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The Wiccan Rede acknowledges the right of all people to practice their own path of spirituality. As long as that path does not bring harm or injury to any living being. The term rede is derived from the Old English term roedan "to guide or direct".

 

The exact origin of the Wiccan Rede is uncertain, but no one can argue it has grown and kept pace with the many influencing traditions practiced today. Gerald Gardner suggested the Rede was derived from the legendary Good King Pausol, who declared "Do what you like so long as you harm no one." However many scholars suggest Gardner's version of the Rede is actually based on the older Law of Thelema created by Aleister Crowley. "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." According to Crowley, if people knew their true wills and followed them, the would attune themselves to a harmony with the universe. Therefore spelling out the implications of doing harm was not necessary.

 

However old, the Wiccan Rede maybe, the Wiccan Credo has more recent origins. Many witches today confuse the Wiccan Rede with the longer version of the Credo.

 

The Wiccan Rede itself is only 2 lines,

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
An' in it harm none, do what ye will.

 

The Wiccan Credo however, is considerably a longer. The Credo dates to more recent times beginning in the mid 1910's during the height of spiritualism in the Gilded Age. But again scholars suggest the Credo actually came to form during the 1940's and 50's, in an effort to make modern Witchcraft more acceptable to the public.

 

Which ever scholarly research you chose to follow, the Wiccan Credo, should be adhered to. Other than being a beautifully written poem of rhyme, it's words hold significant insights to Wiccan practices and beliefs. Many traditions believe in making a rededication of faith with the Credo during the Witches new year celebration of Samhain

 

 

 

Bide the Wiccan Laws we must 

In perfect love and perfect trust 

Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give

Cast the Circle thrice about 

To keep unwelcome 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 

Doesil go by waxing moon 

Chanting out the witches rune 

Widdershins go by waning moon 

Chanting out a baneful tune 

When the lady's moon is new 

Kiss the hand to her times two 

When the moon rides at her peak 

Then your 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 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 then burn them slow 

Elder be the mighty tree, by the lady,

Blessed be!

Mind the threefold law ye should 

Three times bad and three times good 

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:

  "An ye harm none, do what ye will"!