Articles of Belief
Our Core Beliefs
Spirit Night Coven Holds Belief in These Seventeen Articles, and Attempts to Uphold them Throughout our Witchcraft, and our Mutual Aid Pursuits. We Believe (in):
The Right to Personal Autonomy: All humans have the right to physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual autonomy. All humans have the right to informed consent, in order to fully exercise their autonomy.
The Right to Marriage and Love: All consenting adults have the right to love and marry (or divorce) on their own terms. This right stands, regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief (or lack thereof), culture, or ethnicity.
Reproductive Rights: Only a pregnant individual has the right to determine whether or not to have an abortion. No other person, institution, provider, or government has the authority to make that decision. Pregnant people deserve equal rights and access to employment and social services, free from discrimination due to their pregnancy. All people have the right to comprehensive sexual education, free access to contraceptives of their choosing, and reproductive healthcare.
The Right to Sexual Autonomy: Our organization holds a zero tolerance policy on sexual violence. Everyone has the right to live free from rape, molestation, harassment, and all forms of sexual violence. Consent is always mandatory in sexual interactions, and all people have the right to fully informed consent when making decisions about sexual activity.
Consenting adults have the right to engage in private sexual activity free from the interference of religious or governmental institutions, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, culture, or ethnicity.
Black Lives Matter: Black people in the United States have been brutally historically oppressed by white institutions, and continue to be disenfranchised by racist laws and police violence under the current system of government. Systemic Racism must be rooted out of our institutions completely. Black activists are the most important guide in building a world free from anti-black racism and violence.
Abolition: All people have the right to be free from slavery, and from cruel and unusual punishment for crimes. No person has the right to own or compel labor from another person. The thirteenth amendment of the United States Constitution allows slavery as a punishment for a crime. This portion of the constitution must be reamended, and the justice system in the U.S. must be changed to focus on creating a safer world, rather than on maximum punitive control.
BIPOC Lives Matter: Black people, Indigenous people, and all people of color, deserve equal rights under the law, as well as equal and equitable education, employment opportunities, social services, dignity, and respect as non-BIPOC individuals. Their experiences are valid, and their voices are all uniquely essential in creating a more just world for everyone.
Sovereignty of Indigenous & First Nations Peoples: We affirm the rights of indigenous peoples around the world to self govern on their traditional land. The history of the worldwide colonial project is stealing land, breaking treaties, forcibly removing people from their homes, and ultimately committing genocide and ethnic cleansing agaisnt indigenous peoples and tribes. Despite this, indigenous people have survived and continually fought for the preservation of their cultures. Colonial governments now should make reparations and return land that was promised in treaties, and should grant authority in land stewardship back to indigenous people.
Equal Rights for Women: All those who identify as women deserve equal rights under the law, as well as equal and equitable education, employment opportunities, social services, dignity, and respect as other individuals. Systemic misogyny must be rooted out of societal institutions to create a more free world.
Equal Rights for LGBTQIA2SP+: We affirm the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, otherwise queer, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit individuals and communities. These people deserve equal rights under the law, as well as equal and equitable education, employment opportunities, social services, dignity, and respect as cis-straight individuals.
We believe in the autonomy of transgender individuals to choose and live as the gender they desire, and to access gender affirming care, without exclusion from public life through government interference.
Equal Rights for Disabled and Neurodivergent People: Disabled and neurodivergent people deserve equal rights under the law, as well as equal and equitable education, employment opportunities, social services, dignity, and respect as non-disabled people. The voices of disabled and neurodivergent people should be heeded in every institution and organization to build a more equitable environment.
Free Palestine, End Genocide and Apartheid: All humans have a right to live freely without the fear of war in their homes, and genocide of their people. A free world cannot come at the expense of the eradication of certain kinds of people. The United Nations has declared the attacks from Isreal against the palestinian people to be a genocide, which means immediate action should be taken to stop the Isreali government from further aggression. The Palestinian people deserve to live freely in their homeland and self govern, as do the people of Congo, Ukraine, Cuba, and all people around the world.
Free Movement and Immigration: All humans have the right to flee violence, or otherwise seek to improve the condition of their lives through movement between countries and immigration. The process of movement and immigration should be dignified and welcoming for all people, regardless of their country of origin. Families immigrating together have the right to not be separated, and immigrating people deserve equal rights under the law, as well as equal and equitable education, employment opportunities, social services, dignity, and respect as all others.
Right to Religious Freedom, Right to Atheism & Rejection of Religious and Spiritual Supremacy: We do not believe in religious or spiritual supremacy of any form, regardless of belief or non-belief. We reject and condemn the acts of religious and spiritual indoctrination, conformity, colonization, persecution, discrimination, and violence.
Spirituality (or lack thereof) is deeply personal and fluid to each individual person and should never be judged or dismissed (unless it causes harm to self or others). Spirituality (and atheism) is a life-long, ever-changing, independent journey we navigate as we age and cycle through the journey of life. It’s molded by our environments, cultures, lived-experiences, traumas, successes, upbringings, explorations, access to literature and knowledge (or lack thereof), self-identity, growth, and so much more. To believe one religion, spiritual belief, or deity is the “correct” or only-valid one shows arrogance, lacks understanding and empathy, and disregards an individual’s right to spiritual autonomy or right to atheism.
Climate Change is Human Caused and Requires Human Intervention: We believe climate scientists, and experts in the field who explain climate change and global warming as human caused problems. If our climate is to remain habitable, we must work together with all people and governments across the world to lower the emission of greenhouse gasses, microplastics, other pollutions, and poisons accumulating in our environment. We believe in the protection of natural habitats, and the non-human species that occupy earth’s ecosystems. We believe in the creativity of humanity in finding solutions to these issues, while knowing they will not be solved through economic profit, but through listening to our mother earth.
There can be No Ethical Billionaire: The billionaire class has had more than 100 years to prove that they cannot save or aid humanity through hoarding wealth. As more of the world's resources are funneled into the hands of only a few individuals, it is more clear than ever that the billionaire class does not earn their wealth, and does not distribute their wealth or wield their power ethically. In a just future, no billionaires will exist, and power will lie in the hands of all people.
“An it Harm None, Do What Ye Will”: This quote attributed to Doreen Valiente was originally recorded at a dinner hosted by Pentagram magazine in 1964. It became known as the Wiccan Rede, and has hence been included in varying poetical works with the aim to establish written codes of ethics in the modern witchcraft space. Valiente at the time was referring to infighting between witchcraft groups during the revival, and the need for unity in the minority witchcraft and pagan community. Though the phrase is often separated from this original context, it is more relevant than ever in the face of oppression, that the modern witchcraft community does find solidarity with one another.
The phrase also holds a universal truth which has given it the sticking power it has had over the last six decades. It articulates a principle of human rights, that if an action is not harmful, it should not be stopped or punished. Countless nuances lie within the individual actions to which one might apply this code of ethics, but it sums up many of the beliefs in encompassing human rights which we at Spirit Night Coven strive to uphold. Our belief in religious freedom, and in rights for women, for BIPOC, for the LGBTQIA2SP+ community, are upheld by this rede, in that uplifting minorities hurts no one. Our condemnation of war, genocide, racism, and bigoted politics is upheld by the rede in that these are all forms of harm which must be stopped. So, not only does this quote support the solidarity of differing witchcraft communities, we also believe it supports solidarity with all oppressed peoples.
Our Coven’s Practices
Live in Harmony with Nature: To the best of our ability—physically, spiritually, and magically. Protect the planet and the life that inhabits it.
Practice Eclectically & Ethically: Draw knowledge from any sources and practices that resonate with you on your path with intention, appreciation, and understanding. Do not appropriate other religions and cultures.
Recognize the Unity of Spirituality, Magick, and Wisdom: Spirituality, Magick and Wisdom go hand-in-hand in in our spiritual journeys. Spirituality is the basis of your path — your core beliefs, values, morals and understanding of the Universe. Magick is the tools you wield in practicing your Craft and executing your will. Wisdom is gained through the phases of life, lived-experience, learning from others, and the trials of life. We must be open to learning, doing better, applying new knowledge to our practice, and being willing to have a deep relationship with ourselves and our paths. A well-rounded practice incorporates all three in unison.
Strive for Personal Growth and Development in your Practice: Be open-minded, be realistic, be curious, be a student and a teacher, and know your limits. The focus should always be toward the self and inner-world, opposed to focusing on others.
Respect Personal Boundaries in Ritual Spaces: No nudity is permitted in Coven activities. Period. Not at group rituals, Sabbats, Esbats, or in other activities. Members may work skyclad (nude) in their private practices, but may not solicit other members to do so.
Karma and the Three-Fold Law: The energy we send out—whether good or bad—returns to us threefold. Practice all forms of magick with caution, respect, empathy, understanding, responsibility, knowledge and integrity. Do not engage in practices that harm self, others, or the Earth.
Respect the Outer World (physical) and Inner World (spiritual/supernatural) as equally real and essential: One does not exist without the other. The outer and inner worlds form what is known as life and death, the great mysteries.
Remain Present-Focused with an Eye Toward the Future: Cultivate awareness and intention in daily life. Don’t dwell on things out of your control, or that which has happened in the past. Learn the lessons necessary, make positive changes, and release. When able, look towards the future with hope and excitement.
Adhere to the Four Core Aspects of Magickal Work: Intention, Timing, Desire, and Cleanliness. Magick and witchcraft are performed with an intention in mind, ideally at a specific time during the lunar/year cycle and requires an intense desire for a specific outcome. Cleanliness is also essential — and includes body, mind, emotion and spirit. Practicing in an energetically/physically clean and organized space, having a clear mind, and acting with a pure heart are instrumental in executing effective, lasting magick.
Use of Sacred Circles: To define and protect ritual space, circles create a boundary between the mundane and the magical. Circles are a representation of the Wheel of the Year, the cycles and rhythms of life, portals, and unity.
Honor Both the Masculine and Feminine Energies. The divine polarity exists in all people; all areas of life and the universe. Celebrate sex as a sacred expression of both life and pleasure.
Honor the Light AND the Dark: Light and dark coexist and both have their places in the universe, and therefore both must be acknowledged and honored. The ideology of “love and light” negates the importance and necessity of the shadow. Darkness is found in every human, because we ARE human. Doing shadow work is essential to spiritual development.
Honor the Cycles of the Moon: The ancient, sacred phases that guide spellwork, menstruation cycles, circalunar rhythms, wildlife, mental health and ocean tides.
Celebrate the Eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas (Lughnasadh), and Mabon.
Celebrate the Goddess: In her three sacred aspects: Maiden, Mother, and Crone, during Coven rituals.
Celebrate the God: In his divine aspects: Sun God, Horned God, Holly King, and Cernunnos, during Coven rituals.
Honor the Elemental & Quarter Spirits: Known as North, South, East, and West; Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Spirit during Coven rituals.
Respect Members’ Personal Deity Worship & Spiritual Practices: Members worship a plethora of diverse deities and practice many spiritual traditions in their solitary spiritual work. It’s important that members be respectful of other members’ sacred paths. Spirituality is deeply personal and must never be judged or dismissed, unless it harms self, others or the Earth.
Respect Other’s Interpretations of the Afterlife: No one knows for sure what happens after we die. Don’t dismiss other’s interpretations or ideas regarding the afterlife.
Respect Coven Leadership: This structure supports the Coven’s activities and our shared growth as pagans. While leadership does not always have the answer, we work hard to find the answer, when possible. We recognize that we can all learn new things from each other, no matter how long a Witch has been practicing. We’re human, and mistakes and growth are part of the experience.
Principles of Beliefs by the American Council of Witches
Also known as the “The 13 Principles of Belief”
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.
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.
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.
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 (gender) 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.
We recognize both outer worlds and inner, of psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc.-and we see in the inter-action 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.
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.
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.
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 will without harm to other and in harmony with Nature.
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.
Our only animosity towards Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
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.
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 accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.