PRINCIPLES
OF WICCAN BELIEF
of
THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN WITCHES
In
April 1974, the Council of American Witches adopted a set of Principles which we
personally believe in.
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 depth of power far greater that that apparent to the average person.
Because it it 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 worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as
the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc.--and we see in the
inter-action 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 him/herself 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 affirmatino 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.
10) 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
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 legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We
are concerned with our present and 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 the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through
the suffering of others, no 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.
|
