BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS OF WICCA

Not every Wiccan will subscribe to all of these points, but generally they 
are representative.

1.  The divine Spirit is present in all creatures and things:  
    people, animals, plants, stones...

2.  The ultimate creative force manifests in both feminine and 
    masculine modes;  therefore it is often symbolized as the Goddess 
    and The God.

3.  In some covens, both are celebrated equally.  In others, The 
    Goddess is given precedence or even celebrated without reference 
    to the God.

4.  All Goddesses and Gods are aspects of The Goddess and The God.
    The aspects most popular in Wicca are the Triple Goddess of the 
    Moon (Maiden, Mother and Crone) and the Horned God of death and 
    rebirth.

5.  Reincarnation and karma are valid concepts.  Upon death one 
    goes to a state of rest and reflection, and eventually chooses 
    where and when s/he will be reborn.

6.  Magick is practiced for positive (helping) purposes: spiritual 
    development, healing, guidance, safety, etc.

7.  Rituals are generally performed outdoors when possible, at the
    New and Full Moons, and at eight Sabbat festivals which mark the 
    progression of the seasons.

8.  Magick and celebration are performed in small groups, usually 
    3 to 13, called covens.  These are basically autonomous -- there 
    is no central church authority or hierarchy.

9.  There is no holy book, or prophet, no equivalent of the Bible 
    or Jesus or Mohammed.  Individuals have access to the divine, and 
    do not require an intermediary.  Every initiate is regarded as a 
    priest/ess.

10. The central ethic is "And ye harm none, do as ye will."  
    Whatever energy you send out returns threefold, so it is wise to 
    be kind to others.

11. We should live in harmony with the Earth and Nature, and not 
    exploit them.

12. Though Wicca is a valid spiritual path, it is not the only one.  
    There is no recruiting, and people should be free to choose the path 
    that best fits their needs.

13. The concepts of original sin, sacrifice, redemption, confession, the 
    divinity of Jesus, sinfulness of sex, Judgment, Heaven and Hell, 
    denigration of women, bodily resurrection, and the Bible as divine 
    revelation are not part of Wicca.  Neither are Satanism, the Black 
    Mass, desecration of cemeteries, the sacrifice of animals, etc.

    EARTH-RITE / Mission San Jose, CA / 415-651-9496
    Copyright (c) 1983 Amber K., Our Lady of the Woods. Used by
    Permission