The Wiccan Rede

The Unicorn Tradition teaches a 42-line poem that expands on the eight-word version of the Rede, including bits of lore and custom.

The Wiccan Rede

Being Known as the Counsel of the Wise Ones

Bide the Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about, to keep all evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon, dance and sing the Wiccan Rune.
Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady’s Moon is new, kiss the hand to 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 blows from the South, love will kiss the on the mouth.
When the West wind blows o’er thee, departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch into the fire goes, to represent what Lady knows.
Oak, the forest tower’s might, in the fire brings Lord’s insight.
Rowan is the tree of power, from which life and magic flowers.
Willow by the waters stand, to help us into Summerland.
Hawthorn burned to purify, and draw faeries to your eye.
Hazel, tree of wisdom and learning, adds its strength to fire’s burning.
White the flowers of Apple tree, that brings the fruits of fertility.
Grapes are grown upon the vine, giving us both joy and wine.
Elder be ye Lady’s tree, harm it not or cursed ye’ll be.
Four times the major Sabbats mark, in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane, the new begins; it’s now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows, watch for flowers in the snows.
When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel brings Lammas night, power comes to magick rite.
Four times the minor Sabbats fall, use the Sun to mark them all.
When the Wheel has turned a-Yule, light the log and let Pan rule.
In the Spring as night equals day, now Ostara comes our way.
When the Sun has reached its height, Oak and Holly come to fight.
Harvest comes to one and all, as Mabon heralds in the Fall.
Heed ye flower bush and tree, by the Lady blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth ye’ll know.
When ye have and hold a need, hearken not to other’s greed.
With the fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the three-fold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is anow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be, unless thy lover’s false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, and ye harm none, do what ye will.