Although written many years ago, the majority of witches and wiccans do not adhere to these principles.
Those that do in this day and age, would be considered a "fluffy bunny". I will go into the 'fluffy bunny' term on a
different page.
The following was written in April of 1974 by the American Council of Witches.
Principles of Wiccan Belief
I. 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.
II. 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 fulfillment to life and
consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
III. 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.
IV. 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 masculine and feminine. We value neither above the either, knowing each to be supportive to the other. 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.
V. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes
known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc., 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.
VI. 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.
VII. 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.
VIII. 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 her/himself that make
life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
IX. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation
of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
X. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion
or philosophy of life, is to the extant 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.
XI. 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.
XII. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity
known as "Satan" or "The Devil", as defined by the christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others,
nor accept that personal benefits can be derived only by denial to another.
XIII. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to
our health and well-being.
