The Principles of Wiccan Belief
At the Spring Witchmeet of 1974, the Council of American Witches adopted a document titled "Principles of Wiccan Belief". This document was to define, educate, and inform the public of the belief system that we, as Wicca, follow. The document contains a basic overview of theology and laws within the Craft. It doesn't limit its practitioners in any way from following their various and sundry choices within the Craft. But, it serves well to simplify the concepts of our belief.
Thanks to the efforts of this council, which disbanded the same year they wrote the principles, and many others within the Craft; Wicca is no longer one of the fad religions that have risen and fallen through the years. In 1994, the religion we call WitchCraft (Wicca), was given a definite place among the various religions of the World by the World Parliament of Religions. These are the 13 statements recorded in that document.
The 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 is apparent to the average person. Because this power is far greater than ordinary, we sometimes call this force "supernatural," but we see this power 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 Creative Power lives 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 sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds--sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, et cetera--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 have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as united in the way one views the world and lives within it--a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as WitchCraft or 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 to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with nature.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within that Universe.
10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that these institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
11. As American Witches, we do not feel threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, or the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We concern ourselves 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 do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.
13. We work within nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being. Not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, we owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and tradition. We seek to learn from all and to share our learning. We do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of Wicca by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with any person who carries a sincere interest in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.
