So as I've said many times in this series, Wiccan's do not have a book of rules and beliefs like many other religions do. Something we do have though is the Wiccan Rede, which is a few guidelines, that in general, all Wiccan's follow. So today I will go over the Wiccan Rede (line by line) and break down what it means. Warning this is gonna be a long one boys and girls.
Short version of the Wiccan rede:
The Full Wiccan Rede:
Bide the Wiccan laws ye must , in perfect love and perfect trust. (So this is pretty self explanatory... It just says to follow the rules in the Wiccan rede)
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give (What you take you must give back. For example if you cut a flower, leave a seed)
Cast the circle thrice about, to keep all evil spirits out. (When casting spells, or doing a ritual cast a circle. It is traditional to do it once with the athame or wand, once with incense, and once with water or salt but this is not always done in the modern age)
To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spoke in rhyme. (When this was wrote it was traditional to make spells rhyme, you are welcome to do that but it is no longer thought of as necessary)
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak ye little, listen much. ( The first part is about the "evil eye" so don't stare at people, it's rude. The second half is sound advice. We learn so much more from listening)
Deosil go by the waxing moon, sing and dance the Wiccan Rune. (Deosil means clockwise. The waxing moon is the period between new moon and full moon. It is a time to cast spells to increase things in your life, like money or love)
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and werewolf howls by the dread wolfbane. (Widdershins means counter clockwise. Waning moon means the phase of the moon between full moon and new moon. Now is the time for casting banishing spells, getting rid of bad habits, ect)
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to her times two. (When there is a new moon it used to be tradition to send the moon 2 kisses. Back during the witch hunts it was dangerous to do as people knew it was the sign of a witch)
When the moon rides her peak, then your hearts desire seek. (The best time to do magick is at the full moon when the energy of the moon is the strongest)
Heed the North Winds mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail. (This represents the winter season. Keep warm inside and avoid the storms. The sabbat Imbolc represents this)
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth. (Represents the spring season. it brings romance, and love. The sabbat Beltane represents this)
When the wind blows from the East expect the new and set the feast. (Represents the summer season. Brings change and unexpected visitors. The sabbat Lughnasadh represents this)
When the west wind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be. (Represents the autumn season. Brings departed souls to the Summerland. The sabbat Samhain represents this)
Nine woods heath the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow. (9 different woods are put in a traditional Beltane fire)
Birch – represents the Goddess.
Oak – represents the God.
Rowan – represents the Tree of Life
Willow – known as Hecate's tree, represents our journey to the Summerland
Hawthorn – represents the Fairy folk and purity
Hazel - represents wisdom and learning.
Apple - represents love and fertility.
Vine - represents joy and its juice is said to cause heightened awareness.
Fir - represents immortality and well suited to Beltane
Elder be ye Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be. (The elder tree is the goddesses tree and should never be burned)
When the wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn. (On Beltane it is customary to have a bonfire)
When the wheel turned to Yule, light the log and let Pan rule. (On Yule it is customary to burn the yule log)
Heed ye flower, bush, and tree, by the lady blessed be. (Respect nature and take care of it)
Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth ye'll know. (This refers to water divination specifically but includes all divination)
When ye are in dire need, hearken not to others' greed. (You should only cast magick when you or someone you know is in need)
With the fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend. (Choose your friends wisely)
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart. (Express your happiness to see others. Don't be afraid to let people know you care for them)
Mind the Threefold Law you should, Three times bad and Three times good. (whatever you put in the world, good or bad, will come back to you three times as powerful)
When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow. (the star is the pentacle. When we are in trouble we should open our third eye and listen the the goddess and spirit guides for help)
True in lover ever be, unless thy lovers false to thee. (If you make a vow to your lover be true to it but if your lover breaks their vow your vow is annulled)
Eight words the Wiccan rede fulfill, an ye harm none, do what ye will. (Harm yourself and no one else. As long as no harm comes to anyone you can do as you will)
So that there is the Wiccan rede which I strive to live by. Next post will be about a Wiccan's book of shadow/grimoire.
Check out some of my earlier posts through these links: More About Spells: Part 10, Wiccan Rituals: Part 9, Divination: Part 8
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