Exegesis on the Rede

Everyone, whether they are actually Wiccan or not, knows (or has at least has heard of) 'The Wiccan Rede' at this point:

The cornerstone of Wiccan ethics is a contentious subject, especially among those who are not Wiccan to begin with ... But do they really? They surely know the Rhyme, at least- and many think they know the meaning of it. But in reality the snippet is far more complex (and yet far more simple) than it's often given credit for being. Exegesis is one of many ways through which we can come to understand its depth.

Starting at the very beginning, the ethical standards of “Harming None”, to many, often makes it sound as though the hands of the NeoWiccan Witch are tied to an impossible standard that's impossible to fulfill- and that is often the main argument against the Rede, especially by outsiders. Yet they are not tied by it at all; like the rest of the Rede, “And It Harm None” is not a moral precept that can be followed unthinkingly. Especially as it’s quite literally impossible to actually “Harm None” always in the first place.

There are situations in life when action is called for, when a Witch must respond with any "weapons" at their disposal. Likewise, occasionally there is no safe path at all and the best we can do is only minimize harm, not avoid it completely- choosing the least devastating option we can see. Perhaps more importantly, we are always working from the position of incomplete knowledge, occasionally producing disastrous outcomes unintentionally. And sometimes we will outright make mistakes of our own, and choose the wrong things altogether simply because we are Human Beings; even a refusal to act or decide out of fear of causing harm is in and of itself an action often with its own harmful consequences.

“And It Harm None” is merely a circle which is drawn around individual will and desire, and places it within the context of the greater Human interconnectedness with the universe. This directs us to first be aware that our actions project across both time and space. It then commands us to consider how those actions may affect our families, our coworkers, our communities, and life on Earth as a whole- and to take those projections into account whenever making decisions (whether those decisions are magical or mundane in nature).

Life also demands the assumption of ethical adulthood- and life affirming religions such as the Wiccan denominations are no different in this regard. Thus, any well-trained and conscientious NeoWiccan knows that they must take full responsibility for the decisions they make, and live with the consequences of making them; that we must learn from our past, be guided by it and our moral and ethical frameworks of reference, make a decisive decision on which to act- and then ultimately accept the results and / or consequences of those actions, and live with them for the rest of our lives.

Or, as Dana Corby said, speaking on the Mohsian Tradition specifically in 2006:

It becomes clear, then, that “Harm None” is an ideal goal, not an inviolable rule to beat people with. But what about the rest of the Rede? "Do As Thy Will" ultimately has several meanings.

⤞ Do as thy will

Or: The challenge of action. In other words, don’t blame your mother, or your ex, or "the system", or wait around for Prince Charming to come and save you ... Get out there and do; create a plan for yourself and commit to action- not thoughtlessly, but with insight and wisdom.

⤞ Do as thy will

Or: The challenge to self direction. In other words, to actually take the time and initiative to self reflect, and figure out what we want for ourselves- not what others want for us; it’s easy to be molded by others, or to reflexively rebel without any thought ... It’s not as easy, however, to turn the mirror inward and determine our own desires, then consciously make the choice to conform, confront, or evade (etc).

⤞ Do as thy will

Or: The challenge to introspection. In other words, to know what we truly want beyond just the whims of the current moment ... To really listen to the voices within ourselves about what our deeper, more thoughtful and meaningful wants and needs actually are; this does not mean to blindly eschew all else in pursuit of those desires, however. Balance is still needed.

As the Lycian Transitional Wiccan Tradition rightfully points, out, however, the classic "An It Harm None, Do As Thy Will" is essentially an unfinished thought as it stands on its own; yes, in theory, through proper exegesis, it acknowledges the need for occasional harm. But in practice, this occasional need is not actually codified as it should be.

As they note, if we acknowledge the unsaid statement; that space of emptiness that lays there in the afterward … "An It Cause Harm" … Well … Then what? What if it does cause harm- which is arguably much more common, much to Human dismay and misfortune? We obviously cannot simply do whatever we will or want in these situations- especially as we are compelled to harm none in the first place. So where is the advice within the Craft for those actions?

Logically, then, a rede to cover all possibilities should be finished thus according to the Lycian Transitional Tradition of Wicca:

In other words, according to the Lycians:

According to my own personal interpretation combining the Lycian opinion, NeoWiccan opinion, and Noahidic and Jewish values together: You are free to commit any action with freedom within reason, if it is not harmful to another. But harm is justified when the situation compels you to commit it without any other option. However, if it causes harm you are obligated to do only what you must in order to defend or protect as necessary, and no more than that; to commit to true justice "the punishment must fit the crime", and so on and so forth.