Wiccan Ethics

Being a Wiccan means understanding and living a certain code of ethics. These ethics are based in a kinship with all things and beings. We believe that we must weigh our actions in relation to the good of all as far as we are able to. The following poem serves to sum this up:

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,

In perefct love, in perfect trust.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:

An ye harm none, do what ye will.

Ever mind the Rule of Three:

What ye send out, comes back to thee.

Follow this with mind and heart,

And merry ye meet, and merry ye part.

The first Line talks about the Wiccan Law, or Ordains, honored by several traditions. (see our previous page for more information.)

"Perfect love and perfect trust" is a very important ideal of the Craft. We should all constantly strive to create love and trust, both within the coven and the world too.

The third and fourth lines refer to the Wiccan Rede, the keystone of Wiccan ethics. This is a very powerful statement, which can be taken to mean "as long as you do no harm to anyone." Most times the notion of "what constitutes harm" is crystal clear, but occasionally it is not.

"None" means no one and this includes non-humans as well as humans. Something to keep in mind is that "no one" also includes the individual wiccan.

"Do as ye will" means to act in accord with our True Will. (The Rede does not say "Do as ye whim.") Finding our True Will isn't always easy, it often takes hard work to discern the best path.

"Ever mind the Rule of Three: What ye send out comes back to thee." The Rule of Three or the Law of Threefold Return, states that whatever energies we put forth into this world, will return to us multiplied by three. So of course it only makes sense to put good into the world, so that we receive good back.

"Follow this with mind and heart" suggests that we should follow the Wiccan path wholeheartedly and without mental reservations. It either feels right or it doesn't.

"And merry ye meet, and merry ye part." There are two main messages here. It suggests that beginnings and endings are both important, and celebration should happen at both times. Or to say it another way No sad faces when it is time to say goodbye because no parting is forever; when the wheel turns we will meet again!

These ethics are central to magick. It is not simply that some things are "not nice" to do. Your spiritual growth, the effectiveness of your rituals, your happiness and even safety depend on using power correctly and ethically