Turned In Assignment # 7: The Wiccan Rede


A Critical Analysis of the Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede provides essential wisdom and notes the basic beleifs of Wicca--it is, essentially, 'Wicca in a nutshell'. The first lines, "Bide the Wiccan Laws we must, In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust..." speak that if we would follow Wicca in a righteous, truthfull and holy way, we must obey the laws. The second line effectively tells you that if you cannot follow these laws with some peace of mind, then you will not be happy in trying to do so. The next four lines, "Cast the Circle thrice about, To keep the evil spirits out. To bind the spell every time, Let the spell be spake in rhyme," are basic wisdom for the casting of the circle and of all spells, simple advice for all practitioners.

"Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak but little, listen much," tell the reader how to follow the Path of Wicca: calmly and quietly, listening to wisdom rather than trying to dispense it.

"Deosil go by waxing moon,
Chanting out the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by waning moon,
Chanting out the baneful rune," is more ritual instruction--which way to walk and what to chant at the waxing and waning of the moon.

"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, " tell what rituals or spells may be cast at full and new moon: the full for fullfillment, and to worship the Goddess at new moon.

"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." These lines speak of what the four winds bring: the North, mighty gales which are dangerous to venture out in; the South, love; the West, unrest for the dead; and East, brings guests.

"Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you'll be." These four lines tell of nine kinds of wood to burn in the fire, but also warns against burning the sacred Elder.

"When the Wheel begins to turn,
Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log, the Horned One rules." The Wheel, or year, begins anew in Beltane. At Yule, the Horned God (presumably Pan) is to be worshipped.

The next lines tell us to heed the power of herbs:

"Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree,
By the Lady, Blessed Be."
"Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth you'll know." The rippling waters could be a scrying bowl, and the stones, runes--either will tell the truth.

"When ye have a true need,
Hearken not to others' greed.
With a fool no season spend,
Lest ye be counted as his friend." This speaks first of the difference betwixt need and desire, and then warns you not to associate with fools, lest people count you as one--or perhaps, lest they lead you unto foolish things.

"Merry Meet and Merry Part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law you should,
Three times bad and three times good." Meet all folk courteously, and part on the same note. Be healthy in body and mind, and take care: for what you send forth, returns threefold!

"When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in Love ever be,
Lest thy lover's false to thee." Blue Star is most likely an herb or crystal, to wear when misfortune comes. The last two lines are clear, and relate to the threefold law: be unfaithfull, and it will come back to you.

"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
As Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will." These last lines are, to me, of the greatest importance. They speak of the religious freedom allowed in Wicca, and tell that as long as you harm none (including yourself) you have the power to do anything.

To me, the Wiccan rede is wisdom in it's purest form: something to guide all practitioners, and warn them from the dangers of the path less trodden. Now that we know what the rede means, we can understand the religion it represents. Wicca is not a thing of stringent requirments, nor does it warn of any punishments should a rule not be followed--except, of course, the harm given you when harm is done by you. It also serves as something of a "wccan's almanac", telling precisely the best times to do certain spells and perform rites--even, in the case of Yule, telling you to burn a log, probably of one of the nine kinds of wood mentioned in the rede. Of course, the Wiccan Rede cannot guide you in everything. Once again, in the freedom of Wicca, you are on your own at times--you must make your own choices, unlike so many religions today. If you simply follow your Inner Voice, using truth and the Goddess to guide you, things will turn out all right. Essentially, if it feels wrong to do, then don't do it--you cannot love a religion that makes you uncomfortable.

Tsarmina

Assignment = Assignment #7-Wiccian Rede

I wanted to turn in this assignment-it is not in order but I feel in my heart that this was the best next action for me. This Rede had much for me to think about-ethics is something we all need to consider. But what the Wiccan Rede tells me was that anything we do must be considered carefully before we perform spells or rituals. For everything we do has the threefold rule- to me the Wiccan Rede-it all comes back to the sender. It also means to be balanced and aware in every thing we do. There were many more things to this that I do not understand completely but hope that in time, with more assignments the questions will be answered. But most importantly, the last line means most to me, not causing harm to others.

Thalia (Scattergrrl)



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