American Council of Witches
Statement on Witchcraft
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 of life and consciousness
within an evoluntionary 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 the 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
Unconsciousness, 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 her/himself that makes 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 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 claims to the "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 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 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.
-----from the American Council of Witches, 1994