The Charge of the Goddess

by Doreen Valiente

Younger children often need things explained in simpler terms for them to understand. This is my attempt at making the Charge a bit easier for children to understand.

II.

Once a month when the moon is full, you and your family should gather together if you are in need of something.

You can dance, sing, eat and laugh. I am the happiness you feel and I am happy seeing you, and those you love, happy.

Everything you do, do it out of love. Do not do anything to hurt another person.

Keep learning new things all your life. Believe in your dreams. Don't let anyone tell you that what you think or dream is wrong.

I am the spirit inside you. Your spirit will live forever. When you die I will bring you together with your loved ones that have joined me. I will always love you and give you what you need in your life.You do not need to give me back anything. Take what you need from me. You can always see me in the beauty of the earth. I am in the air, water and land. When you need strength call upon me. I am within you.

I was with you at the beginning of your life and I'll be there at the end.

So speaks the Goddess.

II.

I am the Earth, I am the Moon,
I am the Goddess, and I love you.
I love you as a daughter;
As a sister, mother, grandmother.
Talk to Me when you are mad, sad, or scared.
Think of Me, and thank Me when you are happy.
You can find me on the wind.
You can find me in the water.
You can find me in your heart.
And remember ... if you are girl,
Whatever you look like, you look just like Me.

The Charge of the Dark Goddess

Listen to the words of the Dark Goddess who speaks to us, through the mouths of Lilith, Kali, Tiamet, Hekate, Nemesis, Morgaine and by many other names.

Whenever you have desire to, ye shall come to Me and better it be at the time of the dark moon, then shall I show you that which only ye may see, the terror that is yours alone. Call to me, Queen of all Witches, and yours will be the power to forbear. Ye shall be free from all repression, and as a sign that you be free, ye shall be naked in your rites. You shall dance and chant to My wondrous rhythms, for Mine is the ecstasy and the passion of the soul. My law is My mite. Mine is the Secret that opens upon the door of knowledge and Mine is the pentacle of life, the web of the Spider Queen, which is Womb of the Earth. I am the Fierce Mother who rains vengeance upon those who would think to harm My children. I give passage to the nether worlds for I am the Darkness behind and beneath the shadows. I am the absence of air that awaits at the bottom of every breath. I am the ending before life begins again, the decay that fertilizes the living. I am the bottomless pit, the never-ending struggle to reclaim that which is denied. I am the key that unlocks every door. I am the glory of discovery, for I am that which is hidden, secluded and forbidden. Hear ye the words of the Earth Goddess, She whose pulse moves the tides. Swim to Me through the blackest oceans to the source of your greatest fears and I will keep you safe.