Charge of the Goddess

A poem, in which the Goddess speaks directly to her followers through a high priestess of the coven, often used the most in Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions.

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 a 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 is 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 out upon the earth. Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of Whose feet are the hosts of Heaven, whose body encircles the universe: Who am I 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 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.

Charge of The Goddess

The Charge of The Goddess has always been regarded as the inspirational text which Wiccans use during ritual performance. It is normally recited during rituals where the presence of the priestess or priest is important. They are supposed to act as the god or goddess in the circle which is drawn during the ritual. The high priest or priestess is the ones who chant out the words after performing the ritual of the drawing down on the moon. 
The god or goddess then promises the people, through the priest or priestess that she will teach all the witches as well as guide them. It is perceived to be one of the greatest theological documents of the neo-pagan movement. 

Apart from the Wicca using it, it is used as a foundational document of the Neopaganism tradition of witchcraft.

The Charge - what you need to know

The availability of so many charge versions has made it hard to stick to one during the ritual, but the good thing is, all of them are just instructions from the goddess to her people. Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente, both have written version of the charge. Doreen Valiente (Charge above) Stated that rituals should be performed when the moon is full, the coven assemble in a hidden place where they adore the spirit, the queen of all witcheries.

The charge goes on to refer to how the practitioner will remain youthful after partaking in the ritual and how the cup of life which belongs to the goddess will be given to them. The cauldron of the Cerridwen will grant the holy grain of immortality.