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Principles of Wiccan Belief
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 towards 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 acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that 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 manifest through polarity -- as masculine and feminine -- and that same Creative power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to the other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds known sometimes as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, 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 acknowledge those who courageously give of themselves in leadership.7. We see religion, magic, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and live within it - a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as 'Witchcraft - the Wiccan Way'.8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make one a Witch - but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within themselves that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be 'the only way' and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice 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 the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.13. We beleive that we should seek within Nature that which is contibutory to our health and well-being.
********* This is not in any way an all-encompassing credo applicable to all groups who consider themselves Wiccans or Witches, but rather is the set of principles adopted by one such group. As there are differences between various Christian sects, so are there difference between those of Wicca. However, while the specifics may differ, the general attitude and reasoning behind these declarations remains relatively consistent.
There are many symbols associated with Wicca and modern pagan belief. Some of the most universal Pagan symbols include:The pentacle, a pentagram within a circle, is the most recognizable symbol of Wicca. The pentacle represents the integration of body and spirit, and the spiritual mastery of the four elements. The pentacle is used in a number of Wiccan rituals, and as a Grade sign in Gardnerian and other traditions. The pentacle is often worn as a symbol of recognition amongst practitioners, especially those who practice a code of secrecy.Hidden pentacles are pentacles disguised in more intricate designs, and may be worn when it is not safe or appropriate to wear a standard pentacle. Many such stylized designs are worn which can be recognized by other believers, but less apparent to intolerant family or in the workplace.For a thorough explanation of the history and meaning of this symbol: Pentagram.This is a stylized representation of the Horned God, who in Wicca represents the masculine polarity of the universe. The horned god is the archetypal horned Shaman, related to the ancient Gods of vegetation and the hunt: Greek Pan, the Celtic Cernunnos, and the Egyptian Ammon. This symbol is sometimes referred to as the "horn moon," and as such, is a symbol of the Goddess Diana, especially in Dianic Wicca.
Another Horned God image, created from a pentacle:
A similar symbol, drawn from Egyptian hieroglyphs representing the Cow Goddess Hathor, is sometimes used by egyptian or feminine centered Pagans:There are several styles of the Lunar Triple Goddess symbol, representing the three aspects of the moon (waxing, waning, and full) and womankind (mother, maiden, crone), as well as the Lady, or Goddess, the feminine polarity of the universe:
The eight-pointed Wheel of the Year symbol marks the important holy days, or Sabbats, in the Wiccan Ritual calendar. It is derived from the sun wheel, or solar cross, a pre-Christian European calendar marking the Solstices and Equinoxes:The Cauldron is drawn from ancient Celtic mythology, and is sometimes called the Cup or Cauldron of Cerridwen. The ancient Celts used cauldrons for food and in ritual as an emblem of abundance and divine inspiration. In Celtic mythology and folklore, the cauldron provides infinite sustenance or artistic inspiration.As a Wiccan ritual tool, it is mostly symbolic. Most often used to represent the fire or water elements, the cauldron is sometimes employed for scrying, for mixing herbs, for consecration, or to hold the ingredients for a spell. It is generally held to be a feminine symbol:The image below is of Cernunnos, an ancient Celtic horned deity who is often considered the origin of the concept of the Wiccan Horned God, symbolizes the masculine power of nature, especially the domain of forests and the animals that dwell in them:The familiar symbol below is a simplified silhouette of a paleolithic Egyptian mother Goddess, probably a prototype of the Goddess Isis, and is often used to symbolize the "Lady," the feminine deity of Wicca:The so-called Witch's Sign is used in some traditions to mark ritual tools. It is similar to the solar cross, but its exact origin is unknown (It is similar to the Roman numeral thirteen, and reader suggests this may represent the coven of thirteen members) (Similar devices were used in the medieval period to mark time): Hecate's wheel is an ancient Greek symbol, and is an emblem of the Moon Goddess Hecate (Diana Lucifera), and her triple aspect. It is generally used by practitioners of Hellenic Recon or Dianic Traditions:
The Emblem of Seax-Wicca, an Anglo-Saxon influenced branch of Wicca, symbolizes the sun, moon, and the eight Sabbats, or holy days:The Elven Star, or seven pointed star, is associated with practitioners of "Fairy" Wicca:
Traditional Wiccan ritual tools:
The four most commonly used ritual tools in Wicca are derived from the magickal tools used by Ritual magicians of the Renaissance. They symbolize the four ancient elements, and are used ritually to channel their powers. They are directly related to the suit signs on tarot cards and the four worlds of the kabbalah.The cup or chalice is a symbol of the element of water, a feminine element representing intuition, gestation, psychic ability, and the subconscious. The Cup also stands in as a symbol of the Goddess, of the womb, and the female generative organs. :The athame or ritual dagger (sometimes, a sword), is a symbol of fire. The Athame represents the fire element, and the masculine qualities of consciousness, action, force, and strength. The athame is used to direct energy and is employed in the casting of circles. An athame is traditionally black handled and dull, but as the knife is considered a personal emblem, there is a lot of variety in actual practice- one might see anything from a hunting knife to a deer antler used as an athame.
The chalice and the blade brought together symbolize sexual union:The dish, or paten, also known as a pentacle in most Wiccan and Ritual Magick tradition. This item originated with the Catholic Church, and was one of the four Grail Hallows and came to Wicca via Ritual Magick, where it was a symbol of the element of earth:The wand is a symbol of air. It should be noted that in Ritual Magick, wands are of the fire element, and the dagger is of air. Wiccan practice generally reverses these designations, largely due to the union of the chalice with the dagger in ritual. Wiccan wands are usually made of wood, copper, or crystal, and can be quite ornate and personal in their design. Of all the witch's tools, it is the most personal:
Additional Tools:The Besom, or Broom, fills a largely symbolic role in Wiccan practice. Derived from European witchcraft folklore of broom dancing and flying, the broom is used today for symbolic cleansing or purification. A typical besom ritual uses the broom to "sweep" negative energy from a home or other space.The Scourge is usually seen only in older Wiccan traditions. The scourge is an implement, usually a small leather whip or cat'o'nine tails, used to gently strike a member for purposes of purification of purging in rituals. The scourge is also symbolic of spiritual discipline. It is derived from the symbolic ritual tools of the Egyptian god Osiris. The Boline or Bolline is a small, sickle shaped knife used to gather herbs used in rituals and spells. The sickle shaped knife can be traced to Druid mistletoe customs, and is a lunar tool.The White-handled knife is used by Gardnerian and other traditional Wiccan groups for ritual cutting of cords and other used where a dull athame would not be used, and in the construction of other magical tools.
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