12. The High Priestess and the High Priest shall conduct their Circle as the representatives of the Goddess and the God. They shall serve as lawgivers, counselors, and servants of the Gods, and shall remain ever mindful of that awesome responsibility and rule with justice, honor, love and compassion. Order and discipline are essential for the smooth functioning of any community, and to avoid subjective treatment of any disputes, this etiquette is hereby established:

13. One’s word shall not be lightly given to any, be they of the Wicca or not, for once given, all shall be committed to fulfillment of their promise as though it were the Law unto them. For all shall be known and judged by others by how they themselves value their own promises and commitments.

14. Enter the Circle only in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

15. The High Priest (If there is one) hears all concerns of the sisters and the High Priestess hears all concerns of the brothers, and will strive to mediate settlement of any differences. Know that together they shall counsel the differences between brother and sister. (If there is not a High Priest then all shall go before the High Priestess).

16. Be ever mindful of the responsibility To Know, To Will, To Dare, To Keep Silent.

17. We are charged with the ultimate challenge to personal growth: to be responsible; knowing that each of us is the cause in the matter of our own life. Respect the physical, psychological and spiritual rights of others.

18. Show that you will not do any ill by your art; show rather that you are dedicated to personal and mutual growth. Do good always and we shall become truly known and accepted. "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will" to this end, cast no spell for good nor ill, for nor against, on nor about another living person without that person’s knowledgeable approval, for it be an irresponsible deed and shall bear heavy consequences on the doer and on all of our Craft.

19. Hold Open Worship Circles, Festivals and gatherings so that seekers may learn more of our faith.

20. Any and all who attend any rites, shall attend as participants, not solely as an observer. Observers become a distraction to the other participants and interfere with the focus and the raising of energy. Only persons with physical disabilities which would limit certain participation shall be excused and may stand aside, still within the Circle.

21. Perform your art daily as a celebration and honoring of the Goddesses and the Gods.

22. Never speak nor wish ill of anyone, be they Pagan or not, no matter their doings or trespasses.

23. Always remember, be you known as Pagan or not, we are all the children of the Gods.

24. Be tolerant always of the beliefs that others not of our path may believe in and worship. Know that there are many paths to the divine.

25. Remember "An’ it harm none, do as thou will." Personal growth comes with individual responsibility; we are destined to repeat our mistakes until we master them, no matter how long it may take. Strive to be responsible. Be not blind to your error but learn from it.

26. Since our religion and the arts and practices peculiar to it are the gift of the Goddess, membership and training in a local coven or tradition are bestowed free, as gifts, and only on those persons who are deemed worthy to receive them. However, a coven may expect each of its members to bear a fair share of its ordinary operating expenses.

27. Our Clergy have the right to charge reasonable fees for services by which they earn a living, so long as our religion is not thereby exploited.