[BASICS] "Wiccan" Principles, Rede, and more!

[MidnightLetter]

NOTE: Despite the fact that many of these contain the word "Wiccan" in their title, they are in fact referring to Eclectic Neo-Paganism, not Traditional Wicca. It's an interesting little fact that the guy that runs Llewellyn Publishing is the guy who brought together the "Council of American Witches" - which really says it all as far as I'm concerned.

Principles of Wiccan Beliefs
1974, Council of American Witches

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and wellbeing.

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The Wiccan Way
by Lady Beckett of Circle Atheneum in San Diego, CA in 1988.

Recognizing that there is more than one path to spiritual enlightenment and that Wicca is but one of many, and that Wicca holds within itself the belief that there is more than one type of step set to the spiral dance, find here listed common denominators of the Craft.

That there is above all the Goddess in her three-fold aspect and many are her names. With all her names we call her Maiden, Mother and Crone.

That there is the God, consort and son, giver of strength and most willing of sacrifice.

That and it harm none, do what ye will shall be the law.

That each of her children are bound by the three-fold law and that whatever we create, be it joy or sorrow, laughter or pain, is brought back to us three-fold.

That as she is the mother of all living things and we are all her children, we seek to live in harmony not only with each other, but with the planet earth that is our womb and home.

That life upon the earth is not a burden to be born, but a joy to be learned and shared with others.

That death is not an ending of existence, but a step in the on-going process of life.

That there is no sacrifice of blood, for She is the mother of all living things, and from her all things proceed and unto her all things must return.

That each and everyone 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 of beliefs, for we are all seeking harmony within the One.

That each person's faith is private unto themselves and that 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.

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[MidnightLetter]

The Wiccan Rede

The Rede consists of two simple lines:

An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will

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The Witches' Creed
By Doreen Valiente, 1978 Witchcraft for Tomorrow


Hear now the words of the witches,
The secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny’s pathway,
That now we bring forth into the light.

Mysterious water and fire,
The earth and the wide-ranging air.
By hidden quintessence we know them,
And will and 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 magickal ring.

Four times in the year the Great Sabbat Returns,
And the witches are seen,
At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Even and old Hallowe’en.

When day-time and night-time 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 coven’s array,
Thirteen times at esbat make merry,
For each golden year and a day.

The power was passed down the ages,
Each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other,
Ere time and the ages began.

When drawn is the magickal circle,
By sword or athame or power,
Its compass between the two worlds lies,
In Land of the Shades for that hour.

This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there,
The Great Work of magick 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.

The dark and the light in succession,
The opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as a God and a Goddess:
Of this did our ancestors teach.

By night he’s the wild wind’s rider,
The Horn’d One, the Lord of the Shades.
By day he’s the King of the Woodland,
The dweller in green forest glades.

She is youthful and old as she pleases,
She sails the torn clouds in her barque,
The bright silver Lady of midnight,
The crone who weaves spells in the dark.

The master and mistress of magick,
They dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever-renewing,
With power to free or to bind.

So drink the good wine to the old Gods,
And dance and make love in their praise,
Till Elphame’s fair land shall receive us,
In peace at the end of our days.

And Do What You Will be the challenge,
So be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment.
By magick of old be it done!

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The Wiccan Credo
By Lady Gwen Thompson / Adriana Porter

Bide the Wiccan Laws we must
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

Live and let live,
Fairly take and fairly give.

Cast the Circle thrice about
To keep the evil spirits out.

To bind the spell every time
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.

Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak but little, listen much.

Deosil go by waxing moon,
Chanting out the Witches' Rune.

Widdershins go by waning moon,
Chanting out the baneful rune.

When the Lady's moon is new,
Kiss thy hand to Her, times two.

When the moon rides at her peak,
Then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and drop the sail.

When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on 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 woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow.

Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you'll be.

When the Wheel begins to turn,
Let the Beltane fires burn.

When the Wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log, the Horned One rules.

Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree,
By the Lady, Blessed Be.

Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth you'll know.

When ye have a true need,
Hearken not to others' greed.

With a fool no season spend,
Lest ye be counted as his friend.

Merry Meet and Merry Part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Threefold Law you should,
Three times bad and three times good.

When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue star on thy brow.

True in Love ever be,
Lest thy lover's false to thee.

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
As Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will

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[MidnightLetter]

The Charge of the Goddess
by Doreen Valiente

This is the oldest of the "Charges". Other pieces with similar names have been modeled upon the Charge of the Goddess. The Charge of the Goddess has been re-written many times by many authors. This, however, is the original. Many Wiccans consider it to be a central piece of liturgy.

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Now listen to the words of the Great Mother,
Who was of old also called among men
Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite,
Cerridwen, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride
And by many other names.
Whenever ye have need of any thing,
Once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full,
Then shall ye assemble in some secret place,
And adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all witcheries.
There shall ye assemble,
Ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets;
To these will I teach things that are as yet unknown.
And ye shall be free from slavery;
And as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites;
And ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love,
All in my praise.

For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine also is joy on earth;
For my law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest ideal;
Strive ever towards it, let naught stop you or turn you aside;
For mine is the secret door which opens upon the land of youth,
And mine is the cup of wine of life,
And the cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of immortality.

I am the gracious Goddess,
Who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.
Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal;
And beyond death, I give peace, and freedom,
And reunion with those who have gone before.
Nor do I demand sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living,
And my love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess;
She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven,
whose body encircles the universe.
I, Who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars,
And the mystery of the waters, and desire of the heart of man.
Call unto thy soul.

Arise and come unto me;
For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe.
From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return;
And before my face, beloved of Gods and of men,
Let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth;
For behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.
And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion,
Honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And thou who thinkest to seek for me,
Know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not
Unless thou knowest the mystery:
That if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee,
Thou wilt never find it without thee.
For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning;
And I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

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Charge of the God
by Janet and Stewart Farrar

Listen the words of the Great Father,
Who of old was called Osiris, Adonis, Zeus, Thor, Pan, Cernunnos,
Herne, Lugh and by many other names:

"My Law is Harmony with all things.
Mine is the secret that opens the gates of life
And mine is the dish of salt of the Earth,
That is the body of Cernunnos,
That is the eternal circle of rebirth.
I give the knowledge of life everlasting,
And beyond death I give the promise of regeneration and renewal.
I am the sacrifice, the father of all things,
And my protection blankets the earth."

Hear the words of the dancing God,
The music of whose laughter stirs the winds,
Whose voice calls the seasons:

"I who am the Lord of the Hunt and the Power of the Light,
Sun among the clouds and the secret of the flame,
I call upon your bodies to arise and come unto me.
For I am the flesh of the earth and all it's beings.
Through me all things must die and with me are reborn.
Let my worship be in the body that sings,
For behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my rituals.
Let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness,
Joy and peace, awe and longing within you.
For these too are part of the mysteries found within yourself, within me,
All beginnings have endings, and all endings have beginnings."

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[MidnightLetter]

The Witches' Pyramid



To know, to dare, to will, to be silent.


To know (air) - Ceremonial magic, especially that which survived through the Christian era, requires extensive knowledge of numerology, astrology, mathematics and more. While such studies have little place in Wicca, we still value knowledge. Everything we learn contributes another piece of the overall picture. It's why so many of complain today of Bunnies who "read one book and think themselves expert." Wicca also requires knowledge and understanding of the gods - not book learning, but personal experience.


To will (fire) - If you do not believe you can succeed, you will not succeed. This is more than a simple acknowledgment - it must be a deep and heartfelt belief. You cannot fake you way past the gods. And yet, you should not shy away from those things that might contradict your belief, as that would negate the first two phrases, "to know" and "to dare".


To dare (water) - One must be willing to take risks, to approach their tasks boldly and face the mysteries we investigate and experience. Wicca is not all goodness and light. One must be willing and able to face down the bad as well as the good, embracing the whole. However, this does not mean we should enter into things brashly or without thought, for that would negate the first phrase, "to know".


To be silent (earth) - There are several meanings attributed to this phrase. The one I find most appropriate in this day and age is that one should not brag or threaten others concerning their talents with magic. Magic is a divine gift, not some big, shiny stick to wave in crowds for attention. Some say that magic loses its potency when it is openly discussed, or discussed at all.

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[MidnightLetter]

13 Goals of a Witch
by Scott Cunningham, Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner, 1988

Know yourself

Know your Craft

Learn

Apply knowledge with wisdom

Achieve balance

Keep your words in good order

Keep your thoughts in good order

Celebrate life

Attune with the cycles of the Earth

Breathe and eat correctly

Exercise the body

Meditate

Honor the Goddess and God

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[Korealia]

MidnightLetter

The Wiccan Credo

I know this is splitting hairs, but Wikipedia says:

The Rede of the Wiccae
In 1975, Thompson had an article entitled "Wiccan-Pagan Potpourri" published in Green Egg magazine issue #69 (Ostara 1975), for which she is best known. A portion of that article included a poem consisting of 26 rhyming couplets entitled The Rede of the Wiccae, stating that

"... Our own particular form of the Wiccan Rede is that which was passed on to her heirs by Adriana Porter, who was well into her nineties when she crossed over into the Summerland in the year 1946. ..."4.

Contrary to several internet postings, at no time in the actual article did she refer to Porter as her grandmother, although Mathiesen and Theitic's genealogical research has documented that relationship.

Although Thompson wrote that this version of the Rede was in its original form, this declaration is disputed for several reasons, but primarily as the language of the poem refers to Wiccan concepts that are not known to have existed in her grandmother's lifetime. It is sometime ascribed to Thompson herself. Mathiesen and Theitic concluded that 18 to 20 of the verses are lore which would be common to the area of rural 17th to 19th century New England and compiled by the hand of someone who would have been born no later that the late 19th century, and that at least six of the verses which are deemed “The Wiccan Verses” were compiled and added by a second and later hand. Since Thompson was dispensing these 26 as a whole from around 1969 it is the most likely thing to assume that hers was that second hand. Another claim is that it is adapted from a speech given by Doreen Valiente at a dinner sponsored by the Witchcraft Research Association and mentioned in volume one (1964) of the Pentagram, a United Kingdom pagan newsletter then being published. Valiente did publish a similarly worded and entitled poem in her 1978 book, "Witchcraft for Tomorrow"5.  

[too2sweet]

I was aware of the debate, but I am sure others may not have been, so thanks for the info. I added Valiente's version and the Rede to help clarify it some.