The Wiccan Rede is the heartbeat of Wicca, a simple set of words that carry a lot of weight: “Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.” At first glance, it’s easy to repeat, but living it is a lifelong practice. It’s about personal freedom, responsibility, and respect—for ourselves, others, and the world around us.
More than just a line, the Rede is a moral compass. It reminds witches that every choice, spell, or action has consequences, and that magic is energy that moves through the universe. Acting with awareness and care is what keeps our energy and our lives in balance.
Wiccans believe that our intentions ripple outwards. A careless word, a misfired spell, or even an unkind thought can affect people, animals, and nature. By following the Rede, we learn to move thoughtfully, respecting the flow of energy and the freedom of others.
Over time, the simple phrase of the Rede has expanded into many guidelines, often called the “Wiccan Redes.” These practical rules cover everything from magical practice to everyday behavior, giving witches a roadmap for living ethically and harmoniously while still embracing the joy and wonder of magic.
Core Principles of the Wiccan Rede
1. “Bide the Wiccan Laws we must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.”
This is the foundation of all Wiccan practice. It reminds us that every action should be guided by love and trust, not fear or manipulation. Witches are encouraged to approach magic with a pure heart, mindful that their intentions shape their energy and outcomes.
Living in “perfect love and perfect trust” isn’t just about interpersonal relationships. It’s also about trust in nature, the divine, and your own intuition. Magic works best when fear, doubt, or selfish motives are set aside, allowing energy to flow freely and positively.
Following this principle creates a strong base for the rest of the Rede. When your foundation is built on love and trust, every spell, ritual, and action is more aligned, ethical, and effective.
2. “Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.”
The famous line sums up the heart of Wiccan ethics. Personal freedom is vital, but it’s always balanced by responsibility. The idea is simple: enjoy your life, your magic, and your choices—but never at the expense of others.
Harm is broad, covering physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental aspects. By keeping this in mind, witches learn to act thoughtfully, prevent unnecessary harm, and create energy that uplifts rather than disrupts.
This core principle also encourages empathy. What’s harmless to you may affect someone else differently. Considering others’ perspectives helps ensure your magic flows with positive, mindful intent, strengthening both your craft and your relationships.
3. “Live and let live. Fairly take and fairly give.”
Respecting others’ freedom and resources is another central idea. Wiccans strive to take only what they need, give generously, and avoid interfering with someone else’s path. This applies in magic and everyday life alike.
When witches follow this principle, they cultivate fairness and balance. Whether harvesting herbs, sharing knowledge, or exchanging energy in magical workings, this Rede reminds practitioners to act responsibly and honor reciprocity.
It’s a reminder that every action has a consequence. By giving and taking fairly, witches maintain harmony within themselves, their community, and the natural world.
Additional Wiccan Redes
4. “Cast the Circle thrice about to keep the evil spirits out.”
Creating sacred space is a common magical practice. Casting the circle three times forms a protective boundary, keeping negative energy away while containing your own magical energy.
The repetition of three is symbolic in Wicca, representing unity and balance. It amplifies intention, ensuring the circle is strong and energetically secure.
This practice also sets the tone for rituals. A protected space allows energy to flow freely, your focus to sharpen, and your magic to manifest safely and effectively.
5. “To bind the spell every time let the spell be spake in rhyme.”
Rhyming in spells is traditional and practical. It makes intentions clearer, easier to remember, and more rhythmic, which helps channel energy efficiently.
The rhyme also adds a musical, meditative element to magical work. Chanting or speaking spells aloud aligns your energy with your words, strengthening the spell’s effect.
While rhyme isn’t mandatory, it’s a helpful tool. For many witches, it transforms a simple phrase into a focused, potent intention.
6. “Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak little, listen much.”
Mindfulness is key in magic and life. Being gentle, observant, and considerate allows witches to sense energy, understand situations, and act wisely.
This principle emphasizes listening over talking, observation over assumption. The more we notice, the better our magical and personal decisions become.
It’s also about respect. A soft touch and quiet presence honor both the energies you work with and the people around you, creating harmony wherever you go.
7. “Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the Witches’ Rune. / Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.”
Timing matters in magic. “Deosil” (clockwise) motions with the waxing moon amplify growth, healing, and manifestation. “Widdershins” (counterclockwise) motions with the waning moon focus on banishing, releasing, and letting go.
The moon’s phases enhance intention. Working with these natural rhythms strengthens spellcraft, making outcomes smoother and more aligned with universal energy.
Understanding when to use which motion allows witches to work harmoniously with the cycles of nature, deepening their connection to the Earth and the divine.
8. Moon, Wind, and Seasonal Redes
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New moon: “kiss the hand to her, times two.”
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Full moon: “then your hearts desire seek.”
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North wind: “lock the door and drop the sail.”
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South wind: “love will kiss thee on the mouth.”
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West wind: “departed souls will have no rest.”
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East wind: “expect the new and set the feast.”
These guidelines tie magic to natural forces. The moon, wind, and seasonal cycles influence energy, moods, and magical effectiveness. Acting in alignment with these elements strengthens intention and reduces resistance.
Following them is both practical and symbolic. It teaches patience, timing, and respect for nature’s power, helping witches integrate the cosmic and natural rhythms into daily life.
9. Plant and Wood Guidelines
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Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
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Elder be the Lady’s tree, burn it not or cursed you’ll be.
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Heed ye flower, Bush and Tree, by the Lady, blessed be.
Plants and trees carry energy. These rules encourage respect for plant life and the magical properties of wood. Using them with care ensures ethical and effective spellcraft.
They remind witches that life—human, animal, or plant—is sacred. Honoring these natural gifts strengthens connection, energy, and magical work.
10. Life, Love, and Magic Guidelines
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Mind the Threefold Law you should, three times bad and three times good.
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With a fool no season spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
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Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
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True in love ever be, lest thy lover’s false to thee.
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When ye have a true need, hearken not to others’ greed.
These practical rules guide daily behavior and relationships. They encourage integrity, mindfulness, and ethical interaction in both mundane and magical life.
Following these ensures that magic and life remain harmonious. The Threefold Law, in particular, reminds witches that energy returns threefold, reinforcing accountability and conscious living.
Walking the Wiccan Path with Intention
The Wiccan Rede is a roadmap, not a set of rigid rules. By following these guidelines, witches move through life and magic with mindfulness, compassion, and respect for the forces around them. Each principle offers wisdom for both ritual practice and everyday living.
Living by the Rede is about aligning your actions, energy, and intentions. It invites reflection, ethical practice, and connection to the cycles of nature, helping witches create a life that is balanced, magical, and filled with purpose.
