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Post by rubytuesday on Jan 2, 2007 19:25:27 GMT -5
I've practiced the Wiccan religion for five years now, going on six, and I've always wondered about the Rede. The main point of it is "An' it harm none, do what thou wilt." However, what are the boundaries of that? Does it only apply in a magickal context, or in one's mundane life as well?
I obviously completely agree with that whatever you do, especially magickally, should not be done with the intent of hurting someone else. However, I think that it's almost impossible to go through life without hurting somebody. Whether it's rejecting an undesirable lover, voicing an unpopular opinion, etc., you will always hurt somebody in some small way, regardless of whether or not you mean it.
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is, does hurting someone, if you didn't mean to or want to hurt them, mean that you're going against the Rede? I'd like to think that the God/dess would forgive somebody for that, but I'm just really confused about the whole issue.
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Post by wren on Jan 2, 2007 19:46:24 GMT -5
Ruby, I'm so happy you're here!
I am not wiccan and cannot speak to the Rede. Others here can do that far better than I.
However, I feel magic is part of everything you do and never a separate act. I do not believe in the Three Fold Law or Karma. I believe that, if you live your life in a way that you are responsible in the first place, you will not need to be sorry in the second.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 2, 2007 19:53:45 GMT -5
Ruby, happy that you are here!
I just wanted to say, that I agree with Wren... The Concept of Karma, or the "Rule of Three" as a cosmic hall monitor does not sit well with me.. I think that it's more there to sway people to think about the repercussions before acting foolish... My belief, it's the energy and the balance.. Like is going to attract like...
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Post by KittyLane on Jan 2, 2007 22:15:14 GMT -5
* The single most common belief is the Wiccan Rede. 'Rede' is an old English term that means 'wise advice', and it is a guideline that decisions and actions are based on. The most commonly cited short form of the Wiccan Rede is "An it harm none, do what ye Will." * The second most common belief is the Law of Returns. Simply stated, it is the belief that whatever you do comes back to you in some way, good and bad.
i think you should really follow your intuition on this one. are you knowingly harming another? then yes the rule applies. IMO
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Post by wren on Jan 2, 2007 22:41:36 GMT -5
The single most common belief to whom?
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Post by KittyLane on Jan 2, 2007 22:48:53 GMT -5
excuse me, this was from my wiccan post, so it would be for wiccans.
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Ogden
Thinker
I don't believe in magick- I know.
Posts: 86
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Post by Ogden on Jan 4, 2007 6:36:59 GMT -5
I've practiced the Wiccan religion for five years now, going on six, and I've always wondered about the Rede. The main point of it is "An' it harm none, do what thou wilt." However, what are the boundaries of that? Does it only apply in a magickal context, or in one's mundane life as well? I obviously completely agree with that whatever you do, especially magickally, should not be done with the intent of hurting someone else. However, I think that it's almost impossible to go through life without hurting somebody. Whether it's rejecting an undesirable lover, voicing an unpopular opinion, etc., you will always hurt somebody in some small way, regardless of whether or not you mean it. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is, does hurting someone, if you didn't mean to or want to hurt them, mean that you're going against the Rede? I'd like to think that the God/dess would forgive somebody for that, but I'm just really confused about the whole issue. Ok folks, there was recently a very long and intensive discussion on the Rede in one of the BTW groups I belong to. So I find it interesting that you bring it up here. First things first, an explaination of the Rede, and then I will go into what it all means and what is going against it. Here is what it is: There is no other part to the Rede other than the 8 words that Gerald Gardner put forth: "And harm ye none, do what thou wilt." Or any of the more contemporary English ways of putting it (i.e.- "An ye harm none, do what you will.", etc.). The long, pretty poem was added to it when it was pubished in the Green Egg, given by Lady Gwynne, in 1975. It has nothing to do with Traditional Wicca. Now for what those 8 words mean: They are plain and simple-- Harm none. Do what you will. There is no hidden deeper meaning. Not everything in Wicca is to be over-analyzed and taken apart to find hidden things within secrets. It is quite cut and dry. Plain and simple. Though some still take "Do what you will"/"Do what thou wilt" to mean using one's Will (i.e.- magick) which still falls into the same place as doing what it is one will do. As to what it applies to: First of all, it is the Rede, not the Commandment. Yes, "rede" means "advice", and it is just that. Good advice. Whether or not one uses the Threefold Law or what have you, you will always get what you give. Therefore this wonderful advice is given, that you should try not to harm unnecesarily. It does not mean that one should stop breathing because you're stealing someone else's oxygen. What it boils down to is that you should not act without due consideration first. There is nothing inherently wrong with doing a working to counter someone's actions (i.e.- binding) or do something against another person (i.e.- magickal warfare), but one must think it through first. One must ask the questions, "Why am I doing this?" "Why do I want to do this?" "What will come of me doing this?" And things of that nature. If after a time you still find that you feel comfortable doing something, then go ahead and do it. But if there is EVER a doubt about doing something or taking a certain action, one should either re-evaluate their way of going about what they desire, or just let it go all together. The Rede is NOT a bloody fucking guilt trip! It's advice. We are not Christian or Jewish. Those that follow the Wiccan path do not believe in Hell, so how one can worry about accidentally harming someone is going to cause the God and Goddess to frown upon them is beyond me. The gods are not faultless in that respect either. Read some of the legends about some of the gods and see what I mean. They hurt. They lie. They cheat. They steal. Yes, they usually learn a lesson from it and yes it is still bad, but they are just as much "human" as we are "gods". They fuck up. So do we. Stop giving yourself an ulcer from worry and celebrate life. So in short, take my rede, er, advice: Try not to hurt anyone unless you have to. If you do, appologize and move on. Blessings Ogden Bluestar
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Post by KittyLane on Jan 4, 2007 14:18:55 GMT -5
anything else? that was really a great way to put it!
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