Post by Laurasia on Apr 2, 2005 13:51:19 GMT -5
"The 13 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 fulfilment 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 the 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 energy used in magical
practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological
worlds
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness,
the
Inner Planes etc – and we see in the interaction of these two
dimensions the
basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect
neither
dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfilment.
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honour
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 seek to control the forces within her/himself that make life
possible
in order to live wisely and without harm to others and in harmony with
nature.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfilment 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 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.
Sincerely,
Laurasia
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 fulfilment 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 the 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 energy used in magical
practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological
worlds
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness,
the
Inner Planes etc – and we see in the interaction of these two
dimensions the
basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect
neither
dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfilment.
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honour
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 seek to control the forces within her/himself that make life
possible
in order to live wisely and without harm to others and in harmony with
nature.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfilment 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 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.
Sincerely,
Laurasia