Wiccan Weaving

29 Dec 2006: Crafting the Craft: Foundations of the Temple

No structure can be built on insufficient foundations, if that structure is intended to last any time at all. The term "sufficient" is flexible, of course; a simple thatched canopy of bamboo members requires very little in the way of foundations compared to, say, Castle Stalker. If you want your structure to last for longer than your own lifetime, however, you should be thinking less "canopy" and more "castle".

A religion is little different from a religious edifice in this regard. It must also be placed on sufficient foundations to offer support, and if it is not, it will crumble. The duration of its planned existence is the measure of the foundations needed. Even a personal religion, one that speaks to no one but the self, needs have to have solid foundations, least the faith collapse under the weight of hard times. And those hard times do come.

The foundations of the Craft must be made of very strong stuff. Our people will (and should be able to) come to rely on it for strength, for meaning. These foundational beliefs should not be wed to any particular time, place or politics, but should reflect timeless truths. For that reason, they should be simple, direct, unambiguous. What follows is, to the best of my understanding, after several years of thought, meditation and prayer, the foundational tenets of the Wiccan faith.

1. All that is, was created by the Great Union between Goddess and God.
   
2. The Gods are immanent. All is contained within, and permeated by, the Gods. By extension, all life is sacred. All creation is sacred.
   
3. We were brought into being by the Gods for love's sake, out of Their innate creative passion. Our existence is therefore a gift; there is no other reason why. The gift of our existence comes with no strings.
   
4. Our purpose is to grow as individuals, improving and perfecting ourselves. The specific areas of growth, and the methods used to achieve it, are numerous. They cannot all be achieved in a single lifetime. For this reason, we are allowed to reincarnate to continue the process.
   
5. All reality is expressed in terms of dynamic balance between the creative force and the destructive force. Our place in the dynamic balance calls for us to employ our own creative powers, emulating the Gods.
   
6. We must strive to assist each other as much as possible, helping each other achieve growth of the individual. This striving is part of our own growth. Likewise, we must strive to minimize our negative impact on all that is, as such impact runs counter to the effort to assist others. This has been expressed by the Rede in the past, but I am offering that we should not be satisfied with a simple injunction to harm none. We must move toward "heal all".
   
7. Remember always that reality is a sealed system: what you put into the system will eventually return to you. All of your acts, words, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs are subject to this rule. No exceptions, ever. Aside from this, all other rules are subject to conditions and interpretations. As always, you are responsible for the ramifications of your interpretations, whether they are seen or not, foreseen or not.
   
8. There is nothing that you are required to accept on faith alone. Question everything. Test everything to the best of your ability. Do this repeatedly and regularly. Reject anything that violates your reason.
   
9. There are no real accidents or coincidences. Stop behaving as though there are.
   
10. Our religion is not for sale. Never teach or perform our religion for anything save love of the Craft. Do not hesitate to condemn such selling should you witness it. Be mindful that you are not required to teach the Craft to anyone, nor perform our rites, ceremonies or other functions. You are specifically to refrain from teaching anyone not properly prepared to learn our Mysteries.
    
11. Always keep in mind the dignity, sacredness, confidentiality and safety of our Craft and its practitioners. Take no action that would demean or defame it or them.
    

This entry, like all others on this site, is copyright Robert James, December 2006.