Commentary on the Charge of the Goddess 41: Textual Analysis of the Final Version

In the final version of the Charge, Valiente drew more on the BAM Charge than she had for her verse version, including reusing the quotations from Crowley, mostly in edited form. New quotations from other sources were introduced, which have been identified in the sources above. So once again this Charge includes three levels of influence from other texts: direct quotation (once again decided on using the same rules as in Appendix A), both new to this version and quotations already used in the BAM Charge; edited quoted material from BAM; and further material new to this version.

Passages directly quoting Aradia, and also in BAM

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. (106 words)

Passages directly quoting Crowley: Law of Liberty and also in BAM

Nor do I demand aught in sacrifice; (7 words)

Passages not in BAM, directly quoting from HOGD Neophyte ritual

From me all things proceed; and unto me, all things must return; (12 words)

Passages not in BAM, using direct quotation from Magnetic Magic

That if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee; Thou wilt never find it without thee. (18 words)

Passages based on direct quotation in BAM from Crowley: Liber Cordis Cincti Serpenti

And thou who thinkest to seek me; Know that they seeking and yearning shall avail thee not; For behold; I have been with thee from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire. (39 words)

Passages based on direct quotation in BAM from Crowley: Khabs am Pekht

For mine is the secret which opens upon the door of youth (12 words)

Passages based on direct quotation in BAM from Crowley: Law of Liberty

Keep pure your highest Ideals; Strive ever towards it; Let naught stop you or turn you aside; For mine is ecstasy of the Spirit, and mine is also joy on earth; which is the Holy Grail of Immortality; For my Law is Love; I am the Gracious Goddess; Upon Earth I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal; and beyond death I give peace and freedom;  arise and come unto me; thine innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the raptures of the infinite; 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. (114 words)

Passages also in BAM, with no apparent known source

Listen to the words of the Great mother, who was of old also called among men, Artimis; Astarte; Dione; Melisine, Aphrodite, Aphrodite, Cerridwen; Diana Arianrod; Bride; and by many other names; At mine Altars the youths of Lacedaemon in Sparta made due sacrifice; Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, (51 words)

Passages not in BAM, with no apparent known source

unto all beings; and mine is the cup of the Wine of Life; and the Cauldron of Cerridwen;  who gives the gift of Joy unto the heart of Man; and reunion with those who have gone before;  for behold; I am the Mother of all things; and my love is poured out upon earth; She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of Heaven; whose body encircleth the Universe; 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; For l am the Soul of nature who giveth life to the Universe; Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; Beloved of the Gods and men; unless thou know the mystery (139 words)

Discussion

The version of the Charge in BAM is obviously very influential on this one, so first to analyse the proportion of passages influenced by, or identical to, passages in BAM, with the passages which are new in this version, either quotations or with no other apparent source.

Total words	498 words
Passages identical to, or influenced by, passages in BAM	329 words (66.06%)
Passages with no apparent origin in BAM	169 words (33.94%)

To compare the sources of material reused from BAM:

Total words	329 words	As a proportion of the whole (498 words)
Passages quoting Aradia	106 words (32.22%)	21.29%
Passages quoting Crowley: Law of Liberty	7 words (2.13%)	1.4%
Passages based on quotation in BAM from Crowley: Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente	39 words (11.85%)	7.83%
Passages based on direct quotation in BAM from Crowley: Khabs am Pekht	12 words (3.65%)	2.4%
Passages based on direct quotation in BAM from Crowley: Law of Liberty	114 words (34.65%)	22.89%
Passages also in BAM, with no known source	51 words (15.5%)	10.25%

To compare the sources of material new to this Charge:

Total words	169 words	As a proportion of the whole (498 words)
Directly quoting Golden Dawn Neophyte ritual	12 words (7.1%)	2.4%
Directly quoting Magnetic Magic	18 words (10.65%)	3.61%
No known source	139 words (82.25%)	27.91%

To compare the sources of direct quotations in this Charge:

Total words	143 words	As a proportion of the whole (498 words)
Passages quoting Aradia	106 words (74.13%)	21.29%
Passages quoting Crowley: Law of Liberty	7 words (4.9%)	1.4%
Passages quoting Golden Dawn Neophyte ritual	12 words (8.39%)	2.4%
Passages quoting Magnetic Magic	18 words (12.59%)	3.61%