Rede of the Wiccae

The Rede of the Wiccae was originally published in Ostara 1975 edition of Green Egg magazine (Vol. III #69) and is attributed to Lady Gwen Thompson. She, in turn, claimed that it was passed down to her from her grandmother, Adriana Porter. In recent years some doubt has been cast on this origin, as can be seen in this examination of the history of the Rede. None the less, this continues to be an important Wiccan text.

Rede of the Wiccae

  1. Bide the Wiccan laws ye must in perfect love an 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 an 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 the 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 blessed be.
  19. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone an truth ye’ll know.
  20. When ye have need, hearken not to other’s 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 the Wiccan Rede fulfill — an it harm none, do what ye will.