Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

In 1974 the Council of American Witches was formed with 73 Witches of varying traditions. They attempted to form a statement of common principles and definitions shared by Witches in
order to dispel misinformation. These principles have been incorporated into
one or more editions of the U.S. Army handbook for chaplains.

Here follows the introduction that accompanied the principles, this explains them better than we can, and the 13 principles themselves. Although most Witches embrace the Wiccan Rede, many
embrace some or all of these as well. We have included some comments in italics.

Introduction:

In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to those principles. In seeking to
exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny
participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and
beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins or
sexual preference.

Principles of the 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 feminine. We value neither (gender) above the
other, knowing each to be supportive to the other. This next section of #4
is often omited in recent copies, partly because of residual puritanical
beliefs in the public and in some modern Witches, and partly because it is
often misunderstood: 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, of 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
her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and will without
harm to other 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 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.

From paganpath.com