Do pagans on here follow the Wiccan Rede?

Question

"As ye harm none, do what thou"
is part of this rede. Do some pagans on here follow the edicts of this and how is this applied in your life? Do you find it hard to keep to this when discussing religion on here?

Answer 1

I am a solitary practitioner for the most part, my coven disbanded not to long after I was initiated and I haven't felt drawn or the need to join another. I do my best to fallow the Wiccan Rede, the whole Rede not just one sentence. I find it very natural. I think of it more of a way of life and not a set of rules.

I find truths in many religions, so no I really don't find it hard to do no harm. LOL when I feel led to point out to some one that their heads are stuck in stupid, I don't do it to harm them I do it to help them. Although it mostly likely wont help because they have closed hearts and minds. Oh well, life goes on.

Blessings!

Answer 2

Im a pagan but not Wiccan. So Im afraid that my answer is no.

On the other hand, my wife and my daughter-in-law will claim Wiccan. Plus some of their friends. Im not sure how it would be hard to follow the rede here. Do you mean that there is too much temptation to do harm? I think they would laugh at the idea of "casting a spell" on someone across the internet.

Answer 3

An it harm none, do as you will is the whole of the rede. The 26 line massacre of the English language by an american tradition, lineaged or not, has not had an effect upon pre-existing trads.


I find it difficult for ANYONE to not uphold the rede, as it says what TO DO as you will (that which harms none) not what not to do.

I think non-Wiccan Pagans and Neophyte Wiccans don't know what it means and therefore think it means more than it does.

Answer 4

"Pagan" is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of religions. Strictly speaking, only Wiccans are required to follow the Wiccan Rede (which is one of the central traits of Wiccan practice).

So no, most Pagans will not follow the Rede, nor should they be expected to.

The Rede ("If you harm none, do what you will") does NOT mean that Wiccans are forbidden to do any harm; rather, it suggests that when we are acting in accordance with our highest nature, we are likely to avoid committing harm when it is not necessary. Sometimes harm IS necessary, for example to eat in order to live, or when harm against someone is required in order to prevent that person from committing greater harm.

Answer 5

I'm an eclectic Pathwalker and I have many large issues with the Rede, the most daunting issue being defining "harm". For example, many Rede enthusiasts believe that one way to cause harm is to kill and eat animal flesh, and so they feel smug in their vegetarianism, but I will argue that ripping a blackberry from its vine or microwaving a carrot causes them harm as well. I don't believe it's possible to live life without causing harm. We are part of the cycle of life and death - we can't escape it. Life is filled with pain. Growth is always filled with pain. But there is beauty and symmetry in our role in the dance, which is how I choose to look at it. So when I rip a blackberry from its vine, knowingly causing it harm, I thank the berry and the vine for their sacrifice. When I see birds and squirrels ripping the same berries off the vine, I know they too give their thanks with their tweets and their tails. And then we all poop berry seeds, and the cycle returns. Ethics are SO much more complicated than that! Harm is the smallest part of the study of ethics - more important is the study of the cycle and the role, and how my actions affect that cycle for good or bad. Hugs all!

Answer 6

Reach my limit for the day my foot! Yes as a Wiccan I do follow the Rede.

Blessings, light and love
Aviana II

Answer 7

I am not Wiccan. I am Heathen. We do not honor the Rede because it's not a part of our religion.
We do use the Hovamol as a guide but it's the basic stuff. Don't kill people and be nice to others type thing. But we do not suffer fools gladly. I break no oaths or rules by hitting back.

Answer 8

The Rede is a guide for living your life as a witch, just as the bible is a guide for living your life as a christian. Some take it as strict law, other just basically keep it in mind. I feel the "harm ye none, do what ye will" means treat others (people, animals, nature) with kindness. Its as simple as that. This means be sensitive to others beliefs and needs and be sure to always have pure intentions (let go of revenge, jealousy, and hate). Try to see the innocent child in whatever you are dealing with. When dealing animals, remember they are emotional creatures just as we are. When dealing with nature remember to be respectful of the planet and how it supports us.

Answer 9

I follow the Rede, as it is intended to be followed.

I have never found the Rede hard to follow at all, but then my HP and HPS made sure I understood it before I got my 1st and would not have given me my 2nd if they didn't think I was capable of living by it.

Answer 10

I'm pagan.
The Wiccan rede is not part of my path.
So, no. I don't follow it.