The Wiccans Way

The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief was written in1974 by Carl Llewellyn Weschke based on common beliefs discussed by the Council of American Witches as a way to dispel myths and distinguish Wicca from Satanism. The council later disbanded. Although it is not accepted by all Witches or all Wiccans, many modern Witches and Wiccans still use the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief.

1. We practice rites to harmonize 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 sometime called Supernatural, be 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 of 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 recognized both outer worlds and inner or psychological worlds, sometimes known as the spiritual world and we see in the interaction of theses two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimensions for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those to 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 and life which we identify as witchcraft; the Wiccan way.

8. Calling oneself "witch" does not make a witch, but neither does heredity itself, nor collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A witch seeks to control 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 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 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.