Ethics1

Theory and Basics
Ethics are defined in the dictionary as:

1. ethics (used with a sing. verb) The study of the general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices to be made by a person; moral philosophy.
2. ethics (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession: medical ethics.

The first definition is a broad term used to define all ethical codes and their study. It is philosophy and more theory than practice.

The second entry defines the aspect of ethical practice. It is a set of rules used to judge how you should conduct yourself. Instead of using the term profession, we will use the word religion. The entry then reads: The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a religion: Wiccan Ethics.

In Wicca, we have no one book that defines behavior. The basic source of the ethical rules for Wiccans comes from two basic sources: The Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law.

Meaning: as long as you look at the harm your actions will result in, and examine them against the Threefold Law, you can do what you want. You should strive for doing no harm, including to yourself

Meaning: All actions have a return. In weighing harm, look at what you will personally get back. If you can live with the results, you can do the action. The Threefold Law will then take effect and you will get back three-times what you put out.