A Word on The Wiccan Rede

Perhaps one of the most important things to learn is "The Wiccan Rede" or "The Advice of the Wise". The origins of the Wiccan Rede are unclear but most Wiccan's will agree that it is important to abide by. The message to take away from "The Wiccan Rede" is... "Do as you will so long as it harms none". This statement is simple and includes intention as well as results.

Basically... if you are huritng someone, could hurt someone, or will hurt someone than don't do it. This isn't just in magickal matters but in all aspects of life. It doesn't matter if you could/would bring harm to the body, the mind, or the spirit because it is still harm. The point is simply not to cause any harm as often as you can prevent it.

The next thing to take away from "The Wiccan Rede" is that anything you put out into the universe will come back to you "three, times three, times three". This speaks of the "Golden Rule" which in Christianity is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Some people will even take that a step farther and utilize the "Platinumn Rule" which says "Treat others the way they want to be treated."

This rule is echoed throughout the world, said in different ways, with ultimately the same meaning... Be nice, to others, to yourself... just be nice.

This is of course a lot harder than it sounds. Being nice isn't always easy, especially to ourselves. Many people have negative thoughts about themselves and others all the time and those thoughts can be as damaging to us as a knife. Words slip from our lips, tempers explode, and we say and do things that we later regret.

Love yourself and you will be able to better love others and you will probably be happier for it too. You might find that other people will be more open to loving you in return.

And remember... we are all human. We make mistakes and we can recover from them if we forgive ourselves and seek to right our future actions.

The Wiccan Rede

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 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.

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 Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.

As the wheel turns to Lamas 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 or 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.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"