The Rede of Wiccae: Adriana Porter, Gwen Thompson and the Birth of a Tradition of Witchcraft ~ Robert Mathiesen & Theitic (Copyright - 2005)
The Rede itself dates back to the 17th century and is theorized to be the work & collaboration of two witches; originally Adriana Porter & an unknown witch. Gwen Thompson (Phyllis Healy) which was Porter's granddaughter changed the Rede in the 1960's by rearranging the couplets and adding 5 - 7 more.
Gwen published her version of the Rede in 1975 in "The Green Egg". Doreen Valiente published what is now the 26th couplet by itself in 1964 in "Pentagram". And in 1974 the current 26 couplet Rede was published, including Valiente's quote from 1964 in "Earth Religion News".
Rede of Wiccae ~ (Being knowne as the Counsel of the Wise Ones.)
1~ Bide the wiccan laws ye must; in perfect love an perfect trust.
2~ Live an let live - fairly take an fairly give.
3~ Cast the circle thrice about; to keep all evil spirits out.
4~ To bind the spell every time; let the spell be spake in rhyme.
5~ Soft of eye an light of touch - speak little, listen much.
6~ Deosil go by the waxing Moon - sing an dance the wiccan rune.
7~ Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane; an the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
8~ When the Lady's Moon is new; kiss the hand to her times two.
9~ When the Moon rides at her peak; then your heart's desire seek.
10~ Heed the Northwind's mighty gail - lock the door and drop the sail.
11~ When the wind comes from the South; love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12~ When the wind blows from the East; expect the new and set a feast.
13~ When the West wind blows o'er thee; departed spirits restless be.
14~ Nine woods in the cauldron go - burn them quick an burn them slow.
15~ Elder be ye Lady's tree - burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
16~ When the wheel begins to turn - let the Beltane fires burn.
17~ When the wheel has turned a Yule; light the log an let Pan rule.
18~ Heed ye flower, bush an tree - by the Lady blessed be.
19~ Where the rippling waters go; cast a stone an truth will be known.
20~ When ye have need; hearken not to other's greed.
21~ With the fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
22~ Merry meet an merry part - bright the cheeks an warm the heart.
23~ Mind the Threefold Law ye should - three times bad an three time good.
24~ When misfortune is enow; wear the blue star on thy brow.
25~ True in love ever be, unless thy lover's false to thee.
26~ Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill - an it harm none, do what ye will.
