Since the Wiccan Rede is the spine of Wicca, every action you take must adhere to it. The basis of the rule is ethics. Ethics must be taken into consideration in every decision, most especially when it comes to writing and casting spells. Spells must never manipulate someone to make them think or feel a certain way, and they must never cause psychological or physical damage.

A common misconception is that one can cast a love spell at will to cause someone to love you involuntarily. This is a violation of the Wiccan Rede and is, in fact, often considered black magick. It manipulates the will of the individual being targeted. There are intricacies to love magick... you can cast a spell to draw a willing person to you, but you cannot cast a spell to force a specific person to love you.

Since we've been leading up to it, here it is- the Wiccan Rede. Make sure you understand it thoroughly before continuing. It's an essential piece of information to help understand all aspects of The Craft- why we do certain things and not others.

This poem known as the Wiccan Rede today was written by Adriana Porter who died in 1946.

The Wiccan Rede

Bide the Wiccan laws ye must,
in perfect love and perfect trust.

Live and let live -
fairly take and fairly give.

Cast the Circle thrice about
to keep all evil spirits out.

To bind the spell 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 when the Moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's Moon is new,
kiss the hand to Her times two.

When the Moon rides at Her peak,
then your heart's 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 East,
expect the new and set the feast.

When the West wind blows o'er thee,
departed spirits restless be.

* Nine woods in the Cauldron go -
burn them quick and burn them slow.

Elder be ye Lady's tree -
burn it not or cursed ye'll be.

When the Wheel begins to turn,
let the Beltane fires burn.

When the Wheel has turned a Yule,
lighty the Log and let Pan rule.

Heed ye flower, bush and tree -
by the Lady blessed be.

Where the rippling waters go,
cast a stone and truth ye'll know.

When ye are in dire need,
hearken not to others' greed.

With the fool no season spend,
or be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and merry part -
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

When misfortune is enow,
wear the blue star on thy brow.

True in love ever be,
unless thy lover's false to thee.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -
an ye harm none, do what ye will.