The Wiccan Rede
Below are the short version and long version of the Wiccan Rede. The reason for this is.....
The short version is good for memorizing, so that it may be incorperated in ritual with ease, and the long version is for you to know, respect, and follow in life. It is also good for an opening page of your personal B.O.S.
Please read both versions carefully, and take to heart everything written, for they are words of life...........
The Short Version
Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
An' ye harm none, do what ye will.
What ye send forth comes back to thee,
So ever mind the Law of Three.
Follow this in mind and heart
Merry ye meet, and merry ye part.
The Wiccan Rede
Bide the Wiccan Laws we must, In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
(we must follow the Wiccan laws with love and trust for them)
Live and let live, Fairly take and fairly give.
(live your life, let other live theirs, be fair, only take what you give).
Cast the Circle thrice about, To keep the evil spirits out.
(when you cast a circle, cast it three times to keep out evil spirits).
To bind the spell every time, Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
(spells and better spoken in rhyme).
Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak little, listen much.
(... listen more than you speak).
Deosil go by the waxing moon, Chanting out the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon, Chanting out the baneful rune.
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 wind's mighty gale, Lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South, Love will kiss the on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West, Departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East, Expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, Burn them fast and burn them slow.
(Referring to the 9 woods commonly used in a balefire: rowan, dogwood, mesquite, poplar, oak, juniper, pine, cedar, and apple.)
Elder be the Lady's tree, Burn it not or cursed you'll be.
(respect your elders, respect nature).
When the Wheel begins to turn, Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule, Light the log and the Horned One rules.
(celebrate the sabbats, honour the God).
Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree, By the Lady, blessed be.
(honour the goddess).
Where the rippling waters go, Cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When ye have a true need, Hearken not to others' greed.
With a fool no season spend, Lest ye 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 and three times good.
(remember the threefold law)
When misfortune is enow, Wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in Love ever be, Lest thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
"An it harm none, do what thou will."
(the moral of the rede, if it harms no one including your self, do what you will)