The Wiccan Rede

The Rede is the Central Law of Wiccan religion. In short it states: “If it harms none, do what you want.” You may see it phrased in different ways. Some use the old English: “An it harm none, do as thou wilt”. The Rede is seen by both Wiccans and outside observers as very similar to the Golden Rule, a belief that is found in nearly every religion. It should be noted that, while the Golden Rule forbids harm subjectively, the Wiccan Rede forbids harm absolutely. The concept of ethical reciprocity is not explicitly stated, but most Wiccans interpret the Rede to imply the Golden Rule in the belief that the spirit of the Rede is not just to do no harm, but to actively do good for one’s fellow man as well as oneself.

Different sects of Wiccans read “none” differently: some include the self, others include animals or plants, and so forth. The Rede also expressly rejects the concept of sin outside of harm to oneself or to another. The Rede is only a guideline which the individual must interpret to fit each particular situation. Partner to the Rede is the Rule of Three. It states that both the good and the evil that one creates in the world will be returned threefold (in joy or suffering). It is therefore seen as a pragmatic reason for ethical behavior and compliance with the Wiccan Rede.

The Wiccan Rede is a statement that provides the key moral system in the Neopagan religion of Wicca and certain other related Witchcraft-based faiths. A common form of the Rede is An it harm none, do what ye will.

The word “Rede” derives from Middle English, meaning “advice” or “counsel” and being closely related to the German Rat or Norwegian and Swedish råd. “An” is an archaic Middle English conjunction, meaning “if.” “Ye” is an archaic or dialectal form of “you” (nominative plural).

Other variants of the Rede include:

• Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill, An it harm none do what ye will.
• An it harm none, do what thou wilt.
• An it harm none, do as thou wilt.
• That it harm none, do as thou wilt.
• Do what you will, so long as it harms none.

The Lost Bearded White Brother