PRINCIPLES OF WICCAN BELIEF
The following set of thirteen principles was adopted by the Council
of American Witches in April 1974.
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 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 as manifesting through
polarity -- as masculine and feminine -- and that this same Creative Power
lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine
and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive
to the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of
life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magical practice and
religious worship.
We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner
Planes, etc. -- and we see the interaction of these two dimensions the
basis for paranormal phenomena and magical 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 -- the Wiccan Way.
Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch -- but neither
does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations.
A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible
in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony
with Nature.
We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation
of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe
we know and our personal role within it.
Our only animosity toward Christianity, or towards any other religion
or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed
to be "the 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, the legitimacy of various aspects
of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and not our
future.
We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any
entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition.
We do not seek power through the sufferings of others, nor accept the that
personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory
to our health and well-being.