The Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede is the only Wiccan law. If we can generalize
to all Wicca. And if we can call it a "law.". Actually,

attributed to Adriana Porter, Thomson's grandmother. This is
a questionable claim, since Thomson was seeking to establish

guideline might be a better term. It implies a standard of
conduct rather than a rule imposed by some outside authority

validation for her teachings as a hereditary witch. Still,
it spoke to the essence of the practice of Witchcraft, and

and carrying a threat of punishment.
Which is why its official label is...

has been picked up by Witches everywhere. And like all
aspects of a living spiritual tradition, the Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede.

continues to evolve.

"Rede" means advice, or counsel. So the Wiccan Law is simply

a suggestion offered by the Divine to serve your best
interests. But it's entirely up to you whether you want to

The principle of "do as ye will and harm none" can be found
in the writings of many ancient sages and most scriptures.

do what is in your best interests or not.

One of the most similar comes from around 1600 years ago, by
Saint Augustine of Hippo:

'Love, and do what you will."
This is the concept of being "beyond good and evil," where

The first written example of the Rede is from 1954 in
Gardner's third book, The Meaning of Witchcraft...

the rules of morality are redundant. Once you reach a
certain level of awareness - a certain level of love - you

"[Witches] are inclined to the morality of the legendary
Good King Pausol [sic], "Do what you like so long as you

harm no one."
It was not presented as a law or even guideline, but merely

a moral inclination of witches. Gardner was referring to a
figure from Pierre Louяs' book, The Adventures of King

There is evidence that Gardner created the Wiccan Rede in

Pausole, which was published in 1901...
"I. Do no wrong to thy neighbor.

order to make witches appear less dangerous. Considering
that witches are still liable to persecution of one sort or

ii. observing this, do as thou pleasest."
Then Doreen Valiente gave us what has become the basis of

another, this seems a reasonable decision. That may be the
Rede's starting point, but that doesn't explain its power

the Wiccan Rede...
"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfil,

An it harm none, do what ye will."
Valiente, who is responsible for polishing much of Gardner's

to the hearts of modern witches, and has become the core of
Wicca Spirituality. Perhaps it has something to do with

work, recited this in a public speech in 1964, where it
caught the imagination of many Wiccans. Then in 1975 popped

being a Goddess-worshipping group. After all, this principle
is steadfastly promoted by mothers everywhere...

up an expanded version of the Rede. The Rede Of The Wiccae,
subtitled "Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones," was

"Play nice. Don't hurt others."