13 Goals of a Witch

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.

The Law of the Power

1. The Power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure or control others. But if the need arises, the Power shall be used to protect your life, or the lives of others.
2. The Power is used only as special need dictates.
3. The Power can be used for your own gains, as long as by doing so you harm none.
4. It is unwise to accept money for the use of the Power, for it quickly controls it's taker.
5. Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens the mysteries of Witchcraft and magick.
6. Ever remember that the Power is the sacred gift of the Goddess and God, and should never be misused or abused.
7. And this is the Law of Power.




And ever remember the most important rule of all:
An it harm none, do what thou will.

The Law

*We are of the Old Ways, among those who walk with the God and Goddess and receive their love.
*Keep the Sabbats and the Esbats to the best of your abilities, for to do otherwise is to lessen your connections with the God and Goddess.
*Harm none. This, the oldest law, is not open to interpretation or change.
*Shed not blood in ritual; the God and Goddess need not blood to be duly worshipped.
*Those of our way are kind to all creatures, for hurtful thoughts are quite draining and aren't worth the loss of energy. Misery is self created; so, too, is joy, so create joy and disdain misery and unhappiness. And this is within your power. So harm not.
*Teach only what you know, to the best of your ability, to those students whom you choose, but teach not those who would use your instructions for destruction or control. Also, teach not to boost pride, for ever remember: she who teaches for vain-glory shall take little pride in her handiwork; she who teaches out of love shall be enfolded in the arms of the God and Goddess.
*Ever remember that if you would be of our way, keep the Law close to your heart, for it is the nature of the Witch to keep the Law.
*If ever the need arises, any law may be changed or discarded, and new laws written to replace them, so long as the new laws don't break the oldest law of all: harm none.
*Blessings of the God and Goddess on us all.

Basic Witchcraft Principles

*If no one is harmed by your action (either physically, emotionally, or spiritually), then do as you Will do in Life, in accordance with your Higher Self. Seek your identity and your purpose.
*When someone does something good for you, then repay the kindness by doing something good for another person, so that the seed planted will bear fruit.
*Keep your word and your oaths, when you give them.
*Do not kill anything, except when food or protection are required.
*Acknowledge and give due reverence to your Gods, observing all of the sacred times and festivals.
*Belittle no one's beliefs, but simply offer what it is that you believe to be true.
*Strive to live in peace with those who differ from you.
*Be true to your own understanding and strive to turn away from what is opposed within you.
*Help others according to their need and according to your ability to give of yourself.
*Respect Nature and strive to live in harmony with Her.

The Principles of Our 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 toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment of life and consciousness within an evoluntionary 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 the 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 worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness, Inner Planes, etc. - and we see in the inter-action 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, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that makes 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 claims to the "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 Christian tradition. 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.

By the American Council of Witches, 1994

The Nature of Our Way

*As often as possible, hold the rites in forests, by the seashore, on deserted mountain tops or near tranquil lakes. If this is impossible, a garden or some other chamber shall suffice, if it is readied with flowers or incense.
*Seek out wisdom in books, rare manuscripts and cryptic poems if you will, but seek it out also in simple stones and fragile herbs and in the cries of wild birds. Listen to the whispering of the wind and the roar of water if you would discover magick, for it is here that the old secrets are preserved.
*Books contain words, trees contain energies and wisdom books ne'er dreamt of.
*Ever remember the Old Ways are constantly revealing themselves. Therefore be as the river willow that bends and sways with the wind. That which remains changeless shall outlive its spirit, but that which evolves and grows will shine on for centuries.
*Mock not the rituals or spells of another, for who can say yours are greater in power or wisdom?
*Ensure that your actions are honorable, for all that you do shall return to you three-fold, good or bane.
*Be wary of one who would dominate you, who would control and manipulate your workings and reverences. True reverence for the God and Goddess occurs within. Look with suspicion on any who would twist worship from you for their own gain and glory, but welcome those priests and priestesses who are suffused with love.
*Honor all living things, for we are of the bird, the fish, the bee. Destroy not life save be it to preserve your own or that of another.
*And that is the nature of our way.