{"id":18688,"date":"2018-10-01T01:10:18","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T06:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=19280"},"modified":"2018-10-01T12:42:06","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T17:42:06","slug":"spellcrafting-spells-rituals-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2018\/10\/01\/spellcrafting-spells-rituals-32\/","title":{"rendered":"Spellcrafting: Spells & Rituals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Charge of the Dark Goddess <\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(Ceerridwen <\/span>from The Goddess Oracle by\u00a0<\/span>Amy Sophia Marashinsky<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Merry meet!<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Most pagans are familiar with the Charge of the Goddess \u2013 a traditional one by Doreen Valiente as adapted by Starhawk, \u201cListen to the words of the Great Mother, Who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione <\/span>\u2026\u201d There are other versions as well. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I was almost a decade into my practice before I came across the Charge of the Dark Goddess. I was intrigued. I had never seen it used in ritual or mentioned in the books I read. Several Internet searches yielded numerous versions on numerous websites. As we move deeper into the dark half of the year, it seems like a natural time to share them with you \u2026 perhaps inspiring you to write your own. There are five below, copied without editing them. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Dark Goddess is the Crone, the wise woman and the warrior, the protector and the destroyer, stern yet compassionate. She is the time before birth and the time after death. She is the dark moon and the patroness of witches. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the hecatescauldron.com, \u201c<\/span>Her animal totems are those which live below the earth such as snakes, serpents, dragons; bird of the night which are the owls; ravens, crows and horses.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some pagans may be apprehensive about working with the energy that comes from the dark, but to be whole, we need to embrace the power of the Dark Mother who rules the night and the deep mysteries it holds. May these charges lead you to her. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(Hecate <\/span>from The Goddess Oracle by\u00a0<\/span>Amy Sophia Marashinsky<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Version I <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Author unknown <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Listen to the words of the Dark Mother, who of old was called Hecate, Nuit, Morrigan, Banba, Erda, Macha, Mother Night, Sekhmet, and many other names: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever you seek wisdom, at the time of the Darkening Moon, come together in love and trust and learn of Me, who am the Wisest of Crones. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ye who search the mysteries of the Earth, the secrets of Air and Darkness, of Blood and Fire, the silence of the uttermost stars, come unto Me, and I shall whisper to you in the depths of midnight. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ye shall approach Me in silence, and as a sign that ye are free from fear, your breast you shall bare to my blade, for fear has no place in my mysteries, and that which you seek of Me will destroy you if you fear it. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For I am the dolmen arch beyond which stretch the mysteries of infinity. I am the silence before birth and after death. I am the clouded mirror in which you scry your own soul. I am mist in the twilight, the vast and starry sky of midnight, shadows on the Moon. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All things come to Me in the end, and yet I am the beginning of all. I meet you at the crossroads, I lead you through the darkness, my hand you grasp in the passage between the worlds. To those that toy with Me am I an instrument of self-destruction, yet to the true seeker do I bring knowledge beyond mortal comprehension. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Of you shall I demand the utter truth of all that you are, and in return shall I give you all that you may be, all that I am. For my wisdom is beyond the Ages, and knowledge of my Secrets is power over self, over fear, over death. Nor do I demand aught of you which you cannot give. For I am the Mother of Mysteries, and as you know Me, so shall you learn to know yourself. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Version II <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Shayla is credited with writing this according to one website <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Dark Goddess speaks to us, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

through the mouths of Lilith, Kali, Tiamet, Hekate, Nix, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the Black Madonna, Nemesis and Morgaine. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Darkness behind and beneath the shadows. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the absence of air that awaits <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

at the bottom of every breath. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Ending before Life begins again, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the Decay that fertilizes the Living. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Bottomless Pit, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the never-ending struggle to reclaim that which is denied. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Key that unlocks every Door. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Glory of Discovery, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

for I am that which is hidden, secluded and forbidden <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Come to me at the Dark Moon <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and see that which can not be seen, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

face the terror that is yours alone. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Swim to me through the blackest oceans <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

to the center of your greatest fears <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the Dark God and I will keep you safe. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Scream to us in terror, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and yours will be the Power to Forbear. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Think of me when you feel pleasure, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and I will intensify it, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

until the time when I may have the greatest pleasure <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

of meeting you at the Crossroads Between the Worlds. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(Black Goddess By <\/span><\/span>Marcy LaBella<\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Version III <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One source credited this as written by Tiger Eye <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wisdom and empowerment are the gifts <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

of the Dark Goddess of Transformation. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She is known to us as Kali, Hecate, Cerridwen, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lilith, Persephone, Fata, Morgana, Ereshkigal, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Arianhrod, Durga, Inanna, Tiamat, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and by a million, million other names. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hear me child, and know Me for who I am. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I have been with you since you were born, and I will <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

stay with you until you return to Me at the final dusk. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the passionate and seductive lover <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

who inspires the poet to dream. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the One who calls to you at the end of your journey. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After the day is done, My children find <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

their blessed rest in my embrace. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the womb from which all things are born. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the shadowy, still tomb; all things must come to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and bare their breasts to die and be reborn to the Whole. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Sorceress that will not be ruled, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the Weaver of Time, the Teacher of Mysteries. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I snip the threads that bring my children home to me. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I slit the throats of the cruel and drink the blood <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

of the heartless. Swallow your fear and come to me, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and you will discover true beauty, strength, and courage. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the fury which rips the flesh from injustice. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the glowing forge that transforms your inner demons <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

into tools of power. Open yourself to my embrace and overcome. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the glinting sword that protects you from harm. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the crucible in which all the aspects of yourself <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

merge together in a rainbow of union. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the velvet depths of the night sky, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the swirling mists of midnight, shrouded in mystery. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the chrysalis in which you will face that which terrifies you <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and from which you will blossom forth, vibrant and renewed. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Seek me at the crossroads, and you shall be transformed, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

for once you look upon my face, there is no return. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the fire that kisses the shackles away. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the cauldron in which all opposites grow <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

to know each other in Truth. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the web which connects all things. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Healer of all wounds, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the Warrior who rights all wrongs in their Time. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I make the weak strong. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I make the arrogant humble.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I raise up the oppressed and empower the disenfranchised. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am Justice tempered with Mercy. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Most importantly, child, I am you. I am part of you, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and I am within you. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Seek me within and without, and you will be strong. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Know me. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Venture into the dark so that you may awaken <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

to Balance, Illumination, and Wholeness. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Take my Love with you everywhere and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

find the Power within to be who you wish. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(Dark Goddess by Lynn Richardson)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Version <\/span>IV<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Author unknown <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I who am the Mother darksome and divine, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Queen of the Underworld, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rider of the midnight sky, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Keeper of the secrets of darkness, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I call upon your soul to descend and come unto me. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Come into my warm womb of darkness, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

where I will hold you tight <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

as you grow and become filled <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

with the very essence of life, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and the knowledge of my love. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For in my love I would torment your dreams, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I’d send demons to drive you mad, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

if you hold not within yourself the strength <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and the courage to stand before me. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To face me with all fetters gone <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and allow yourself to fall, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

into the dark abyss. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The abyss that holds your deepest fears, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

that goes over the thinnest edge, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

down into the arms of possible insanity. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For the abyss is but a mirror. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Face the mirror, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

face me, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and all the power of creation is yours, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the keys to your wildest dreams, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

tickets to the stars and beyond! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anything you can imagine. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s all yours, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

if you’ll but fall. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Goddess of the three faces <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

standing at the crossroads seeing past, present and future,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

seeing lightness,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

darkness and balance<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All of this do I see, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All of this do I hold for thee. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(Samhain Dark Goddess By Mary Alice)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Version V<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Author unknown<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I who am the Mother darksome and divine, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Queen of the Underworld, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rider of the midnight sky, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Keeper of the secrets of darkness, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I call upon your soul to descend and come unto me. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Come into my warm womb of darkness, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

where I will hold you tight <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

as you grow and become filled <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

with the very essence of life, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and the knowledge of my love. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For in my love I would torment your dreams, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I’d send demons to drive you mad, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

if you hold not within yourself the strength <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and the courage to stand before me. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To face me with all fetters gone <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and allow yourself to fall, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

into the dark abyss. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The abyss that holds your deepest fears, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

that goes over the thinnest edge, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

down into the arms of possible insanity. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For the abyss is but a mirror. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Face the mirror, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

face me, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

and all the power of creation is yours, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

the keys to your wildest dreams, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

tickets to the stars and beyond! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anything you can imagine. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s all yours, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

if you’ll but fall. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am the Goddess of the three faces <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

standing at the crossroads seeing past, present and future, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

seeing lightness, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

darkness and balance <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All of this do I see, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All of this do I hold for thee. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Merry part. And merry meet again. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lynn Woike<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0was 50 \u2013 divorced and living on her own for the first time \u2013 before she consciously began practicing as a self taught solitary witch. She draws on an eclectic mix of old ways she has studied \u2013 from her Sicilian and Germanic heritage to Zen and astrology, the fae, Buddhism, Celtic, the Kabbalah, Norse and Native American \u2013 pulling from each as she is guided. She practices yoga, reads Tarot and uses Reiki. From the time she was little, she has loved stories, making her job as the editor of two monthly newspapers seem less than the work it is because of the stories she gets to tell. She lives with her large white cat, Pyewacket, in central Connecticut. You can follow her boards on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pinterest<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, and write to her at woikelynn\u00a0at gmail\u00a0dot com.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Charge of the Dark Goddess (Ceerridwen from The Goddess Oracle by\u00a0Amy Sophia Marashinsky) Merry meet! Most pagans are familiar with the Charge of the Goddess \u2013 a traditional one by Doreen Valiente as adapted by Starhawk, \u201cListen to the words of the Great Mother, Who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione \u2026\u201d There are other versions as well. I was almost a decade into my practice before I came across the Charge of the Dark Goddess. I was intrigued. I had never seen it used in ritual or mentioned in the books I read. Several Internet searches yielded numerous versions on numerous websites. As we move deeper into the dark half of the year, it seems like a natural time to share them with you \u2026 perhaps inspiring you to write your own. There are five below, copied without editing them. The Dark Goddess is the Crone, the wise woman and the warrior, the protector and the destroyer, stern yet compassionate. She is the time before birth and the time after death. She is the dark moon and the patroness of witches. According to the hecatescauldron.com, \u201cHer animal totems are those which live below the earth such as snakes, serpents, dragons; bird of the night which are the owls; ravens, crows and horses.\u201d Some pagans may be apprehensive about working with the energy that comes from the dark, but to be whole, we need to embrace the power of the Dark Mother who rules the night and the deep mysteries it holds. May these charges lead you to her.     (Hecate from The Goddess Oracle by\u00a0Amy Sophia Marashinsky) Version I Author unknown Listen to the words of the Dark Mother, who of old was called Hecate, Nuit, Morrigan, Banba, Erda, Macha, Mother Night, Sekhmet, and many other names: Whenever you seek wisdom, at the time of the Darkening Moon, come together in love and trust and learn of Me, who am the Wisest of Crones. Ye who search the mysteries of the Earth, the secrets of Air and Darkness, of Blood and Fire, the silence of the uttermost stars, come unto Me, and I shall whisper to you in the depths of midnight. Ye shall approach Me in silence, and as a sign that ye are free from fear, your breast you shall bare to my blade, for fear has no place in my mysteries, and that which you seek of Me will destroy you if you fear it. For I am the dolmen arch beyond which stretch the mysteries of infinity. I am the silence before birth and after death. I am the clouded mirror in which you scry your own soul. I am mist in the twilight, the vast and starry sky of midnight, shadows on the Moon. All things come to Me in the end, and yet I am the beginning of all. I meet you at the crossroads, I lead you through the darkness, my hand you grasp in the passage between the worlds. To those that toy with Me am I an instrument of self-destruction, yet to the true seeker do I bring knowledge beyond mortal comprehension. Of you shall I demand the utter truth of all that you are, and in return shall I give you all that you may be, all that I am. For my wisdom is beyond the Ages, and knowledge of my Secrets is power over self, over fear, over death. Nor do I demand aught of you which you cannot give. For I am the Mother of Mysteries, and as you know Me, so shall you learn to know yourself.     Version II Shayla is credited with writing this according to one website The Dark Goddess speaks to us, through the mouths of Lilith, Kali, Tiamet, Hekate, Nix, the Black Madonna, Nemesis and Morgaine. 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 Come to me at the Dark Moon and see that which can not be seen, face the terror that is yours alone. Swim to me through the blackest oceans to the center of your greatest fears the Dark God and I will keep you safe. Scream to us in terror, and yours will be the Power to Forbear. Think of me when you feel pleasure, and I will intensify it, until the time when I may have the greatest pleasure of meeting you at the Crossroads Between the Worlds. \u00a0   (Black Goddess By Marcy LaBella) Version III One source credited this as written by Tiger Eye Wisdom and empowerment are the gifts of the Dark Goddess of Transformation. She is known to us as Kali, Hecate, Cerridwen, Lilith, Persephone, Fata, Morgana, Ereshkigal, Arianhrod, Durga, Inanna, Tiamat, and by a million, million other names. Hear me child, and know Me for who I am. I have been with you since you were born, and I will stay with you until you return to Me at the final dusk. I am the passionate and seductive lover who inspires the poet to dream. I am the One who calls to you at the end of your journey. After the day is done, My children find their blessed rest in my embrace. I am the womb from which all things are born. I am the shadowy, still tomb; all things must come to and bare their breasts to die and be reborn to the Whole. I am the Sorceress that will not be ruled, the Weaver of Time, the Teacher of Mysteries. I snip the threads that bring my children home to me. I slit the throats of the cruel and drink the blood of the heartless. Swallow your fear and come to me, and you will discover true beauty, strength, and courage. I am the fury which rips the flesh from injustice. I am the glowing forge that transforms your inner demons into tools of power. Open yourself to my embrace and overcome. I am the glinting sword that protects you from harm. I am the crucible in which all the aspects of yourself merge together in a rainbow of union. I am the velvet depths of the night sky, the swirling mists of midnight, shrouded in mystery. I am the chrysalis in which you will face that which terrifies you and from which you will blossom forth, vibrant and renewed. Seek me at the crossroads, and you shall be transformed, for once you look upon my face, there is no return. I am the fire that kisses the shackles away. I am the cauldron in which all opposites grow to know each other in Truth. I am the web which connects all things. I am the Healer of all wounds, the Warrior who rights all wrongs in their Time. I make the weak strong. I make the arrogant humble. I raise up the oppressed and empower the disenfranchised. I am Justice tempered with Mercy. Most importantly, child, I am you. I am part of you, and I am within you. Seek me within and without, and you will be strong. Know me. Venture into the dark so that you may awaken to Balance, Illumination, and Wholeness. Take my Love with you everywhere and find the Power within to be who you wish.     (Dark Goddess by Lynn Richardson) Version IV Author unknown I who am the Mother darksome and divine, Queen of the Underworld, Rider of the midnight sky, Keeper of the secrets of darkness, I call upon your soul to descend and come unto me. Come into my warm womb of darkness, where I will hold you tight as you grow and become filled with the very essence of life, and the knowledge of my love. For in my love I would torment your dreams, I’d send demons to drive you mad, if you hold not within yourself the strength and the courage to stand before me. To face me with all fetters gone and allow yourself to fall, into the dark abyss. The abyss that holds your deepest fears, that goes over the thinnest edge, down into the arms of possible insanity. For the abyss is but a mirror. Face the mirror, face me, and all the power of creation is yours, the keys to your wildest dreams, tickets to the stars and beyond! Anything you can imagine. It’s all yours, if you’ll but fall. I am the Goddess of the three faces standing at the crossroads seeing past, present and future, seeing lightness, darkness and balance All of this do I see, All of this do I hold for thee.     (Samhain Dark Goddess By Mary Alice) Version V Author unknown I who am the Mother darksome and divine, Queen of the Underworld, Rider of the midnight sky, Keeper of the secrets of darkness, I call upon your soul to descend and come unto me. Come into my warm womb of darkness, where I will hold you tight as you grow and become filled with the very essence of life, and the knowledge of my love. For in my love I would torment your dreams, I’d send demons to drive you mad, if you hold not within yourself the strength and the courage to stand before me. To face me with all fetters gone and allow yourself to fall, into the dark abyss. The abyss that holds your deepest fears, that goes over the thinnest edge, down into the arms of possible insanity. For the abyss is but a mirror. Face the mirror, face me, and all the power of creation is yours, the keys to your wildest dreams, tickets to the stars and beyond! Anything you can imagine. It’s all yours, if you’ll but fall. I am the Goddess of the three faces standing at the crossroads seeing past, present and future, seeing lightness, darkness and balance All of this do I see, All of this do I hold for thee. Merry part. And merry meet again. *** About the Author: Lynn Woike\u00a0was 50 \u2013 divorced and living on her own for the first time \u2013 before she consciously began practicing as a self taught solitary witch. She draws on an eclectic mix of old ways she has studied \u2013 from her Sicilian and Germanic heritage to Zen and astrology, the fae, Buddhism, Celtic, the Kabbalah, Norse and Native American \u2013 pulling from each as she is guided. She practices yoga, reads Tarot and uses Reiki. From the time she was little, she has loved stories, making her job as the editor of two monthly newspapers seem less than the work it is because of the stories she gets to tell. She lives with her large white cat, Pyewacket, in central Connecticut. You can follow her boards on\u00a0Pinterest, and write to her at woikelynn\u00a0at gmail\u00a0dot com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":210,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/210"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18688\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}