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Listen
to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was
called Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine,
Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arionrhod, 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 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 whose feet
are the host 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."
From
"The Witches' God" by Janet and Stewart
Farrar
Written by Doreen Valiente
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