My Notes on the 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief

The 13 Principles of Wiccan Belief are not subscribed to by all Witches or all Wiccans. Although the Principles refer to "Witches," you have to keep in mind that these are Wiccan principles, and you can be a Witch without being Wiccan. Most of the Witches and Wiccans (and very many pagans) that I have met do follow most of these principles.

Principle 1: Most Wiccans (and Pagans) that I know follow this principle. Most do practice some sort of formal or informal ritual marking the cycle of nature and phases of the moon.

Principle 2: This is also a principle followed by most of the Wiccans and Pagans that I know, although to varying degrees. Most of us try to live in harmony with nature and be "ecologically responsible," but to varying degrees. For example, I've met Wiccans who are VERY into responsibility, who have one or two farm animals (goats, etc.) that they use for milk, etc., and then the farm animals produce manure that they use on their garden and so on. I'm not quite that ecologically responsible.

Principle 3: Again, another common principle. Most of us believe in "higher power(s)" and that there are capabilities that almost all people have but few tap in to.

Principle 4: Most Wiccans and Pagans that I have met do acknowledge that there is a masculine and feminine side to everything. But many do not worship both a masculine and feminine deity. My particular path of paganism believes that all gods are one god (Christian, Muslim, Kemetic, etc.; just one god) and that this deity has a feminine and masculine aspect ( click here to visit my article on polytheistic monotheism). But I generally don't "call on" a masculine aspect of deity as part of my worship. I usually only call on a masculine aspects of deity for special reasons.

Principle 5: I have not yet met a Witch/Wiccan/Pagan who did not believe in the spiritual world.

Principle 6: Most traditions and individual practitioners consider it very important to respect elders and/or those who share wisdom and teach.

Principle 7: The statement here ("we see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it . . .") is definitely a Wiccan principle, not subscribed to by all Witches. Although the statement refers to it as "Witchcraft," it implies that Witchcraft and religion are intertwined. For many witches, that is not the case. Witchcraft can be something entirely separate from someone's religion.

Principle 8: This statement would be a good way to start an argument in a group of Witches! There are those Witches who feel that they are witches by birth, and that, by being born into a family of Witches, they are automatically a Witch or perhaps more of a "pure" Witch. I hold the view that you can be born with an extra talent, but that you still have to develop your skills. If you are born into a family of concert violinists, you may have a predisposition for being a violinist (it may come easier for you than it would for others), but you don't pop out of the womb with violin in hand and begin playing concertos! You have to practice and develop your skills.

Principle 9: To me, this statement ("We acknowledge that it is the affirmation of and fulfillment of life . . . that gives meaning to the universe we know . . .") just means "carpe diem," and most people subscribe to this belief (and whether Wiccan/Witch/Pagan or not, you should hold this view)! This statement simply means that one should live life to the fullest and always keep growing and learning, and that's what gives meaning to life.

Principle 10: This is a point that most Pagans (including Wiccans, of course) agree to, at least in words. Most Pagans, as a matter of fact, try to be respectful of other religions and not hate a person just because of their religion. But, it's not always easy, and sometimes Pagans do lash out at other religions (heck, sometimes Pagans lash out at other traditions within their OWN religion)!

Principle 11: This section, on not worrying about the origins of traditions, is another hotbed of contention. There are those that feel if you can trace your tradition (or your "witchy" bloodline) back to the dawn of time, it makes your Witch status more valid. "Witch Wars", as they have become known (even though they can involve Wiccan or Pagan religious traditions, rather than just Witchcraft traditions), are very common (one trad holding contempt for another trad because of a perceived lack of validity).

Principle 12: Most Pagans/Wiccans (that I have met) agree with the statements of this principle. Most do not believe in an absolute evil (after all, the only naturally occurring evil is man-- there is no evil in nature; no animal sets out to harm another just for the heck of it). And most do not believe in Satan, as Satan is an element of the Christian belief system. There are, however, exceptions! I have met a few Witches who consider themselves Satan-worshippers, and I've met a few Christian Witches (people who practice magick, but worship Christian gods).

Principle 13: Most Wiccans/Pagans that I have met would agree to this principle also. It goes hand-in-hand with Principles #1 and #2

Now why did I make these notes? Because I wanted to make sure that it was clear that these are not principles written in stone. The beliefs and practices of Wiccans, Witches, and Pagans are extremely varied, and there really is no "10 Commandments" that all of us follow. These principles of belief are just a general rule of thumb that many of us DO follow.

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