[learn] The Wiccan Rede

[Autumn Fyhr]

So when I first stopped being Christian and decided that I was going to be wiccan I did a bunch of research on a couple of things, but mostly on the Rede. Below is a compiled Rede from seven different versions (I browsed through the one that started this thread, which is why it is seven instead of six). Because I expect it to be confusing, don't hesitate to ask me questions. A couple of pointers to start.
1. If there is a / between two words that means that they are interchangeable, use one or the other.
2. If it is in () then it means it is an optional use, I have seen it with and without.
3. I colored lines, those were deviations that needed to be put down whole. If it was a single line then it is under where it goes, sometimes they come in pairs. Pairs are only together if they are directly with each other.

Bide within the Law you must,
Bide the Wiccan Laws we/ye must
in perfect Love and perfect Trust.

Live you/ye must and let to live,
Live and let live
fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about
Cast the circle thrice about
to keep (the)(all) unwelcome/evil spirits out.

To bind the spell well every time,
To bind the spell every time
To bind the magick every time
let the spell be said in rhyme.
Let the spell be spake in rhyme

Light of eye and soft of touch,
Soft of eye and light of touch
speak (you/ye) little, listen much.

Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon,
chanting out the joyful tune.
Sing and dance the Witches/Wiccan Rune*
Chanting out the Witches' Rune

Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
Widdershins go by the waning Moon
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
and werewolves howl by the dread wolfsbane
Chanting out the/a baneful rune

When the Lady's moon is new,
kiss the/thy hand to Her times two.

When the moon rides at Her peak
then your/the heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale,
lock the door and trim the sail.
lock the door and drop the sail

When the Wind blows from the East,
expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss you/thee on the mouth.

When the wind whispers from the West,
When the west wind blows o'er thee
all hearts will find peace and rest.
When it whispers from the West
Aching hearts find peace and rest
When the wind blows o'er thee
(The) departed spirits restless be
When the wind blows from the West
Departed souls will have no rest

Nine woods in the Cauldron go,
burn them fast and burn them slow.

Birch in/to the fire goes
to represent what the Lady knows.
in sign of what the Lady knows

Oak in the forest towers with might,
in the fire it brings the God's insight.

Rowan is a tree of power
causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand
ready to help us to the Summerland.
Willows which by water stand
Ease us to the Summerland

Hawthorn is burned to purify
and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning
adds its strength to the bright fire burning.

White are the flowers of Apple tree
that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine
giving us both joy and wine.
give to us both joy and wine

Fir does mark the evergreen
to represent immortality seen.
Fir tree bough are evergreen,
Immortal life in them is seen

Elder is the Lady's tree
burn it not or cursed you'll be.
burn it not, or cursed be

Four times the Major Sabbats mark
in the light and in the dark.
Twice in the light and twice in the dark

As the old year starts to wane
the new begins, it's now Samhain.
In death the spark of life is born
At Samhain when the veil is torn

When the time for Imbolc shows
watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to/a turn
soon the Beltane fires will burn.
Let the Beltane fires burn

As the wheel turns to Lamas/Lugh's night
power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall
use the Sun to mark them all.

When the wheel has/hath turned to/a Yule
light the log (and) the Horned One rules.
light the log and let Pan rule

In the spring, when night equals day
time for Ostara to come our way.

When the Sun has reached it's height
time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all
when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
When Mabon does come to call{I made up this line, but it fits with the rhyme and I wanted the name of the holiday.}

Heed the/ye flower, bush, and tree
by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Learning flower, bush and tree
(And) by the Lady, blessed be

Where the rippling waters go/flow
cast a/the stone, (and)(the) truth you'll/ye'll know.

When you/ye have and hold a need,
Whenever you do have a need
When ye have a true need
When ye are in dire need
harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend
or be counted as his friend.
Lest ye be counted as his friend
Nor be counted as his friend

Merry Meet and Merry Part
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Law/s you/ye should
three times bad and three times good.

When misfortune is/does enow
wear the star upon your brow.
wear the blue Star on thy brow

Be true in love this you must do
unless your love is false to you.
True in love thou must ever be,
lest thy love prove/be false to thee
True in love ever be
Unless thy love/r is false to thee

(These) Eight words the (Wiccan/Witches') Rede fulfill:
An' it Harm None, Do What Thou Will
An ye harm none, do what ye will

And it cause harm and the harm be just
Do what you/ye will, do what you/ye must



*Witches Rune

Darksome night and Shining Moon,
East then South then West then North,
Hearken to the Witches' Rune, here we come to call ye forth,
Earth and Water, Air and Fire, Wand and Pentacle and Sword,
Work ye unto our desire, hearken ye unto our word,
By all the power of land and sea, by all the might of Moon and Sun,
As we do will, so mote it be, chant the spell and be it done.  

[Autumn Fyhr]

What are the Nine Noble Virtues?