The Charge of the Goddess
as presented in the Alexandrain Book of Shadows
Listen to the words of the Great Mother, she who of old was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Danu, Arianhod, Isis, Bride, and by many other names.

Whenever ye have need of me, once in the month and better it be when the moon is full, then ye shall assmble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am queen of all Witches.  There ye shall assemble, ye who are fain to all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; to these I will teach things that are yet unknown.  And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye are truely free ye shall be naked in your rights; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, and make music and love all in my presence.  For mine is the ecstacy of the spirit, and mine is also joy on Earth.

Keep pure your highest ideal, strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside; for 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 enternal; and beyond death I give peace unutterable, nor do I demand ought in scarfice, for behold, I am the mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the Earth.  From me all things proceed, and to me all things must return.

Let my worship be in the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.  Let there be beauty and strenght, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverance within you.  And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know they seeking and yearning shall avil thee not unless thou knowest this mystery; that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, then 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.