The Complete Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede has an expanded version as well as the simple statement of this ethic. The detailed version deals with various aspects of the Craft, beyond the basic "harm none" . . .

This has led to some Witches calling the principle - Do as ye will, an ye harm none - the Wiccan Law, and reserving the name "Wiccan Rede" for this fleshed-out edition.

It's tempting to clarify this way, since two different texts with the same name can be confusing. But to call anything a Wiccan Law is to skate on thin ideological ice.

Anyway, here is what I think of as the complete version of the Wiccan Rede.

There are many different versions of the Wiccan Rede floating around. The one below is the most complete compilation of what I consider the best parts, with some modifications of my own.

(This has been revised, as of April 2010)

The Complete Wiccan Rede

(The Counsel Of The Wise Ones)

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,

In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust;


Live ye must and let to live,

Fairly take and fairly give.

True in love, ever be,

Lest thy love be false to thee.


With a fool no season spend,

Nor be counted as his friend.

Soft of eye and light of touch,

Speak ye little, listen much.


Ever mind the rule of three,

What ye send out comes back to thee.

This lesson well, thou must learn

Ye only get what ye do earn.


Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -

An it harm none, do as ye will.


Deosil go by waxing Moon,

Sing and dance the invoking Rune;

Widdershins go by waning Moon,

Chant ye then a freeing tune;


When the Lady's Moon is new,

Kiss thy hand to Her times two;

When the Bow rides in the eve

Turn to what you would achieve;

When the Moon rides at her peak,

Then thy heart's desire seek;

When the Sickle shows Her face

Release the old with proper grace.


Greet the Days and greet the Nights

With joy and thanks for all delights.

Sing the seasons all around

Til wondrous awe and love abound


Heed the North wind's mighty gale,

Lock the door & trim the sail;

When the wind comes from the South,

Love will kiss thee on the mouth;


When the wind blows from the West,

Hearts will find their peace and rest;

When the wind blows from the East,

Expect the new and set the feast.


Nine woods in the Cauldron go,

Burn them quick and burn them slow;

Birch and fir and apple tree,

Hawthorn is sacred to Thee,

Willow, hazel, rowan, grape,

And oak will shape the weave of fate;

Elder be the Lady's tree -

Burn it not or cursed ye'll be.


Birchwood in the fire goes

To tell us true what Goddess knows.

Oak trees tower great with might,

Burn the Oak for God's insight.

Rowan is a tree of power

Causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waters stand

To help us to the Summerland.

Hawthorn burn to purify

And draw the faerie to your eye.

Hazel tree, the wisdom sage,

Lends strength that comes with honoured age.

White the flowers of Apple tree,

The holy gift of fecundity.

Grape grows upon the fruitful vine,

Sacred gifts of joy and wine.

Fir's ever greenness declares life

Succeeds beyond any strife.

Heed ye flower, bush, and tree,

And by the Lady Blessed be.

Where the rippling waters flow

Cast a stone and truth ye'll know;


Four times the Major Sabbats mark

In the light and in the dark:


As the old year starts to wane

The new begins with dark Samhain.

When flowers blossom through the snow

Fair Brighid casts her seed to sow.

When winter yields to warmth's return

Let the Beltane fires burn.

As summer turns to Lammas night

First fruits and Grain Gods reach their height.


Four times the Minor Sabbats fall

Use the Sun to mark them all:


At Yuletide, with feast and mirth

We celebrate the God Child's birth.

Spring Equinox, Eostara's fest,

All newborn creatures will be blessed.

When the Sun has reached its height

Celebrate the greatest Light.

Offer thanks at second reaping;

Mabon poised for winter's sleeping.


Cast the circle thrice about,

To keep unwelcome spirits out.

To bind the spell well every time,

Let the spell be spake in rhyme.


Follow this with mind & art,

Bright the cheeks and warm the heart,

And merry meet & merry part

And merry meet again!

Resources for the Complete Wiccan Rede:

Loving the Goddess Within: Sex Magick for Women

  The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess - Starhawk

  The Grandmother of Time: A Woman's Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every Month of the Year - Zsuzsanna Budapest

  Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, (Includes Author's Book of Shadows) - Scott Cunningham

  In the Shadow of the Shaman: Connecting with Self, Nature & Spirit (Llewellyn's New Worlds Spirituality Series) - Amber Wolfe

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