Wiccan/Pagan Beliefs
This listing has been taken from many sources. If you feel I have left something out, please e-mail me and I will try to list it!!
This first listing can be found in Maria Kay Simms book Circle of The Cosmic Muse
The Wiccan Way
Recognizing that there is more than one path to spiritual enlightenment, that Wicca is but one of many, and that Wiccaholds within itself that belief that there is more than one type of step set to the Spiral Dance, find here some common denominatorsof the Craft:
- That there is above all the Goddess in her threefold aspect ( Maiden, Mother and Crone) and many are her names.
- That there is the God. Consort and son, giver of strength and most willing to sacrifice.
- That and it harm none, do what you will, this be the law.
- That each of her children are bound by the Threefold Law and whatever we create, be it joy or sorrow, laughter or pain, is brought back to us threefold.
- That as She is our Mother and we are her children, we seek to live in harmony not only with each other, but with the Earth that is our womb and home.
- That death is not an ending of existance but a step in the ongoing process of life.
- That there is no sacrifice of blood, for She is the Mother of all living, and from Her all things proceed and unto her all things return.
- That each and every one of the children who follow this path has no need of another between themselves and the Goddess, but may find Her within themselves.
- That there shall not by intent be a desecration of another's symbols or beliefs, for we are all seeking harmony within the one.
- That each person's faith is private unto their selves, and another's belief is not to be set out and made public.
- That the Wiccan Way is not to seek converts, but that the way be made open to those, who for reasons of their own, seek and find the Craft.
And as it is willed, so mote it be!
This next set of believes was submitted by Rev. Hawk Brown from the Crystal Wolf coven.
Principals of Wiccan Belief
A.) We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters.
B.) We recognize that our intellegence gives us the unique responsibility toward our enviroment and each other. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
C.) We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Be cause it is far graeter than the ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural" but we see it as laying within that which is naturally potentialto all.
D.) We belive int he Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity....as masculine and feminine...and this creative Power lives in all people and the functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither one abve the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure; the symbol of the embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of the energies used in magickal practice and religious worship. Ones sexuality should not be used for coercion to gain power, fame, or friends.
E.) We do not recognize any authoritirian hierachy but do honor those who share their knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who actually courageously give of themselves in leadership for the "craft" not one out to impress others, gain followers, or fakes.
F.) We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciosness (some in this community don't have and don't even try but like to take credit in thinks unworked for themselves.) That gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
G.) We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as be united in the way one views the world and lives within it- a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft and the Wiccan Way
H.) Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a witch! But neither does heredity itself, or collecting of titles degrees, initiations and nest/group co-ordinators. A witch seeks to control the forses within themselves that make life possible in order to live wisely and well. Without harm to others andin harmony with nature. Our only animosity towards Christianity , or towards any other philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only true way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to supress other ways of religious practices and beliefs.
I.) As American Witches, we are not threaten by debates on the history of our Craft, origin of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned about our ppresent and future. We in the Wiccan community must police ourselves from those who exploit it from within and who only follow the Rede when it is convenient.
J.) We do not except 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 throught the suffering of others, nor do we make those suffer by race, apperance,how their income is made, or sexual orientation.
K.) We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well being.
L.) We acknowledge that reading one book or others does not make one an expert, only time/ age / experience can do that. So take notes when studying.
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