The Witches Rede (Pre Gardenarian)

The Wiccan Rede is an adaptation and amalgam of old traditions and modern ideologies. There is no written record of the Wiccan rede prior to the 1960s. Almost all traditional covens were (and many still are) extremely closed and safely guarded specific details of their practices and identiies, with very little information ever being committed to text. I have adpted this one to reflect the nuanced variances in the mores of traditional craft as opposed to the modernized ideologies of modern wicca.

Bide the witches laws we must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
With all your heart do freely live, fairly take and fairly give.

Cast the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell fast every time, let the words be spake in rhyme.

Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak ye little, listen much.
By elders names and deeds abide, their works and love shall be your guide.

Deosil go on waxing nights, fair tidings met by joylful rites.
Widdershins as wanes the moon, in darkness set the baneful rune.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon doth reach its crest, draw heart's desire to your breast.

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 have ceased to rest.
When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
As Lady welcomes rest at Yule, with logs last light, let darkness rule.

Gather kith and kin to hearth, when ye the wheel's sabbots mark
Heed the flower, bush, and tree, by these the Lady blessed you'll be.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth to know.
When you have no truer need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend, less ye be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part, brighten cheeks and warm the heart.

Be ever true in love we must, unless thy lover's broken trust.
When misfortune is enow, bind the star upon on thy brow.

By these eight words this rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Thee Will"