The Principles of Belief
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
toward 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 greater depth of power than is apparent to the
average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called
"Supernatural", but we see it as that which is naturally potential to us all.
4. We conceive the creative power in the universe as manifesting through
polarity, as masculine and feminine, and that the 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.
5. 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 the interaction of these two dimensions as 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
know as Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself a witch does not make a witch, nor does heredity
itself, or the collection of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to
control the forces within himself/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely
and well, without harm to others and in harmony with nature.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in
continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, which gives meaning to the
universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any 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 practice and belief.
11. As (American) Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the
history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, or the legitimacy of the various
aspects of different traditions. We are concerned only 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 is defined by
the 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.
13. We work within nature for that which is contributory to our health
and well-being.