Crede, short for CREDENCE:
cre·dence /ˈkrēdəns/
A belief in or acceptance of something as true. A sworn boundary. Choice of philosophy or action that a person or group chooses or swears to live by as truth. Perhaps even holding self or members accountable to follow like a law. A law can be a crede but a crede does not have to be a law.
The original is written in Old-English or Old-World verbage, sometimes called the ‘Old-Rede’. This can be a little tricky to understand since we don’t speak this way today. This lesson will help you understand it’s meaning. There is a long and short version, here we use the long version.
Below you will find two examples of this rede. The first is the rede with just BOLD & CAPS titles added to help you as you read along. The second is a Power Point that takes these 15 sections and adds an interpretation for each. It’s meant to help you with the meaning as the the old rede is written in OLD ENGLISH.
RITUAL AND SPELL CASTING
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be spoke in rhyme.
NATURE
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, let Love and Light be our Guides again.
ESBAT’S | THE MOON
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfs-bane.
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.
WINDS | SEASONS | SABBATS
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
NINE WOODS – CAUTION!
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
(Birch, Oak, Rowan, Willow, Hawthorn, Hazel, Apple, Grape Vine, & Fir = 9)
✔Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
✔Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God’s insight.
✔Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
✔Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
✔Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
✔Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of:
✔Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
✔Grapes grow upon the VINE giving us both joy and wine.
✔Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
*Elder is the Lady’s tree, burn it NOT or cursed you’ll be.
MAJOR SABBATS
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the New begins, it’s now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
MINOR SABBATS
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall, use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule, light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day, time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it’s height, time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all, when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
KNOW THE SEASON
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you’ll be.
DIVINATION
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you’ll know.
NATURE – GREED
When you have and hold a need, hearken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
THREE FOLD LAW
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should, three times bad and three times good.
PROTECTION MAGICK
When misfortune is e’now, wear the star upon your brow.
MARRIAGE
Be true in love this you must do, unless your love is false to you.
THE LAW
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
“An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will.”
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