The Witches’ Rede

(Original Version)

Bide the witches rede ye must,

In perfect love and perfect trust.


Live and let live,

Fairly take and fairly give.


Form the circle thrice about,

To keep all ye evil sprits out.


To bind the spell well every time,

Let the spell be spoken in rhyme.


Soft of eye, and light of touch,

Speak ye little, and listen ye much.


Deosil go by the waxing moon,

Singing out the witch's rune.


Widdershins go by the waning moon,

Chanting out the baneful tune.


When the Lady's moon is new,

Kiss your hand to her times two.


When the moon is at her peak,

Then thy hearts desire seek.


Heed the North wind's mighty gale,

Lock the doors and trim the sail.


When the winds come from the South,

Love will kiss thee on the mouth.


When the moor winds are from the West,

Departed spirits have no rest.


When the winds are from the East,

Expect the new and trim the feast.


Nine woods in the cauldron go,

Burn them quick and burn them slow.


Elder be the Lady's tree,

Burn it not or cursed ye'll be.


When the wheel begins to turn,

let the Beltane fires burn.


When the wheel turns to Yule,

Light the log for the Horned One Rules.


Heed the flower, bush and tree,

By the Lady, Blessed Be!


When the rippling waters flow,

Cast a stone and truth you'll know.


When ye have and hold a need,

Harken not to others greed.


With a fool no seasons spend,

Nor be counted as his friend.


Merry meet and merry part,

Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.


Mind the threefold law ye should,

Three time bad and three times good.


When misfortune is anow,

Wear the blue star upon thy brow.


True in love must ye ever be,

Least thy love be false to thee.


In these eight words the witches rede fulfill:

An it harm none, do what ye will.