The Charge of the God
Listen to the words of the Great Father, who of old was called Osiris, Adonis, Zeus, Thor, Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Lugh and by many other names: My Law is Harmony with all things. Mine is the secret that opens the gates of life and mine is the dish of salt of the earth that is the body of Cernunnos that is the eternal circle of rebirth. I give the knowledge of life everlasting, and beyond death I give the promise of regeneration and renewal. I am the sacrifice, the father of all things, and my protection blankets the earth.
Hear the words of the dancing God, the music of whose laughter stirs the winds, whose voice calls the seasons:
I who am the Lord of the Hunt and the Power of the Light, sun among the clouds and the secret of the flame I call upon your bodies to arise and come unto me. For I am the flesh of the earth and all its beings. Through me all things must die and with me are reborn. Let my worship be in the body that sings, for behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my rituals. Let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness, joy and peace, awe and longing within you. For these too are part of the mysteries found within yourself, within me, all beginnings have endings, and all endings have beginnings.
Great God Cernunnos, return to the Earth again,
Come at my call and show thyself to all,
Shepherd of Goats, upon the wild hill's way,
Lead they lost flock from darkness into day,
Forgotten are the way of sleep and night,
Men seek for them, whose eyes have lost the light,
Open the door, the door that hath no key,
The door of dreams, whereby men come unto thee,
Shepherd of the Goats, O answer unto me.
Listen to the words of the Horned God, the Guardian of all things wild and free, and Keeper of the Gates of Death, whose Call all must answer:
I am the fire within your heart...
The yearning of your Soul.
I am the Hunter of Knowledge
and the Seeker of the Holy Quest
I who stand in the darkness of light
am He whom you have called Death.
I the Consort and Mate of Her we adore,
call forth to thee.
Heed my call beloved ones,
come unto me and learn the secrets of death
and peace.
I am the corn at harvest
and the fruit on the trees.
I am He who leads you home.
Scourge and flame,
Blade and Blood-
these are mine and gifts to thee.
Call unto me in the forest wild
and on hilltop bare
and seek me in the Darkness Bright.
I who have been called:
Pan,
Herne,
Osiris,
And Hades,
speak to thee in they search.
Come and dance and sing:
come live and smile,
for behold:
this is my worship.
You are my children and I am thy Father.
On swift night wings
it is I who lay you at the Mother's feet
to be reborn and to return again.
Thou who thinks to seek me,
know that I am the untamed wind,
the fury of storm and passion in your Soul.
Seek me with pride and humility,
but seek me best with love and strength.
For this is my path,
and I love not the weak and fearful.
Hear my call on long Winter nights,
and we shall stand together guarding Her Earth
as She sleeps.
