The Wiccan Rede
Bide the
Wiccan Laws we must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Live and let live, Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about, To keep all evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time, Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak ye little and listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, sing and dance the Wiccan Rune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread
wolfsbane.
When the moon rides her peak, then the heart's desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale, Lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South, Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the East, Expect the new and set the feast.
When
the West wind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods* in the cauldron go, Burn them quick and burn them slow.
Elder be ye Lady's tree, Burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
When the Wheel begins to turn, Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule, Lighty the log and let Pan rule.
Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree, By the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go, Cast a stone and truth ye'll know.
When ye are in dire need, Hearken not to others' greed.
With the fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
When misfortune is now, Wear the blue scar on thy brow.
True in Love ever be, unless thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An ye harm none, do what ye will.
* Nine woods refers to the 9 woods used in a balefire: Rowan, Dogwood, Mesquite, Poplar, Oak, Juniper, Pine, Cedar, and Apple
The Wiccan Rede line for line meanings.
1. Keep the laws with perfect love and perfect trust. If you do not agree with what Wicca is and is about rethink your choice.
2. Respect the people and nature around you. Treat both as you would want to be treated.
3. Witches usually cast a circle about them when preparing to do magick or ritual. The Circle is cast three times as three is a very powerful number. This number signifies the three stages of the Goddess and God, as well as the number of creativity, and the threefold law of return.
4. Most spells are spoke in rhyme. This allows for easier remembering as well as allowing the unconscious mind to tap into your energy and the energy of The Goddess and God.
5. Be gentle and sit back and listen.
6. When the moon is waxing or growing large move around the circle clockwise to bring good things to you.
7. When the moon is waning or growing smaller move around the circle counter clockwise to banish negativity. Wolfsbane is a poisonous plant.
8. When the moon is once again visible in the sky salute the Lady by kissing your two fingers.
9. When the moon is full go after your heart’s desire. Ask anything of the Goddess.
10-13. These describe the various elements associated with the four directions.
14-15. There are 9 different magickal woods that are often burned in the cauldron during ritual. These 9 vary from version to version. The Elder Tree is the Lady’s and is never burned out of respect and honor for her.
16-17. The turning of the year refers to the cycle of the year. Beltane is a major Sabbath and occurs in the Spring. Yule is a major Sabbat as well and occurs in the Winter.
18. Take car of nature and respect is for the Lady’s sake.
19. Watch what happens when you throw a stone into water. Ripples go out form the center much as your actions have ripples that effect people and things around you.
20. Don’t take money for your magickal work.
21. People associate you with the company you keep. If you hang around fools, then you probably are one as well.
22. It’s good to be with friends.
23. What ever you do good or bad will come back to you three times.
24. When in trouble visualize the blue pentagram on your forhead. This will protect you.
25. Be loyal in love, in your lover isn’t loyal then forget him/her.
26. If it harms none do what thou will. These eight words sum up the entire Rede.
