Living in Harmony with the Threefold Law: Wiccan Ethical Guidelines

Wiccan ethical guidelines, also known as the Wiccan Rede, are principles that guide the ethical behavior of Wiccans. The Rede is a central tenet of Wicca and is often encapsulated in the phrase, "An it harm none, do what ye will." This means that Wiccans are encouraged to act in a way that does not harm themselves, others, or nature. Wiccan ethics promote a sense of personal responsibility and recognition of the interconnectedness of all living things. Wiccans are taught to consider the consequences of their actions and to strive for harmony and balance in their lives. One of the key aspects of Wiccan ethics is the concept of karma.

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The increasing numbers that have been witnessed in surveys and the growth of groups, such as those on TikTok, suggest that the religion is continuing to grow. In addition, Wicca lacks a formal institutional structure such as a church and puts more emphasis on ritual and direct spiritual experience than belief.

One of the key aspects of Wiccan ethics is the concept of karma. Wiccans believe that whatever energy or intention they put out into the world will come back to them, either in this lifetime or in future ones. This belief reinforces the importance of acting in a positive and ethical manner.

Wiccan ethical guidelines

Joy, balance, and responsibility comprise the ethical doctrine of Wicca and Neo-Paganism. These concepts are reflected in the Wiccan Creed or the Wiccan Rede, "If it harm none, do as you will." The term, rede, is an archaic English word which means "advice" or "counsel."

In 1979, Margot Adler's groundbreaking book, Drawing Down the Moon, was published. Among many things, she discussed the ethics embraced by the growing Neo-Pagan/Wiccan movement.

An it harm no one, do you as you will.
You may not alter another's life/karma without his permission.
Solve the problem, no more, no less. All power comes from the Goddess.
You must help your brothers and sisters in the Craft as best you can.
If you stick your hand in a flame, you'll get burned.

--New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn

1. An ye harm none, do as ye will.
2. No one may offer initiations for money, nor charge initiates money to learn the Craft.
3. Any Witch may charge reasonable fees to the public.
4. Witches shall respect the autonomy of other Witches.
5. All Witches shall respect the secrecy of the Craft.
6. In any public statement Witches should distinguish whether we are speaking for ourselves, our coven, or our Church.
7. All these Ethics are interwoven and derive from Craft Law.

--Covenant of the Goddess

Aside from the two codes of conduct I'd read in Drawing Down the Moon in 1979, I collected the following four codes of conduct in the early and mid 1980's.

Eclectic Pagan Ethics

Know yourself.
You are free;
And if it harms no one, including yourself, do as you will.
Whatever you do comes back to you.
Power is gained through knowledge.
Do not worship stupidity.

--gleaned from an early 1980's article on ethics

1. If you harm none, do as you will.
2. Whatever action you take will return to you threefold.
3. Judge not the path of another for her or his path is sacred.

--gleaned from writings on ethics in the MD Tapestry BOS

Do as thou wilt and harm none.
Don't think you're omnipotent; don't waste time in self-importance, vain-glorying, guilt, or paranoia about your wimmin's magick.
Maintain a sense of humor.
Don't throw a spell in anger.
Build up the innter temple [the body and the psyche], which is portable and all that we have.
Do no evil--but act in self-defense and affirmation.
A Witch bows to no man.

--gleaned from the writings of Z. Budapest, used with permission from Z. Budapest

These are the words of the Thrice Plougher [Great Goddess]: honor thy Mother, rejoice Her with the fruits of the earth, injure no one.

--copied into my notebook in the very early 1980's. I do not remember where I got this from.

The term, Craft Law, in the ethical rules for Covenant of the Goddess, refers to a document also known as "Laws of the Craft," "Old Laws," "Wiccan Laws," "Ordains," or "Ardanes." There are several lists of "Craft Laws" from the Gardnerian and Alexandrian trads that have been published. Published versions can be found in June John's King of the Witches (1969) and Lady Sheba's Book of Shadows (1971). Versions of these laws are in Aidan Kelly's Crafting the Art of Magic, Vol. I (1991) and Aidan Kelly's Inventing Witchcraft (2007). I discuss them more in Myth's Notes after the Sacred Suggestions.

I liked that these other four, Eclectic Pagan Ethics, Elven Trad Ethics, Feminist Dianic Ethics, and Labryadae, discussed the same moral issues, but from different angles--also using different wording.

copyright 2008 Myth Woodling

Some Pagans believe that there is a natural justice in the way the universe is organised, and that ‘what goes around comes around’. They may even use the Indian term karma for this idea. Some Wiccans talk about the ‘threefold return’ that applies to magic – everything wished for others will come back to the practitioner three times as much, which is a deterrent to using magic for negative ends. Others dismiss these ideas and hold that we should behave well towards other beings without any thought of reward or punishment.

Wiccans also prioritize respect for nature and the environment. They believe that all of nature is sacred and should be treated with reverence and care. This means practicing sustainable living, reducing one's carbon footprint, and supporting environmental causes. Another aspect of Wiccan ethics is the importance of consent and personal autonomy. Wiccans believe in the right of individuals to make their own choices and follow their own path. They strive to respect the autonomy of others and to avoid imposing their beliefs or practices on anyone else. Wiccan ethics also emphasize the importance of self-care and self-improvement. Wiccans believe in the value of personal growth and development, both spiritually and emotionally. They encourage regular self-reflection, meditation, and self-care practices to nurture their own well-being. Overall, Wiccan ethical guidelines prioritize responsible and respectful behavior towards oneself, others, and the natural world. They aim to create a positive and harmonious way of living in accordance with the cycles of nature and the principles of Wicca..

Reviews for "Cultivating Personal Growth through Wiccan Ethical Guidelines"

1. John - 2/5 rating - As someone who was curious about Wicca and its ethical guidelines, I was sorely disappointed. The guidelines seemed vague and contradictory, making it difficult to understand how to live by them. It made me question the credibility of Wicca as a belief system and left me feeling confused and frustrated. I had hoped for more concrete guidance on how to live a morally upright life, but unfortunately, this was not provided in the material I read.

2. Sarah - 2/5 rating - I found the Wiccan ethical guidelines to be unconvincing and lacking substance. It seemed like a mishmash of different moral principles with no clear direction. Additionally, the guidelines heavily emphasized personal freedom and individuality, which made it difficult for me to grasp any sense of community or collective responsibility. I was expecting a more coherent and structured ethical framework, but instead, I was left questioning the validity and usefulness of these guidelines.

3. Mike - 1/5 rating - I couldn't connect with the Wiccan ethical guidelines at all. It felt like a convoluted mix of New Age spirituality and paganism without any real depth or substance. The guidelines lacked logical consistency and appeared to be based more on personal subjective experiences rather than universal principles. Overall, I found them to be unhelpful and unappealing, leaving me with no interest in exploring Wicca further.

Incorporating Wiccan Ethical Guidelines into Daily Life