In 1974 one group of American Witches meeting in Minneapolis

          adopted the following group of principles.  Since then several 

          versions of these principles with minor differences in wording

          have been circulated.  These principles are not required of anyone,

          but they do reflect the thinking of many modern Pagan Witches

          whether in the United States or elsewhere.

The Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs.

We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater then the Divinity manifest through our own being.

As American Witches we welcome and respect all teachings and traditions and seek to learn from all and to contribute our learning to all who may seek it.

It is in this spirit of welcome and cooperation that we adopt these few principles of Wiccian belief. In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on a self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to those principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs.

We therefore ask only that those who seek to identify with us accept those few basic principles.

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the full of the Moon and seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsiblity toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evoluionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Beacause it is far greater than ordinary, it is 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 masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other.
5. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as the interaction source of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.
6. We recognize both an outer and an inner, or psychological world - 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 magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
7. 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 courageously given themselves in leadership.
8. We see religion, magic, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views and lives within it - a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft, the Wiccan Way.
9. 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 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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 suffering of others nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
14. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and wellbeing.

REFERENCE
Book Title: Witchcraft and Shamanism: Witchcraft Today - Book Three
Editied By: Chas S. Clifton
Publication Information: © Llewellyn Publications
Information on this page is directly quoted from this book unless otherwise stated.
Pages: xi, xii, xiii