The Witches'
Rede
(Poetic Version)
Bide the Witch's 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 unwanted spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon - sing and dance the witch's rune.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at her peak, then ye hearts desire seek.
Heed the North Wind's mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South - love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the West Wind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow.
Elder be ye Lady's tree - burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn, let the Beltan fires burn.
When the wheel has turned a Yule, light the log and let Pan rule.
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 are in dire need, hearken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind ye Threefold Law yet should, three times bad, and three times good.
When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be, unless thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Witche's Rede fulfill;
An ye harm none, do what ye will!!
Bide the Witch's 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 unwanted spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon - sing and dance the witch's rune.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at her peak, then ye hearts desire seek.
Heed the North Wind's mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South - love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the West Wind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow.
Elder be ye Lady's tree - burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn, let the Beltan fires burn.
When the wheel has turned a Yule, light the log and let Pan rule.
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 are in dire need, hearken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind ye Threefold Law yet should, three times bad, and three times good.
When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be, unless thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Witche's Rede fulfill;
An ye harm none, do what ye will!!