ENJOY!

These are the Basic Beliefs of Wicca and Witchcraft. This should be the FIRST thing a "newbie" reads who is interested to dispell any myths they may have.

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, 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 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 in the Universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this same creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be suppportive 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 of the Wiccan Way.

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch-but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting 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.

9. 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.

10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion of 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 belief.

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitmacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned 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.

The Wiccan Rede

Bide the Wiccan laws ye must,

in perfect love and perfect trust.

Live and let live -

fairly take and fairly give.

Cast the Circle thrice about

to keep all evil spirits out.

To bind the spell every time,

let the spell be spake in rhyme.

Soft of eye and light of touch -

speak ye little, listen much.

Deosil go by the waxing Moon -

sing and dance the Wiccan Rune.

Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane,

and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's Moon is new,

kiss the hand to Her times two.

When the Moon rides at Her peak,

then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North wind's mighty gale -

lock the door and drop the sail.

When the wind comes from the South,

love will kiss thee on the mouth.

When the wind blows from the East,

expect the new and set the feast.

When the West wind blows o'er thee,

departed spirits restless be.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go -

burn them quick and burn them slow.

Elder be ye Lady's tree -

burn it not or cursed ye'll be.

When the Wheel begins to turn,

let the Beltane fires burn.

When the Wheel has turned a Yule,

lighty the Log and let Pan rule.

Heed ye flower, bush and tree -

by the Lady blessed be.

Where the rippling waters go,

cast a stone and truth ye'll know.

When ye are in dire need,

hearken not to others' greed.

With the fool no season spend,

or be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and merry part -

bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

When misfortune is enow,

wear the blue star on thy brow.

True in love ever be,

unless thy lover's false to thee.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill -

an ye harm none, do what ye will.

Four Rules and a Law

I. LIVE - Live each day as if it were your last, for one day you will be right.

II. LOVE - Love yourself first and foremost. For when you truly love yourself, loving those around you will come as easily as breathing - and we all must breathe.

III. LEARN - Learn your life's lessons - each as it comes - for that is the reason we are here.

IV. ENJOY - Enjoy your life, because if you do not someone else may enjoy it for you...and then your time here will have been wasted.

The Rule: Harm None.