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Wicca · Historical document

Principles of Wiccan belief, in context.

A careful guide to the principles adopted by the American Council of Witches in 1974, and to what this short document can—and cannot—tell us about Wiccan traditions.

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Essay

What this document represents

In April 1974, participants at a Witchmeet in Minneapolis adopted a statement intended to explain common themes among Wiccan and other Neopagan communities. The American Council of Witches was short-lived and dissolved later that year, so the statement should be read as a historical snapshot rather than a universal creed.

Its thirteen principles are deliberately broad. Wicca includes multiple traditions, lineages and forms of practice, and no single document fully represents them all. The statement is nevertheless useful because it emphasizes seasonal observance, responsibility toward nature, personal development, freedom of conscience and ethical conduct.

Reading noteThis page paraphrases and summarizes the historical document. It does not present the principles as a requirement for every Wiccan practitioner.

Thirteen themes in the statement

  1. Seasonal rhythm: Religious practice is connected with lunar phases and seasonal festivals, including the quarters and cross-quarters.
  2. Care for nature: Human intelligence is linked with responsibility for the environment and with the pursuit of ecological balance.
  3. Latent human potential: The text describes powers that may seem extraordinary but are understood as possibilities within nature and human experience.
  4. Creative polarity: Creative power is described through complementary masculine and feminine imagery, while affirming that neither is superior. The statement also connects sexuality with life, pleasure and religious symbolism.
  5. Inner and outer worlds: Psychological, spiritual and material dimensions are treated as interacting parts of human experience.
  6. No fixed hierarchy: Teachers and experienced leaders may be respected, but authority is not presented as an absolute hierarchy.
  7. Integrated practice: Religion, magical practice and wisdom in daily life are presented as connected aspects of a worldview.
  8. Practice over labels: Calling oneself a Witch, claiming ancestry or collecting titles is not treated as sufficient. The emphasis is on living wisely and avoiding harm.
  9. Affirmation of life: Continued development and expanding consciousness are described as sources of meaning.
  10. Freedom of belief: The text objects to institutions that claim exclusive religious authority or restrict other forms of worship and belief.
  11. Openness to history: Disagreements about origins, terminology and the history of the Craft are acknowledged without making them the central concern.
  12. Rejection of absolute evil: The statement rejects a Christian-derived concept of Satan as a Wiccan object of worship and rejects seeking personal benefit through another person's suffering.
  13. Health and wellbeing: Nature is presented as a source of guidance for health and wellbeing.

Historical interpretation

The document reflects the language and social concerns of the 1970s. Some expressions have since changed, and contemporary readers may interpret its discussion of gender, sexuality, nature and authority differently. Its inclusive intention is historically notable, but it should not be mistaken for a complete account of present-day Wiccan practice.

Useful forIntroducing recurring themes and locating a 1974 statement within Wiccan history.
Not a substitute forLearning directly from the many contemporary traditions and practitioners who use the name Wicca.
Reader guide

Questions to keep in mind

Historical belief statements are most useful when read with attention to scope, language and diversity.

Is this a universal Wiccan creed?No. The statement was an ecumenical attempt at description, not a binding authority for every tradition.
Why does wording matter?Terms used in 1974 may carry different meanings today, especially in discussions of sexuality, gender and religious identity.
What is the central ethical thread?The text links freedom of belief with responsibility, ecological care and avoiding harm to others.
How should it be compared?Use it beside descriptions of other religions and worldviews rather than ranking traditions against one another.
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