A brief history of the poem
First published in 1975 in Green Egg Magazine, this poem was submitted by the Lady Gwen Thompson with the statement that it had been handed down to her by her grandmother, Adriana Porter. No one is completely sure on the age of the poem. Many believe it to have been written in the mid-1930's, and others say that cannot be because the word "Wicca" was not used until the 60's. Whenever it was written, it still remains the central pillar of the Wiccan faith.
The Rede of the Wiccae
Also known as the The Counsel of the Wise Ones
Also known as the The Counsel of the Wise Ones
1-Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must
in perfect love and perfect trust.
2-Live and let live-
fairly take and fairly give.
3-Cast the Circle thrice about
to keep all evil spirits out.
4-To bind the spell every time,
let the spell be spake in rhyme.
5-Soft of eye and light of touch-
speak little, listen much.
6-Deosil go by the waxing moon-
sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
7-Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.
8-When the Lady's Moon is new,
kiss the hand to her times two.
9-When the Moon rides at her peak,
then your heart's desire seek.
10-Heed the Northwind's mighty gale-
lock the door and drop the snail.
11-When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12-When the wind blows from the East,
expect the new and set the feast.
13-When the West wind blows o'er thee,
departed spirits restless be.
14-Nine woods in the Cauldron go-
burn them quick and burn them slow.
15-Elder be ye Lady's tree-
burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
16-When the Wheel begins to turn-
let the Beltane fires burn.
17-When the wheel has turned a Yule,
light the Log and let Pan rule.
18-Heed ye flower, bush and tree-
by the Lady blessed be.
19-Where the rippling waters go,
cast a stone and truth ye'll know.
20-When ye have need,
hearken not to other's greed.
21-With the fool no season spend
or be counted as his friend.
22-Merry meet and merry part-
bright the cheeks an warm the heart.
23-Mind the Threefold Law ye should-
three times bad and three imes good.
24-When misfourtune is enow,
wear the blue star on thy brow.
25-True in love ever be
unless thy lover's false to thee.
26-Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill-
and it harm none, do what ye will.
Here is the breakdown the book gives as to the meaning to each stanza (if you noticed, i numbered them...match them up for easy use)
1-You must keep the Wiccan laws with an attitude of perfect love and perfect trust. If you don't completely agree with what Wicca is about, you might want to rethink your choise to follow the Wiccan path.
2-Respect people and Nature. Treat them both as you want to be treated. If you take something, besure to give something back.
3-Witches generally create a circle around them when preparing to do magick. The circle is cast (or made) three times because three is a very magickal number. It stands for the three phases of the Goddess and God, and it's the number of creativity. In addition, there is the threefold law that says events usually happen in threes.
4-Witches speak their spelld in rhyme because it gives the conscious mind something to do. While your conciousmind is busy listening to the words, your unconscious can tap into your energy and the energy of the Goddess and God--and magick is done.
5-Be gentle. Sit back and listen. Wise people dont blab; they listen.
6-When the Moon is waxing (getting bigger), move around the ritual circle clockwise to bring good things toward you.
7-When the Moon is waning (getting smaller), move around the circle counterclockwise to take away negativity. Wolfsbane is dreaded because it is a poisonous plant.
8-When the Moon is new and has just become visible in the sky after being dark, salute the Lady and welcome her by kissing your two fingers.
9-When the Moon is full, go after your heart's desire. At that time of the month, you can ask anything of her.
10-13-These couplets describe various elements associated with the four directions.
14-15-There are nine different kinds of magickal wood that are often burned in the cauldron during rituals (apple, birch, fir, hawthorn, hazel, oak, rowan, vine, and willow). But never burn the Elder (it is a kind of tree) Elder trees are the Lady's trees, and in honor of her they are always spared.
16-17-The turning of the wheel refers to the cycle of the year. Beltine is one of the year's major Sabbats. It occurs in spring. Yuls (another Sabbat), sits on the opposite side of the wheel of the yearm at the time of the winter solstice.
18-Take care of Nature, and respect it for the Lady's sake.
19-Watch what happens when you throw a stone into water. The ripples 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.
20-Don't allow the idea of profit to sway you. Don't take money for your magickal work.
21-People will associate you to the company you keep. If you hand around with fools, you will be seen as one, too.
22-Basicallt, this means it's good to be with friends.
23-PAy attention to the threefold law. Whatever you do, good or bad, comes back to you three times.
24-When you are in trouble, Visualize a blue pentagram on your forehead. The pentagram will protect you.
25-Be loyal in love, but if the sucker isn't loyal to you, forget about him (or her).
26-Eight words sum it up--if it harms none, do what you want.
