Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called among men Artemis, Astarte, Diane, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Dana, Arianhrod, Bride, and by many other names. At Mine altars, the youth of Lacedemon in Sparta may do sacrifice.
Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, then you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who am Queen of all Witcheries. Thee shall ye assemble, ye who are feigned to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets: to these, I will teach things that are yet unknown.
And you shall be free from slavery. And as a sign that you are truly 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 the spirit; and Mine is also joy on earth, for My law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest idea; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.
For Mine is the secret that opens 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; and beyond death, I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before.
Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the mother of living; and my love is poured out upon the earth.
Hear the words of the Star Goddess, She is 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, in the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man, call unto thy soul: arise and come unto me.
For I am the soul of Nature who gives life to the universe. From Me, all thing proceed, and unto Me they must return. And before my face, beloved of gods and men, thine inmost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of the Infinite.
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, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within.
And you who think to seek Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you naught unless you know the mystery: that 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.
The Charge of the Goddess was first published in 1899 in Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland
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