Poem Analysis: The Rede By Lady Gwen Thompson

The Rede was originally published by Lady Gwen Thompson as "given to her by her Grandmother" and therefore part of a centuries old tradition. It has been described as a really bad poem. The Rede comes in two different forms: The Older Rede and The Common Rede.
(By Lady Gwen Thompson & Adriana Porter)
1. Bide the Wiccan Laws we must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
2. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
3. Cast the Circle thrice about, to keep the evil spirits out.
4. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
5. Soft of eye and light of touch, speak little, listen much.
6. Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the Witches' Rune.
7. Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.
8. When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to her, times two.

9.

When the moon rides at her peak, then your heart's desire seek.
10. Heed the North wind's mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail.
11. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12. When the wind blows from the West, departed souls will have no rest.
13. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
14. Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
15. Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be.
16. When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
17. When the Wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and the Horned One rules.
18. Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree, by the Lady, blessed be.
19. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth you'll know.
20. When ye have a true need, hearken not to others' greed.
21. With a fool no season spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
22. Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the

heart.
23. Mind the Threefold Law you should, three times bad and three times good.
24. When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
25. True in Love ever be, lest thy lover's false to thee.
26. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.
Notes on the Rede:
Line 18: Reverence for nature.
Line 20: Greed is not a good thing. It’s not necessary to have to be the person with the most of everything. You don't have to outdo your peers.
Line 21: You'll be judged by the company you keep. Use common sense.
Line 23: "Three-Fold Law (Three Thingamajig Rule)" You reap what you sow. Gods/Cosmos will get you for your wrongful actions.
Line 24: The "Blue star" refers to the Pentacle, which represents the Wiccan faith. Don't lose faith in times of stress or misfortune.
Line 25: Don't be deceitful. Always act upon your true feelings. Don't be false to your lover, family, and friends. This is similar to the Three-Fold Law, although it’s more specific.
Line 26: An overused summary of the entire Rede. Basically, says use good judgment and common sense.
THE OLD LAWS
This group of laws was put together around the founding of Gardnerianism/Alexandrianism, in the 1950's. They were first described by Gerald Gardner.