Charge of the Goddess

Aradia begins to glide slowly around the circle of people, looking intently into many shadowed faces. She speaks:

Ye shall be free from slavery and ye shall dance, sing and feast. Music shall surround you, for mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine is also the joy of the earth!

Her eyes grow large and luminous and her voice flares with raw power as she proclaims:

I do not demand sacrifice! For behold, I am the Mother of all living things!

She places the palm of her right hand on one man's forehead. She shouts:

Create and Heal!

Then softens her voice and winks at another:

Be strong, yet gentle.

She turns quickly to an old woman:

Be noble, yet reverent.

She then tips the chin of an attractive young lady:

Bring forth and replenish

And pivots with a seductive laugh. She moves about the circle, touching each individual, murmuring encouragement of hopes and dreams, laying aside fear and hatred.

And, as does the cycle of the Moon ever begin to wax and wane and to grow forth again, as do the seasons from one to the next flow in smooth rhythm, from sowing to reaping, to seeming death and rebirth... so will my children know their own pattern in both worlds!

You heart begins to beat its own primal rhythm as she moves- no, glides- toward you. Your stomach does those familiar flippity- flops when you realize it is you she has singled out. She stands but a breath in front of you. You feel her warmth envelop you with the perfume of musk, or is it lavander? She is so beautiful you think your eyes will never see normally again.