Charge of the Goddess

"The Charge of the Goddess" is probably the best-loved writing in the liturgy of Witchcraft.
In it's original, simpler form it was given to folklorist Charles Leland by a strega,
or northern Italian Witch, named Maddalena. Since then it has been published in several modified forms;
the best known recent version is by Starhawk, and was published in The Spiral Dance.
This version is nearly identical to Starhawk's.


"Listen to the words of the Great Mother, Who of old was called Artemis, Astarte,
Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arianrhod, 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 the Wise.

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 the wine of life that is the Cauldron of Cerridwen that is
the holy grail of immortality.

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 out upon the earth.


Hear also 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 mystery of the waters, 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;
and before my face, beloved of Gods and men,
let thine 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.
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.

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