Maxims

Wiccan Rede

A modern Wiccan maxim advising freedom of action subject to avoiding harm.

Tradition or school
Wicca
Framework type
Maxims
Authority classification
Traditional
Observance
Recommended
Research status
Published and reviewed
Origin period
Modern Wicca; publicly documented from the 1960s
Origin region
United Kingdom and later international Wicca
Attributed origin
Closely associated with Doreen Valiente and later Wiccan transmission
Intended audience
Wiccans who accept the Rede as ethical guidance
Published constituent items
1
Last reviewed
28 June 2026

Names and terminology

Alternative names: The Eight-Word Rede

Primary texts and authority

The familiar short formulation was publicly recorded in connection with Doreen Valiente in 1964. Longer poetic versions appeared later and have disputed authorship.

Rules, principles or steps

Historical development

The Rede became widely influential in modern Wicca and popular Paganism during the later twentieth century.

Variations

Wording differs between 'An it harm none', 'An ye harm none', 'do what ye will' and 'do what thou wilt'.

Traditional interpretation

Rede means advice or counsel. Many practitioners treat it as guidance rather than an absolute law.

Controversies and disputes

The Rede is not ancient, is not accepted by all Pagans or all witches, and does not itself define how indirect, uncertain or competing harms should be weighed.

Truth By Reason analysis

The harm principle protects freedom while recognising responsibility. It requires a fuller method for foreseeable risk, omission, consent, rights and conflicts between harms.

Ethical themes

  • Nonviolence
  • Social responsibility
  • Freedom

Explanations, comparisons and discussions

Sources