The 13 Wiccan Principals

The following set of thirteen principles was adopted by the Council of 
American Witches, in April, 1974.
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 and consciousness within an 
evolutionary concept. 
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that 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 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 to each other. We value sex 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, 
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. 
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch - but neither does 
heredity itself, not the collecting of titles, degrees, and 
initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself 
that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm 
to others and in harmony with Nature. 
9. 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. 
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other 
religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions 
have claimed to be "the only way," and have sought to deny freedom to 
others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief. 
11. As American {Or World-Wide!} 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 the Christian 
tradition. We do not seek power through the sufferings of others, nor 
accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another. 
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is 
contributory to our health and well-being.