The Wiccan Rede or Three-Fold Law
Although there are no self-imposed formal laws governing Wiccans, most Wiccans generally adhere to what has become known as “The Wiccan Rede” and “The Three-fold Law”. These two principles or laws contain the basics of what Wiccans define as ethical and moral behavior within the Craft and the society in which they live.
Criticism has been leveled at the Rede by outsiders who have usually only given a cursory glance at the text and then consider it to be a license to do whatever “feels good” to the individual Wiccan without any accompanying responsibility. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The Wiccan Rede is full of compassion, empathy and respect for others, individual practitioners, the Goddess and God, and Mother Earth.
Bide by the Wiccan laws we must in perfect love and perfect trust
Live and let live fairly take and fairly give
Caste the circle thrice about to keep the evil spirits out
To bind the spell every time let the spell be spoke in rhyme
Soft of eye and light of touch speak little, listen much
Deosil go by the waxing moon chanting out the “Witche’s rune”
Widdershins go by the waning moon chanting out the baneful rune
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 comes from the south lone will kiss thee on the mouth
When the wind blows from the west departed souls will 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 fast and burn them slow
Elder be the ladies tree burn it or cursed you’ll be
When the wheel begins to turn let the beltane fires burn
When the wheel has turned to yule let the log and the horned one rules
Heed ye Flower, Nush and tree by the lady, blessed be
Where the rippling waters go caste a stone and truth you’ll know
When ye have a true need hearken not to others’ greed
With a fool no season spend lest ye be counted as his friend
Merry meet and merry part bright the cheeks and warm the heart
Mind the threefold law you should three times bad and three times good
When the misfortune is enow wear the blue star on thy brow
True in love ever be lest thy lover’s false to thee
Eight words the wiccan rede fulfill: In it harm none, do what ye will.