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Basic Wiccan Workbook, Eclectic Tradition
by Cynthia Gregory
Priestess and Witch, Circle of Winged Toads and Compost Coven
4.
THE GODDESS
Maiden, Mother and Crone
The earliest image of the divine is female. Since woman is the birth giver, it is natural to see the mystery of the creation of life as feminine. The secret of fertility is in her realm. She grows the egg within her body as the earth grows the seeds under ground. From the darkness of her womb she pushes forth the infant and nourishes him with milk from her breasts. The role of woman parallels that of the earth.
The darkness of the womb is similar to the darkness of the tomb and the Goddess is also associated with death and regeneration. Symbols of death and rebirth are found in her ancient temples. Because She controlled rebirth, Her representations are frequently correlated with the burial customs of the people. She is sometimes represented as a vulture or a sow. She tends the cauldron of regeneration and transformation.
The early people were holistic thinkers and felt closely tied to the earth and the animals around them. They used image to communicate and their Goddesses frequently took on the forms of animals or were closely associated with animals. Figures of bird and snake Goddesses are commonly found from the Neolithic to the Paleolithic eras. For at least 500,000 years people have been producing Goddess figures, building temples for her and worshipping her. Is it any wonder then that rediscovering the Goddess is for many people like coming home?
Today She is coming back into Her power as image begins to balance the word. Feminine values of nurturance come into balance with the patriarchal. We realize that the values of respect for the earth and the sacredness of the other creatures we share this planet with, will save us from destroying ourselves. Wiccans have reached back to our roots to get in touch with our own Goddess power and to understand her relevance to our lives today.
The Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother and Crone contains the single-mindedness of youth, the nurturing love and sexuality of the mother, and the transformative powers of the crone. She is known by many names throughout the world and over the millennia. The names you call her by should be names that are meaningful and powerful for you.
The Charge of the Goddess12
"Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was known by many names:
' Whenever you are in need, when the moon is full and at the turning of the seasons assemble in a sacred place and adore the spirit of the Queen of the Wise. Sing, feast, dance, love, all in my presence. For mine is ecstasy of the spirit and joy on earth. My law is love unto all beings, nor do I demand sacrifice for 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:
' I who am the beauty of the green earth, the white moon among the stars, and the mysteries of the waters call upon you. Rise 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 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. You who would seek to know me, know that seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you understand the mystery. If that which you seek you find not within you shall never find it without. For I have been with you from the beginning and I am that which is found at the end of desire.'"
When you invoke the Goddess, think of the aspects of her strength and power that you need in your life and call her with the name that you associate with that aspect of her. Perhaps you call Athena when dealing with work-city related issues, Bridget for healing or creating with the written word, Yemaya when you need the cleansing power of the ocean, Ceridwen if you need a transformation, Pele if you need fire power. Invoke her power into yourself and from within yourself. Open up to her inspiration as you chant to welcome her. Visualize her presence. Ask for her blessing. But remember, she is not always beautiful. Sometimes the needed transformations she brings about are difficult, intense and frightening. Blessed Be.
Invocations
We all come from the God--dess and to her we shall re--turn.
Like a drop of----- ra--in flow-ing to the ooo--o--cean
Bridget Invocation: ( Repeat 3 times)
Bridget of the forge fire,
Bridget of the healing well,
Bridget of the rhyming word,
Come weave your spell.
Hecate/Ceridwen Invocation:
Hecate, Ceridwen, Dark Mother take me in.
Hecate, Ceridwen, let me be reborn.
Hecate, Ceridwen, Dark Mother take me in.
Hecate, Ceridwen, let me be transformed.
Hecate Invocation:
Hecate, Lady of the crossroads, I stand where three paths meet,
Hecate, Lady of the crossroads, I ask that you guide my feet.
Hecate, Lady of the crossroads
12 Adapted. See Doreen Valiente, Starhawk...