Charge of the Dark Goddess

"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, Inanna, Ereshkigal, Arianhrod, Durga, 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 Me 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, and 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."

Phaedra's Notes:

This is the Dark Charge that I have used for many years, it was originally given by my friend Raine. I think that the author was someone that Raine worked with when she moved the Maryland, but I'm not positive.

The most famous usage of this was when my group was chosen to do the closing ceremonies for our local Witches' Ball. I memorized this as part of our Closing of the Circle. Everything went wonderfully, I was honored that my circle-mates were there to participate and be there. I was humbled at how well this worked, even though we were asked to change the wording slightly. It helped to build energy then ground it in a rush that left everyone feeling refreshed.

I think that this Charge is wonderfully evocative of the Deity within, whether you are reaching to the Divine Masculine or Divine Feminine. It really draws you in and makes you realize that the term 'Thou art God/dess' isn't just lip-service... each of us really are divine!

I also use this during my Samhain celebration and during dark moon esbats. It can also be used whenever you need to get in touch with the energies of the Dark side of the Goddess, such as for bindings or such. I think it's nature lends itself to touching the dark and yet reminding us that we cannot stay there indefinitely.