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 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 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 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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