Commentary on the Charge of the Goddess 17: Aside on the inward journey in the Charge

Text of the Charge	Stages of the journey inwards
Listen to the words of the Great mother, who was of old also called among men, Artemis; Astarte; Dione; Melusine, Aphrodite, Ceridwen; Diana Arianrod; Bride; and by many other names. At mine Altars the youths of Lacaedemon in Sparta made due sacrifice.	Instruction to listen. Establishment of who it is who is speaking. Establishment of her nature and who she has been in history. (Outward action/delineation of subject)
Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full. Then ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who am Queen of all Witcheries. There ye shall assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet who have not won its deepest secrets. To these will I teach things that are yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites, and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music, and love, all in my praise.	Description of the external forms of the witches’ rituals, and their intent. (Outward action)
For mine is ecstasy of the Spirit, and mine is also joy on earth, For my Law is Love unto all beings. Keep pure your highest Ideals. Strive ever towards it. Let naught stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret which opens upon the door of youth; and mine is the cup of the Wine of Life: and the Cauldron of Ceridwen; which is the Holy Grail of immortality.	What belongs to the Goddess and the correct inner disposition for the witch in seeking her. (Aim of outer action/inner disposition)
I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of Joy unto the heart of Man. Upon Earth I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal; and beyond death I give peace and freedom; and reunion with those who have gone before; Nor do I demand aught in sacrifice; for behold. I am the Mother of all things; and my love is poured out upon earth.	Full revelation of the nature of the Goddess’s covenant: it is of her love alone and extends beyond death. (The Goddess’s disposition towards us)
Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of Heaven; whose body encircleth the Universe.	Reiteration of the instruction to listen, indicating urgency or importance, reiteration of the Goddess’s syncretic nature by introducing a new Goddess.
I who am the beauty of the green earth; and the White Moon amongst the Stars; and the mystery of the Waters; and the desire of the heart of man; l call unto thy soul; arise and come unto me.	The Goddess is tangible, calling to us in the world around us. (Our inward disposition to the external world)
For l am the Soul of nature who giveth life to the Universe; From me all things proceed; and unto me, all things must return; Beloved of the Gods and men; thine innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the raptures of the infinite.	The Goddess is life, and we can share in her divine life. (Inner nature of the search)
Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold; all acts of Love and Pleasure are my rituals; and therefore let there be Beauty and Strength; Power and compassion; Honour and Humility; Mirth and Reverence within you.	The Goddess’s worship is inward; the inward disposition that this creates. (Further inward movement to inner worship)
And thou who thinkest to seek me; Know that thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou know the mystery, That if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee; Thou wilt never find it without thee.	The Goddess can only be found within. (The end of the search: the Goddess is within)
For behold; I have been with thee from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.	The realization that we have already found her; she is found when our seeking ends.