The Witches Rede

Rede: A tenet, rule, doctrine or law

>>The Wiccan Rede
The primary law of Wicca
is the Rede: Put simply “Do
as you will but harm none”.<<

We have always said the Rede should have read "As you harm none. Do as you will.

The non harming should be your first thoughts.
Can a Witch harm ! Yes
http://thedruidking.blogspot.com/2012/03/truth-of-natural-witches-witch-druid.html

REDE, WICCA: 1) rule or law. The Wiccan Rede:"...an yea harm none, do as yea will." 1) refers to a twenty-six line poem called the Wiccan Rede. Also called: "The Long Version" 2) refers to a eight line poem called The Wiccan Rede. Also called: The Short Version. 3) this is a moral code: Meaning no harm to another person or thing, with an unwritten but understood meaning, no harm to Self, either. REDE: means advice or council, not law. Though Wiccans tend to take it as an absolute lifestyle. It should be taken even further: that one actively do good works, as well.

A bit of history on the Wiccan Rede:

>>The New England Coven of Traditionalist Witches was founded in North Haven, CT, in the late 1960s by Lady Gwen Thompson (Phyllis Healey, 1928-1986), who claimed that her family tradition originated in Somerset, England, and was brought to the United States by way of Nova Scotia. This material, she said, was handed down through many generations and blended with popular occultism to become the present form that she named NECTW. Not all who are born into a family tradition are destined to follow this path, she said. She feared her tradition would die out and fade into obscurity. For this reason, she began fostering students outside the family.
This does look like the sort of dubious “grandmother” story that gets made up all too often, but in this case it might well be true, at least in part. The coven’s members believe that Thompson did have a Family Tradition of some sort, which she ascribed to one Adriana Porter (ca. 1850-1946). The research by Andrew Theitic of the Coven of Minerva and Professor Robert Mattheissen of Brown University, in The Rede of the Wiccae, into the long version of the Wiccan Rede that Lady Gwen sent to Green Egg does support this contention to some extent. However, she assimilated that tradition to the Gardnerian model. Her theology was not the usual Gardnerian duotheism, but much more Manichean, as pre-Gardnerian Witches often tended toward. Although the coven worked robed, it maintained the typical Gardnerian emphasis on ritual discipline: working only in “properly prepared” circles, etc.   (A History of the Craft in America:  By Aidan Kelly) <<
<<

The Rede:

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 Candelas 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!


Moon Rising
TDK