The Rede of the Wiccae (Wiccan's Rede) (rituals, Earth, mystic)

[Circle_One]

Here ya go Fluffy. There are many different versions of the Wiccan Rede, this is not the usual version, I will post that one if someone so wishes, but most Wiccan's already know it. This version is usually credited to Doreen Valiente and can be found (among other places) at http://www.witchvox.com/basics/rede.html

Hear now the word of the Witches, the secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destinys pathway, That now we bring forth in the light.

Mysterious Water and Fire, The Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden Quintessence we know Them, and we will 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 Magical Ring

Four times in the year the Great Sabbat, returns, and the Witches are seen,
At Lammas and Candelmas dancing, on May Eve and old Halloween

When daytime and nighttime are equal, when 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 Covens array,
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year and a day.

The power has passed down the ages, each time between woman and man
Each century unto the other, ere times and the ages began.

When drawn is the Magickal circle, by sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies, in the land of shades of that hour.

Our world has no right to know it, and the world beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there, the great work of Magic 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.

And do what thou wilt 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 Rede fulfill:
If it Harms none, Do what Thou Will!

[linwood]

I am not wiccan C1 but the wiccan rede is my one and only commandment through my own devices.

I appreciate the poem and would love to see the "usual version" since I don`t think I have.

I know you`ll be away for awhile so I can be patient.

Unless someone else lurking here might be able to point me towards it?



Thanks

[Feathers in Hair]

Sure! (Although I don't lurk so much as plow right through! )

I'll go on a hunt for you, Linwood!

Hmm... The other version is actually about the same length. Come to think of it, the fabulous FBI might have been referring to another one. There might be many more than I can think of out there. Here's the one I'm more familiar with, though...

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
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 Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas 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.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

[linwood]

Thank you very much Feathers.

I`ve saved the poem and am going to read about the rituals and ceremonies it mentions.
It`s beautiful and intriguing.

My oldest son proclaimed himself Wiccan a little over a year ago and I`m not sure if he is serious or if it is simply part of a popular trend among teens today.
I suppose it could be both considering thats how many believers became believers to begin with.

He doesn`t speak much about it and when he does he claims to be ignorant of alot of the theology behind it because it`s difficult to and time consuming to form your own path on your own within a belief that hasn`t much centralized dogma really.
However that is part of the allure I think, it`s the part I like about it anyway.
The fact that while there is guidance one seems to have to find their way on their own to come to their own "truth" so to speak.
I can relate to that.
In fact I, an atheist taught him the eight words, the rede.

I have another bit of "Pagan" influence going on in my life I think I`ll start a thread about to see if others think I am being as hypocritical about it as I believe I may be.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by linwood

The fact that while there is guidance one seems to have to find their way on their own to come to their own "truth" so to speak.
I can relate to that.

I think you just hit the nail on the head as to why those that seem to stick with the path tend to do so. It can be a challenge, but ultimately quite rewarding.

Originally Posted by linwood

I have another bit of "Pagan" influence going on in my life I think I`ll start a thread about to see if others think I am being as hypocritical about it as I believe I may be.

I very much look forward to reading it. (Though you've never struck me as hypocritical!)

[Circle_One]

The usual version I was referring to does not go into great detail about the nine woods as the earlier one I posted and the one Feathers posted does. Nor does it go into detail about the Sabbats. Here is the one I spoke of Linwood.

Bide the Wiccan laws you must,
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Live ye must and let to live,
Fairly take and fairly give.

Cast the circle thrice about,
To keep unwelcome 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 go by the waxing moon,
Singing out ye Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon,
Chanting out ye baneful tune.

When ye Lady's moon is new,
Kiss the hand to her times two.
When the moon rides at her peak,
Then ye hearts desire seek.

Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and trim 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 may have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.

Nine woods inside the caldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be ye Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed ye'll be.

When the wheel begins to turn,
Soon ye Beltane fires will burn.
When the Wheel hath turned a Yule,
Light the log the Horned One rules.

Heed ye flowers, bush and tree,
By the Lady blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone the thruth ye'll know.

When you have and hold a need,
Harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend,
Lest ye be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and Merry part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the threefold law ye should,
Three times bad and three times good.

When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be,
Lest thy lover's false to thee.

Eight words the wiccan rede fulfill:
An' harm it none, do what ye will.

[linwood]

I have seen this one.

It was reading this version (or real close to it) that I first noticed the rede was the same as my commandment.

Before I knew what a rede was that is.



Thank you C1, it`s good to have you back.

[Circle_One]

You are very welcome Linwood, and thank you for the warm welcome back

As I said, that last version I posted is the one more widely known than both the first one I posted and the one Feathers posted, though I'm not sure why that is.