I am Pagan. I am a part of the whole of Nature. The Rocks, the Animals, the Plants, the Elements, and Stars are my relatives. Other humans are my sisters and brothers, whatever their races, colors, genders, sexual orientations, ages, nationalities, religions, lifestyles. Planet Earth is my home. I am a part of this large family of Nature, not the master of it. I have my own special part to play and I seek to discover and play that part to the best of my ability. I seek to live in harmony with others in the family of Nature, treating others with respect.

Selene Fox

The Charge of the Goddess

Now hear the words of the Great Mother,
who was of old also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione,
Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride,
and by many other names.

At her altars, the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made due sacrifice.
Whenever ye have need of any thing, once in the month,
and better it be when the moon is full,
then shall ye assemble in some secret place, and adore the spirit of me,
who am Queen of all witches.
There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery,
yet have not won its deepest secrets;
to these will I teach things that are as 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 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 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,  whose body encircles the universe.

I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon upon
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 the 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.

The Witches Rede of Chivalry:

Insofar as the Craft of the Wise is the most ancient and most
honorable creed of humankind, it behooves all who are Witches
to act in ways that give respect to the Old Gods,
to their sisters and Brothers ot the Craft,and to themselves.
Therefore, be it noted that:

1. Chivalry is a high code of honor which is of most ancient
Pagan origin, and must be lived by all who follow the Old Ways.

2. It must be kenned that thoughts and intent put forth on
this Middle-Earth will wax strong in other worlds beyond,
and return---bringing into creation, on this world,
that which had been sent forth.
Thus one should exercise discipline,
for "as ye do plant, so shall ye harvest."

3. It is only by preparing our minds to be as Gods that we
can ultimately attain godhead.

4. "This above all...to thine own self be true..."

5. A Witch's word must have the validness
of a signed and witnessed oath.
Thus, give your word sparingly, and adhere to it like iron.

6. Refrain from speaking ill of others, for not all truths of
the matter may be known.

7. Pass not unverified words about another, for hearsay is,
in large part, a thing of falsehoods.

8. Be thou honest with others, and have them know that
honesty is likewise expected of them.

9. The fury of the moment plays folly with truth;
to keep one's own head is a virtue.

10. Contemplate always the consequences of thine acts upon
others.  Strive not to harm.

11. Diverse covens may well have diverse views on love
between members and with others.
When a coven, clan, or grove is visited or joined,
one should discern quietly their practices,
and abide thereby.

12. Dignity, a gracious manner, and a good humor are much to be admired.

13. As a Witch, thou hast power,
and thy powers wax strongly as wisdom increases.
Therefore exercise discretion in the usethereof.

14. Courage and honor endure forever.
Their echoes remain when the mountains have crumbled to dust.

15. Pledge friendship and feality to those who so warrant it.
Strengthen others of the brethren and they shall strengthen you.

16. Thou shall not reveal the secrets of another Witch or another coven.
Others have labored long and hard for them,
and cherish them as treasures.

17. Though there may be differences between those of the Old Ways,
those who are once--born must see nothing, and hear nothing.

18. Those who follow the mysteries should be above reproach
in the eyes of the world.

19. The laws of the land should be obeyed whenever possible
and within reason, for in the main they have been choosen with wisdom.

20. Have pride in thyself, and seek perfection in body and in mind.
For the Lady has said,
"How canst thou honor another unless thou give honor to thyself first?"

21. Those who seek the mysteries should consider themselves
select of the Gods, for it is they who shall lead the race of Humankind
to the highest of thrones and beyond the very stars.
From _A Grimoire of Shadows_
by Ed Fitch

This web page designed by Naomi Shifra. All rights reserved.
Updated 4/2000.