An it harm none, do as thou wilt
(If it harms no one, do as you will)
This is the law of Wicca. At fist glance this looks relatively simple. You can do as you like provided your actions don’t harm anyone. Is it really that simple? Let’s study it a little closer.
Is it limited by your motive or intent? Of course not, if you hurt someone with intent or if you hurt them inadvertently you have still hurt them whether it was your intent or not. You are responsible for what you do.
Is it acceptable to seek out vengeance or justice either by physical or magickal means? Taking this stand would be in violation of the spirit in which the Rede was set. Nevertheless you may do what is needed to protect yourself from harm.
Every action has a reaction, some reactions are known before hand, some immediately following and some much later possibly without our awareness.
In another segment I will write about energy. How sub-atomic particles can manifest change in the material world. Thoughts are energy and can therefore manifest change in the material world.
If you think of something that is emotionally charged it will cause you to have an emotional change and thus cause a physical change. Thoughts can be considered an action and can cause harm, even if it’s only to you. Your thoughts can harm others as well as harm you since magick is mostly that, thought, concentration, focus and intent to manifest change.
So, it would seem that we can not follow the Wiccan Rede perfectly all the time since much of what happens by our actions either can not be verified or may not be recognized. It would seem then that the Rede is meant to make us aware of the potential we have to manifest change and that we must be accountable for our actions.
December 3rd, 2008
2 Comments at "The Wiccan Rede"
The most popular and annoying quotations of the rede, as some sort of law, comes from a poem written for Green Egg, by Gwen Thompson. Gardner mentions the whole harm none thing in his “laws” but not in the same context as it is now, commonly, applied.
How the poem evolved into some sort of law absolutely boggles my mind. It seems to be loosely, very loosely, based on “Do what thou wilt, shall be the whole of the Law.” A little bit of plagiarism on Gardner’s part.
We may as well print that version here. The full poem as published by Thompson is:
Rede Of The Wiccae
Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones:
Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Live an’ let live - Fairly take an’ 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 an’ light of touch - Speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon - Sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, An’ the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.
When the Lady’s Moon is new, Kiss thy hand to Her times two.
When the Moon rides at Her peak Then your heart’s desire seek.
Heed the Northwind’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 an’ 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 Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned a Yule, Light the Log an’ let Pan rule.
Heed ye flower bush an’ tree - By the Lady Blessèd Be.
Where the rippling waters go Cast a stone an’ truth ye’ll know.
When ye have need, Hearken not to others greed.
With the fool no season spend Or be counted as his friend.
Merry meet an’ merry part - Bright the cheeks an’ warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law ye should - Three times bad an’ 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 ye Wiccan Rede fulfill - An’ it harm none, Do what ye will.
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