CHARGE OF THE DARK GODDESS

Jezibell's Newest CD - Charge of the Dark Goddess

Too often the Goddess is depicted as all-loving, gentle, fecund, eternally beneficent and nurturing - an idealized Big Mommy. This vapid, sanitized portrayal denies the power, passion and depth of the shadow side of the Divine Feminine. Historically and mythologically, goddesses also represent sexuality, rage, conflict, madness, decay and death - the processes which sustain and balance the cycle of life and light.

The Charge of the Dark Goddess honors and celebrates this mystery. Available online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jezibell2, this CD was recorded by Kurt Griffith at Fantastic Realities Studio, http://www.fantastic-realities.com, with background vocals by Kurt, Joseph Zuchowski, Erica DeFigueroa and Liz Free, and additional drumming by Kurt. All material © 2003 Jezibell

1. Charge of the Dark Goddess

This was inspired by the closest thing Wicca has to a liturgy, the Charge of the Goddess, which first appeared in Charles Godfrey Leland's Aradia, Gospel of the Witches in 1899. Gerald Gardner revised this version and added material from Aleister Crowley's Gnostic Mass. Doreen Valiente later took out the Crowley material and reworked the Charge into its current form, published in The Witches' Bible and many other books. Starhawk modernized the language in The Spiral Dance. Jezibell's piece, of course, is much darker!

Words: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell, Joe

Riq: Jezibell Didjeridoo: Joe

Hearken ye now to the words of the Fierce Devourer, She who of old was also dreaded among mortals as Tiamat, Sekhmet, Ereshkigal, Lilith, Hecate, Kali, Hel, Morrigan, Kybele, and by many other appellations.

Whenever you have fear of anything, once in the month and only be it when the moon is completely dark, you shall wander to a forlorn place and revere the mystery of me who is Queen of all Demons. There shall you gather, you who dare to plunge into the vortex, and I will lead you into the depth of the night. You shall be released from all your conventions, and as a mark of your nameless, faceless state, you shall be veiled in your rites. You shall scream, cry, tremble, burn, all in my honor, for mine is the madness of the soul, and mine is also the voracity of the flesh, for my law is decay unto all entities. Cling to your instincts; follow them boldly; enter my howling wilderness. For mine is the primal urge which sets all beings in motion, and mine is the bleeding womb which is the origin of life and death. I am the cruel Goddess who spreads the seeds of chaos. Upon earth I am the forge of sorrow, and beyond death I am the gaping mouth of fang and phantom. All things will become my sacrifice, for behold I am the peril within each of you, and I am the source and the symbol of all your fears.

Hear now the words of the dangerous Goddess, She whose coils shroud the earth and whose body contains the flames of desire and destruction.

I who am the unyielding earth and the hidden moon and the flooding waters and the hungers in the heart of humanity, I call upon your loins to surrender your passion to me. For I am the needfire that kindles the universe. From me comes the craving to survive and the impetus to consume. I am the star vulva adored by deities and mortals, and my glowing walls dwarf your totality. Let my worship be in the ardent blindness of your union, for all the abandon of the dark is my ritual. Let there be yearning and mourning, tenderness and brutality, ferment and stagnation, leaven and poison within you. And you who try to comprehend me, know that all your courage and all your strength are as dust upon the whirlwind, for my mystery lies in terror and loneliness and exploding shadows. You who long for me shall look below your ideals and aspirations into the most raw and base parts of yourselves, for whether you follow me or flee from me, I am omnifarious. I am the pervasive spirit of annihilation.



2. HEKATE'S WALTZ

… Hekate, whom Zeus, son of Kronos,
honored above all others, for he gave her gifts that were glorious,
to have a part of the earth as hers, and a part of the barren
sea, and she, with a place also in the starry heaven,
is thus exalted exceedingly even among the immortals.

Hesiod, THEOGONY, lines 412-416
Translated by Richmond Lattimore

Unfortunately most Wiccan books depict Hekate as the crone, concerned only with the dark moon and banishings. Yet Greek sources do not portray Hekate as old; for example, the Orphic Hymn to Hekate calls her "Nymph" and "Maiden". As the torch-bearing psychopomp, she guides Persephone to and from the Underworld. She also has a share in the three realms of sky, sea and earth, and her sacred space is the crossroads where three roads meet. For more detailed and scholarly information, see Robert Von Rudloff's Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell, Erica, Liz

Dumbek, riq: Jezibell

She walks the triple crossroads
In the shadow of the moon.
We see Her glistening dagger,
Hear Her hounds’ mournful tune.

She is the mother of mysteries,
The keeper of the tomb.
Guiding the ways, guarding the gate,
She bestows fortune and doom.

CHORUS :
Hekate tends the portals of life,
Bending the borders of time.
The wisdom of earth and of sea and of sky
Are joined in Her spirit and mine.

Her dance is slow but not easy,
Follow in wonder and fright.
Her truth is not hard, but it’s bitter,
Her love is the depth of the night.

The sun will set at the end of the day.
The mightiest tide will fall.
Bright blossoms fade and decay into dust.
Decline will come to us all.

CHORUS 2x, repeat last 2 lines



3. DARKNESS CHANT

Joe first wrote this for his original coven over twenty-five years ago. Jezibell reworked it for use in our public and private rituals.

Words: Joe, edited and arranged by Jezibell

Vocals: Joe, Jezibell, Liz, Kurt, Erica

Dumbek: Jezibell Didjeridoo: Joe

Darkness, darkness, recall the darkness,
Darkness, darkness, devour the light,
Darkness, darkness, reclaim the darkness,
Darkness, darkness, recall the night.

Darkness, darkness, recall the darkness,
Darkness, darkness, reclaim the night,
Darkness, darkness, it is our mother,
Darkness, darkness, it is our might.

Darkness, darkness, recall the darkness,
Darkness, darkness, reclaim the might,
Darkness, darkness, it is our passion,
Darkness, darkness, it is our right.

Darkness, darkness, recall the darkness,
Darkness, darkness, reclaim our right,
Darkness, darkness, it is our wisdom,
Darkness, darkness, we are the night.



4. MAIDEN OF HADES

To the Greeks, the Underworld was the dim and dismal realm of Hades, where the shades of the living wandered in oblivion. Among the living, this state is called depression and is far more common than many of us would like to acknowledge.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell

Dumbek, underworld rattle: Jezibell
(Underworld rattle crafted by Heather Griffith)

I am a maiden of Hades
A shadow slowly fading
Unseen, untouched, unknown


Hades claimed me early
Before I found my flower
And though life flows around me
My world is pale and sour
No comfort for me in company
For he set me apart
From those who talk and touch and tease
And share with open hearts

But I am used to the cold dark places
The quiet pain and the empty spaces

I am a maiden of Hades
A shadow slowly fading
Unseen, untouched, unknown

I watch while others love and lose
And I will stay inside
I cannot fight and I don’t fit in
So I would rather hide
I have no attachments
Neither pride nor fear
And I’ll be gently drooping
‘Til he takes me from here

But I am used to the cold dark places
The quiet pain and the empty spaces

I am a maiden of Hades
A shadow slowly fading
Unseen, untouched, unknown
Unseen, untouched, unknown
Unseen, untouched, unknown



5. SOWING AND REAPING

This chant was first written for our ritual theatre production The Battle of Life and Death, and we often use it at Samhain and dark moon circles.

Words: Jezibell Music: Joe

Vocals: Joe, Kurt, Jezibell, Liz, Erica

Frame drum: Kurt

Sowing and reaping, sowing and reaping,
Growing and sleeping, growing and sleeping.
Circle of birth, circle of breath,
Circle of harvest, circle of death.



6. LILITH

Originally a Mesopotamian wind demon, Lilith became known as Adam's first wife in Jewish folklore (her story was created to explain the discrepancies between the two creation myths in Genesis). To Neopagans, Lilith often symbolizes female power and rebellion.

Words/vocal: Jezibell

Didjeridoo: Joe Clave: Kurt

Lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-toooooooooooo!
My wailing echoes in the dome of the sky.
Lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-lililili-toooooooooooo!
My keening quivers the veil of darkness.

I am the darkest dancer.
I offer my bones to the sirocco.
I am the nightbird, lashing my rage across the red sand.
I am the shadow of the moon, forced to concede my brightness to the sun.
I am the body of the woman, ordered to lie beneath the man.
But I do not yield well.

I chose exile over submission.
No more the sweet life of the lush gardens in the sheltered valley,
With rivers of water and milk, honey and wine,
Every tree fragrant with rich fruit,
And meat always at the end of my knife.

Now I dance barefoot upon the dry grit and sharp pebbles.
Nothing but flat and barren land here,
Where even the scorpion will not crawl.
I sing beside the bitterest of seas,
Too heavy for tides,
And too salty for fish.

But now I can claim theirs.
For all the young ones who are still undiminished are mine.
My desert is wide,
And here they can sing as loudly and fiercely as they please.
I teach them to blend into the night wind -
Lil-layla, Lil-layla, Lil-layla, Lil-layla, Lil-layla!

We no longer recognize our own screams.

The summer solstice, longest day of the year, also reminds us that the time of cold and dark will soon follow. Carpe diem.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocal, dumbek, sistrum: Jezibell

Hear my song, fair Queen of Summer
Now you smile in your lavish garden
Where the lilies bloom in beauty
Let me be your loyal bard

Yours the realm of growth and bounty
Green the trees in graceful splendor
The earth is rich in golden grains
The land sustained by rain and wind

Breathe in the scent of rose and jasmine
Hear the doves softly cooing
Taste the melons and the cherries
See the sky of boundless blue

I shall sing of fleeting pleasure
This peak of glory starts the facing
Let us linger in the brilliance
Sliding slowly towards the shade

Your merry reign will soon be waning
Flowers wither, you’ll be frowning
As grain is gathered for the harvest
Green and gold will dim to brown

But now we’ll dance across the meadow
While the days are warm and shining
Love still beckons in the moonlight
Raise the chalice, drain the wine
Raise the chalice, drain the wine
Raise the chalice, drain the wine

8. WHORE OF BABYLON

Scholars disagree as to the exact extent and functions of the sacred prostitute in ancient Near Eastern religion, but certainly on some ceremonial occasions a priestess would act as the human representative of the goddess in a sexual rite. One of the titles of the powerful Babylonian goddess Ishtar was the Great Whore, and this piece also references Crowley's Babalon, the Scarlet Woman.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocal, dumbek, riq: Jezibell

I stand at my window
In my clothes of gold and scarlet
My eyes and voice entice you
For I am the holy harlot
I wear rubies and pearls
And my temple’s full of treasure
Bring your tribute to me
For I am the source of pleasure

Bridge:
Do your will of love
Take your fill of love

Chorus:
I call forth the pure lust
I call forth the pure desire
With the might of the lion
And the serpent of fire
I arouse your splendor
Enhancing all you are
I'm the body of the Goddess
And the spirit of the stars!

I am known as Babylon
The priestess and the whore
Mine’s the path of passion,
The way of love and of war
Adore me in luxury
And celebrate my feast
Surrender inhibition
I’m the Queen of the Beast

Bridge/Chorus

I’m the blue-lidded daughter
Of the ever-changing moon
I intoxicate your senses
When you come into my room
I am temptress and teacher
And healer divine
Drink from my chalice
Let your flesh become mine

Bridge/Chorus

9. LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI

This poem is by John Keats (1795-1821), one of the greatest English romantic poets, known for his euphonious phrases and sumptuous imagery. The title translates as the beautiful lady without mercy, and any resemblance between this character and Jezibell is purely coincidental.

Words: Keats Music: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell, Kurt

Dumber, keyboard, shaker: Jezibell

O, what can ail thee, knight-at-arms,
Alone and palely loitering?
The sedge is wither'd from the lake,
And no birds sing.

O, what can ail thee, knight-at-arms,
So haggard and so woe-begone?
The squirrel's granary is full,
And the harvest's done.

I see a lily on thy brow,
With anguish moist and fever dew;
And on thy cheek a fading rose
Fast withereth too.

I met a lady in the meads
Full beautiful --- a faery's child;
Her hair was long, her foot was light,
And her eyes were wild.

I made a garland for her head,
And bracelets too, and fragrant zone;
She look'd at me as she did love,
And made sweet moan.

I set her on my pacing steed,
And nothing else saw all day long;
For sideways would she lean, and sing
A faery's song.

She found me roots of relish sweet,
And honey wild, and manna dew;
And sure in language strange she said,
I love thee true.'

She took me to her elfin grot,
And there she wept and sighed full sore,
And there I shut her wild sad eyes
With kisses four.

And there she lulled me asleep,
And there I dream'd --- ah! woe betide! ---
The latest dream I ever dreamt
On the cold hill side.

I saw pale kings, and princes too,
Pale warriors, death-pale were they all;
They cried ---
'La Belle Dame sans Merci
Hath thee in thrall!'

I saw their starved lips in the gloam
With horrid warning gaped wide,
And I awoke, and found me here
On the cold hill side.

And this is why I sojourn here,
Alone and palely loitering;
Though the sedge is wither'd from the lake,
And no birds sing.

Morrigan is a Celtic goddess of prophecy and battle whose totem is the raven. She is also a shapeshifter and psychopomp.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell, Kurt, Erica, Liz

Frame drum: Kurt

At the ford of the river,
She is washing bloody linen,
She is washing bloody linen at the ford.

At night they polish their weapons,
By day they learn how to kill.
When the warriors gather for battle,
They reckon their courage and skill

The chieftains ride out with their banners,
Their colors so bright and so proud.
And some see a lean and pale woman,
Bearing a dagger and shroud.

But the bards are conjuring victory,
While the captains are dreaming of gold.
The chariots roll o’er the meadows,
And the Morrigan roars fierce and bold.

Shout the challenge, raise the charge,
For the enemy must die,
Hurl the spear and draw the sword,
Dark wings soar across the sky.
Weapons clash, and bodies break,
Legs and hands and heads are lost,
Cut and thrust and stab and slaughter,
Count the glory, not the cost.

Green is the land that they fight for,
Black is the raven on high,
Red is the blood that feeds the earth,
White are the bones ‘neath the sky.

Now some bards are praising their victory,
And some captains are counting their gold,
But many lie slain on the meadows,
And the Morrigan gathers their souls.

But many lie slain on the meadows,
And the Morrigan gathers their souls.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell, Erica, Liz

Dumbek, shaker: Jezibell

Frame drum: Kurt

In Egyptian mythology, the fierce lioness goddess Sekhmet was sent by her father Ra to destroy rebellious humanity, and her rampage was only quelled when she drank beer disguised as blood. In historic times, the Egyptian priesthood continued to perform rites to appease her. From a psychological context, if we ignore our shadow self, it may destroy us. And Joe is quite happy to drink beer on New Year's Eve to propitiate Sekhmet.

Chorus:
Sekhmet, Power of the Flame
Sekhmet, Power of the Flame
Sekhmet, Power of the Flame
Sekhmet, Power of the Flame

Eye of fire, daughter of the sun,
From the barren desert, she comes to everyone.
Ravenous lioness, huntress of blood,
She is far more dreadful than the plague or the flood.

Chorus

She is savage beauty, golden and lean,
Roaring her warning as she glides through the green.
Flee, or she'll seize you, she's on the prowl.
See the vultures hover; hear the jackals howl.

Chorus

Her heart is desolation, her hunger is deep.
Finding her victim, she looks and she leaps.
Her claws rip and slash with ferocious skill,
Her teeth tear the flesh of her kill.

Drum break

Chorus

If you can please her, she may let you live.
Offer her a sacrifice; what can you give?
Those who fear her wildness soon will be devoured,
Those who face her pain and rage will be empowered!

Chorus

The Norse goddess of death is Hel, daughter of Loki,who is half beautiful woman, half rotting corpse. The vocables in the chorus are the vowels of Hel's name in runes - hagalaz, elhaz, laguz.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocals: Jezibell, Erica, Liz

Dumbek: Jezibell

Toning: Kurt, Joe

Chorus:

Aaah-aaah-aaah-eehh-aaah-aaah-oooh (3x)

It’s a slow path ‘cross the bridge of ice
Wide and smooth, but you don’t cross twice
You barely move in this realm of snow
Grey mist above, deep white below

Chorus

Hel waits in a field of frost
She remains when your world is lost
Her face half fair, and half decay
So much she sees, but cannot say

Chorus

There’s endless night beyond the sun
Despair and love blend into one
Dissolve the flesh, dissolve the will
All things fade within the chill

Chorus

13. THE UNDEAD DANCE

Joe and Jezibell played zombies in Biohazardous, a low-budget horror film which inspired the following song.

Words & music: Jezibell

Vocal, dumbek, shaker: Jezibell

Bell: Kurt

The undead dance in jerky spasm
Like some primeval protoplasm
They just have to keep on moving
Compelled by demonic grooving
Stiff legs awkwardly walking
Jaws flap as though they’re talking
Grisly, gruesome, grimy, gory,
Theirs the most pathetic story
Seeking some infernal glory;
But their eyes never close
And their mind never knows
That they’re dead

The undead feed on what they find
Dogs or children, they don’t mind
So much the living hold so dear
The undead know no pain or fear
Restraints do not deter them
And emotions do not stir them
Grisly, gruesome, grimy, gory,
Theirs the most pathetic story
Seeking some infernal glory;
But their eyes never close
And their mind never knows
That they’re dead

Only time can slow their dance
As they lose the strength to hold their stance
Stumbling as their blood is clotting
On limbs that quiver in their rotting
Now bits of flesh are falling off,
And as they drop, they’re crawling off
Grisly, gruesome, grimy, gory,
Theirs the most pathetic story
Seeking some infernal glory;
But their eyes never close
And their mind never knows
That they’re dead
They’re dead
They’re dead
They’re really most insincerely dead

A note on the instruments: The dumbek is a Middle Eastern hand drum, also known as a darbuka or tabla. The ashiko is a cone-shaped West African drum. The riq is a large deep-toned Egyptian tambourine. The didjeridoo is a long cylindrical instrument from Australia; blowing through it can produce various droning sounds.