The Wiccan Rede has many versions. It has been re-written, added to, and altered over the years. (Do not confuse it with the Witch’s Creed, which is an entirely different poem.) Which version of the Rede you get, will depend on where you’re looking. I have tried to give you a few of the more popular versions. Along with what is believed to be the actual origins of the original Rede.
Click on one of the links below to be take straight to that version of the Wiccan Rede.
(Version 3 is believed to be the original Wiccan Rede)
The Wiccan Rede
Author Unknown
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 spake 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 magic 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 Lammas night, Power is brought to magic 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"
Those final words are the entire basis and entire concept of the Wiccan Rede: “And it Harm None, Do What you Will”
See The Witch’s Creed for the origins of those eight most popular words of the Wiccan Rede.
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 casts her 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!
This is believed to be the writing in which the Wiccan Rede was derived from. This is probably one of the most popular Wiccan Rede versions out there, with only a word or two being changed. This is as it is found in The Ostara 1975 (Vol. III. No. 69) issue of Green Egg magazine, article "Wiccan-Pagan Potpourri"
Rede Of The Wiccae
Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones:
1. Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. 2. Live an’ let live - Fairly take an’ 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 an’ 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, An’ the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane. 8. When the Lady’s Moon is new, Kiss thy 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 sail. 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 an’ 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 an’ let Pan rule. 18. Heed ye flower bush an’ tree - By the Lady Blessèd Be. 19. Where the rippling waters go Cast a stone an’ truth ye’ll know. 20. When ye have need, Hearken not to others greed. 21. With the fool no season spend Or be counted as his friend. 22. Merry meet an’ merry part - Bright the cheeks an’ warm the heart. 23. Mind the Threefold Law ye should - Three times bad an’ three times good. 24. When misfortune 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 ye Wiccan Rede fulfill - An’ it harm none, Do what ye will.
