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Laws & Ethics

The Wiccan Rede ( Full version)

Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live-
fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about
to keep all evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time,
let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch-
speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon-
sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane,
and the Warewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's Moon is new,
kiss the hand to her times two.
When the Moon rides at her peak,
then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the Northwind's might 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 East,
expect the new and set the feast.
When the West wind blows o'er thee,
departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go-
burn them quick and burn them slow.
Elder be ye Lady's tree-
burn it not or cursed ye'll be.
When the Wheel begins to turn-
let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned a Yule,
light the Log and let Pan rule.
Heed ye flower, bush and tree-
by the Lady blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
cast a stone an truth ye'll know.
When ye have need,
hearken not to other's greed.
With the fool no season spend
or be counted as his friend.
Merry ye meet an merry ye part-
bright the cheeks an warm the heart.
Ming the Threefold Law ye should-
three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow,
wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be
unless thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill-
An it harm none, do what ye will.

Basic Principles of Wicca

    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 unique responsibilities 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 is 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 lives in all people, and functions through the interactions 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 a symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practices and religious worship.
     We recognize both outer worlds and the inner, or psychological worlds, sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness and Inner Planes, etc. and we see in the interactions of these two dimensions that basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension fot the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
     We do not recognize any authoritarian heirarchy, but do honour those who teach, respect those who share their greater wisdom and knowledge, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
     We see religion, magick, and wisdon-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives in it- a world view and philosophy of Life, which we identify as Witchcraft, or the Wiccan Way.
     Calling oneself a "Witch" does not make one a Witch, but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that makes life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.
     We acknowledge that it is the afirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evaluation and development of consciousness that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
     Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-Life, is to the extent that its 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 beliefs.
     As American (and Canadian) Witches,we are not threatened by debates of the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We ae 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 Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.
     We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

1. Know yourself.
2. Know your Craft (Wicce).
3. Learn.
4. Apply knowledge with wisdom.
5. Achieve balance.
6. Keep your words in good order.
7. Keep your thoughts in good order.
8. Celebrate Life.
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth.
10. Breathe and eat correctly.
11. Exercise the body.
12. Meditate.
13. Honour the Goddess and God.

Thirteen Goals Of A Witch