WICCAN PRINCIPLES
AND BELIEFS
In 1974 one group of American Witches meeting in Minneapolis adopted the following group of principles. These principles are not required of anyone, but they do reflect the thinking of many modern Pagan Witches whether in the United States or elsewhere.
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 interactive 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 sufferings of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
- We believe that we should seek within nature that which is contributory to our health and well being.
The Wiccan Rede
Bide the Wiccan Law we must,
in perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Live and let live,
fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the circle thrice about,
to keep the evil spirits out.
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon,
chanting out the Witches' rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon,
chanting out a baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new,
kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak,
then your hearts desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West,
departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East,
expect the news and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree,
burn it not or cursed you'll be.
When the Wheel turns to Yule,
light the log and the Horned One rules.
Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree,
by the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
cast a stone and the truth you'll know.
When ye have a true need,
harken not to others' greed.
With a fool no season spend,
lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part,
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law you should,
three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow,
wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in Love ever be,
lest thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fufill:
An it harm none, do what ye will.
by Doreen Valiete
Majik law of three
The Law of Three was actually Ceremonial. It comes from the Three Elder Laws of Majik:
1. No Self Doubt. You shouldn't practice anything you are not comfortable with that would cause you doubt.
2. No Guilt. You shouldn't practice anything or do a spell that would make you feel guilty. Guilt = Karma = Crap. When you are guilty you bring punishment to you.
3. No Fear. You should never practice anything you are afraid of.
Rule of Three
Evermind the Rule of Three.
Three times what thou givest returns to thee.
This lesson well, thou must learn.
Thee only gets what thou dost earn.
By Scott Cunningham
Wiccan Crede according to
http://www.geocities.com/necie_67/crede.html
Hear now the words of the witches,
The secrets we hid in the night, When dark was our destiny’s pathway,
hat now we bring forth into light.
Mysterious water and fire,
The earth and the wide-ranging air,
By hidden quintessence we know them,
And will keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all nature,
The passing of winter and spring,
We share with the life universal,
Rejoice in the magical ring.
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat Returns,
and the witches are seen At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Eve and old Hallowe’en.
When day-time and night-time are equal,
When sun is at greatest and least,
The four lesser Sabbats are summoned,
And Witches gather in Feast.
Thirteen Silver Moons in a year are,
Thirteen is the coven’s array.
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year and day.
The power that was passed down the age,
Each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other, Ere time and the ages began.
When drawn is the magical circle,
By sword or athame of power, Its compass between two worlds lies,
In land of the shades for the hour.
This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught.
The oldest of Gods are invoked there,
The Greatest of magic is wrought.
For the two are mystical pillars, that stand at the gates of the shrine,
And two are the powers of nature,
The forms and the force divine.
The dark and the light in succession,
The opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as a God and a Goddess:
Of this our ancestors teach.
By night he's the wild wind's rider The Horn'd One, the King of the Woodland The dweller in green forest glades.
She is youthful or old as she pleases,
She sails the torn clouds in her barque,
The bright silver lady of midnight,
The crone who weaves spells in the dark.
The master and mistress of magic,
That dwell in the deeps of the mind, Immortal and ever-renewing, with power to free or to bind.
And Do What You Will be the challenge,
So be it love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment
By Magic of old, be it done!
Thirteen Goals of a Witch
Know yourself.
Know your Craft.
Learn.
Apply knowledge with wisdom.
Achieve balance.
Keep your words in good order.
Keep your thoughts in good order.
Celebrate life.
Attune with the cycles of the Earth.
Breathe and eat correctly.
Exercise the body.
Meditate.
Honor the Goddess and God.
