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History
In the beginning we were all members of multiple Pagan community
groups here in the central valley and were all in attendance of a
Handfasting ceremony.
The Handfasting ritual was the product of a man's love for a woman and
was an expression of their union through ritual magic. At the conclusion
of the ceremony some of those in attendance where deeply moved by it's
beauty, structure and symbolism.
Inquiries into the origin, theory and practices of this form of ritual
magic prompted several attendees to return and begin holding bi-
monthly open rituals. As a result, Foedus Veritas was established July
19th 2006, through of an act of love.
Tradition
Veritas Wicca was originally established as a secondary tradition to
enable eclectic witches of different path and practices to participate in
group rituals. Since then it has become employed as a form of solitary
practice.
Our tradition encourages members to maintain their individuality while
providing simple structure and format for single, couple or group
activities and ritual magic.
This is possible by eliminating some of the dividing factors often found
in various denominations. For example, Deities are a dividing factor for
so many. In some instances the very name of the deity can determine
the tradition itself. Some believe in the aspects concept of the divine
while others contend that each God or Goddess is separate and each an
individual entity.
We felt that it was more important to stress the potent fertility of
nature than to take a stance on divinity itself. Therefore the polarities of
nature are expressed as the genders of divinity. The God and Goddess
are acknowledged and invoked but not called by any specific or defining
name.
This same compromising attitude and non denominational approach can
be seen in all aspects of our tradition. There is no high priest or
priestess, no degree system to climb or titles to collect. The purpose of
Veritas Wicca is to promote fellowship and support through celebration,
ceremony and ritual magic within the community.
There are positions that need be filled, by anyone wishing to participate.
There is an initiation, which does not make you Wiccan or a Witch, it is
simply a symbolic rite of passage and just makes you an official member.
Our coven and tradition symbol is a shield, a coat of arms of heraldry.
It is not intended to be a religious symbol or an emblem of our faith; it is
only a coat of arms, a crest, a symbol of our coven stead.
The Witches shield has a pillar of white between two black panels to
symbolize the strength of wisdom and the division of ignorance. The
triple moon alludes to the Vigilia.
Disclaimer of terms and conditions
We are not interested in, nor do we care to debate the meaning,
difference or etymology of the words Pagan, Wiccan, Witch, Wizard or
Warlock. Our only concern is that you understand our intended use of
them here.
Due to our differences with the mainstream Wicca 101 of pop culture, we
felt it necessary to more accurately define ourselves. Thus Veritas Wicca
was born.
It has been suggested that our belief and practices are not truly Wiccan
because of our lack of emphasis on the Rede or three fold laws. We do
practice and promote a similar concept called The Vigilia as well as the
Thirteen Principles of Wicca.
The Thirteen Principles of Wicca
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is 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.
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting
through polarity -- as masculine and feminine -- and that this same
creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction
of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other,
knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as
pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the
sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds --
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the
Inner Planes, etc. -- and we see in the interaction of these two
dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical 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, magic, 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 or the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch -- but neither does
heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch
seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in
order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony
with nature.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a
continuation of evolution and development of consciousness that gives
meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion
or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to
be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom
to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
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 are concerned with 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 Christian
Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do
we 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.
*These principles were adopted by The Council of American Witches in 1974.
In the beginning we were all members of multiple Pagan community
groups here in the central valley and were all in attendance of a
Handfasting ceremony.
The Handfasting ritual was the product of a man's love for a woman and
was an expression of their union through ritual magic. At the conclusion
of the ceremony some of those in attendance where deeply moved by it's
beauty, structure and symbolism.
Inquiries into the origin, theory and practices of this form of ritual
magic prompted several attendees to return and begin holding bi-
monthly open rituals. As a result, Foedus Veritas was established July
19th 2006, through of an act of love.
Tradition
Veritas Wicca was originally established as a secondary tradition to
enable eclectic witches of different path and practices to participate in
group rituals. Since then it has become employed as a form of solitary
practice.
Our tradition encourages members to maintain their individuality while
providing simple structure and format for single, couple or group
activities and ritual magic.
This is possible by eliminating some of the dividing factors often found
in various denominations. For example, Deities are a dividing factor for
so many. In some instances the very name of the deity can determine
the tradition itself. Some believe in the aspects concept of the divine
while others contend that each God or Goddess is separate and each an
individual entity.
We felt that it was more important to stress the potent fertility of
nature than to take a stance on divinity itself. Therefore the polarities of
nature are expressed as the genders of divinity. The God and Goddess
are acknowledged and invoked but not called by any specific or defining
name.
This same compromising attitude and non denominational approach can
be seen in all aspects of our tradition. There is no high priest or
priestess, no degree system to climb or titles to collect. The purpose of
Veritas Wicca is to promote fellowship and support through celebration,
ceremony and ritual magic within the community.
There are positions that need be filled, by anyone wishing to participate.
There is an initiation, which does not make you Wiccan or a Witch, it is
simply a symbolic rite of passage and just makes you an official member.
Our coven and tradition symbol is a shield, a coat of arms of heraldry.
It is not intended to be a religious symbol or an emblem of our faith; it is
only a coat of arms, a crest, a symbol of our coven stead.
The Witches shield has a pillar of white between two black panels to
symbolize the strength of wisdom and the division of ignorance. The
triple moon alludes to the Vigilia.
Disclaimer of terms and conditions
We are not interested in, nor do we care to debate the meaning,
difference or etymology of the words Pagan, Wiccan, Witch, Wizard or
Warlock. Our only concern is that you understand our intended use of
them here.
- Pagan or Paganism is understood to be and is used here as an
umbrella term that embodies all Earth Based Religions, generally
speaking.
- Wicca is understood to be and is used here as a term to describe the
path and practice of a tradition or denomination of Witchcraft,
generally speaking.
- Wiccan is understood to be and is used here to describe a person
who follows the path and practice of Wicca, as they understand it to
be, generally speaking.
- Witch is understood to be and is used here to describe a person who
follows a path and practice of witchcraft, not considered Wicca, as
they understand it to be....generally speaking.
Due to our differences with the mainstream Wicca 101 of pop culture, we
felt it necessary to more accurately define ourselves. Thus Veritas Wicca
was born.
It has been suggested that our belief and practices are not truly Wiccan
because of our lack of emphasis on the Rede or three fold laws. We do
practice and promote a similar concept called The Vigilia as well as the
Thirteen Principles of Wicca.
The Thirteen Principles of Wicca
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is 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.
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting
through polarity -- as masculine and feminine -- and that this same
creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction
of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other,
knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as
pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the
sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds --
sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the
Inner Planes, etc. -- and we see in the interaction of these two
dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical 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, magic, 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 or the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch -- but neither does
heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch
seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in
order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony
with nature.
9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a
continuation of evolution and development of consciousness that gives
meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion
or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to
be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom
to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and belief.
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 are concerned with 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 Christian
Tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do
we 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.
*These principles were adopted by The Council of American Witches in 1974.