The Beliefs of the Witch
& The Wiccan Rede
The 13
Beliefs of a witch
From the book Wicca by Scott
Cunningham
1. Know yourself
2. Know your Craft
3. Learn
4. Apply knowledge with wisdom
5. Achieve balance
6. Keep your words in good order
7. Keep your thoughts in good order
8. Celebrate life
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth
10. Breathe and eat correctly
11. Exercise the body
12. Meditate
13. Honor the Goddess and God
Principles of beliefs
From the book To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver
RavenWolf
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 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 lives in all people, and
functions through the interaction of the masculine and the feminine. We
value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to the other.
We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and
as one of the sources of energies used in Magical practice and religious
worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or
psychological worlds -- sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the
Collective Unconscious, the 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, or the
collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control
the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live
wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with nature.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of
life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness,
that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to 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 one true right and only
way" and have
sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious
practices and belief.
11. As American Witches, we are not treated
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 Christian
Tradition. We do not seek power through the
suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits
can only be derived by denial to another.
13. We work within
Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
The Witches' Rede (Long form)
(also known as The Rede of the Wiccae and the
Witches' Creed)
Generally credited to Doreen Valiente
Hear now the word of the Witches, the secrets
we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway, That now we
bring forth in the light.
Mysterious Water and Fire, The Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden Quintessence we know
Them, and we will keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all Nature, the passing of Winter
and Spring,
We share with the life Universal, rejoice in the Magical
Ring
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat, returns, and the
Witches are seen,
At Lammas and Candelas dancing, on May Eve and old
Halloween
When daytime and nighttime are equal, when sun is at
greatest and least,
The four lesser Sabbats are summoned, again Witches
gather in feast.
Thirteen silver moons in a year are, thirteen is the
Covens array,
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year
and a day.
The power has passed down the ages, each time between
woman and man
Each century unto the other, ere times and the ages
began.
When drawn is the Magickal circle, by sword or athame of
power,
Its compass between two worlds lies, in the land of shades of
that hour.
Our world has no right to know it, and the world beyond
will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there, the great work
of Magic is wrought.
For two are the mystical pillars, that stand at the gate
of the shrine,
And two are the powers of Nature, the forms and the
forces divine.
And do what thou wilt be the challenge, so be it in love
that harms none,
For this is the only commandment, By Magick of old be
it done.
Eight words the Witches Rede fulfill:
If it Harms none,
Do what Thou Will!
The Wiccan Rede
(long and poetic version)
Bide these Wiccan laws ye must
with perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live
fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the circle thrice about
to keep all evil spirits out;
to bind a spell every time
let the spell be spoke in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by waxing moon
sing and dance ye Wiccan rune.
Widdershins go by waning moon
chanting out the baleful tune.
When the Lady's moon is new,
kiss ye hands to her times two.
When the moon rides at her peak
then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the Northwind's mighty gale,
lock the door, and trim the sail.
When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss you in 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 wood 'neath in cauldron go.
Burn them fast, and burn them slow.
Elderwood, the Lady's tree,
burn it not, or cursed you'll be.
When the Wheel begins to turn,
soon the Beltane fires will burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule,
light the log, the Horned One rules.
Teaching, flower bush and tree
by the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
cast the stone, and truth you'll know.
When ye have and hold a need,
harken not to others' greed.
With a fool, no season spend,
or be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law ye should
three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is anow,
wear the star upon thy brow.
True in love ye must ever be,
lest thy love be false to thee.
These eight words in rede fulfill:
And ye harm none, do what thou will.