our principles of belief

Adapted from The Council of American Witches Minneapolis, MN, 11-14 April 1974

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.

3: We acknowledge that there is power greater than ourselves.

4: We conceive duality of the Creative Power equally ~as masculine and feminine~ and that this lies in all people.

5: We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.

6: We recognize both outer worlds and inner worlds and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for learning and growth.

7: We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but honor those who teach, respecting them for sharing their knowledge and wisdom and acknowledge those who give of themselves in leadership.

8: 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.

9: Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch, but neither does heredity itself, not the collecting of titles. A Witch seeks to understand the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, and without harm to others.

10: We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life.  We believe in the development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.

11: We believe that each individual has the freedom to choose their spiritual path, acknowledging that there are many, equally valid, pathways to spirituality.

12: We acknowledge our history, recognize the evolution of the Craft and are primarily concerned with our present and future.