The 13
Principles of Wiccan 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
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 energy used
in magical practice and religious worship.
5.
We recognize
both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective
Unconsciousness, the Inner Planes etc – and we see in the
interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal
phenomena and magical 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 seek to control the forces within
her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely
and 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 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 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.
