The Rede
(Version Three)
"Bide [abide, live] the Wiccan Law we must
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about
To keep the evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil [clockwise] go by the waxing moon,
Chanting out the Witches' 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 Northwind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee 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.
Elder be your Lady's tree,
burn it nor cursed you'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn,
Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log, the Horned One rules.
Heed ye flower, bush and tree,
By the Lady, Blessed Be.
Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When ye hyave a true need,
Hearken 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 Threefold Law you should,
Three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow,
Wear the Blue Star on the brow.
True in Love ever be,
Unless thy Lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill --
And Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will."
(As I understand the history of this version, it was originally published in _The_Green_Egg_ in the late 60's or early 70's by Lady Gwen, a Celtic Traditionalist. )
