As the Mother, I bore all the labor distress
Of birthing your child, and I felt the caress Of your hand on the face of the new life so dear.
I heard its first cry, and I eased your fear! I provided the milk which you fed from your breast
Till the baby grew strong, and with health it was blessed. As she took her first step, I was there in your smile!
I was there while you nurtured your beautiful child! On the first day of school, when the doors opened wide
I was there in your fear - I was there in your pride. I am there with you always in the bright full of moon!
I bring you fertility - abundance in bloom.

As the Crone, I brought blessings of wisdom with age
[Wisdom not found by the turn of a page]. I was there as you taught the correct way to live:
To love and to trust - to take and to give! I was there in the twinkle of your aged eye!
I was there in your thoughts of the years flying by! I was there when you taught the Mysteries of old!
I was there in the fire warming you in the cold! In the weariness of age, I was there with you, too...
I brought well-deserved rest and peace unto you! I am there with you always in the darkness of night!
I complete your life cycle, guiding you toward the light.

Maid, Mother and Crone - We are all One -
Yet We are all separate, as each role is done. We do not leave you - We're always there
As you walk through this life with your worries and cares; As you dance in the spiral, We live inside -
Deep in your spirit - where nothing can hide! No matter your path, no matter it's length -
We give you courage and We give you strength. We are there to support you every hour of day
And deep in the night, when dreams take you away. Our gifts We give freely, for you are our Child...
Yes, We are the Lady: Wise, Pure, and Mild!

-Kalioppe-

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Charge of the Goddess

Listen to the words of the Great Mother. I who of old was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Cybele, Arianrhod, Isis, Dana, Bride and by many other names. At mine altars the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made due sacrifice.

At My Altars the youth of most distant ages gave love, and made due sacrifice. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the Moon is Full, then shall ye gather in some secret place and adore the Spirit of Me, Who am Queen of All Witcheries. There shall ye gather, ye who are fain to learn all Magick, yet have not yet won its 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 unto all beings.

Keep pure your highest ideal, strive ever towards it, let naught stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth, and mine is the cup of the 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 in sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess: She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the Universe. I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and 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 things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.

Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within thee.

And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the mystery; that if that which thou seekest thee 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.

So mote it be!

)0(
Text written in modern form by the late Doreen Valiente. This is probably the most commonly know version.
)0(