Dissecting the Wiccan Rede

Most of you know what the wiccan rede is, however, have you ever stopped and read it in it's entirety and actually stopped to think what it specifically means and how it effects you? In this topic I will will be going over each line of the rede.
Also note that this will be my wn interpretation of the Rede.. please feel free to add any further explanations if it means more to you.



Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust;

Now the first 2 lines are fairly simple. Stating that the rede is not just a council as the word rede means but it makes clear that it is a law of sorts. NOTE: Not all pagans and wiccans follow the wiccan rede. The second half meaning that you are safe and secure within your coven. To do any ritual inside a circle with another person can be an intimate thing. This simply means that when you enter a coven or are performing a ritual with someone it must be in perfect love and trust for there to be any effectiveness. For this reason a pagan community becomes very close with each other and are more often than not considered family.

live ye must and let live, It is not up to you to decide how another person lives their life. They have free will and are free to make their own decisions and mistakes
Fairly take and fairly give.
Give back as much as you are receiving as well as for everything you take from the earth you should replace it with something else.
True in love, ever be,
Lest thy love be false to thee.
Do not be fake with your love. If you love then love equally, not only when it suits your own purposes. If you do not truely love then you cannot be truly loved.
With a fool no season spend,
Nor be counted as his friend.
Be careful who you befriend. The fool reffering to anyone who wishes to do harm or act unwisely.You will be associated with who you befriend. If you are friends with fools you will be treated as one as well.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much.
You must learn and listen before you can teach. You, however, will always be learning.
Ever mind the rule of three,
What ye send out comes back to thee.
The rule of three is that anything you send out will come back to you three fold (karma)
This lesson well, thou must learn
Ye only get what ye do earn.
Nothing comes to you for free and you will be given what you deserve. Work hard and good things will come.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -
An it harm none, do as ye will.
Cause no harm whether it be emotional or physical. Not to others nor to yourself. Other than that do what you want.

Deosil go by waxing Moon,
Sing and dance the invoking Rune;
Deosil means clockwise and in general moving a circle clockwise is to draw in the positive. The waxing moon is when the moon is growing in size so this is the time when rituals for bringing positive things into your life should be done.
Widdershins go by waning Moon,
Chant ye then a freeing tune;
Widdershins is counterclockwise and the waning moon is when the moon grows smaller and in general during this time rituals for banning negativity should be done.
When the Lady's Moon is new,
Kiss thy hand to Her times two;
this is just explaining the ritual of saluting the Lady when the moon comes into its new form after being dark
When the Moon rides at her peak,
Then thy heart's desire seek;
When the moon is full this is the perfect time to ask for you things you want and need.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door & trim the sail;
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth;
When the wind blows from the West,
Hearts will find their peace and rest;
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
This one is pretty self explanatory referring to the 4 direction and earth elements and what their attributes are.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go,
Burn them quick and burn them slow;
Birch and fir and apple tree,
Hawthorn is sacred to Thee,
Willow, hazel, rowan, grape,
And oak will shape the weave of fate;
Elder be the Lady's tree -
Burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
Birchwood in the fire goes
To tell us true what Goddess knows.
Oak trees tower great with might,
Burn the Oak for God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power
Causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waters stand
To help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn burn to purify
And draw the faerie to your eye.
Hazel tree, the wisdom sage,
Lends strength that comes with honoured age.
White the flowers of Apple tree,
The holy gift of fecundity.
Grape grows upon the fruitful vine,
Sacred gifts of joy and wine.
Fir's ever greenness declares life
Succeeds beyond any strife.[/u]
this describes the 9 sacred woods and their uses and attributes. Remember in this stanza it makes very clear that the elder tree belongs to the Lady and therefore it should never be burned.
Heed ye flower, bush, and tree,
And by the Lady Blessed be.
Respect nature
Where the rippling waters flow
Cast a stone and truth ye'll know;
I take this to mean something along the lines of how the tiniest stone can affect water this too applies to life, every detail has a reaction and can affect your path.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark
In the light and in the dark:
As the old year starts to wane
The new begins with dark Samhain.
When flowers blossom through the snow
Fair Brighid casts her seed to sow.
When winter yields to warmth's return
Let the Beltane fires burn.
As summer turns to Lammas night
First fruits and Grain Gods reach their height.
This just explains the four greater sabbats that coincide with the seasons and what each one represents.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall
Use the Sun to mark them all:
At Yuletide, with feast and mirth
We celebrate the God Child's birth.
Spring Equinox, Eostara's fest,
All newborn creatures will be blessed.
When the Sun has reached its height
Celebrate the greatest Light.
Offer thanks at second reaping;
Mabon poised for winter's sleeping.
This refers to the more minor sabbats that fall on solstices and equinoxes.
Cast the circle thrice about,
To keep unwelcome spirits out.
In wicca three is a magickal number representing the 3 phases of the God and Goddess, the 3 fold law and in general things happen in 3. So it makes since that we would walk the circle three times when casting one.
To bind the spell well every time,
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Pretty self explanatory to make sure spells work they should rhyme
Follow this with mind & art,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart,
And merry meet & merry part
And merry meet again!
Be happy and do what makes you happy!

That was awesome... I only have one thing to add, and I look forward to seeing what others might think as well. The reason rhyming came into the equation is energy. Everything we do, we do with energy; spiritual energy, physical energy, or perhaps other types that we don't have words for. If you work long to create a spell, and use words which rhyme, and during the casting use candle and bell, your rite will work, every time... It's not the rhyming, but the energy used to create the rhyme which adds to the spell. That's what I believe anyway...

and that goes right along with my belief that it isnt really so much the words themselves but the belief and faith behind the words and when you spend the energy and time to create something that rhymes it puts more of yourself into the ritual