Principles of Belief

"To embark upon the uncharted seas of self-hood, to reach out creatively to the potentials of life, and to select of these, as our own reason permits, requires that one be able to bear the anxieties intrinsic to a creative approach....We find that a creative approach to life -- be it in the arts, sciences, or any other life context -- can evolve only when there is sufficient esteem for the self."
--Samuel J. Warner

The "craft has no known teacher or leader who initiated the beliefs or structures. Each member develops his/her own mastery. There are numerous sects, but they share some basic traditions: Reverence for Nature, Belief in the Source, then in representatives of that Source, Belief in power/energy which unifies visible and invisible forces, the threefold expression of the law, reincarnation, and karma."
--Laurie Cabot, Power of the Witch

From To Ride a Silver Broomstick:

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythms of life forces, marked by the phases of the moon and the season quarters and cross quarters.

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment, so 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 is apparent to the average person, sometimes we call this supernatural, but we see it as lying within every person and thing and believe everyone has the potential to attune with it.

4. We see creative power as being male and female and believe this polarity exists within all people. neither is better than the other, but both are mutually supportive.

5. We acknowledge inner and outer worlds and believe that the interaction of these worlds is the basis for magic and paranormal activity.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but honor all who share and teach their wisdom and who give of themselves in leadership positions.

7. We see religion, magic, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives.

8. Calling oneself a witch does not make one a witch, neither does heredity, titles, degrees, and initiations. A witch is one who seeks to control the forces within the self that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others and in harmony with nature.

9. We believe that our personal role within the universe is the affirmation of life, the development of consciousness and continuous evolution. These things give meaning to the universe and our role within it.

10. We do not believe any religion or philosophy of life can claim to be the one true and only right way, thus denying freedom to others to express their religious practices and beliefs.

11. We are not concerned with craft history or legitimacy. We are concerned with the future and our present.

12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship Satan, or the devil as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others. We do not 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, as well as to the health and well being of the planet.

Simplified:

Witches walk an Earthen Path. They watch and   learn from the seasonal changes, the animals, plants, stars and planets, moon phases and tides; their fellow man, and each other. They choose to honor the cycles of nature, rather than control them. They seek to attune with the invisible and visible and walk in peace and harmony. They see and read signs in the Universe because they trust that the Universe provides for their needs and will give them lessons about their wants. They grow. They evolve. They share. They heal. They teach.

One of the major points of this Grimoire is creativity. If you are reading the books and memorizing everything in sight, you are merely becoming a carbon copy of your sources. There is peace in that, FOR A WHILE. Instead, seek your own path. Create your own rituals and spells. Let the forces that be communicate with you in whatever way it chooses. Think for yourself. Just because someone is a known witch, or authority figure of some kind, doesn't mean that their ways will be your ways. One of the greatest gifts of the Old Craft is the personal quality of your experiences and lessons. To be a witch....merely learn to listen to the Earth upon which you walk. Then APPLY what you learn!

Don't get caught up in traditions, or the lack of one. A solitary practitioner's personal tradition is gained from years of trial and error and experience. If you cannot learn to trust what the Universe teaches you directly, you will never create REAL magic. The Old Ones teach well and all that is required is an open mind.