The Principles of Wiccan Belief

In 1974, the Council of American Witches came together in an attempt to define Wiccan beliefs. This was a monumental task. Wicca is, bu its very nature, a vibrant and flexible religion. It doesn't fit well inside a box. That being the case, the Principles are deliberately vague. It was hoped that they could encompass all traditions of Wicca while giving the public a basic understanding of Wicca. Though the Council disbanded the same year it was formed, the Principles of Wiccan Belief have lived on and are still referenced today.

Introduction

In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on 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, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference.

Principles of the 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 towards 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 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 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 world view and philosophy of life which 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 towards 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. 

Ostara is Coming

Ostara fast approaches, and many Wiccans and Pagans are turning their minds towards celebrating the Spring Equinox. This is the season of new life and rebirth, so any activity that venerates these things is appropriate.

The colors of spring are the colors of birth. Consider light pastels, such as pinks, blues, yellows, or greens. These colors can be work in ritual, used to decorate your space, or even in the foods you cook on this day.

Eggs are a common symbols of Ostara, so consider a meal that includes omlettes or perhaps a quiche. You could decorate Ostara Eggs, or perhaps share the lore of Eostre's Bunnies, maybe even planning an egg hunt.

Spend some time outdoors, basking in the warmth of spring. Meditate on all that spring means to you. Try to take a walk in a wooded area, if you can, and search for signs that life has indeed returned to the earth.

These are only some suggestions for celebrating the Vernal Equinox. Get creative with your gestivities and truly make this season your own.

Celebrating Imbolc

Well, Imbolc has passed now and warmth is slowly returning to the earth in the Northern Hemisphere. Our celebration was low-key this year, just a few close friends and family. Still, we managed to enjoy ourselves.

We started the day by lighting white candles to encourage the arrival of spring. The time of repose had officially ended, so we made plans for what we would like to initiate this year. Then it was time to begin preparation of our Imbolc meal. We went very untraditional this year. Homemade pizza, salad, and pasta, along with a vegetable tray, served as our feast. Before eating, we said a prayer to Bridget, the goddess of creativity and inspiration, asking for her blessings and guidance during this season.

Our form of divination this year was fire scrying. It seemed particularly appropriate, given the theme of this Sabbat. We also spent time in meditation.

We had two people to initiate this year, and they both were ready and willing. As Imbolc is a good time to for initiations, we performed their rituals before we began our Imbolc ceremony.

Finally, it came time to don our robes for the Imbolc ritual. There were eight of us this year, four in white, four in red, representing the innocence of the Bride and the blood of life. The ritual area was decorated in shades of red, white, and silver, and was lit entirely by candles.

The ritual itself was simple, yet powerful. We all left the Circle feeling refreshed, energized, and excited for the season to come.

The Wheel of the Year turns, the cycle moves forward, and Ostara approaches.

How Does Meditation Work?

Meditation is a powerful tool for spirituality and discipline, but how and why it works is sometimes a mystery to even its most advanced practitioners. To begin to understand how meditation works, it is important to first consider the belief that humans are not just physical beings, but spiritual beings as well.

The Spiritual Body as a Key to Meditation

The spiritual body, the part of the human body that cannot be seen with the naked eye, is connected to the physical body at certain vital centers. These centers are called chakras. There are seven major chakra centers, located from the groin up to the top of the head. During meditation, a powerful psychic force begins to flow along these chakras, as each is opened in succession.

The root chakra, located roughly at the groin (the exact position differs according to gender), is the first chakra to open. This is followed by the spleen, solar plexus, heart, throat, and third eye chakras. Finally, the crown chakra, located at the very top of the head, is opened. The exact method by which this occurs is beyond the scope of this article. It is enough to say that this flow of energy is what allows a connection to the divine, and the many benefits that meditation can afford.

The Conscious, Subconscious, and Superconscious Mind in Relation to Meditation

The mind can be divided into three sections, for the purpose of studying meditation: the conscious, the superconscious, and the subconscious. The conscious mind is the part of the mind concerned with the mundane. It is the part that is awake and alert to the physical well-being of the body.

The superconscious mind is also called the higher-self. This higher consciousness is concerned with the spiritual well-being of the soul, and also retains a connection to the divine. The superconscious mind and the conscious mind do not tend to interact, at least for most people. In order for these two disparate parts of the mind to connect, a bridge is needed.

This bridge is the subconscious mind. It is the largely passive part of the mind that is usually subordinate to the conscious mind. The subconscious mind rules the involuntary functions of the body and mind such as reflexes and instinct. It is also the part of the mind that bridges the gap between the conscious mind and the superconscious mind, and it can become truly active during meditation.

The Subconscious Mind During Meditation

During proper meditation, energy begins to flow in an upward direction, through the chakras, awakening the subconscious mind. This energy acts as a calming and relaxing force on the body and the mind. As the chakras continue to open, an awareness of life begins to flow continually. A new sense of energy and well-being is often the result.

The subconscious mind begins to clear, and negative or undesired patterns of thoughts and feelings can be put to rest. The superconscious and conscious minds become actively linked, and a connection with the divine is possible, though the power of the superconscious mind, and with the direct control of the conscious mind.

At the same time, the now-active subconscious mind allows the conscious mind to become calm and open. This allows the conscious mind to solve problems and discipline the body, and brings forth the other benefits of meditation. The conscious mind can also, in a sense, reprogram the subconscious mind, allowing it to become more than simply subordinate to the conscious mind. The subconscious mind can become a channel to the higher self, through the power of meditation.

The spiritual body can be brought to life through the power of meditation. And through the chakras, which connect the spiritual to the physical, the physical body can achieve a sense of calm, relaxed well-being.