Source: www.chargeofthegoddess.com:
The Charge of the Goddess is attributed to Doreen Valiente, a student of
Gerard Gardner. The poem, originally found in the Gardnerian Book of Shadows,
is now
loved by all witches as a statement of our reverence for the Goddess and
Nature.
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 Witches.
There shall you assemble, who have not yet won my deepest secrets and are
fain to learn all sorceries. To these shall I teach that which is yet unknown.
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 am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of youth unto the heart of mankind.
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.