The popular belief is that Witches worship a deity of evil, or Satan if you will; this couldn't be more wrong. Witches believe that there are two deities; the God and the Goddess. The Goddess is symbolized by the Moon, and represents the fertility of the earth, and all of it's creatures. She is the female aspect of divinity, and reffered to as The Great Mother, being the Mother of all that exists today. She is also reffered to as the Triple Goddess; Her three forms being the Maiden (New Moon or Spring), the Mother (Full Moon or Summer), and the Crone (Waning Moon or Autumn). There is also a fourth aspect to the Goddess going by the moon cycle and seasons; this is The Goddess Present and Unseen (Dark Moon or Winter). The Goddess is known to us in every culture in many different forms. She can be seen as Hera (Greek Queen of the Gods. Goddess of Marriage and Women), Isis (Egyptian Goddess of Magic and Fertility), Freya (Norse Goddess of Beauty, Fire and Love) and by many other names.
The God is her consort, and is represented by the Sun. There are different versions as to what the God actually does; some say that the Goddess emmantes energy, and the God disperses it across the Universe as He sees fit, or others may say that the roles are reversed. The God can be seen in just as many forms as the Goddess can, some good, some evil. Some examples are Agni (Indian God of Fire and Lightning), Tuoni (Finnish God of the Underworld), Quetzacoatl (Aztec King of the Gods), and, again, by many other names.
The God is said to be born from the Goddess, impregnate Her, die, and then be born again, as is symbolised with the seasons. In the Spring, the God is born to the world again, and nature blooms to herald His arrival. He grows to maturity during the Summer, and prepares to impregnate the Goddess during Autumn. At the onset of Winter, this is when the God "dies", and is reborn again in the Spring. Of course, this may vary from tradition to tradition, but I think this is the nicest version I've heard so far.
Wicca is often called "The First Religion", as it predates Christianity by about 30,000 years. It is a religion of peace, firmly applying the Law of Three, "Ever mind the Rule of Three. Three times what thou givest returns to thee. This lesson well thou must learn. Thou dost receive what thou dost earn". There are no prejudices against other religions; as we see it, it all boils down to us worshipping the same Being. Get it? No? Okay, Wiccan theology states that the Universe is One, yet it is many. This goes to say that we are all individual beings (thank the Goddess for that), but we are also one Being at the same time. This doesn't apply solely to people, but to everything living on the earth, the earth itself, and of course, the God and Goddess. So when we sing their praises, in essence, we're really worshipping the One, or the Whole, no matter what religion we chose to practice. I think that makes sense? So now hear the words of the Lord and the Lady, and see Them for who They are..
Hear my words and know me! I shall be called a million names by all who speak. I am Eternal Maiden. I am Great Mother. I am the Old One who holds the Immortal Key. I am shrouded in mystery, but am known to every soul.
Hear my words and know me! Whenever the moon rises in the heavens shall my children come to me. Better it be once a month when the moon is full, shall ye assemble in some secret place such as this, and adore the spirit or I, I who am the Queen of Witches.
And under my watchful eye shall my children be taught the mysteries of earth and nature; of the ways of all magick. That which is unknown shall be known, and that which is hidden shall be revealed. Even the secluded soul shall be pierced with my light; from my cauldron shall be drunk all knowledge and immortality.
And ye shall be free from slavery; ye shall dance, sing, and feast. Music shall surround you, for mine is the ecstacy of the spirit and mine is also the joy of the earth.
I do not demand sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all living things. Create and heal. Be strong, yet gentle. Be noble yet reverant. Bring forth and replenish.
And as does the cycle of the moon ever begin to wax and wane, as do the seasons from one to the next flow in smooth rhythm; from sowing to reaping, from seeming death to rebirth. And so my children will know their won patterns in both worlds, and ye shall say these words, "I will love and harm none. I will live, love, die and live again. I will meet, remember, know, and embrace once more. For the free will of all, and with harm to none. As I will, it now is done. So mote it be!"
I am the Radiant King of the Heavens, flooding the earth with warmth, and encouraging the hidden seed of creation fo burst forth into manifestation. I lift my shining spear to light the lives of all being, and daily pour forth my golden rays upon the earth, putting to flight the powers of darkness.
I am the spirit of all beasts wild and free. I run with the stag, and soar as a sacred falcon against the shimmering sky. The ancient woods and wild places emmanate my power; the birds of the air sing my sanctity.
I am the harvest, offering up grain and fruit beneath the sickle of time so that all may be nourished. For without planting there can be no harvest; without winter there can be no spring.
I am the Thousand named Sun of creation, know that by all names I am the same, the spirit of the horned stag in the wild; the endless harvest. See in the yearly cycle of festivals my birth, death and rebirth, and know that such is the destiny of all of creation.
I am the spark of life, the radiant sun, the giver of peace and rest. I send my rays of blessing to warm the hearts and strengthen the minds of all.
Charge of the Dark Goddess
Charge of the Dark God
Charge of the Star Goddess
Charge of the Crone
Back to the Shrine
