As your child gets older, their concept of ethics matures with them. It is important to teach them about the Wiccan Rede. Begin to teach them the Rede slowly. Start with one couplet at a time.
Bide the Wiccan laws ye 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 eyes, and light of touch -
speak 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 Lady's Moon is new,
kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the Moon rides at Her peak,
then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the Northwind'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 winds 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 Beltain fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned a Yule,
light 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 an truth ye'll know.
When ye have need,
hearken not to other's greed.
With the fool no season spend
or be counted as his friend.
Merry meet an merry part -
bright the cheeks an 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 ever be
unless thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -
an it harm none, do what ye will.
The Rede is a beautiful poem, but most children will not understand what it means, so let's take a look at each couplet and figure out what they mean. This is something that you should definitely discuss with your child.
You must keep the Wiccan laws with an attitude of perfect love and perfect trust. What does that mean? It means that you have to believe in the laws of Wicca, and in essence, walk your talk.
Respect people and Nature. Remember the "Golden Rule" - treat others as you want to be treated.
Witches cast Circles around them when the do ritual and magick. It is usually cast 3 times because, 3 is a number that is especially sacred to the gods. It stands for the Triple phases of the Goddess and God, and is also the number for creativity.
Witches speak their spells in rhyme
because it is easy to remember, and it also allows your conscious mind to do
something while we let the subconscious mind do it's work.
Be gentle, sit back and listen. People who are wise don't go around blabbing things; they listen.
When the Moon is getting bigger, move around the Circle in a clockwise motion to bring good things to you.
When the Moon is getting smaller, move around the Circle counterclockwise to take away negativity. Wolfsbane is dreaded because it is extremely poisonous.
When the Moon is new and has just become visible in the sky, salute the Lady and welcome Her by kissing your 2 fingers.
When the Moon is full, go after your heart's desire. At that time of the month, you can ask anything of Her.
Discusses the power of the elements to the North - earth power.
Discusses the power of the South - fire.
The power of the East - air.
And the power of the West - water.
There are nine sacred woods that are sometimes burned in the Cauldron fire. They are: apple, birch, fir, hawthorn, hazel, oak, rowan, vine and willow.
Never burn Elder (a type of tree). The Elder is sacred to the Goddess, and out of respect to Her, this tree is always spared.
The turning of the wheel refers to the Wheel of the Year. Beltain is one of the year's major Holidays. It occurs in the Spring.
Yule is the Winter Solstice and refers to the time when the God is reborn.
Take care of Nature, and respect it for the Lady's sake.
Watch what happens when you throw a stone into water. It creates ripples which spread out from where the stone landed. In much the same way, your actions, like the stone, send out ripples that affect everyone and everything around you.
Don't allow the idea of profit to sway you. Don't take money for your magickal work.
People will always associate you with the company you keep. If you hang around with foolish people, you may be seen as one, too.
Basically, this means it's good to be with friends.
Pay attention to the 3-fold Law. Whatever you do, good or bad, come back to you three times.
When you are in trouble, visualize a blue pentagram on your forehead. The pentagram will protect you.
Be loyal in love, but someone is loyal to you, forget about them!
Eight words sum it up: if it doesn't hurt anyone (including you!) do what you want.
