THE CHARGE OF THE
GODDESS
As presented in the Alexandrian Book of Shadows
Listen to the
words of the Great Mother, she who of old was also called among men Artemis,
Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Danu, Arianrhod,
Isis, Bride and by many other names.
Whenever ye have need of me, once in the month and better it be when the
moon is full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place and adore the
spirit of me, who am queen of all Witches. There shall ye assemble, ye
who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets;
to these I will teach things that are yet unknown. And ye shall be free
from slavery; and as a sign that ye are truly free ye shall be naked in
your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love all in
my presence. For mine is the ecstacy of the spirit, and mine is also joy
on Earth.
Keep pure your highest ideal, strive ever towards it; let naught stop you
or turn you aside; for 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 unutterable. nor do I demand aught
in sacrifice, for behold, I am the mother of all living, and my love is
poured out upon the Earth. From me all things proceed, and to me all things
must return.
Let my worship be in the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of
love and pleasure are my rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power
and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And
thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail
thee not unless thou knowest this mystery; that if that which thou seekest
thou findest not within thee, then thou wilt never find it without thee.
For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which
is attained at the end of desire.
Bright Blessings and Gentle Breezes!
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