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Articles/Essays From Pagans
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November 15th. 2009 ...
Recovering From a Bad Coven Experience
You Are Not A Tool
The Dangers of Virtual Reality and Magickal Life: A True Story
Diary of a High Priestess
When Religious Intolerance Destroys Friendship
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Why Many of Us Will Never Be Christian (No Matter How Hard We Try)
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Love and the Use Of Magick
Spiritual Transformation
Follow the Yellowbrick Road: Sometimes Staying on the Path Takes a Miracle!
The Path: A Spiritual Chautauqua
November 1st. 2009 ...
My Magic Doesn't Work! (Because It Sometimes Doesn't)
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Paganism
The Breath and Faking It
Coming Out Of The "Broom Closet"
Profound Fruit Loops
Magick and Science
I Want To Live A While Longer
"Me Time"
October 25th. 2009 ...
Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone Touring East Coast USA for Samhain
Lemon Magic
My Black Kitty
Autumnland: Pagan Path and Paradise
The Modern Coven: Importance of Documentation
Crossroads Rite (Version 11)
Perceptions of Life
The Challenge of Acceptance
The Circle of Life
October 18th. 2009 ...
Honoring Our Elders, Leaders and Teachers
Group or Solitary: Which Is Best For You?
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Soap Making 101
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To Be or Not To Be – In Pagan Business
"Fusion" Magick
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The Fairies of Samhain
Horns of Gold, Horns of Red: The God as a Sacred Focus
The Veil as Seen Through the Eyes of a Witch
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A Celtic "Young Goodman Brown"
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When I Was A Christian Wiccan
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The Burning Times: May We Never Forget
Ophiuchus, the 13th Constellation: A Call for Change
Changes: Facing Them and Making Them
September 20th. 2009 ...
How I Found My Craft Name (and Tips on Finding Yours!)
Life Without End: Death From A Pagan Perspective
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My Road To Wicca
Officiating At A Crossing Over Ceremony
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My Life Entwined With Death
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Who Sings Now? XVIII
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Yes Witches Can? Yes, Witches WILL!
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NOTE: For a complete list of articles related to this chapter... Visit the Main Index FOR this section.
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Article Specs
Article ID: 10112
VoxAcct: 180917
Section: words
Age Group: Adult
Days Up: 1,490
Times Read: 9,779
RSS Views: 65,779
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Principles Of Wiccan Belief: A Fresh Perspective For A New Generation
Author: Lucas
Posted: October 23rd. 2005
Times Viewed: 9,779
The Principles of Wiccan Belief are perhaps the most overlooked document in Wiccan history. No other charge, rede, creed or manifesto has had the potential to unify so much of the Pagan world with so simple a concept; a short set of thirteen articles outlining and defining the American experience of modern Witches. And yet, many modern Wiccans know nothing of their existence!
In the spring of 1974 modern Wicca was entering a crisis very similar to what the early Christians experienced. Everyone believed something different. While this certainly isn’t a bad thing, it can become somewhat confusing. The Wicca that modern Dianics refer to is obviously not the same Wicca as British Traditionalists'. The Council of American Witches saw the difficulties this could cause in those early days of the Wiccan movement and decided they could make a difference. Lead by chairman Carl Llewellyn Weschcke (who later went on to found Llewellyn Publications, the largest Pagan publishing house to date), the Council issued the Principles of Wiccan Belief in an effort to unite the community and educate the rest of the world as to what we were really up to.
The Principles of Wiccan Belief
The Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs.
We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest though our own being.
As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from all and to share our learning within our Council.
It is in this spirit of welcome and cooperation that we adopt these few principles of Wiccan belief. In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on 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 us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.
In the preamble to the Principles we can see the driving force behind the entire document -- unity. Not only unity among Wiccans who may have slightly differing views, but also unity for Wiccans in a world that is at times unfriendly or counterproductive to our purpose. There are also several “safety nets” in place in the preamble.
The Council points out early on that we are not bound by the traditions of other times and places, though we are encouraged to assimilate sound theories and practices from other faiths into our own. We are also reminded that no matter how enlightened we become, or how egotistical certain self-proclaimed gurus may be that we truly owe no allegiance to anything or anyone but the divine within us. After all, “thou art god, ” and as we are all manifestations of the divine spirit, the preamble reminds us not to discriminate against others based on circumstances beyond their control.
Article 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.
Wicca is a living faith that reveres the forces of the Divine manifest in nature. By attuning our Selves to the natural rhythm of the cycles of life, death and regeneration, we are not only achieving balance in our lives and bodies, but also striving to attain equilibrium and harmony. The Phases of the Moon remind us to turn our thoughts inward each month and evaluate our psyches, while the Solar holidays are focused more on matters of life and community. The eight Sabbats are much like the Stations of the Cross of Christianity, marking the life cycle of the God on His journey from birth to sacrifice, and resurrection, each with its own lesson to teach us through meditation and attunement.
Article 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.
As Wiccans and Witches we are all too aware of the interconnectedness of all things. With this knowledge we are presented with a unique opportunity to create and manifest change. With this being true, it is nearly impossible for us not to feel a duty to protect and nurture the very environment that we are sustained by. Many Wiccans are active conservationists and do more than their fair share to reduce waste and recycle, while also encouraging local governments to pay attention to environmental issues. By living in harmony with Nature, we are showing respect for the gifts of the Divine.
Article III
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.
Since the dawn of time Witches have been working with so-called “supernatural” forces, and while these energies cannot be seen, or at times even understood, their origins are by no means “above (or outside of) nature” as the term may imply. The unseen forces that hold our very Universe together are in fact the most natural forces there are. Science has only recently begun to catch up to what the wise men and women have known for centuries. Modern physics has done much to prove the existence of these unseen forces that we refer to as magick; one need only research and understand, for physics is the way the Universe works, and thus the mechanics of advanced magickal theory.
Article IV
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 interaction 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 the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
A bit of background should be covered here to fully explain the complexities of the deceptively simple Article IV. The Higher Power, Creative Force, Collective Unconscious, Divinity, or by whatever name you refer to it, is a vast expanse so unfathomable that the human mind could never truly comprehend it. After all, consider the vast expanse of our solar system, then our galaxy, and now our universe. Not easy to fully fathom, and yet the Higher Power is still beyond all these things.
To cope with connecting to a Higher Power with no gender, face, or determining factors, human beings have assigned these things to it instead. How hard would it be to pray to a vast expanse of energy with no form or delineation? We connect to the divine by seeing it the way we see ourselves, or as what we’d like to become. We assign names, features, and stories to aspects of divinity to help us connect.
As Wiccans we perceive the Divine as manifesting through polarity, masculine and feminine aspects, or a God and a Goddess. Now this particular theory has sparked a hot little debate in the Pagan world. There are certain sects that only revere the Goddess while neglecting the God and vice versa, and there are some that claim the idea of polarity is sexist and unfriendly to the gay and lesbian communities, but both of these ideologies have major issues.
The first of these issues being that Creation cannot exist without opposing complementary forces, i.e. masculine/feminine, yin/yang, active/passive. The Goddess could not exist without the God, nor could the God without the Goddess. Both are necessary for creation. Without one there is no other, only stagnation. Thus we strive to value neither above the other, recognizing their unique roles in the creation cycle.
The second issue is that the view of polarity is discriminatory towards the gay and lesbian communities, placing a higher level of importance on heterosexual couples while relegating homosexual love to the sidelines. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and in fact this is outlined by the very Principles themselves. The creative forces of masculine and feminine are inherent in all people and creation. The union of masculine and feminine is not simply something to be strived for through copulation, but by the Hieros Gamos or sacred marriage, of the masculine and feminine forces within each of us. Without the union of opposing complementary forces, one cannot achieve equilibrium and harmony with the Universe. As Wiccans, we value sex as a symbol of the creative forces and a celebration of the manifestation of the Divine, and thus as one of the most powerful catalysts for magick. As the Goddess reminds us in her Charge, “all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals….”
The main theory we need to remember with Article IV is referred to as henotheism, a term defined as the devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of other gods, originally coined by Friedrich Max Müller, a German Orientalist and forerunner of Indian studies who pioneered the discipline of comparative religions. What this means to us as Wiccans is simply this: that the God and Goddess are not two coins, but are two faces of the same coin. All aspects of divinity are as leaves on a tree; by touching them we are in fact touching the tree (of unfathomable super-consciousness) of which they are a part.
Article V
We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds – sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the 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.
As Wiccans we believe in the existence of both physical and “astral” or “otherworldly” planes of being, and just as both aspects of polarity are necessary for existence, we should place no higher value on one plane than another. Too often new Witches have fallen victim to the siren’s song of the Otherworld to the detriment of their health and livelihood. It is possible to meditate oneself into malnutrition, though obviously not advised. The body is the temple of the soul, and we must remember that while we may by 98% energy, we must still play by the rules of the physical realm if we mean to survive here. Harmony and Balance are the keys here, to build and enhance one’s spiritual and physical self simultaneously is the utmost goal.
Article 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.
Wicca does not recognize a central authority for the entire faith, as all groups are autonomous to retain the spontaneous mystery-based origins of our religion. That being established, we do revere and honor those who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Gods and respect the sacrifices and contributions they have made for the advancement of our religion as a whole.
Article 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 we identify as Witchcraft, or the Wiccan Way.
The Council of American Witches defines their idea guidepost as the Wiccan Way, incorporating religion (spiritual devotion), magick (personal power and responsibility for ones actions and environment), and wisdom-in-living (the application of the knowledge of these concepts to everyday life). The harmony of these concepts is the key to progression.
Article VIII
Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a Witch – but neither does heredity itself, or the collection 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 harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.
A Witch is not a Witch by title alone. Being a Witch has little to do with flashy cloaks and fancy ritual tools, or who’s got the bigger wand or longer title. To be a Witch is to live in harmony with the forces within and without, controlling ones emotions and natural abilities while positively influencing your own environment without detriment to others. A Witch is not simply the child of a Witch or a person with a Grand High Poobah degree in Sorcery. A Witch is the magus of his or her own destiny.
Article IX
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.
The vast expanse of the Universe can seem empty and barren without the knowledge that life is a precious gift from our Creator. By placing emphasis on living life to its fullest and most glorious potential, experiencing all that we can both intellectually and through the senses, we shine a light in the darkness; we give meaning to the void.
Article X
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.
This is one article in particular that we could all use a refresher on from time to time. How often have the self-proclaimed enlightened ones in our community been heard late at night around a fire circle griping about those “damned Southern Baptists” and how evil those demonic Christians are? We are not only not practicing what we preach, but also manifesting negativity in the name of egotism.
Despite its present politics, Christianity has many valuable life lessons to learn (cf. principles preamble, paragraph three). Our only regret is that religious zealots have been preaching their doctrine as the only path to salvation for centuries, and this is true of many faiths, not Christianity alone. Many Pagans are guilty of this as well. Fundamentalism is dangerous in anyone’s hands, no matter the doctrine being preached.
Article 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.
How many times have you heard the claim that Wicca is the oldest religion in the world? Well, newsflash, folks - it isn’t! Wicca as we know it has only been around since the late 1950’s, although it does draw from the religions of the past. And guess what? The truth really will set you free. There’s no sense in ignoring the facts that Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley shared communications and that many Wiccan rituals are derivatives from Masonic rites. It’s our history, and debate it all you want, it won’t change where we are today or where we plan to go.
Article 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 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.
Wiccan theology acknowledges that all things possess both greater and lesser qualities, and the potential for positive and negative actions and reactions. Thus the concept of absolute “good” or “evil” is an alien ideology. True Witches know that power comes from within, and from the choosing of our own destiny, not from using influence to dominate others.
Article XIII
We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
Again, the body is the temple of the soul, and as such we must work within the framework and environment we are placed within to achieve the best for our bodies, minds and spirits.
The Principles of Wiccan Belief are by far a set of the most deceptively simple, most powerful (and most overlooked) articles in Wiccan history. By acknowledging and accepting these simple principles and incorporating them into our daily lives, we are actively making an effort to better our psyches, and by turning from a wayward path strewn with misconceptions about the very religion we profess to practice, we are able, at last, to find our way back to the center.
May the road rise up to meet us…
Footnotes:
*The Principles of Wiccan Belief, Council of American Witches
*Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Llewellyn Publications
ABOUT...
Lucas
Location: Mount Dora, Florida
Author's Profile: To learn more about Lucas - Click HERE
Bio: Lucas is a contemporary eclectic witch with a flair for modern spirituality and a quest for creating unity in the Pagan community by shunning ego and practicing what we claim to preach.
Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE
Email Lucas... (No, I have NOT opted to receive Pagan Invites! Please do NOT send me anonymous invites to groups, sales and events.)
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