THE STANDARD OF THE REDE
When we realize the kinds and orders of results, both expected and
unexpected, both knowable and unknowable, which eventuate from almost
every human action, it would seem the better part of both valor and
wisdom to never do anything at all, especially not anything which is
done with spiritual power guided by no more than human wisdom!
Unfortunately, to do nothing is also a choice, and the results of
inaction are often far worse than the results of even ill-considered
action. This is why the second half of the Rede demands that we make
a decision and act upon it, as well as conforming that decision to
the requirement that it harm none.
THE STANDARD OF THE REDE. Please note that the Wiccan Rede contains
no loop-holes whatsoever. The Rede does not say, "An it harm none to
the best of your knowledge." The Rede also does not say "An it harm
none to the best of your ability to discern whether it will harm
someone."
The Wiccan Rede does not say these things, or anything similar to
them. It simply says "An it harm NONE, do what ye will." This means
that YOU, once you have committed to live by the Wiccan Rede, are
committed to be solely and totally responsible for any harm resulting
from ANY ACTION YOU TAKE, MAGICKAL OR NOT.
Paul Seymour's forthcoming book begins with some strong cautionary
notes concerning the use of magick. One of the examples he gives is
particularly tragic, and concerns a young man who worked a simple and
apparently harmless "money spell". The spell worked, and the young
man got his money--he inherited it, when his parents were both killed
in an accident shortly after he worked the spell.
Paul does not say in his book if this young man was a Wiccan
initiate. If he was, then in addition to his sorrow and loss, he has
had to live with the fact that, by the standard of the Rede, he is
ultimately responsible for the death of his parents.
When you commit to live according to the Wiccan Rede, you commit to
conform your entire life, not just the magickal, mystical and
religious aspects of it, to the standard set by the Rede. Never
again will you be able to act impulsively or without considering the
results of what you do. Never again will you be able to act or even
speak in thoughtless irritation or anger. Instead, you will come to
consider the implications of every word you speak, and of every
routine action you do. For it is not just by magick that we can harm
ourselves or others; everything we do, and everything we say, has the
potential to help or harm others, and to help or harm ourselves.
It is also important to note that the Rede sets up a standard which
prevents us from harming ourselves as well as others. Other
religions, including Christianity, regard it as virtuous to suffer
harm for the sake of another, even to die so that another person
might live. The Wiccan Rede does not permit this. You are to harm
none, and this means that you are not to harm yourself, even for the
sake of doing good for someone else. To some, this may seem like a
selfish standard. But think about it. Would you wish to benefit by
someone else's injury or death? Of course not! If you did derive
some benefit, such as an inheritance, from the death of another
person, would you feel good about this? Well, some people might, but
probably you would not. Therefore, in a very real sense, you
yourself are harmed by a benefit you derive from the injury or death
of another. True, the harm is emotional, but it is entirely real.
Wicca recognizes that human beings are social creatures. What does
harm to one, does harm to all in varying degrees. Therefore, it is
imperative that each person strive to harm no one, himself or herself
included.
Finally, it is significant to note that word "ye" in the statement,
"Do what YE will." This is the ancient plural form of "you", and it
means that your individual will is assumed to be in accord with some
other will, instead of acting entirely on its own.
What is this other will which, together with yours, comprises the
"ye" in the Rede? Well, if you are working in a coven, it could well
be the combined will of the members of the coven. But this would not
apply to those who are working on their own, and it is not the
highest or best meaning, even for those working in coven.
How does one act, so as to be certain to harm none? Not by refusing
to act, since inaction is itself a decision, and often causes far
more harm than even rash action. Not by delaying action until the
time for it is past, because that is the same as inaction. And not
by relying solely upon your own human wisdom, either.
The best way to act, so as to be certain to harm none, is to call
upon the Goddess and/or the God, and to hand to Them the power you
have raised, together with the situation you have raised the power to
deal with, and say, "You are holy, good, and wise, and know how to
use this power to help and not harm. Do Your will in this situation.
That is my will, that Your will be done." And thus the Rede is
fulfilled: For the "ye" who will are yourself and Them- selves, who
are good, and love humanity, and who always act for the highest good
of all.
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