The Wiccan Rede
(Full Version)
by Lady Gwynne Thompson

The original source of the Wiccan Rede is thought by many to be Doreen Valiente. Lady Gwynne Thompson, teacher of the N.E.C.T.W. (New England Coven of Traditionalist Witches) from 1928 - 1986 originally published this historic passage in issue #69 of Green Egg magazine. Lady Gwynne attributed her version of the Wiccan Rede to her father's mother, a witch named Adriana Porter, who died in 1946.

Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.

Form the circle thrice about, to keep all evil spirits out.
To bind ye spell every time, let ye spell be spake in rhyme.

Soft of eye, light of touch, speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, singing out ye Witches’ Rune.

Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out ye Baneful Rune.
When the Lady’s moon is new, kiss your hand to her times two.

When the moon rides at her peak, then ye heart’s desire seek.
Heed the North wind’s mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West, departed souls may have no rest.

When the wind blows from the East, except the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in ye cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.

Elder be ye Lady’s tree, burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.
When the wheel begins to turn, soon ye Beltaine fire’ll burn.

When the wheel hath turned to Yule, light the log the Horned One rules.
Heed ye flower, bush and tree, by the Lady blessed be.

Where the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth ye’ll know.
When ye have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend, nor be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind ye threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is anow, wear the blue star upon thy brow.

True in love ye must ever be, lest thy love be false to thee.

In these eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
‘An ye harm none, do what ye will.