The Wiccan Rede

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 unwanted spirits out. 

To bind the spell every time, let the spell be said in rhyme. 

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak little, listen much.

Honour the old ones in deed and name.

Let love and light be your guide 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 hand to her, times two.

When the moon rides at its peak, then your hearts desire seek.

Heed the North wind’s mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sales.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth. 

When the wind blows from the West, departed souls may 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 fast and burn them slow.

Elder be the Lady’s tree, burn it not or cursed you’ll be.

When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires 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 go, cast a stone and truth you’ll know.

When you have a true need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend, lest be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and Merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the three fold law ye should, three time bad and three times good.

When misfortune is enow, wear the star upon thy brow.

True in love ever be, lest thy love is false to thee.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.

I first read this when I was 13. It was a time in my life when everything was in chaos. I was in a new town, I didn’t know anyone and was about to enter high school. I began my study of the craft out of curiosity but the more I read the more I felt I was at home. This set of “rules” stuck with me all through high school and even to college and beyond. Even though during college I stopped studying the craft for several reasons, it stayed with me in my heart. 

There are a few lines of this poem that I am going to work at incorporating into my life as I am currently in need of more peace and positivity.  I am going to work at speaking less than I listen, I am going to try my best to merrily meet everyone with a warm heart, and I promise to give as much as I take.