The Complete Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede has an expanded version as well as the simple statement of this ethic. The detailed version deals with various aspects of the Craft, beyond the basic "harm none" . . .

This has led to some Witches calling the principle - Do as ye will, an ye harm none - the Wiccan Law, and reserving the name "Wiccan Rede" for this fleshed-out edition.

It's tempting to clarify this way, since two different texts with the same name can be confusing. But to call anything a Wiccan Law is to skate on thin ideological ice.

Anyway, here is what I think of as the complete version of the Wiccan Rede.

There are many different versions of the Wiccan Rede floating around. The one below is the most complete compilation of what I consider the best parts, with some modifications of my own.

(This has been revised, as of January '08)

The Complete Wiccan Rede

(The Counsel Of The Wise Ones)

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,

In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust;


Live ye must and let to live,

Fairly take and fairly give.

True in love, ever be,

Lest thy love be false to thee.


With a fool no season spend,

Nor be counted as his friend.

Soft of eye and light of touch,

Speak ye little, listen much.


Ever mind the rule of three,

What ye send out comes back to thee.

This lesson well, thou must learn

Ye only get what ye do earn.


Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -

An it harm none, do as ye will.


Deosil go by waxing Moon,

Sing and dance the invoking Rune;

Widdershins go by waning Moon,

Chant ye then a freeing tune;


When the Lady's Moon is new,

Kiss thy hand to Her times two;

When the Bow rides in the eve

Turn to what you would achieve;

When the Moon rides at her peak,

Then thy heart's desire seek;

When the Sickle shows Her face

Release the old with proper grace.


Heed the North wind's mighty gale,

Lock the door & trim the sail;

When the wind comes from the South,

Love will kiss thee on the mouth;


When the wind blows from the West,

Hearts will find their peace and rest;

When the wind blows from the East,

Expect the new and set the feast.


Nine woods in the Cauldron go,

Burn them quick and burn them slow;

Birch and fir and apple tree,

Hawthorn is sacred to Thee,

Willow, hazel, rowan, grape,

And oak will shape the weave of fate;

Elder be the Lady's tree -

Burn it not or cursed ye'll be.


Heed ye flower, bush, and tree,

By the Lady Blessed be.

Where the rippling waters flow

Cast a stone and truth ye'll know;


Four times the Major Sabbats mark

In the light and in the dark:


As the old year starts to wane

The new begins with dark Samhain.

When flowers blossom through the snow

Fair Brighid gathers seed to sow.

When winter yields to warmth's return

Let the Beltane fires burn.

As summer turns to Lammas night

First fruits and Grain Gods reach their height.


Four times the Minor Sabbats fall

Use the Sun to mark them all:


At Yuletide, with feast and mirth

We celebrate the God Child's birth.

Spring Equinox, Eostara's fest,

All newborn creatures will be blessed.

When the Sun has reached its height

Celebrate the greatest Light.

Offer thanks at second reaping;

Mabon poised for winter's sleeping.


Cast the circle thrice about,

To keep unwelcome spirits out.

To bind the spell well every time,

Let the spell be spake in rhyme.


Four Powers of the Witch fulfill -

Know, Will, Dare, and then Be Still

'Tis by the Sun that life be won,

And by the Moon that change be done.


If ye would clear the path to will,

Practice that the mind be still;

What good be tools without thy Light?

Shun magick made without true sight!


Follow this with mind & art,

Bright the cheeks and warm the heart,

And merry meet & merry part

And merry meet again!

With Bright Blessings,

Resources for this article:

Spiral Dance, Starhawk

Grandmother of Time , Zsuzsanna Budapest

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner , Scott Cunningham

In The Shadow of the Shaman , Amber Wolfe

WITCH TIP:

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