"All Acts of Love and Pleasure are My Rituals"

Adapted by the Temple of the Twilight Goddess, our Statement of Principles is inspired by the Principles of Wiccan Beliefs of the Council of American Witches, 1974.

1.    We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity -- as masculine and feminine -- and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the 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 magickal practice and religious worship.

2.    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.

3.    We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

4.    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.

5.    We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known 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 have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7.    We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it -- a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft -- the Wiccan Way.

8.    Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch -- but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself 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.    We do not believe that any one religion or belief system can claim to be "the only way." Religions that have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief are counter-productive to spiritual and personal growth.

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 respect all traditions, honor and learn from our past, while being mindful of 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 traditions. 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 believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Diversity Statement 

The Temple does not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, age, ability, affiliations, economic standing, nationality, or other personal characteristics.  Reflective of our communities, we welcome seekers of all backgrounds.

Elders, Members and Postulants may share basic common beliefs, such as (this is not a steadfast list, as each member has her own personal belief system): 

•We honor both masculine and feminine aspects of the Divine.

•Mother Earth is sacred and Divine and should be treated with dignity and respect.  This includes our fellow human beings as well as all animals, plants and elements of the Universe.

•We respect and treat ourselves and each other as a sacred part of the Universe.

•The changing seasons are marked by the eight solar Sabbats.

•Wiccans do not proselytize.  People become Wiccans only by choice.

•All genders are equal.

•Sex is a sacred act of love and pleasure and a symbol of creation and unity; only symbolic acts of the Sacred Union are performed within our Circles.

•Education is highly valued, encouraged and pursued throughout life.

•The Sacred Circle is a sacred space used for worship.

•We value all religions and religious freedom.

•We appreciate diversity.

•We strive to be active within our communities and to be upstanding citizens.