Embracing the Wiccan Rede: An Ethical Guide for Practitioners

Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that emerged in the early 20th century. It is based on ancient European traditions and beliefs, and focuses on reverence for nature and respect for all living beings. The guiding principles of Wiccan faith revolve around several key aspects. Firstly, Wiccans believe in the existence of divine forces or deities, often referred to as the Lord and Lady. These deities are seen as embodying both the male and female aspects of creation and are worshipped and revered in rituals and ceremonies. Central to Wiccan belief is the idea of polytheism, acknowledging and honoring multiple gods and goddesses.

Central to Wiccan belief is the idea of polytheism, acknowledging and honoring multiple gods and goddesses. Secondly, Wiccans follow the principle of the "Wiccan Rede," which is often summed up in the phrase "An it harm none, do what ye will." This ethical guideline promotes the idea of taking responsibility for one's actions and emphasizes that individuals should strive to live in harmony with themselves, others, and the world around them.

Principles of Wiccan Belief

This list of beliefs was created by the 1974 Council of American Witches to offer a unified document outlining the basic beliefs of Wiccans. Although left intentionally vague to be inclusive of a variety of paths, the primary purpose of the document was to help dispel myths of the religion.

It's become a guiding document to outside authorities, such as the Army Chaplain's Handbook, as a brief reference to defining Wicca. It remains a great resource for understanding values found within Wicca and Witchcraft in America.

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.

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 Quarter.
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 to 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 worlds 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 giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
10. 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.
11. 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.
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 the Christian traditions. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor 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.

1974, Council of American Witches

Messages in the Moonlight (MIM) © 2003-2022 by Evylyn Rose . All Rights Reserved.

(Wanting to use the content you see here on another website? See Using Content from This Site for more information.)

Работая с этим сайтом, вы даете свое согласие на использование файлов cookie сервисов Google. Статистика использования сайта отправляется в Google. Это необходимо для нормального функционирования сайта и анализа трафика.

It encourages practitioners to consider the potential consequences of their actions and to always act with kindness and respect. Another guiding principle of Wiccan faith is the concept of karma or the "Law of Threefold Return." This principle suggests that whatever energy or actions one puts out into the world will be returned to them threefold. It serves as a reminder to practitioners to strive for positive intent and to avoid harmful or negative actions, as these will ultimately have consequences. Furthermore, Wiccans hold a deep reverence for nature and the natural world. They view nature as sacred and seek to cultivate a connection with the earth and its cycles. Wiccan rituals often involve celebrations of the seasons, known as Sabbats, which mark key points in the agricultural year. The cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth is seen as a reflection of the divine and is honored within Wiccan practice. Lastly, Wiccans value personal growth and spiritual development. They believe in the power of self-reflection, meditation, and ritual to enhance their understanding of themselves and the world. Wiccan faith encourages practitioners to continually learn and expand their knowledge, both about the craft itself and about broader spiritual concepts. The guiding principles of Wiccan faith are centered around the worship of deities, the ethical guideline of the Wiccan Rede, the concept of karma, reverence for nature, and personal growth and spiritual development. These principles provide a framework for Wiccans to lead a fulfilling and balanced spiritual life..

Reviews for "The Importance of Divination in Wicca: Tools and Techniques"

1. John - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with "What are the guiding principles of Wiccan faith". The book felt more like a brief overview rather than an in-depth exploration of the subject matter. I was hoping for a detailed examination of the principles and how they are applied in daily life, but instead, I found the information to be quite surface-level. The author could have provided more examples and real-life experiences to make the content more relatable and engaging. Overall, I found the book lacking in substance and not worth the investment.

2. Sarah - 3 stars

As someone who was looking for a comprehensive understanding of the guiding principles of Wiccan faith, this book fell short of my expectations. While it did provide a basic overview of the principles, I found the explanations to be vague and lacking in detail. Additionally, I wished the author had included more historical context to better understand the origins and evolution of these principles. It felt as though the book was rushed, lacking the depth and breadth I was hoping to find. Overall, it was an average read, but I would recommend seeking other resources for a more comprehensive exploration of Wiccan principles.

3. Michael - 1 star

I found "What are the guiding principles of Wiccan faith" to be nothing more than a glorified pamphlet. It barely scratched the surface of what Wiccan faith truly encompasses. The book lacked depth, explanations were vague, and I felt like I wasted my time reading it. I was hoping for a more in-depth understanding, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and confused. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to truly understand the guiding principles of Wiccan faith. Save your money and look for more reputable and thorough resources instead.

Unveiling the Mysteries of Wiccan Rituals and Magic