In 1974 the Council of American Witches adopted a set of 13 declarations which described in broad terms the Wiccan world view. The document was simply titled "Principles of Wiccan Belief," and was intented as a tool to educate the public and new practioners. These Principles have been published in such diverse places as the U.S.Army Handbook for Chaplins and Teen Witch by Silver RavenWolf. Twenty-five years later it still remains a defining document of the Wiccan Faith.
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 enviroment. We seek to
live in harmony with Nature, in ecological
balance offering fulfillment to life and
consciouness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowldge 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 concieve of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity--as muscline and feminine--and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to 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 recongnize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, ect.--and we see in the interaction of these two demensions 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 make 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 toward 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 orgins 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 the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by the denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
Printed in the Sept./Oct.1999 issue of Llewellyn's New Worlds of Mind and Spirit. Reprinted by written permission.
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