Silver Broom Ministries

The 13 Principles of Witchcraft
as determined by the Council of AmericanWitches

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 to life and consciousness
within an evolutionary concept.

3. We ackowledge a depth of power far greater than is 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 lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the
masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing
each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality 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 Unconscious, the 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.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy,
but do honor those who teach, respect those who
share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and ackowledge 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 or the Wiccan Way

8. Calling oneself "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/herself that make life possible in order to
live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with
Nature.

9. We ackowledge 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.

10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any
other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that
its institutions have claimed to be " the only true right
and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others
and to supress other ways of religious practices 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 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 and well-being

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