The following is yet another version of a Charge of the God. It is written as a companion to Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess, which we have come to consider our Traditional Charge.

This is an edited version of the Charge found in the Elderwood Book of Shadows. Any who wish may distribute this piece freely provided there are no changes made to it.

Feedback may be sent to the e-mail address: greg@olwyn.org

Hope you enjoy it.

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THE CHARGE OF THE HUNTER

* Gaelen *
Elderwood 1995ce

Listen to the words of the Great Father, who was of old worshipped among men and women as Pan, Freyr, Osiris, Adam, Horus, Apollo, Cernunnos, Set, Odin, Mercurius, Christos, Herne, Jeheshua, Adonai, Zeus, and by many other names....

I am the Gentle Hunter, the Stag-Horned Lord of the woodlands. I am the protector of all which has been created by the Beautiful Lady. Yet, without me there would be nothing. I am the Fertile Sun above the clouds, the seed implanted deep within Her womb, and the joyful songs within the hearts of humans.

Look upon Me and behold the virile Consort; He who gives strength unto Her creatures. Worship Me in the songs upon your tongues, and in your hearts, as you listen to the wind of My Pipes; Worship Me in all acts of love--acts of the heart, and of the flesh; For it is I Who, in this way, first bestowed worship unto the Lady that She would bear all of Creation.

Look upon the Earth, and in the sky and behold the stages of My life: For I am the Oak King, conceived upon the eve of Winter's shortest day. And I am the New Born Sun at Spring, and the first sprouts of the Summer Crops. I am the growing warmth which brings the flowers, and the rush of animation which moves the animals of the Woodlands to play, and to bear young.

I am the Oak King, slain in My glory upon the longest of Summer's days; Also, I am the Holly King, who takes His throne upon the shortest night, and wields His power to bring the dark night to victory over the daylight of Summer. See my face in the grains of wheat, and the ears of corn; For I am the crops which are cut down upon the Summer's end.

I am the Holly King, Lord of the waning year, whose light grows weak as the Winter grows nigh. I am the Lord of Death, of transformation, who gives new opportunity by cutting away the old. In My worship, understand that Death is not final, for Death is for Me a Rebirth. And Thus am I the Sacrificial King; Giving of Myself that I may grow anew.

Seek for Me in your hearts, and I will teach you Wisdom; So that in the fullness of time, you may count yourselves among those who serve the Ancients. Yet, be ever mindful, that to embrace Me in Love, to gain of My Strength, to dance to My music, is to embrace change.

And know that in seeking for Me you shall seek for balance; For in balance is My music clearest, and most plentiful.

Behold, Mine is the voice in the winds, and in the sounds of Her creatures; Mine is the passion in the hearts of humans. And in Me is found the desire which leads to the Gentle Mother.

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