Poem Analysis: The Rede By Lady Gwen Thompson

The Rede was originally published by Lady Gwen Thompson as "given to her by her Grandmother" and therefore part of a centuries old tradition. It has been described as a really bad poem. The Rede comes in two different forms: The Older Rede and The Common Rede.
(By Lady Gwen Thompson & Adriana Porter)
1. Bide the Wiccan Laws we must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
2. Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
3. Cast the Circle thrice about, to keep the evil spirits out.
4. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme.
5. Soft of eye and light of touch, speak little, listen much.
6. Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the Witches' Rune.
7. Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.
8. 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.
10. Heed the North wind's mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail.
11. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
12. When the wind blows from the West, departed souls will have no rest.
13. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
14. Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
15. Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be.
16. When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
17. When the Wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and the Horned One rules.
18. Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree, by the Lady, blessed be.
19. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth you'll know.
20. When ye have a true need, hearken not to others' greed.
21. With a fool no season spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
22. Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the