10/17/2016
The Wiccan Rede - An In-Depth Analysis
The Wiccan Rede is the Wicca equivalent to the Christian Bible’s Ten Commandments. It is a set of rules that each Wiccan Practitioner must live and abide by. I will list each rule as it is stated in the Wiccan Rede. Then, below each rule, I will list the meanings and interpretations in laymen’s terms.
1. Bide the Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
* Trust in the laws that the God and the Goddess have set. They are loving Deities, and following these laws, without question, will be to your benefit.
2. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
* This basically means, don’t ever be a bigot, or let your heart fill with hatred. You must understand that we are all drifting down the same River of Life, no matter the differences in our boats.
3. Cast the circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out.
* Before doing any spell, a witch will generally cast a protective circle. This does help to keep negative and bad energies out and away while you work. Doing this thrice (three times) increases the power and potency of the circle.
4. To bind the spell everytime, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
* Speaking a spell in rhyme designed to keep your conscious mind occupied while your subconscious mind puts the magick to work.
5. Soft of eye, light of touch – speak little, listen much.
* This means you should never brag, be an obnoxious loudmouth, or pretend to know about things that you really don’t. The quickest and wisest way to gain wisdom is through listening.
6. Doesil go by the waxing moon – sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
* When the Moon is waxing, or getting bigger, this is the time to draw things in to you. You can do this by dancing or walking in a clockwise circle.
7. Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfbane.
* When the Moon is waning, or getting smaller, this is the time to banish negative energies. You can do this by dancing or walking around in a counter-clockwise circle.
8. When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss the hand to her times two.
* On the night of the New Moon, which signifies the return of the Goddess, turn to the Moon and salute her by kissing two fingers.
9. When the moon rides at her peak, then your heart’s desire seek.
* The night of the Full Moon is the best time to cast spells that are designed to bring your heart’s desire to you.
10. Heed the Northwind’s mighty gale – lock the doors and drop the sail.
* The North wind can be very powerful, and cold. This is not a good time to perform outdoor spells and rituals.
11. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
* The South wind is warm, and South is the direction of passion. This is a good time to perform love spells and rituals.
12. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
* East is the direction of new beginnings, as the sun rises in the East. This is a good time to do spells and rituals designed to bring on a fresh start.
13. When the West wind blows o’er thee, departed spirits restless be.
* West is the direction you face when performing necromancy, communicating with the dead or working to forsee the future.
14. Nine woods in the cauldron go – burn them quick and burn them slow.
* When performing rituals to celebrate the Sabbats, there are traditionally nine types of woods that are burned: Apple, Birch, Fir, Hawthorne, Hazel, Oak, Rowan, Vine, and Willow.
15. Elder be the Lady’s tree – burn it not, or cursed ye’ll be.
* Elder is the tree that is never to be burned in rituals because it is known to be sacred to the Goddess.
16. When the wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
* The Wheel of the Year is made up of all the lesser and greater Sabbats. Beltane is one of those Sabbats. It is recognized as the day to celebrate fertility and abundance. It is celebrated on May 1st.
17. When the wheel has turned a Yule, light the log and let Pan rule.
* Yule is known as the Winter Sabbat. It is celebrated on December 21st.
18. Heed ye flower, bush, and tree – by the Lady blessed be.
* You must have respect for all things in nature. To do so is to honor the Goddess.
19. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone an truth ye’ll know.
* Always reflect on how your actions will affect the people and things around you. Your actions are like ripples in a pond, you must always work to create a positive change.
20. When ye need, harken not to others greed.
* Never charge money for the actual use of the Powers. You may request a fee to cover the supplies needed to perform a spell or ritual, but never charge for the actual casting or performance of a spell or ritual.
21. With the foll no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
* This basically means that if you choose to spend time with a fool, other people will begin to perceive you as a fool as well.
22. Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks an warm the heart.
* This basically means that spending time among friends and exchanging positive energies is a good thing.
23. Mind the threefold law ye should – three times bad an three times good.
* You must always remember that whatever the energy is you put forth it will return to you threefold.
24. When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
* Doing this will protect you from psychic attacks as well as ward off many other negative energies that may have been directed your way.
25. True in love ever be, unless thy lover’s false to thee.
* This basically means be faithful to the one you love, unless they don’t return the favor. Then, don’t waste your time, just let them be.
26. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill – an it harm none, do what you will.
* “An it harm none, do what you will.” These eight words are self explanatory and do a good job of summing it all up.
That was an in-depth analysis of the Wiccan Rede in its entirety. I have an antiquated version listed on the “Wiccan Rede” page of the Coven of Divinity website. I will include the antiquated version with this lesson, as it is easier to remember.
