Do not forget The Rede

I saw this article today – a group of “witches” in Brooklyn hexing the Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. See it here.

Now first off: I am NOT Wiccan. I’m pagan and as I’ve said before in this blog, all Wiccans are pagan but not all pagans are Wiccan (just like not all Christians are Catholic). However I AM a witch – “a wise woman” – practicing the art of healing herbs, positive energy, and environmental connectedness. I don’t hex – though I’ve been accused of doing so. I do ritual. I have been known to cast binding spells – which worked incidentally – but they have never been delivered in malice. Why? Because any pagan with the first clue about connectedness knows what you put out you get back.  By the goddess, even Christians know this one! “As ye sow so shall ye reap.” Sound familiar?

Clearly these Brooklyn “witches” have totally forgotten the most important words of the Wiccan Rede:

“An’ it harm none, do what ye will”.

Or the opening lines:

“Bide the Witches’ Law ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.

Live thee freely and let live, fairly take and fairly give.”

 

So I’m reproducing The Rede here in full. I cannot remember where I found this version – it was many years ago – there are a few doing the rounds that say pretty much the same thing at their core though the words used to express the sentiment may vary slightly between versions.  It offers guidance on honouring your path, others, the elders, the phases of the moon, and the sabbats.

Please remember if you are hexing people, there’s a good chance you’ve forgotten what Wicca is about. Please don’t be sucked in by what you see portrayed in the media and in movies.

Blessed be.

 

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THE REDE

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 Thee 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 by the waning moon
Chanting out the baneful rune

When the Lady’s moon is new
Kiss the hand of Her, times two
When the moon rides at Her peak
Then your heart’s desire seek

 

Heed the North wind’s mighty gale
Lock the door and drop 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 Thee on the mouth
When the wind blows from the West
Departed souls will have no rest

 

Nine woods in the cauldron go
Burn them fast and burn them slow

Birch into the fire goes
In sign of what the Lady knows
Oak in the forest towers with might
In the fire brings the gods in sight

Rowan is a tree of power
Causing life and magic to flower
Willows, which by water stand
Ease us to the Summerland

Hawthorn is burned to purify
And to draw Faeries 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, which grow upon the vine
Give to us both joy and wine

Fir tree boughs are evergreen
Immortal life in them is seen
Elderwood, the Lady’s tree –
Burn it not or cursed be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four times the major Sabbats mark
Twice in light, and twice in dark

In death the spark of life is born
At Samhain when the veil is torn
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 Lugh’s night
Power is brought to magic 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, night equals day
Time for Ostara to come our way

When the Sun has reached its height
Time for Oak and Holly to fight
Harvesting comes home for all
When the Autumn Equinox does fall

 

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 have and hold a need
Harken not to others’ greed
With a fool no seasons 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 thou must ever be
Lest thy love prove false to thee

Eight words the Witches’ Rede fulfill
An’ it harm none … do what ye will.

 

© Earth Goddess Wisdom