The Wiccan Rede

Harken now the witches' word
The secrets we hid in the night
When darkened was our destined path
That now we bring forth into light

Mysterious is fire and water
Mysterious is earth and air
By hidden means we will them know
And will and keep silent and dare

The birth and rebirth of all nature
The passing winter, passing spring
We share with all life universal
Rejoicing in the magick ring

Four times a year the great sabbat
Returns and witches here are seen
At Lammas, Imbolc, dance the dance
At Beltaine and old Halloween

When daylight and darkness are the same
The sun at its greatest and least
The lesser sabbats summoned are
And witches gather there in feast

Thirteen moons in each year are
Thirteen is the coven's array
Thirteen esbats to merry make
For each year and a single day

The power handed down the ages
Each time twixt woman and man
Each aeon each unto the other
'Ere time and every age began

When drawn again the circle is
By sword or wand or athame's power
Between the two worlds so it lies
In the realm of shadows for that hour

This world then has no right to know it
And that beyond will tell us naught
The Elder Gods are there invoked
The Art Magick again is wrought

For two are they the mystic pillars
That stand to guard the gated shrine
And two also are nature's powers
The forms and forces are divine

Dark and light into succession
Opposites each unto each
Come forth as Goddess and as God
Of this our ancestors did teach

She is youth and she is age
She sails the torn clouds in her barque
Lady of silver midnight bright
The crone who weaves spells in the dark

By night he rides the wildest wind
The hornèd one, Lord of the shades
By day he is the greenwood king
Dweller in the forest glades

Mistress and master of the art
Dwelling in the deepest mind
Immortal and eternally reborn
They hold the power to free or bind

So drink the good wine to the old gods
And dance and make love in their praise
'Til Elphame's realm to our hearts doth call
In peace at the ending of our days

So let 'Do Thy Will' be our charge
So be it in love that it harm none
Let this be our sole command
By ancient magick be it done!