An it harm none, do what ye will

This is the Wiccan Rede.  According to Marian Green in "A Witch Alone," an is Old English meaning In order that; will means you soul's own true will; and none means no one and nothing.

So the rede in modern language would read "In order that it harm no one or nothing, do what your soul's own true will wants."

Marian Green’s A Witch Alone was one of the first books I read when I came to the craft.  I've started rereading this book.  I wanted the quotes above to talk about here but I also wanted to touch base again with some of the basic concepts.  We all have our own moral compasses, which have been developed over time and from our own life experiences.  

I had such a normal childhood, very little drama, lots of love, and just the right amount of discipline.  My family - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins - gave me a strong solid foundation to live by.  As a child I couldn't see the gray areas in life because I was protected from them. 

As I ventured out in the world I discovered gray parts of morality.  I learned that you can hate the people who were supposed to protect you and still love them.  My life stayed as normal as ever but my friends shared harsh experiences.  I reacted with righteous indignation and all the passion my Irish / German / French ancestry could muster.  

The rigidity of my foundation started to bend and be molded into something different.  My father was a great person for debating.  I can remember lengthy debates between him and one of my older sisters.  Regardless of how he felt, he would argue the opposite of whatever my sister argued.  He wanted her - and all of us I guess - to see things from different perspectives.  

As a young woman, I had fire and passion.  There were topics I never thought I'd change my mind on.  Now as I'm reaching my Crone years, I'd think I'd get more cranky about things but I'm finding I've got more tolerance, more understanding of those different perspectives.  I'm so busy living my life, enjoying the things I do - writing crocheting, family - I don't have time to judge other people's lives.  Nor do I want to.  

When it comes to social issues, I try to see the perspective of other people, to see things how they do.  Sometimes I'm successful and sometimes - well I'm still a work in progress.  Often I'm the annoying person who plays devil's advocate and throws what if scenarios out for people to consider.  Now I’m the one who is taking the opposite point of view to make my family members think.  I think my dad would be pleased about this.

Fleshing out the single sentence for Wiccan Rede, I use the foundation my family gave me along with my life experience.  Tolerance, respect, and compassion are key components in my decision making.  Few people can agree on religion or spirituality.  Everyone has their own perspective.