The Wiccan Rede - My Thoughts

I talk a lot about the Rede in both my writings and in my everyday life as well. It is an important part of my faith and my work. Since I teach and mentor those on the Wiccan Path, is important that I understand fully what the Rede means to people. The fact is that it is open to some interpretation.

Everyone's view of it could be different. To me, it is a guideline for living. I took many parts of it and wrote my views on what it means. I share that with my students. However, I am always careful to let people know that it is important that they figure out what it means to them on an individual basis.

This is how I interpret it.

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust. Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

Put your faith and trust in the Wiccan way of live. Hold it dear in your heart. Take only what you need and share what you can spare.

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.

Follow strictly the ritual so that the magick is used for good and cannot be corrupted.

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.

Think careful of what you say before you speak. Have a gentle spirit and a loving soul. Hold your ancestors in high esteem and honor their memory in all that you do. Let their spirits guide you on your path.

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.

The moon's cycles are powerful. Know their meaning and use it for the best magick.

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.

Honor the changing of the seasons.

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.

Nature and trees have deep meaning . Learn the lore of the woods. Learn the meaning of the trees. Honor them for they are powerful. Do not harm the woods because it would be the same as harming yourself. Celebrate the season's change with the Sabbats.

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.

This describes the Sabbats and when to celebrate them, as well as their meaning. The Sabbats are the most important Wiccan days.

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.

I believe this talks about divination. It also seems to state that if you need something do not go overboard. Ask only for what you need, nothing more.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend. Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Be careful of those you count among your friends. Be sure, to the best of your ability, that they are of a good and loving heart. Hold your good friends dearly and in warmest regards.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good. When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Everything that you do, both good and bad, will come back to you three times.

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

If you love truly, your love will be returned. If your love is love, false love will come back to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

I feel that this is the most important statement in all of Wicca. What it means is clear. You can do anything you wish, as long as you do not harm anyone. In my personal life, I extend that to mean do not harm animals or nature either. All life to me is scared.

These are just my thoughts. If your interpretations different, that's fine. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter as well.

Blessed Be