reply to post by Hazelnut
The Ethics of Witchcraft have been discussed within this thread by members who practice them and by those who are curious. But I would like to
clarify, if I can, what that means to me, personally.
"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what you will."
Witches are a joyous bunch with social and ecological responsibility at the forefront of their minds and hearts, enjoying the world and their
involvement in it, at all levels.
Wiccan ethics are positive rather than prohibitive with the morality being far more concerned with "blessed is he who" than "thou shalt not".
Witches believe in a joyful balance of all human functions.
"Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore, let there be beauty
and
strength, power
and compassion, honor
and humility, mirth
and reverence within you."
Note the polarity of these qualities and the balance between them, meditate on them as a model for balanced ethics. Each of the qualities are
positive, not restrictive.
Compassion means empathy, not condenscention.
Humility means a realistic appraisal of your own stage of development, not self-abasement.
Reverence means a sense of wonder, not just remembering to take your hat off.
From this living relationship to the cosmic process, witches are dedicated to the concept of the Earth as a living organism. This physical, mental,
psychic and spiritutal attitude is the heart and soul of the "Old Religion".
Mother Earth is thought of as precisely that. She produces us, nourishes us, makes it possible for us to live, rewards us when we lovingly understand
her, takes revenge when we abuse her, and reabsorbs our bodies when we die. She reminds us that all living creatures are our siblings, different but
related offspring of the same womb.