13 Principals of a Witch

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 of
   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 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.

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 or 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 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 belief.

11. 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.

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 & our way of life.