The Principles of Belief
We practice rites to attune ourselves with the
natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of
the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique
responsibility toward our environment. We seek
to live in harmony with nature, in ecological
balance, offering fulfillment to life and
consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is
apparent to the average person. Because it is far
greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called
"supernatural", but we see it as lying within
that which is naturally potential to all.
We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe and
manifesting through polarity.....as masculine and
feminine.....and that this same creative power lives
in all people, and functions through the interaction
of the masculine and feminine. We value
neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive
of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure,
as the symbol and embodiment of Life,
and as one of the sources of energies used in
magickal practice and religious worship.
We recognize both outer worlds and inner or
psychological worlds.....sometimes known as the Spiritual
World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner
Planes, etc. .....and we see in the interaction of
these two dimensions the basis for the paranormal
and magickal exercises. We neglect neither
dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary
for our fulfillment.
We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy,
but do honor those who teach, respect those who share
their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge
those who have courageously given of themselves
in leadership.
We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as
being united in the way one views the world and lives
within it.....a world view and philosophy of life,
which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.
Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a witch, but
neither does heredity itself, or the collecting
of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch
seeks to control the forces within him/her that
make life possible in order to love wisely and
well, without harm to others, and in harmony with
nature.
We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and
fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution
and development of consciousness, that gives
meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal
role within it.
Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any
other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the
extent that its institutions have claimed to be
"the one true right and only way" and have sought
to deny freedom to others and to suppress other
ways of religious practices and belief.
As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates
on the history of the Craft, the origins of
various terms, or the legitimacy of various aspects
of different traditions. We are concerned with
our present and our future.
We do not accept the concept of "absolute evil", nor
do we worship an entity known as "Satan" or
"the devil" as defined by Christian Tradition. We
do not seek power through the suffering of others,
nor do we accept the concept that personal
benefits can only be derived by denial to another.
We work within Nature for that which is contributory
to our health and well-being.
The 13 Wiccan Principles by the Council of American Witches (1974)
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The Broom Closet
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