the Charge of the Goddess

The Charge of the Goddess

by Doreen Valiente

Listen now to the words of the great Mother: she who of old was also called Artemis, Astarte, Athena, Diana, Melusina, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Arianrhod, Isis, Brigit, and by many other names:

Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, then shall you assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me, who am Queen of all Witches. There shall you assemble, you who would learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; to you will I teach things that are yet unknown. And you shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that you be free, you shall be naked in your rites. And you shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in My presence; for mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine is also joy on Earth; for my law is love unto all beings. Keep pure your highest ideal, strive ever towards it; let nothing stop you or turn you aside.

For mine is the secret door which opens upon the land of youth, and mine is the cup of the wine of life, and the cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the holy grail of immortality. I am the gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the hearts of my people. Upon Earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the Earth.

Hear the words of the Star Goddess; the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the Universe:

I who am the beauty of the green Earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the hearts of men and women, call unto your soul: arise, and come to me. For I am the soul of Nature, who gives life to the Universe. From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and behold my face, beloved of gods and people, let your innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let my worship be within the heart that rejoices; for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And you who think to seek me, know that your seeking and yearning shall avail you not, unless you know the Mystery:
If that which ou seek, you find not within yourself, then you shall never find it without. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.