Liber ab Tres II (Book of Three, Part II)^101
What is reportedly the traditional way to call upon our Lady is not only different
from book to book, but also different from version to version attributed to Doreen
Valiente. So the “traditional” method of calling on our Lady can be one of many differ-
ent versions incorrectly attributed to Doreen Valiente from an unknown piece of text
written by Aleister Crowley, with inclusions from Aradia: Gospel of Witches, which
Charles Leland claimed to have received from someone called Maddelena—who re-
ceived it from an as yet unknown source. Ah, traditional Celtic Wicca at its finest.
I would have liked very much to have included Doreen Valiente’s Charge of the
Goddess to illustrate the differences between it and the many versions attributed to
her, but I just could not bring myself to submit to the dictates of the current copyright
owner. To do so would have been akin to a Catholic author having his work and audi-
ence approved by the Pope and then paying a fee to include the Lord’s Prayer.
What matters is what you find in your own heart. While the Charge of the Goddess,
in its many incarnations and with its many sources and several modifications, is beauti-
ful each and every time, it is not yours. Sure, you can write to the current copyright
holder and inquire about including it in your work, you can have that work and your
audience approved and then pay X amount to use it, but you did not write it. So al-
though it might indeed speak to your heart, it cannot speak from your heart.A Charge of Our Mother
(Traditional)
—Author Unknown
Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called Artemis,
Astarte, Dione, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arienrhod, Brigid, and by many
other names: *
Whenever you have need of anything, once in the 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 Witches.
There shall you assemble, who have not yet won my deepest secrets and are fain
to learn all sorceries.
To these shall I teach that which is yet unknown.
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 unto all beings.
Mine is the secret that opens upon 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.l WB Chap 05.p65 101 7/11/2003, 5:50 PM