The Principles of Belief

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The Principles of Belief | Real Witches do Not... | Daily Devotion

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves to the 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 enviroment. 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 is apparent to the average person. Because this power is far greater than ordinary, we sometimes call this force "supernatural," but we see this power as lying withinn 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. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of each other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol of embodiment of life.

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds-sometimes known as the Spirital World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, et cetera-and we see in the interaction and magickal exersizes. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian heirarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge thsoe who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-loving as united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as WitchCraft or 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 seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible to live wisely and well, without harm 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 developement of consiousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we konw, and to our personal role within that Universe.

10. our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that these institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have south to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.

11. As American Witches, we do not feel threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We concern ourselves 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 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. No bound by traditions from other times and other culture, we owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions. We seek to learn from all and to share our learning. We do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of Wicca by those of self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with any person who carries a sincere interest in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.


	Twisted Tears \| home The Principles of Belief \| Real Witches do Not... \| Daily Devotion 1. We practice rites to attune ourselves to the 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 enviroment. 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 is apparent to the average person. Because this power is far greater than ordinary, we sometimes call this force "supernatural," but we see this power as lying withinn 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. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of each other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol of embodiment of life. 5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds-sometimes known as the Spirital World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, et cetera-and we see in the interaction and magickal exersizes. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment. 6. We do not recognize any authoritarian heirarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge thsoe who have courageously given of themselves in leadership. 7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-loving as united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as WitchCraft or 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 seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible to live wisely and well, without harm 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 developement of consiousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we konw, and to our personal role within that Universe. 10. our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that these institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have south to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief. 11. As American Witches, we do not feel threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We concern ourselves 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 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. No bound by traditions from other times and other culture, we owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions. We seek to learn from all and to share our learning. We do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of Wicca by those of self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with any person who carries a sincere interest in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.