“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.”

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In addition to the intelligence put forth in Principle #2, Wiccans have other abilities.  While Principle #3 does not go into detail as to what these abilities are, it does make the point of acknowledging that the modern world would call them “supernatural”. 

Supernatural is a word that makes me laugh, especially when people use the word to describe my path and the things I do as a Wiccan.  Supernatural, by definition, is “that which is above Nature, belonging to a higher realm”.  There is nothing that I do that I consider to be beyond Nature.  Matter of fact, I daresay that the authors of the 13 Principles agree with me on this, for they say that “we see [this power] as lying within that which is naturally potential to all”. 

Indeed, in recent years, science has shown that the things we call magick are not only plausible, but true.  Everything is connected, even down to its smallest part.  The flap of a butterfly’s wings really can cause a typhoon and things only become real when we observe them to be so.  Call it magick if you will, but more and more, I find the word ‘magick’ to be a stumbling block the size of a mountain. 

When you hear the word ‘magick’ or ’supernatural’, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  What do you think comes to mind for the average non-Wiccan?  Your answers probably could be found among the following:  a trick; something that isn’t real; a childish belief; an incredible feat; getting something for nothing; yeah, right. 

I hate getting into conversations with people about the magickal aspect of my path because the very word ‘magick’ is laughable to most people.  To me, it’s not laughable at all — nor is it magick.  Matter of fact, even calling it magick can create the idea that what I am attempting to do is, in a word, unlikely or improbable.  This is not the kind of focus a good practitioner wants to have.  It’s also not the kind of reputation we wish to establish for ourselves with non-Wiccans. 

As Wiccans, we know that we can change the course of events by putting our will to work.  We know that the tools we use are simply tools of focus for our minds, helpmeets to align our boat with greater currents in order to land on the shore we are seeking.  We know that our minds have the ability to sense the future and that, as everything and everyone is connected, the answers we need can be sought within us.  None of this is unusual or “outside of Nature”.  Matter of fact, Wiccans want to be in line with Nature, so why would we practice arts that like outside of Nature?  In short, we don’t.  These abilities — as “above nature” as they might seem to a non-Wiccan — are actually natural endowments that all humans possess.

In short, they are natural.

I dislike the word ‘magick’ because it takes abilities that are fully within the scope of human ability and accomplishment and places them on this pedestal of “woo”, for lack of a better term.  The minute someone years the word magick or hears that you believe in it, a few rapid-fire assumptions tend to follow, none of which are very good for a Wiccan’s sense of self-esteem and personal validation.  You might get laughed at, or the person might take a step away from you as if afraid your insanity might rub off.  You might be asked to defend or explain yourself, with the understood meaning being implied that you are to convince the disbeliever of your position.  You might be called a devil-worshipper or told that you don’t have a grasp on reality at all.  

Regardless of how it actually plays out, you have an extremely high chance of being discredited, and all because what you do doesn’t match up with what someone else thinks ‘magick’ is.  For you, it’s all in a day’s work, exercising completely normal and universal abilities.  For them, it’s a circus sideshow, a bag of tricks, an immature belief, or an insane delusion.  In short, Wiccans don’t think that what we do is ‘magick’ by their definition, and non-Wiccans don’t see that what we do is normal by ours.  It’s a semantical chasm that must be crossed, and the word ‘magick’ is proving to be a poor bridge at best.

Going forward, we will need to come up with better ways to explain what it is we do.  Perhaps as science and mysticism close the gap towards each other, we will need less explanations and only more demonstrations to prove that nothing we do is outside the realm of natural potential.  For now — and as far back as 1973 — we have need of statements like Principle #3 to point out that what we do is nothing that anyone else can’t also do.  It is power, yes… but it is power we all possess.

Follow-up Questions for Readers:

1.  Do you agree with Principle #3?  Why or why not?

2.  What powers do you have that might be included as something “greater than apparent to the average person”?

3.  Do you believe that all humans have the ability to work with “supernatural powers”?  Do you have a theory about why these powers seem more prevalent in books and movies than in years past?

4.  Do you believe that the word ‘magick’ is a stepping stone or stumbling block?  Explain.

5.  How do you go about explaining what it is you do?  Are there better words or phrases we could use?  Is there scientific research that can help us bridge the gap? 

6.  Do you see these abilities categorized as “supernatural” ever becoming mainstream?  Why or why not?

7.  Principles In Action:  Make an inventory of the skills and abilities you have as a Wiccan that would be classified as supernatural.  When did you discover you had these talents?  How have you learned to hone your skills?  Have you taught others how to use these skills as well?  What scientific research has been performed that validates what you have known all along?  As a Wiccan, do you also realize the long-standing tradition of ‘magick’ as an experimental science?  Do you keep journals of your magickal successes and failures as you have honed your skills?  If not (or if you used to and have slacked off), make a commitment to yourself to renew your experiments.  Your life is your laboratory — your power is what is accessible to everyone.  It’s up to you to make your abilities extraordinary.

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Photo by Eddi 07 (via Flickr).