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The Charge of the Goddess is attributed to Doreen Valiente, a student of Gerarld Gardner. The poem, originally found in the Gardnerian Book of Shadows, is now loved by all witches as a statement of our reverence for the Goddess and Nature.
Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arienrhod, Brigid, and by many other names:Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who is Queen of all Witches.
There shall you assemble, who have not yet won my deepest secrets and are fain to learn all sorceries. To these shall I teach that which is yet unknown.
You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites.
Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in My presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth.
For My law is love unto all beings.
Mine is the secret that opens upon the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life that is the Cauldron of Cerridwen that is the holy grail of immortality.
I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of youth unto the heart of mankind.
I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before.
Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the mother of all things and My love is poured upon the earth.
Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, whose body encircles the universe:
I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters,
I call upon your soul to arise and come unto Me. For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed and unto Me they must return.
Let My worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold -- all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.
For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
I am the Darkness behind and beneath the shadows.
I Am A Proud Member Of:
I am the absence of air that awaits at the bottom of every breath.
I am the ending before life begins again.
The Decay that fertilizes the living.
I am the Bottomless pit.
The never ending struggle to reclaim that which is denied.
I am the Key which unlocks every dorr.
I am the Glory of discovery.
For I am that which is hidden, secluded and forbidden.
Come to me at the Dark Moon and see which cannot be seen, face the terror which is your alone.
Swim to me through the blackest oceans
to the centre of your greatest fears.
The Dark God and I will keep you safe.
Scream to us in terror, and yours will be the power to forebear.
Think of me when you feel pleasure, and I will intensify it
until the time when I may have the greatest pleasure of meeting y at the crossroads between the worlds.
Wisdom and empowerment are the gifts of the Dark Goddess of Transformation. She is known to us as Kali, Hecate, Cerridwen, Lilith, Persephone, Fata, Morgana, Ereshkigal, Arianrhrod, Durga, Inanna, Tiamat and by a million other names.
Hear me child and know Me for who I am. I have been with you since you were born and I will stay with you until you return to Me at the final dusk.
I am the passionate and seductive lover who inspires the poet to dream.
I am the One who calls to you at the end of your journey.
After the day is done, My children find their blessed rest in My embrace.
I am the womb from which all things are born.
I am the shadowy, still tomb; all things must come to me and bear their breasts to die and to be reborn to the Whole.
I am the Sorceress that will not be ruled, the Weaver of Time, the Teacher of Mysteries. I snip the threads that bring my children home to Me. I slit the throats of the cruel, and drink the blood of the heartless. Swallow your fear and come to me, and you will discover true beauty, strength and courage.
I am the fury which rips flesh from injustice.
I am the glowing forge that transforms your inner demons into tools of power.
Open yourself to my embrace and overcome.
I am the Glinting sword that protects you from harm.
I am the chrysalis in which you will face that which terrifies you and from which you will blossom forth, vibrant and renewed. Seek me that the Crossroads, and you shall be transformed, for once you look upon my face, there is no return.
I am the fire that kisses the shackles away.
I am the cauldron in which all opposites grow to know each other in Truth.
I am the web which connects all things.
I am the Healer of all wounds, the Warrior who rights all wrongs in their time.
I make the weak strong, I make the arrogant humble. I raise up the oppressed and empower the disenfranchised.
I am Justice tempered with Mercy.
Most importantly child, I am you.
I am a part of you, and I am within you.
Seek me within and without, and you will be strong. Know me.
Venture into the dark so that you may awaken to Balance, Illumination and Wholeness.
Take my love with you everywhere and find the Power within to be who you wish.
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