So I guess we should start out with the Wiccan Rede for those of you who are new. I'll post the actual copy of the Rede and I'll give you a summary at the end (but, just to warn you, if you have a teacher, they'll probably expect you to memorize this!):
Bide the Wiccan Law ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live; fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about, to keep all evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time, let teh spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak ye little an' listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon, sing and dance the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, and 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 speak.
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 Westwind blows o'er thee, deparded spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn the fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree - burn it not or cursed you'll be!
When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
When teh Wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and let Pan rule.
Heed ye flower, bush, and tree, and by the Lady Blessed Be!
Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth you'll know.
Whenever ye have a need, harken not to others' greed.
With the fool no season spend, nor be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law ye should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow, where the Blue Star on your brow.
True in love ever be, unless they love is false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: "An, it harm none, do what ye will!"
This "Rede" is the law by which Witches live, with harm to none. Harming none includes not harming yourself. The term "Harm" and what actually constitutes as harm to another being, is a convoluted concept, and requires thought and meditation on the part of the Witch, to weigh possible consequences of actions to see if harm will result. Also bear in mind that you have no right to do magick or cast spells on another person WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION! This IS considered harm, as you are forcing your will on them.
This concept can be the most difficult for a person new to the Craft to grasp, yet it is the most important; it makes you totally responsible for your actions and their results. If you have a dilemma, it's best to get another informed opinion before acting, especially if you are strongly and emotionally attached to the result. Now, I personally feel there are certain exceptions to the "do no harm" rule; if someone causes you harm or causes you to harm yourself, there is a small clause in which it is just to send the energy back to them.
Now for the Witch's Creed:
To Know,
to Dare,
to Will,
to keep Silent;
these are the four words of the Magus.
In order to Dare, we must Know.
In order to Will, we must Dare.
We must Will to possess empire
To reign, we must be Silent.
This basically tells us that there are four things that we have to do when we study our works. To Know, To Dare, To Will, and To Keep Silent.
We must free our minds and clear them of useless clutter, garbage, and worn-out notions. Only then can we open them to accept the gifts of knowledge and truth - the gifts of the Ancients - that await us.
We must dare to overcome our own personal ignorance and outdated beliefs. Only then will we gain the personal strength necessary to walk the path of the Craft.
Without personal will, our magick comes to naught. In order for our efforts to reach success, we must want our goals so badly that we become one with them.
This is a twofold matter; first, we must acquire the trait of inner peace and quiet, and cultivate it well within ourselves. Only then can we hear the messages of the Gods, or hear the truth within. The second matter is a mundane one. Unfortunately, frightened people still live in our world, and we must understand that those who do not wish to be educated will not be. For that reason, silence is often necessary to protect ourselves and the ways of the Craft.
Now that we have understood the rules and hopefully you didn't rush through this just to get to the cooler parts, if you look at my next post, something I will do in a couple of minutes, I will put up a couple of spells and continue on to give you lessons of how one learns the Wiccan practices.
