Little is known about the witches of ancient times. Scholar’s state that in the period before recorded history religion was largely Matriarchal. Women were revered as equals. Villages and clans had a Medicine Woman or Shaman (the witches of yesteryear) who healed, mediated, counseled and oversaw the spiritual safety of the people. It is likely that whatever types of spells and magicks used during those times would not apply well to today’s world.  When was the last time you needed to do a spell to help your cow birth?

 

Witchcraft today, commonly referred to as Neopaganism, can be experienced on many levels and in many forms. It is an art, science and religion. As an art it is an external expression of ones internal thoughts, emotions and desires. As a science it is a metaphysical and practical application of known ingredients (such as timing, candles, herbs, chants, words, intention, etc.) resulting in a predictable outcome. As a religion it is a way of connecting and communing with Divinity. A Witch can choose to practice any combination of these and experience them on varying paths.  Theology in Witchcraft varies, but a majority of witches worship a God and a Goddess; complimentary deities who are revered equally in the practice of dual pantheism. Some take it to a more polytheistic level, honoring and petitioning specific deities that match their needs and desires.

 

There is no way to quantify all the beliefs, practices and motivations in today’s Witchcraft. In 1974 in Minneapolis, the largest gathering of representatives from the many paths and traditions of Witchcraft took place and the American Federation of Witches were able to unify a set of principles that were generally accepted across the many traditions practicing today. 

 

1.      We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythms of life forces, marked by the phases of the moon & the seasonal quarters & 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 to life & consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3.      We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it’s 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 / feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol & embodiment of life & as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practices & religious worship.

5.      We recognize both outer worlds & inner, or psychological worlds – sometimes known as the spiritual world, the collective Unconscious, the inner planes, etc. – & we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena & magickal exercises. We neglect either dimension for the other, serving 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 & wisdom & acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7.      We see religion, magick & wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world & lives within it - a world view & philosophy of life, which we identify as witchcraft.

8.      Calling oneself “Witch” does not make a witch - but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees & initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely & well, without harm to others & in harmony with nature.

9.      We acknowledge that it is the affirmation & fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution & development of consciousness that gives meaning to the universe we know & to our personal role within it.

10. Our only animosity toward any religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be “the one true right way” & have sought to deny freedom to others & to suppress other ways of religious practices & 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 & our future.

12. We do not accept the concept of “absolute evil”, nor do we worship any entity known as Satan as defined by Christian Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.

13. We work within nature for that which is contributory to our health & well being.