The Rede (version One)
Version 2
Bide within the Law you must, Version 3
in perfect Love and perfect Trust. Version 4
Live you must and let to live,
fairly take and fairly give.For tread the Circle thrice about
to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time,
let the spell be said in rhyme.Light of eye and soft of touch,
speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.Deosil go by the waxing moon,
chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.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 winds mighty gale,
lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East,
expect the new and set the feast.When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West,
all hearts will find peace and rest.Nine woods in the Cauldron go,
burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes
to represent what the Lady knows.Oak in the forest towers with might
in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power
causing life and magick to flower.Willows at the waterside stand
ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify
and to draw faerie to your eye.Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning-
adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree
that brings us fruits of fertility.Grapes grow upon the vine
giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen
to represent immortality seen.Elder is the Lady's tree
burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark
in the light and in the dark.As the old year starts to wane
the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolg shows
watch for flowers through the snows.When the wheel begins to turn
soon the Beltaine fires will burn
As the wheel turns to Lammas night
power is brought to magick rite.Four times the Minor Sabbats fall
use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule
light the log the Horned One rules.In the spring, when night equals day
time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height
time for Oak and Holly to fight.Harvesting comes to one and all
when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree
By the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go
cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need,
harken 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 Three-fold Laws you should
three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow
wear the star upon your brow.Be true in love this you must do
unless your love is false to you.
Eight words the Rede fulfil
"And ye harm none, do what ye will".--Author Unknown
Hear now the Words of the Witches,
The secrets we hide in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway,
That now we bring forth into light.Mysterious Water and Fire,
The Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden quintessence we know them,
and will and keep silent and dare.The birth and rebirth of all nature,
the passing of winter and spring,
We share with the life universal,
Rejoice in the magickal ring.Four times in the year the Great Sabbat
Returns, and the Witches are seen
at Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On Beltane and old Samhain.When day-time and night-time are equal,
When the Sun is at greatest and least,
The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned,
Again, Witches gather in feast.Thirteen silver Moons in a year are,
Thirteen is the coven's array.
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry,
For each golden year and a day.The power was passed down the ages,
Each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other,
Ere time and the ages began.When drawn is the magickal circle,
By sword or athame or power,
Its compass between the two worlds lies,
In Land of the Shades for that hour.This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there,
The Great Work of magick is wrought.For two are the mystical pillars,
That stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of nature,
The forms and the forces divine.The dark and the light in succession,
The opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as a God and a Goddess:
Of this did our ancestors teach.By night He's the wild wind's rider,
The Horn'd One, the Lord of the Shades.
By day He's the King of the Woodland,
The dweller in green forest glades.She is youthful or old as She pleases,
She sails the torn clouds in Her barque,
The bright silver Lady of Midnight,
The Crone who weaves spells in the dark.The Master and Mistress of magick,
They dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever-renewing,
With power to free or to bind.So drink the good wine to the Old Gods,
And dance and make love in their praise,
Till Elphame's fair land shall receive us
In peace at the end of our days.And do what you will be the challenge,
So be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment,
By magick of old, be it done!Eight words the Witches' Creed fulfill:
An ye harm none, do what ye will!--Author Unknown
another version of the Full Rede:
"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 (I'll upload that one next).
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 [enough],
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.
The Rede of the Wicca
Being known as the Counsel of the Wise Ones:Bide the Wiccan laws ye must
in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust
Live and let another live
Freely take and freely giveCast the circle thrice about
To keep all evil spirits out
To bind the spell every time
Let the spell be spake in rhymeSoft of eye and light of touch
Speak thou little, listen muchDeosil go by waxing moon
Sing and dance the Wiccan rune
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane
And the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbaneWhen the Lady's moon is new
Kiss thy hand to her times two
When the moon rides at her peak
Then your heart's desire seekHeed 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 mouthWhen the wind blows from the east
Expect the new and set the feast
When the west wind blows o'er thee
Departed spirits restless beNine woods in the cauldron go
Burn them fast and burn them slow
Elder be ye Lady's tree
Burn it not or cursed ye'll beWhen the wheel begins to turn
Let the Beltain fires burn
When the wheel has turned to Yule
Light the log and let Pan ruleHeed ye flower, bush and tree
By the Lady, Blessed be
Where the rippling waters go
Cast a stone and truth ye'll knowWhen ye have a need
Hearken not to others' greed
With the fool no season spend
Nor be counted as his friendMerry meet and merry part
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart
Mind the Threefold Law ye should
Three times bad and three times goodWhen misfortune is enow
Wear the blue star on thy brow
True in love must ever be
Unless thy lover's false to theeEight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill
An it harm none, do what ye will