Rede (2)

"Heed the North wind's mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail."
The north wind carries the cold with it, and often storms. I feel as though this line is telling us to be strong through difficult times, be it a natural storm or a dramatic storm.

"When the wind blows from the South, love will kiss thee on thy mouth."
South brings summer, and June the month in which marriages took place in honor of Juno (Hera). Warmer weather usually brings together couples. (You hear of Summer love, not Winter love). Fertility and love deities are more active in the warm weather, and bring people together.

"When the wind blows from the West, departed souls will have no rest."
The underworld was always described as being in the West. So wind from the west made it difficult for souls or spirits to travel there. As such it is a superstition that souls are restless on these days. (I don't believe spirits/souls are affected by winds.)

"When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast."
Sun/Moon rises in the east, new day/night comes from the East. New beginnings are from the East. Is it any wonder that people believed wind from the East brought a promise of change or something new?

"Nine Woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow."
In some versions, these nine woods are listed. Beside each is a line about their magickal properties. I may talk about them in a later post, I'm not sure right now. I don't think you have to put one of each of the nine woods each time you light. I believe these are nine woods allowed or preferred for the cauldron. To sum up the burning part, I always felt it was a warning to not get the fire too hot to damage the cauldron.

"Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be."
Another simple one. The Lady's sacred tree is the Elder, and it's special to her. Imagine how upset you'd be if someone damaged something special to you, now add in the arrogance and wrath of a goddess. Scary thought! Don't burn it.