The Charge of the Goddess By: Doreen Valiente Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Diane, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Dana, Arianhod, Bride , and by many other names.  At mine alters the youth of Lacedemon in Sparta made due sacrifice. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, or new, then ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me who am the Queen of all witcheries. There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet who have not won it's deepest secrets: to these will I teach things that are yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery. And as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites. And ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music, and love, all in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine also is joy on earth for my law is love onto all beings.   Keep pure your highest idea, strive ever toward it, let naught stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret door which opens upon the door of youth, and mine is the cup of 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. Beyond Death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all living and my love is poured out on the earth.   Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess. she  in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of Heaven, whose body encircleth the universe. I am the beauty of the green Earth, and the white Moon amongst the the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man call unto my soul arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature who gives life to the universe. From me all things precede, and onto me all things return. Before my face the beloved of Gods and men they inmost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let my worship be within the heart that rejoyceth for behold all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. Therefor let there be beauty and strength power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. Thou who thinkest to seek for me: know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not: unless thou know the mystery; that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, 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.