WITCHES CREED

Hear now the word of the Witches, the secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destinys pathway, that now we bring forth in the light.
Mysterious Water and Fire, the Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden Quintessence we know Them, and we will keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all Nature, the passing of Winter and Spring,
We share the life Universal, rejoice in the Magical Ring.
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat, returns, and the Witches are seen,
At Lammas, Candlemas dancing, on May Eve and old Halloween
When daytime and nighttime are equal, when sun is at greatest and least,
The four lesser Sabbats are summoned, again Witches gather in feast.
Thirteen silver moons in a year are, thirteen is the Covens array,
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year and a day.
The power has passed down the ages, each time between woman and man
Each century unto the other, ere times and the ages began.
When drawn is the Magickal circle, by sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies, in the land of shades of that hour.
Our world had not right to know it, and the world beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there, the great work of Magick is wrought.
For two are the mystical pillars, that stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of Nature, the forms and the forces divine.
And do what thou wilt be the challenge, so be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment, By Magick of old be it done.

Eight words does the Witches Creed fulfill:
IF IT HARMS NONE, DO WHAT THOU WILL!

                                                      The Wiccan Rede
                                                                    by Lady Gwen Thompson**
 

 Bide the Wiccan Laws we must
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust
Live and Let live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the circle thrice about,
To keep the evil spirits out.
To bind the spell everytime
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Sort of eye and light of touch,
Speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon,
Chanting out the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon,
Chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new,
Kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak,
Then your hearts' desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West,
Departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
Nice woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder to the Lady's tree.
Burn it not or cursed you'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn,
Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log and the Horned One Rules.
Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree,
By the Lady, Blessed Be.
Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When ye have a true need,
Hearken not to others' greed
With a fool, no season spend,
Lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law you should,
Three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love, ever be,
Lest thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
and ye harm none, do what ye will.
 

**excerpt from, Green Egg, Volume VIII, No. 69 (Ostara, 1975).