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The Wiccan Rede
The Wiccan Rede is basically the text that Wiccans tend to follow in which 'the oldest rule of all' is stated, which is in essence, 'harm none'. There are many versions of The Rede. Some are very long while some are rather short. While other religions such as Christianity may have huge books full of rules that one must follow in order to proclaim them as their chosen path, Wicca's one rule is that in all things that are done, no one be harmed. This includes yourself and 'harmed' has a very broad meaning in this case. It is meant in every way that may cause physical, emotional, or psychic change to a person, be it 'good' or 'bad'. Most Wiccans and Pagans do not believe in concepts of 'good' and 'bad' or 'good' and 'evil' and hold that intent is the sole factor. Therefore, all things done to a person, even though they may be incredibly useful and helpful to that person, are wrong. They violate that person's 'free will', that is, they are no longer in control of some portion of their life.
These concepts of harm and free will and such are far too broad to be gone into detail here. After all, this section is about The Wiccan Rede. But let me just state my opinion which is that even if you are doing good for another person (ie; a spell to help heal them), you should have their permission to do so as you should 'ever mind the Rule of Three'. If you help a person to get better without them asking you to, you are violating their free will and you will have to deal with that times three (a godsmack plus two =P). Needless to say, spells and such done to harm others directly will also bring about the same effects on you via the Rule of Three.
Ah, one more thing before we get to copies of The Rede. Thoughts are powerful forces. Try to keep positive and useful thoughts at all times. Thinking about negative things you would like to see happen to someone really isn't better than doing a spell with the intention of doing that action to that person. It's impossible to control all of your own thoughts at all times, but try.
Now onto the Redes!
Rede Of The Wiccae
(Being Knowne As The Counsel Of The Wise Ones)
First Published In Green Egg Magazine
Vol. III. No. 69 (Ostara 1975)
1. Bide the Wiccan laws ye must in perfect love and perfect trust.
2. Live and let live – fairly take and fairly give.
3. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out.
4. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
5. Soft of eye and light of touch – speak little, listen much.
6. Deosil go by the waxing Moon – sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
7. Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.
8. When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss the hand to her times two.
9. When the Moon rides at her peak, then your heart’s desire seek.
10. Heed the Northwind’s mighty gale – lock the door and drop the sail.
11. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
13. When the West wind blows o’er thee, departed spirits restless be.
14. Nine woods in the Cauldron go – burn them quick and burn them slow.
15. Elder be ye Lady’s tree – burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.
16. When the Wheel begins to turn – let the Beltane fires burn.
17. When the Wheel has turned a Yule, light the Log and let Pan rule.
18. Heed ye flower, bush and tree- by the Lady blessed be.
19. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone an truth ye’ll know.
20. When ye have need, hearken not to other’s greed.
21. With the fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
22. Merry meet an merry part – bright the cheeks an warm the heart.
23. Mind the Threefold Law ye should – three times bad and three times good.
24. When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
25. True in love ever be unless thy lover’s false to thee.
26. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill – an it harm none, do what ye will.
The Wiccan Rede
(WCC VERSION)
Attributed To The Wiccan Community Council
Bide ye Wiccan laws you must,
in perfect love and perfect trust
Live ye must and let to live,
fairly take and fairly give
Form the circle thrice about,
to keep unwelcome spirits out
To bind the spell well every time,
let the spell be spake in rhyme
Soft of eye and light of touch,
speak ye little, listen much
Deosil go by the waxing moon,
sing and dance the Wiccan rune
Widdershins go by the waning moon,
chanting out the baleful tune.
When the Lady's moon is new,
kiss your hand to her times two
When ye moon rides at Her peak,
then the heart's desire seek
Heed the north winds mighty gale,
lock the door and trim the sail
When the wind comes from the south,
love will kiss thee on the mouth
When the wind blows from the west,
departed souls will have no rest
When the wind blows from the east,
expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
burn them quick and burn them slow
Elder be the Lady's tree,
burn it not or cursed ye'll be
When the wheel begins to turn,
soon the Beltane fires will burn
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
light the log the Horned One rules
Heed ye flower, bush and tree,
by the Lady blessed be
Where the rippling waters flow,
cast a stone and the truth you'll know
When ye have and hold a need,
harken not to others’ greed
With a fool no season spend,
nor be counted as his friend
Merry meet and merry part,
bright the cheeks and warm the heart
Mind ye threefold law ye should,
three times bad and three times good
Except in self-defense it be,
then ever mind The Rule Of Three!
When misfortune is enow,
wear the star upon thy brow
True in love you must ever be,
lest thy love be false to thee
These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
An Ye Harm none, Do What Ye Will
The Wiccan Rede
(A NON-Traditional Version)
Author(s) Unknown
Bide these Wiccan laws ye must,
With perfect love and perfect trust;
Live ye must and let to live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the circle thrice about,
To keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the magick every time,
Let the spell be spoke in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
Let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon,
Chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go by the waning Moon,
Chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new,
kiss the hands to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak,
then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale:
Lock the door and trim the sail.
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the south,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When it whispers from the West,
Aching hearts find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
burn them fast and burn them slow:
Birch into the fire goes
In sign of what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might,
In the fire brings the Gods in sight.
Rowan is a tree of power,
Causing life and magic to flower.
Willows which by water stand
Ease us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify,
And to draw Faerie to your eye.
Hazel, the tree of wisdom and learning,
Adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of apple tree,
That brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes which grow upon the vine,
Give to us both joy and wine.
Fir tree bough are evergreen
Immortal life in them is seen.
Elder wood, the Lady's tree --
burn it not, or cursed be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark,
Twice in light and twice in dark.
In death the spark of life is born
At Samhain when the veil is torn.
When the time for Imbolg shows,
Watch for flowers through the snows.
When the Wheel begins to turn,
Soon the Beltaine fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lugh's night,
Power is brought to magic rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall,
Use the Sun to mark them all.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log - the Horned One rules.
In the Spring, night equals day,
Time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached its height,
Time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes home for all
When the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Learning flower, bush, and tree;
by the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
cast the stone and truth you'll know.
When ye have and hold a need,
harken not to others' greed.
With a fool no seasons spend,
Lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part;
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law ye should:
Three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue Star on thy brow.
True in love thou must ever be,
lest thy love prove false to thee.
Eight words the Witches' Rede fulfill,
An' it harm none, do what thou will.
Well, that's all for now. If you have a version you would like posted, please email it to me. Make "Rede Version" the subject of the email. Check back soon and often as I intend to update often.
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