The websites relating to the Rede below are also for your consideration. 

http://www.thedance.com/wicca101/redec.htm

http://www.draknetfree.com/sheathomas/

As for elaborating let me offer you this perspective, not the only interpretation out there, of 
course. The Rede is a guideline, not a rule though depending on the Wiccan Tradition one 
follows, it may be regarded as the latter within the scope of the group’s interactions. Guideline 
has a far different meaning than a rule does. 

There is no question that the Rede has been translated as a pacifist rule but first, the Rede is not 
just eight words long and second, it doesn’t say, do not harm even in the short form. The second 
part of the short version of the Rede cannot be isolated from the first part. In the larger picture as 
a guideline, the entire Rede should be considered, not just the two lines. 

In Wicca as well as other religions and also those Traditions of modern Witchcraft who use the 
Rede as a guideline, one of the principles is to not deliberately interfere with the free will of 
another. However, take this out of the usually rarified situations that the Rede is applied to and 
consider the events in your everyday life. For example, when I got on a public transport bus this 
morning to come to work, I interfered with the free will of the person behind me who would have 
taken the last seat available. Instead I got that seat. Did I harm them? Well, they might think so 
but whether that harm was tangible in their lives is doubtful. I certainly prevented them from 
living their life at that moment the way they wanted to but was I going to stand up the whole trip 
based on that? No because in my judgment, the harm, if there was any, was not significant 
enough for me to change how I exercised my free will in this case. If they had been older or more 
crippled than myself with something like my arthritis or burdened with a baby, then I would 
reconsider the decision. 

This may seem a mundane example compared to the usual do I cast a love spell or not example 
but consider this. Every time we do something in this life, we interfere with someone else’s free 
will, directly or indirectly. Doesn’t matter if it is because we want life to be a certain way or 
trying to prevent our lives from being something we don’t want. The very act of a single human 
being living their life has continual consequences for everyone around them and with whom they 
interact and sometimes, the entire world can be affected by the use of a single human’s free will 
in a particular situation. 

Much of the disciplines, studies and practices in Wicca (and in a wisdom-walk such as certain 
modern Witchcraft Traditions) are oriented towards an understanding of the interconnection of 
all of existence and in particular, the consequences to ourselves in that greater picture. The Rede 
speaks directly to this orientation, the work that is done in walking a path of becoming wise - to 
understanding how those consequences work. Letting other people live their lives takes on a new 
definition from this perspective. Not going one’s own way and ignoring those around you but one 
of understanding their lives and observing how this affects your life within your understanding of 
the overall structure of that interconnection. 

The Rede also refers to actively integrating that gained understanding into judgment based on 
ethical principles. In each circumstance in your life, you must use that judgment, the 
determination of your free will ‘within that immediate context’ to decide how best to enact the 
principles you hold ethically, morally and religiously. By doing so – by enacting those principles 
in every situation based on that judgment and use of your free will– you are living your life 
within the guidance provided by the Rede as it relates to the overall framework of the religion 
you have chosen to embrace. 

As no act cannot interfere with another’s free will or potential choices, there is no possible way 
that one can ‘not harm’ others. However, if one acts based on one’s principles (see above), then 
the direct consequences of one’s actions should remain within the zone of ‘unavoidable harm’ 
and not stray into ‘deliberate harm for harm’s sake’. 

There is another factor, since I am on the subject, and that is the role of the ‘other’. We don’t just 
‘do’ things to other people that cause consequences. How they deal with those is as much a part 
of the equation as our own decisions. A challenge in life can be an opportunity for change or an 
excuse to feel martyred. The one consistent theme you find in every story about someone 
overcoming great or terrible challenges to achieve something with their lives is that they chose to 
see the challenge as an opportunity, not an excuse. 

Some thoughts to consider. 

Amber 

dianichedgewitch@yahoo.com


02/25/03
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