The Wiccan Rede " The Wiccan Credo

The Wiccan Rede is eight words long. Note that "Rede" is pronounced read, from the Old English rædan, which means advice. "An" is Old English for If.

An it harm none, do what ye will.

The Wiccan Rede is a general rule that governs the behavior of Wiccans. It permits Wiccans to begin or take part in action that is considered and as long as it harms none, including themselves.

The concept is very practical. It is not meant to mean never harm anyone. There are times when self-defense may be needed. When threatened with harm, it is a responsibility to the integrity of the self to defend against attack, by any means appropriate. We are not pacifists.

Also, there are times when the choice is not between harming or harming none, but rather harming some and harming more than some. In this situation, the spirit of the Rede would clearly favor the fewer harmed the better.

The Wiccan Rede is sometimes confused with The Wiccan Credo which happens to contain the words of the Wiccan Rede.

The authorship of the Credo is not clear. Some credit Adriana Porter while others credit Doreen Valienta.

The Wiccan Credo

Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must,
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust;
Live ye must and let to live,
Fairly take and fairly give;

Form the Circle thrice about,
To keep unwelcome spirits out;
Bind fast the spell every time,
Let the words be spoke in rhyme.

Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much.

Deosil go by waxing moon,
Sing and dance the Witches' Rune;
Widdershins go by waning moon,
Chant ye then a baleful tune;
When the Lady's moon is new,
Kiss hand to her times two;
When the moon rides at peak,
Heart's desire then ye seek.

Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door & trim the sail;
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss them on the mouth;
When the wind blows from the West,
departed souls have no rest;
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.

Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them quick, burn them slow;
Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you'll be;
When the wind begins to turn,
Soon Beltane fires will burn;
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
light the log, the Horned One rules.

Heed the flower, bush or tree
By the Lady blessed be'
When the rippling waters flow,
Cast a stone - the truth you'll know;
When ye have & hold a need,
Hearken not to others' greed;
With a fool no seasons spend,
Or be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and merry part
Bright the cheeks, warm the heart;
Mind The Threefold Law* ye should,
Three times bad and three times good.

Whenever misfortune is ye now,
Wear the star upon your brow.

True in troth ever ye be
Lest thy love prove false to thee.

'Tis by the sun that life be won,
And by the moon that change be done;
If ye would clear the path to will,
Make certain the mind be still;
What good be tools without Inner Light?
What good be magic without wisdom-sight?
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -
An it harm none, do what ye will.

The Wiccan Rede & The Wiccan Credo

The Wiccan Rede

An it harm none, do what ye will.

The Wiccan Credo