charge.html

From: tribe@primenet.com
Date: 9 Dec 1996 04:50:18 GMT

I think that this might qualify as a manifesto.  It was written by one
Doreen Valiente, an adherent of Wicca and something of a "protege" of
Gerald Gardner, who in turn popularized modern witchcraft.  The Charge is
used by most, but by no means all, Wiccans/Witches.


                        Charge of the Goddess
                                   

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called
Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana,
Arienrhod, 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 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 upon the earth.

Hear 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 mysteries of the waters, I 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.
Let My worship be in 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.