Inona's Witchery

Rede of the Wiccae
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This entire poem is often considered to be The Wiccan Rede. In reality, it is a poem that was published in Green Egg magazine, Ostara 1975 (Vol. III, No. 69). It is usually seen in verse form rather than this original numbered line form.
 
Lady Gwen Thomson, from New Haven, Connecticut, attributed this poem to her grandmother, Adriana Porter, who died in 1946. If this text was written or passed on to Ms. Porter prior to her death, it would be significant in the sense that it could have come from, or been influenced by, the same source as the information Gerald Gardner used to write his book High Magic's Aid, published in 1949.
 
However, there is no evidence to suggest that the Rede of the Wiccae predates Gardner's book. Lady Gwen was the founder of The New England Coven of the Traditionalist Witches in 1972. She readily admitted that this tradition was a combination of her family's hereditary teachings and modern popular occultism. The Rede, as it is here, is more likely an adaptation of a poem written by her or her grandmother that includes modern Wiccan elements. Visit "The Waning Moon" website, included in my "Links" page, for more information.
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.

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