The Wiccan Rede

Exactly what the Wiccan Rede is is a subject of a lot of debate in the pagan world. It is generally accepted that the Rede will include some version of "If it harm none, do what you will." It is often included as part of a longer poem, including several other aspects of Wicca. Some traditions, however, call these poems "Wiccan Creed" or "Wiccan Credo", saying that only the final line (always the final line) is the Wiccan Rede. The two most common attributions for the poems are to Doreen Valiente and Lady Gwen Thompson, but I can neither verify nor disprove either. For the sake of completeness, I have included three versions of the Wiccan Rede that I have found in my research. These versions can be found below.

The Wiccan Rede is the name given to several different poems by various Wiccan Traditions. In some traditions, the Wiccan Rede is limited to the phrase "If it harms none, do as you will". This "short version" of the Rede, combined with the Threefold Law forms the basis for most Wiccan ethics. The Lycian Tradition uses a slightly modified form of the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do as you will. An it cause harm, do as you must." This allows for the fact that it is sometimes impossible do no harm.

The Pagan Rede

The Wolf and Raven Tradition, which I practice, has created our own variation of the Wiccan Rede, which we call the Pagan Rede. Our Pagan Rede is "If you are willing to accept the consequences, do as you will." This is how I was raised from a very early age. Accepting the consequences is key here. Attempting to avoid the consequences of your actions is as wrong as ignoring them, or deliberately harming someone. Also, I find it important to remind people that "harm none" also means "don't harm yourself". There are several layer to this concept, but most importantly you need to be able to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.

Variations on the Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede

Hear now the word of the Witches, the secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway, That now we bring forth in the light.

Mysterious Water and Fire, The Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden Quintessence we know Them, and we will keep silent and dare.

The birth and rebirth of all Nature, the passing of Winter and Spring,
We share with the life Universal, rejoice in the Magical Ring

Four times in the year the Great Sabbat, returns, and the Witches are seen,
At Lammas and Candelas dancing, on May Eve and old Halloween

When daytime and nighttime are equal, when sun is at greatest and least,
The four lesser Sabbats are summoned, again Witches gather in feast.

Thirteen silver moons in a year are, thirteen is the Covens array,
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year and a day.

The power has passed down the ages, each time between woman and man
Each century unto the other, ere times and the ages began.

When drawn is the Magickal circle, by sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies, in the land of shades of that hour.

Our world has no right to know it, and the world beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there, the great work of Magic is wrought.

For two are the mystical pillars, that stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of Nature, the forms and the forces divine.

And do what thou wilt be the challenge, so be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment, By Magick of old be it done.

Eight words the Witches Rede fulfill:
If it Harms none, Do what Thou Will!

From http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usfl&c=basics&id=2876 on January 17, 2010. Generally accredited to Doreen Valiente

The Rede of the Wiccae

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 eye and light of touch-
Speak little, 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 blows 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 Beltaine 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.

From http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2009/01/04/the-wiccan-rede-project/ on January 17, 2010. Lady Gwen Thompson
originally published 1975, Green Egg Magazine

The Wiccan Rede (Long Version)

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you 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 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 North winds 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 you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help 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 grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But - Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolg shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lammas night power is brought to magick 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, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree By the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend Lest you be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
True in love you must ever be unless your love is false to thee.
Eight words the Rede fulfil "An' ye harm none, do what ye wilt".

From http://www.mysticmooncoven.org/rede.htm on January 17 2010
Not Credited

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