THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES OF WICCA:

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rythem of life forces marked by the phases of the moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.

2. We recognise that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility tword our environment. We seek to live in harmony with nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an environment concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater then is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater then ordinary, it is sometimes called “supernatural” but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.

4. We concieve 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 interaction of the masculine and feminine. We all value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sextuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as the one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.

5. We recognise both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds – sometimes known as the spititual world, the collective unconscious, the inner planets, ect…. – 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 being united in the way of one veiws the world and lives within it. A world veiw and philosophy of life, which we identify as witchcraft or the wiccan way.

8. Callig oneself “witch” does not make 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 make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harn 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 it.

10. Our only animosity tword Christianity, or towrd any other religon or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutuions that have claimed to be “The only true and right way” and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices 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 the “devil” or “satan” 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.

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