85 lines
3.9 KiB
Plaintext
85 lines
3.9 KiB
Plaintext
Principles of Wiccan Belief
|
|
(as adopted by the Council of American Witches, April, 1974)
|
|
|
|
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 towards 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 manifest
|
|
through polarity -- as masculine and feminine -- and that same
|
|
Creative power lies in all people, and functions through the
|
|
interaction of 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 known sometimes as the Spiritual World, the Collective
|
|
Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. - and we see in the
|
|
interaction 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 courageously
|
|
give of themselves in leadership.
|
|
|
|
7. We see religion, magic, and wisdom in living as being united
|
|
in the way one views the world and live within it - a world
|
|
view and philosophy of life which we identify as 'Witchcraft -
|
|
the Wiccan Way'.
|
|
|
|
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make one a Witch - but
|
|
neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles,
|
|
degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces
|
|
within themselves 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 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 beleive that we should seek within Nature that which is
|
|
contibutory to our health and well-being.
|
|
|
|
*********
|
|
This is not in any way an all-encompassing credo applicable to
|
|
all groups who consider themselves Wiccans or Witches, but
|
|
rather is the set of principles adopted by one such group. As
|
|
there are differences between various Christian sects, so are
|
|
there difference between those of Wicca. However, while the
|
|
specifics may differ, the general attitude and reasoning behind
|
|
these declarations remains relatively consistent.
|