Principles of Wiccan belief
The American Council of Witches

1. We practise rites to attune ourselves to the natural rhythms of the life forces marked by the phases of the moon, the seasonal quarters and cross quarters.
2. We recognise that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility towards our environment. We seek to live in harmony with nature in ecological balance, offering fulfilment of life and consciousness, within a evolutionary concept of soul growth.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power, far greater than 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.
4. We conceive of the creative power of the universe, as manifesting through polarity as masculine and feminine. This same creative power lies within all people and functions through the interaction of masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other knowing each to supportive of the other. We value sex as a pleasure, a symbol and embodiment of life and as a part of the spiritual round of death and rebirth.
5. We recognise both outer worlds and inner or psychological worlds sometimes known as the spiritual world or collective unconsciousness, inner planes etc. We see in the interaction of these 2 dimensions the bases for paranormal phenomena and magical exercise. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfilment.
6. We do not recognise any authoritarian hierarchy but we do honour those that teach and respect those that share their greater knowledge and wisdom. We acknowledge those that have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
7. We see religion, magic and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it. A world view, philosophy of life, which we identify as witchcraft, the wiccan way.
8. Calling oneself witch does not make a witch but neither does heredity nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A witch seeks to control the forces within themselves that make life possible to live wisely and well. Without harm to others and in harmony with nature. Being a witch means living as one 24 hours a day for the rest of their lives.
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfilment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the universe we know and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity or towards other religious groups and religions or philosophy of life is to the extent that its institutions have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
11. We, as Wiccans, know that there are many paths on which to travel towards deity and don't enforce our views on others. We recognise that all gods are one and each god/goddess is but an aspect of the force or energy we call god/goddess. As witches we are not threatened by debates on the history of witchcraft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects and of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and future. We must look deeply at the theology of that we espouse. It is important to establish the foundation of our tradition so that those that follow us are prepared for and can withstand the onset of future time.
12. We don't accept the concept of absolute evil nor do we worship any entity known as satan, the devil or lucifer as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, be they human or our brothers and sisters of the animal kingdom nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial of self or others.
13. We believe that we should seek within nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being. Our religion is a joyous religion springing from our kinship with nature. It is a merging with the goddess and god, the universal energies, which created all in existence. It is a personal, positive celebration of life. Our rede is: An it harm none, do what thy will.