The Myth of the Goddess

 This Myth was Written by Gerald B, Gardner when he was putting together his first Book of Shadows, it is said to be based on a early myth that was pasted down form the New Forest coven, (in Truth I believe it was all Gardner's work, but it makes a wonderful myth to read and ponder)


"In ancient times our Lord, the Horned One, was, as he still is, the Consoler, the Comforter; but men knew him as the Dread Lord of Shadows -- lonely, stern, and hard. Now our Lady Arada, the Goddess had never loved, but she would solve all mysteries, even the mystery of Death -- and so she journeyed to the Underworld. The guardians of the portals challenged her. "Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels, for nought may ye bring with you into this our land." So she laid down her garments and her jewels and was bound as are all who enter the realms of Death, the Mighty Ones.

Such was her beauty that Death himself knelt and kissed her feet, saying: "Blessed be thy feet that have brought thee in these ways. Abide with me, but let me place my cold hand on thy heart." And she replied: "I love thee not. Why doest thou cause all things that I love and take delight in to fade and die?" "Lady," replied Death, "'tis age and fate, against which I am helpless. Age causes all things to wither; but when men die at the end of time, I give them rest and peace and strength so that they may return. But you, you are lovely. Return not; with me." But she answered: "I love thee not." Then said Death: "As you receive not my hand on your heart, you must receive Death's scourge." "It is fate, better so," she said, and she knelt. Death scourged her and she cried: "I know the pangs of love, such shall be the Fate of all Humanity, for Love and Suffering shall ever be Joined ." And Death said: "Blessed be," and gave her the fivefold kiss, saying: "Thus only may you attain to joy and knowledge, for in Suffering  you are  bestowed health, wealth, strength, joy and peace, and that fulfillment of love that is perpetual happiness .

"And she taught him the mystery of the Sacred Chalice, which is the cauldron of rebirth. They loved and were one; The Lance to the Grail, the Union of Life and Death, the Great Rite of Infinite knowledge, the foundation of youth,  and he taught her the Eight-Fold Path to Center. For there be three great mysteries in the life of Humanity -- love, death, and resurrection in a new body --  Remember that Love and Magick controls them all. To fulfill love you must return at the same time and place as the loved one, and you must meet and know and remember and love them again. But to be reborn you must die and be ready for a new body; to die you must be born; without love you may not be born -- and these be all the mysteries. And our Goddess ever inclined to love and mirth and happiness, and guardeth and cheriseth Her hidden children in life; and in death she teacheth the way to have communion, and even in this world She teacheth them the Mystery of the Magic Circle, which is placed between the worlds, where Heaven and Earth, Sacred and Profane, Male and Female, Light and Dark Meet as One, for the this be one of our Great Mysteries we are all One.