charges

The Charge of the Goddess

Listen to the words of the Great Mother
Who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Demeter, Melusine, Aphrodite,
Cerridwen, Diana, Arianrhod, Brigit, Hecate, Isis and by many other names...
I am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon,
and the mysteries of the waters. From Me all things proceed
and unto Me they must return. Let My worship be in the
heart that rejoices, for all acts of love and pleasure are
My rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and
compassion, 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: 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 Dark God
Listen to the words of the Dark God
who was of old called Iakchos, Donn, Anubis, Hades, Setesh, Hoder and by many other names:
I am the shadow in the bright day, I am the reminder of mortality at the height of living.
I am the neverending veil of Night where the Star Goddess dances.
I am the Death that must be so that Life may continue, for behold, Life is immortal because the living must die.
I am the strength that protects, that limits; I am the power that says No, and No Further, and That is Enough.
I am the things that cannot be spoken of, and I am the laughter at the edge of Death.
Come with me into the warm enfolding dark; feel my caresses in the hands, in the mouth,
in the body of one you love, and be transformed.
Gather in the moonless night and speak in unknown tongues; the Dark Mother and I will listen.
Sing to us and cry out, and the Power will be yours to wield.
Blow me a kiss when the sky is dark and I will smile, but no kiss returns; for my kiss is the final one for all mortal flesh.