THE CHARGE OF THE GODDESS

  The Goddess said,

"Whenever you have need for 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 the Queen of all witches. There shall you assemble, you who want to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets: to these will I teach things that are yet unknown. And you shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that you be really free, you shall be naked in your rites;  and you shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of spirit, and mine is also the 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 heart of man. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before. I do not demand sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

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 heart of man, call upon thy 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 to me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and men, 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 those who think to seek me, know your seeking and yearning shall avail you not unless you know the mystery; that if that which you seek, you find not within you, then you will never find it. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."

By Doreen Valiente