ONE FAMILY PLAN
Wicca
"Wicca has no high authority, no single leader, no prophet and no Bible to dictate its laws and beliefs" - George Knowles
A duotheistic religion whereby two deities, a God [the Horned God of the Greek Pan and Celtic Cernunnos] and a Goddess [of Diana, Hecate, and Isis], are worshipped. However, the female-male balance is essential and the oneness of all is maintained. The Goddess holds three forms: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Her association is with that of the Moon. First Degree Initiates are "Priest and Witch of the Great Goddess" and includes 40 strokes with a scourge, an oath of secrecy, and the "working tools of the art." Second Degree Initiates are titled "Witch Queen" if female and "Magus" if male. It also includes 40 strokes with a scourge. In addition, the initiated scourges the initiator 120 times, thereby symbolizing the "law of threefold return." The Legend of the Goddess and the powers of the four elements are introduced in the Second Degree. Third Degree Initiates are "High Priestess" or "High Priest." Herein is the ritual lovemaking within the consecrated circle.
The following are 13 principles of Wiccan belief derived through the 1973 "Council of American Witches" under the leadership of Carl Llewellyn Weschcke from the Llewellyn publishing house:
The 13 Principles:
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.
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 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 energy used in magical practice and religious worship.
We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness, the Inner Planes etc... and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical 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 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 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.
We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
Other Wiccan beliefs:
Environmentally aware: Wicca is greatly concerned with the well-being of the earth. It is believed by some that all beings (e.g., planets, stars, humans, animals, plants, rocks) have a spirit. The ritual's motive is harmony and the healing of nature.
Gender equality: Wiccans celebrate the sexual polarity of nature. While the rain (male principle) fertilizes the nurturing earth (female principle), the sexes are held in equal regard. Most Covens seek the female-male balance.
Human sexuality: The gift of the Goddess and God, it is to be enjoyed without coercion or manipulation. There are three normal, natural, and unchosen sexual orientations: heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality. While "The Great Rite" involves ritual sexual intercourse, it is consensually performed by a committed couple in private.
Afterlife
Summerland: Celtic Legend where souls meet up after death. Upon review and integration of previous lives, they are reincarnated into the body of a newborn. After many cycles, a higher level of existence is attained.
Some see consciousness as simply functions of the human brain, which disintegrates at death.
Others believe the molecules that make up our bodies may in turn be incorporated in other living entities. It is thought that our influence on others will continue to impact future generations, which is continually spread throughout the whole.
There are 8 Sabbats [seasonal rituals]
4 Greater Sabbats
February 2: Imbolc, Candlemas, Oimelc, Brigid
April 30: Beltane, May Eve, Roodmas, Walburga
August 1: Lammas, Lughnasadh, Thingtide
October 31: Halloween, Hallowmass, Winternight or Samhain
4 Lessor Sabbats
March 21: Ostara, Spring Equinox, Alban Eiler
June 21: Litha, Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Alban Heruin
September 21: Mabon, Autumn Equinox, Winter Finding, Alban Elued
December 21: Yule, Winter Solstice, Alban Arthuan
Three-fold Law (a.k.a. The Law of Return) states that:
"All good that a person does to another returns three fold in this life; harm is also returned three fold."
The Wiccan Rede: "in it harm none, do what thou wilt." Modern English: "As long as it doesn't harm anyone including yourself and future generations, do whatever you want to." One must carefully consider the effects of every decision that it has no negative impact on themselves, other people, future generations, the environment, etc.
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him." (Prov 26:27)
"So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12, Amplified)
"Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state."(Confucianism, Analects 12:2)
"Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful."(Buddhism, Udana -Varga 5,1)
"One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire." (Hinduism, Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8)
"None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." (Islam, Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths)
"Regard your neighbor's gain as your gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss."
(Taoism, Tai Shang Kan Yin P'ien)
"That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself."
(Zoroastrianism, Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5)
"A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated." (Jainism, Sutrakritanga 1.11.33)
"One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts." (African Traditional Religions, Yoruba Proverb -Nigeria)
One
"[God] has made of one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth." (Acts 3:195)
"Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch...." (Baha'i, Gleanings, p. 218)
"Many do not know that we are here in this world to live in harmony. Those who know this do not fight against each other." (Buddhism, Dhammapada 1:6)
"I command ye all to be equal under one holy command, I bring ye up all alike...Be united in your purpose, let your hearts be as one heart, minds of all as one mind so that your affairs may be cooperatively well organized." (Hinduism, Rig Veda 8:7)
"Ye are all parts one of another." (Islam, Qur'an 3:195)
