How to Become a Witch, Amber K. [new books to read .txt] 📗

Witches was a short-lived group—only active in the mid-1970s—but their 1974 statement still holds true today. The Principles of Wiccan Belief are a good summary of most Witches’ beliefs and practices.

Council of American Witches

Principles of Wiccan Belief

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 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 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 magickal practice and religious worship.

5. We recognize both outer 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 worldview and philosophy of life that we identify as Witchcraft, the Wiccan Way.

8. 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.

9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness that gives meaning to the universe we know and 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 only way” and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the origins 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 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.[3]

The Witch’s Values

What qualities of character do Witches cherish? You may have a pretty good idea from what has been said so far, but let’s sum it up.

First, there is harmlessness. One of our core principles says “harm none”—no one, including yourself. (So much for the stories about Witches flinging curses at anyone they dislike!)

respect for all nature and every being is essential. If Spirit is embodied in all—if we look at someone and think “Thou art God, Thou art Goddess”—then disrespect becomes unthinkable. Most Witches celebrate diversity; matters like race, sexual orientation, lifestyle, etc., interest us but don’t divide us.

Our desire for harmony with nature and its cycles logically follows. We are part of nature; we cannot transcend or control it, but we seek ways to live in balance and sustainably.

We cherish will: our true will, our destiny, our highest purpose, what we are on this planet to accomplish.

We need and demand freedom. Call it autonomy—the right to manage our own lives as long as we don’t harm others. Witches are an independent bunch and don’t tolerate control by others. “You shall be free from slavery,” says the Charge.

Another goal is to give and receive love. As the Goddess “pours out her love upon the earth,” we hope to do the same. “My law is love unto all beings.”

We seek wisdom. After all, we are called the Craft of the Wise, and we try to live up to that name. Wisdom is a combination of understanding, clarity, insight, experience, and judgment.

You cannot have too much knowledge. Witches are lifelong learners, and it’s a rare Witch who doesn’t have a stack of books next to the bed. Of course, knowledge also comes from other people, experience, experimentation, and, perhaps most of all, from nature.

Then there is power. Witches are neither power-mad nor allergic to it. We don’t seek power over others, but we do aim to develop our own inner strength and power, and to empower others.

honesty is treasured by Witches. To lie is to weaken our power; our deep minds must know that every word from our mouths is always true, so that when we say “So mote it be!” (“So it must be”), there will be no doubt.

self-responsibility is vital to Witches. You can’t be a victim and a magician, or in charge of your own life while you blame others for what you bring on yourself. You are responsible for every thought, word, and action that you send out into the world.

Though we don’t talk about it much, we value silence. This can mean being discreet, or meditating quietly, or seeking