Witches Beliefs Wicca is a from of witchcraft that honors the balance of life, birth, growth and death and the beauty of the four seasons, as well as the energy of the moons changing phases from new to full. Wicca is a Neo-Pagan religion and is often referred to as an occult religion (occult meaning hidden), it is a peaceful earth based spirituality that incorporates shamanism into some practices. Wicca is comprised of Western European Folk traditions and Eastern Philosophy. It is usually seen as an eclectic system of beliefs with an underlying static ritual and ethics base. Although some traditions deviate from the other forms of Wicca to cater for the specific needs of their particular culture, Wiccan rituals and ethics still have a common ground, which identifies them as being Wiccan Wiccans are very independent people who seek truth from within through the use of meditation, magic, rituals, and studying nature. Basic tenants of faith They worship two archetypes (masculine and feminine) God and Goddess, they are said to have equal power, but the fact that the Goddess has the ability to give birth she is generally believed to have slightly more power. Wiccans are a polytheistic religion; in other words they worship more than one deity. They hold the belief that all elements of the natural world to be inherently sacred, and all parts are equally important part of the Lord and Lady. Principles of Wiccan Belief Council of American Witches In April 1974, the Council of American Witches adopted a set of principles of Wiccan Belief. They are as follows.
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, inn 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 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 magical 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 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 magic and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it--a worldview 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 not 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 towards any 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 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 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 |