Being a Witch
We
practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces
marked with the phases of the moon and the seasonal quarters.
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.
We
acknowledge a depth of power far greater than the apparent to the average
person. Because it is for the greater than ordinary it is sometimes called
supernatural, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally
potential to all.
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 the masculine
and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be
supportive of the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and
embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magical
practice and religious worship.
We
recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes
known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Consciousness, Inner Planes,
etc, and we see interaction of these two dimensions the basis for
paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension
for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
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.
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 that we identify as Witchcraft – the Wiccan way.
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 forces within herself or himself that makes life possible in order
to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with nature.
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.
Our
only animosity toward Christianity or toward any other religion or
philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to
deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice
and belief.
As
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.
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
benefit can be derived by denial to another.
We
believe we should seek within nature that which is contributory to our
health and wellbeing.
Wiccan Rede
Bide the Wiccan Laws we must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.Live and let live. Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about to keep the evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak, then your hearts 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 West, departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be.
When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and the Horned One rules.
Heed ye flower, Bush and Tree, by the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When ye have a true need, hearken not to others' greed.
With a fool no season spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law you should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be, lest thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.