The Pagan Manifesto

This is simply too good not to share. This lovely manifesto came across my Facebook page this morning. I don't know it's origins, but I do know it's truth's. It resonates in the very marrow of my bones and has since I was just a wee girl. It cheers me mightily to see it presented not just in writing but as the loveliest art. As I read it, I am grateful to my mother who gave me the permission and the courage from a very early age to be very different. I come from a long line of very uppity women. I write this morning in honor of those in spirit who though unseen by most still walk by my side.

In the midst of these strange days where in this United States we are facing a populace who still believe church and state should not be separated, I am thrilled to see the pagan community standing up and speaking their truths. We have allowed ourselves to be defined by fear of persecution way longer than we ever should have and in giving any credibility to that fear have stuffed our spirits painfully into one little corner of the world. To be sure there are those who try in the name of of witchcraft to manipulate, control or destroy.. We do not honor them nor welcome them into our world . We believe that whatever we put into the world will come back to us by way of three..so I spend my time sending love, not hurt. Harm none. It has been that way for centuries.

We are not Satanists..Satan is a Christian deity, born of a time when the church desired to control anyone who dared speak against it , tithe to it or even simply refuse to honor it or practice it's precepts. We do not even conceive nor honor such a perverted , twisted concept. We harm none. We love this Earth and all it's inhabitants.

We honor your desire to love who you love, believe as you believe and live peacefully and with gratitude for this shared life on this beautiful planet all the while knowing that our most important responsibility is to care for her and ALL of her children... two or four legged, winged , gilled or green. This is my truth.

The Wiccan Rede
(Full Version)

" Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give. 

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme. 

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. 

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 wolfsbane. 

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. 

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 in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
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.
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. 

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.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be. 

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken 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. 

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow. 

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you. 

These Eight words the Rede fulfill: 

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will" 

---