The Rule:

 

Members of the Order of Scáthach must honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all its aspects. 

 

Members of the Order of Scáthach must follow our 13 Warrior precepts:

 

1.  Know thyself.

2.  Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.

3.  You create your own reality.

4.  Develop a sense of Right Action.

5.  Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.

6.  Your body is your temple: Care for it!

7.  Minimal appearance, maximum content.

8.  Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.

9.  Power with.

10.  Who dares wins.

11.  The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.

12.  Be creative!

13.  Do not engage in useless activity.

 

Members of the Order of Scáthach must also follow our Code of Chivalry as outlined in the Scáthach Oath of Knighthood:

 

“By the power of earth, water, air, fire, and spirit, before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors, I do declare before this assemblage my fealty and allegiance to Scáthach, to its thirteen precepts, and to the rule of law.”

 

“So shall I ever defend the values of Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Truth, and Honor, which in this modern world are so often neglected.  I vow to do my will while harming none.  I take these values into my heart and soul that they may manifest themselves in my words and deeds."

 

“Standing proud and free, radiating my inner truth, exultant in my power, I raise up my voice and proclaim myself to be a knight of Scáthach and to dedicate myself to the mastery and defense of these values.  In this I am resolved.  This I declare before the Gods, the Sidhe and the Ancestors.”

 

“Biodh Se!”

 

 

Code of Chivalry

The thirteen chivalric values that the Order of Scáthach uphold are: 

 

  • Sincerity:  This requires freedom from deceit, duplicity and hypocrisy.  This was one of the seven keystones of Bushido (makoto).
  • Courtesy:  Showing respect and consideration at all times towards others.  This is another of the keystones of Bushido (rei).
  • Compassion:  Sympathy and consideration for others.  Compassion is one of the ethical principles named in Doreen Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess:  “Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.  And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.”  It is also another key principle of Bushido (jin).

  • Perseverance:  Steadfastness.  Seeing things through to completion.  This is one of the Nine Noble Virtues of Ásatrú and the Twelve Æþeling Þews.
  • Industriousness:  Living life to the full through being creative.  The Ásatrú call this “bisignes” (“workhardiness/busyship”), and it is one of their Nine Noble Virtues.  It appears in the Twelve Æþeling Þews as well as in Eric Wodening’s list of thews in his book We Are Our Deeds.
  • Justice:  Upholding freedom, rationality, equality and enlightenment and the rule of law is a key principle of Knighthood.  This is an essential element of right action and one of the principles on Price’s list of chivalric values.  It is another of the seven principles of Bushido (gi). The Twelve Æþeling Þews call this Wrake.
  • Loyalty:  This requires keeping one’s word and supporting your fellow Warriors.  This is one of the principles on Price’s list of chivalric values and one of the Nine Noble Virtues of Ásatrú and another of the seven principles of Bushido (chu).  The Ásatrú call it Troth:  Fealty, faith, and fidelity.
  • Courage:  Standing by one’s principles in the face of fear is another key concept of Knighthood.  This is one of the seven principles of Bushido (yu), one of Price’s principles of Medieval chivalry, and one of the Nine Noble Virtues of Ásatrú and the Twelve Æþeling Þews
  • Self-Discipline:  Taking responsibility for one’s actions is what the Wiccan Rede is all about.  It is one of the Nine Noble Virtues of Ásatrú
  • Humility:  To be modest and dignified rather than arrogant is a hallmark of Knighthood.  This is one of Price’s principles of Medieval chivalry
  • Largesse:  Generosity towards friends and community is an essential element of Knighthood.  Charity was a cornerstone of the military monastic orders in the Western world and is one of the principles of Price’s list of chivalric values.  The aforementioned Three Wynns call it Wealthdeal:  Generosity with one’s family and friends.  The Twelve Æþeling Þews call it Givefulness and list hospitality as Gestening or Guestliness.  Hospitality is one of the Nine Noble Virtues.  I believe that his should be expanded beyond family and friends to embrace the greater community whenever possible.
  • Truth:  Being committed to truth and clear perception is a fundamental principle of the Warrior path.  This is one of the Nine Noble Virtues of Ásatrú and the Twelve Æþeling Þews.
  • Honor:  Honor is defined in Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary as:  ". . . A sense of what is right, just and true; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle, or moral rectitude."  This is what we mean by the expression “right action”.  Simply stated, right action is "what is right, just and true.”   Honor is being ever mindful of how your actions reflect upon yourself and your community.  This is another ethical principle mentioned in Valiente’s Charge of the Goddess.  Honor is one of the key principles of Bushido (meiyo).  Honor is also one of the aforementioned Three Wynns, which call it Worthmind:  The maintenance of a personal sense of worth and honor.