Book One

So, as I said previously, a main goal for me right now is to read all of my Wicca books cover to cover and one by one. I am beginning with Th Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft.

 There seem to be many new covers for this book out there now....Cool LOL

I read the first section last night and decided I'd put up one of my favourite excerpts from it as I go, or spells, etc.

What Do Witches Believe

In the 1970's, the Council of American Witches, an organization that no longer exists, drew up a list of the basic principles. We'll paraphrase them here:

~We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces.

~We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment.

~We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person.

~We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as both masculine and feminine. We value neither gender above the other.

~We recognize both outer worlds and inner, psychological worlds, and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal and magickal exercises.

~We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy.

~we see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and live in it.

~Calling oneself a 'witch' does not make a witch, but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A witch seeks to control the forces within him - or herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.

~We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.

~Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is that its institutions have claimed to be "the one true, right, and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and beliefs.

~We are not threatened by debates on the history of the craft. We are concerned with our present and future.

~We do not accept the concept of absolute-evil, nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "The Devil" as define by Christian traditions.

~We work within Nature for that which contributes to our health and well-being.