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A Look at the Wiccan Rede

© J. Rebecca Cougill

The Wiccan Rede is a very powerful statement of belief by many in the Wiccan/Neopagan spiritual movement. It is the code many of us live by and work hard to teach to our children. But, what does it really mean? First of all you have to know what the read says. You can find information about the Rede and its origins at http://www.draknetfree.com/sheathomas/ . What I intend to do in this article is break down the Rede as shown on the Website I gave you, and show what it is really talking about. For those of you who already have a Wiccan/pagan background you will understand this completely. I am writing this for those who are trying to understand our ways.

1. Bide the Wiccan laws ye must in perfect love and perfect trust. I know what many people think when they read this. Nothing is perfect. They would be right, but this section is suggesting that we come together without fear, and with only love in our hearts. By doing so we can accomplish our goals. In earth based religions, fear overrides the effects of our worship and prevents the effect we are hoping for and hatred or anger has no place in circle for it is these things that bring about worship that can cause harm to yourself and others.

2. Live and let live - fairly take and fairly give. This is pretty easy. Just think Golden Rule.

3. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out. This is where we begin to see information about how to conduct our worship. The ritual of pagan worship should include casting a circle to protect the mind, body and soul from what might interfere with the worship. 4. To bind the spell every time let the spell be spake in rhyme. Rhyme and rhythm have long been a part of religious culture. Drumming, chanting and speaking in rhyme make it easier to remember what it is your suppose to do as well as sounding pleasing. But, the Rhymes themselves have a purpose of providing a vibration to the words. It is vibration that changes the environment be it Ritual practice or Science.

5. Soft of eye and light of touch - speak little, listen much. This to is self-explanatory. It has also been said among the Christian faith that God gave you two ears and one mouth so you can listen twice as much as you talk.

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