"Prayer indeed is good-
but while calling on the Gods one must oneself lend a hand"
Hippocratic writings
Principles of Belief
Council of American Witches
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 crossquarters.
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 as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine- and that this same creative Power lives in all people and functions through the interaction of 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 energy used in magikal practices and religious worship.
We recognize both outer worlds, and inner, or psychological worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the collective Unconscious and Inner Planes, etc. and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the bases for paranormal phenomena and magikal 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 a "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 her/himself that makes life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
We acknowledge that it is 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 to our personal role in 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 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 various traditions. We are concerned with our present and 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 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.
To flip through the pages of my BOS faster...
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Brightest of Blessings