Special
thanks to Coyote Star, for his valuable guidance
The Book of Shadows
The Rede is basically the equivalent to a motto for all Wiccans.
The Rede has changed over the years as well, traditionally it was a full-length poem, although now it is most commonly referred to as the last line... "An ye harm none, do what ye will..."
Why did I put it here? Generally, The Rede is the first page of any Book of Shadows...
The Rede
(traditional full-length version)
Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Live ye must and let to live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
Form the circle thrice about,
To keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time,
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon,
Sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
Widdershins go by the waning Moon,
Chanting out a baleful tune.
When the Lady's Moon is new,
Kiss the hand to her times two.
When the Moon rides at her peak,
Then the hearts desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and trim the sail.
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the Wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set 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 you'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn,
Soon the Beltane fires will burn.
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log the Horned One rules.
Heed ye flower, bush, and tree,
By the Lady blessed be.
Where the rippling waters flow,
Cast a stone and the truth you'll know.
When you have a hold and a need,
Hearken not to other's greed.
With a fool no season 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 times bad and three times good.
When the misfortune is anow,
Wear the star upon thy brow.
True in love you must ever be,
Lest thy love be false to thee.
These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will
"Ever mind the Rule of Three"
The Rule of Three is the one basic law all Wiccans must follow.
This Rule is one of the few things that never changes...
it is timeless, as old as religion itself, and not something that is
to be easily dismissed. Ever mind the Rule of Three is a very serious
warning. Basically stated, it means everything we do, every sort of energy we put out comes back to us three-fold...
Suggestion: always consider the Rule of Three before casting any spell, no matter
how harmless it may seem at first glance. (Trust me, it will save you a lot of trouble
later...)
*The Rede
was taken from Coyote Star's book of shadows
Here is a list of the elements and their uses to you.
Earth
Earth is the foundation of the elements, the base. It is in this realm that most of us spend a great
deal of our lives. Earth is the element of abundance, prosperity and wealth. While it is the most
physical of the elements this is not negative, for it is upon Earth that the other three rest. Without
Earth, life as we know it would not exist. In magical workings, Earth rules all spells and rituals
involving business, money, employment, prosperity, stability and fertility. Earth is a feminine
element. It is nurturing, moist, and fertile. Earth rules the north, the place of the greatest
darkness in winter. Its color is green or black; green, the color of plants and fields, black the
color of the rich soil of the earth.
Air
Air is the element of the intellect; it is the realm of thought, which is the first step towards
creation. It is also the impetus that sends the visualization out into manifestation. It rules spells
and rituals involving travel, instruction, freedom, obtaining knowledge, discovering lost items,
etc. It can also be used to develop psychic abilities. Air is masculine. It is the element that excels
in places of learning. Air rules the east because it is the direction of the greatest
light, and the light of wisdom and the consciousness. Its color is the yellow of the sun and the sky at dawn, its
season is spring.
Fire
Fire is the element of change, will and passion. In a sense it contains within it all forms of
magic, since magic is a process of change. Fire magic can be frightening. The results manifest
quickly. This is the realm of sexuality and passion. Its magical rituals usually involve energy, sex,
authority, healing, banishing negativity, and purification. Its magic is usually practiced near the
hearth, or beside fires lit in wilderness clearings, or beside the flame of a single candle. Fire is
masculine. It rules the south, the place of the greatest heat. The color is red and the season is
summer. All candle magic falls under fires power.
Water
Water is the element of purification, the subconscious mind, love, and the emotions. Water is the
element of absorption and germination. The subconscious is symbolized by this element because
it is always rolling and always moving, like the sea which rests neither day nor night. Water
magic involves pleasure, friendship, marriage, fertility, happiness, healing, dreaming, psychic
intuition, and purification. This is a feminine element, its color is the blue of deep water. It rules
the west and the autumn months of the year, when the rain showers wash the earth.
