Webmistress' Note: There is some controversy about this, one of the most basic "texts" in Wicca. Many say Wicca has no standard texts or prophecies. This is basically true, we have no Bible or Koran equivalent. However there are some documents that are fairly widely distributed among Wiccans. This is one of them. Most often an extremely shortened versiosn is quoted from this text "An it harm none, do what thou will.". As you can see, this is the last line of this rather lengthy poem. Various traditions may alter this (for example I've seen it without the line about self defense), or may not use any of this at all except for the forshortenened version above. I think it is valuable to see the text in what, as far as I have been able to determine, is the complete version. It has many things to think about in it. --Zaratyst
Rede of the Wicca
Lady Gwen
Keltic Trad 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 and listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon,
sing and dance the Witch's Rune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new
kiss thy hand to her times two.
When the moon rides at her peak
then your heart's desire speak.
Heed the northwind's mighty gale,
lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the south
love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the east
expect the new and set the feast.
When the westwind blows o'er thee
departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go
burn them fast, burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree
Burn it not or cursed be.
When the wheel begins to turn,
let the Beltane fires burn.
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
light the log and let Pan rule.
Heed ye flower. bush, and tree
by the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters flow
cast a stone and truth ye'll know.
Whenever ye have a need
Hearken not to others' greed.
With the fool no season spend
nor be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part,
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the threefold law you should
three times bad, three times good.
Except in thine own defense it be,
ever mind the rule of three.
When misfortune is enow,
wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be
unless thy love is false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An it harm none, do what thou will.
This Rede appeared in Green Egg magazine (Vol. VIII, No. 69) and was written by Lady Gwen of the Keltic Trad.
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