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 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 "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.
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