The
Principles of Wiccan Belief
In 1974 one group of American Witches meeting
in Minneapolis, Minnesota adopted the following set of principles. Since
then, several versions of these principles, with minor differences in wording,
have been circulated. These principles are not required of anyone, but
they do reflect the thinking of many modern Pagan Witches whether in the
United States or elsewhere.
The Council of American Witches found it necessary to designate modern Witchcraft in stipulation of the American experience and needs. We owe no fidelity to any person or authority greater than the Divinity intelligible through our own being. As American Witches we accept and honor all teachings and traditions and seek to learn from all and to bestow our learning upon all who may seek it.
It is in this spirit of welcome and support that we adopt these few principles of Wiccan belief. In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the obliteration of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or our philosophies and practices paradoxical to those principles. In seeking to omit association with us to any who are genuinely interested in our knowledge and beliefs. We therefore ask only that those who seek to identify with us accept these few basic principles.
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 in 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 "super-natural", but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
4.) We concieve 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 masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other.
5.) We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as the interaction source of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
6.) We recognize both an outer world and an inner, or psychological world - sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness, 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 fulfillment.
7.) 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 courageously give of themselves in leadership.
8.) We see religion, magick, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it - a world and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft, the Wiccan Way.
9.) 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 makes life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
10.) 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.
11.) Our only animosity towards 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 saught to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
12.) As American Witches we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the lagitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
13.) 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 suffering of others nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
14.) We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
END.
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