The Wiccan Rede

I must say that this is by no means my own rhyming handiwork. Several versions have been published. For a fuller understanding of its history, please visit: Wikipedia - Wiccan Rede. Some people may wonder why I posted it, as it is not my original work... well, I posted it because it is an incredible piece of writing which I am proud to say I live by.

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.

Honour 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 into the fire goes,

To represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might,

In the fire, 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 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,

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 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 fulfil:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will”