13 Principles of the Wiccan Belief

In 1974 The Counsil of American Witches adopted
the following principles. This organization no
longer exists, but the priciples remain and are
still used today by many Wiccans.

1. 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.

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility
towards our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in
ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness
within an evolutionary concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that 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.

4. 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 of the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the
symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies
used in magickal practice and religious worship.

5. We recognize both outer and inner, or psychological, worlds --
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious,
Inner Planes, etc. -- and we see in the interaction of these two
dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises.
We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation
of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the
Universe we know, and our personal role within it.

10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or toward 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 practice and belief.

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the
history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the origins
of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with
our present and our future.

12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship
any 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 that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.

13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is
contributory to our health and well-being.