Legend of the Descent of the Goddess Into the Nether Realm
[Long Version]

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, the Goddess, had never loved, but she would solve all mysteries, even the mystery of Death--and so she journeyed to the Nether Realm.

The Guardians of the Portals challenged her: "Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels, for naught may ye bring with ye 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 One.

Such was her beauty that Death himself knelt and laid his sword and crown at her feet 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 dost 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; abide with me."

But she answered, "I love thee not."

Then said Death, "An you receive not my hand on your heart, you must receive Death's scourge."

"It is fate, better so," she said, and she knelt. [3 + 7+ 9 + 21 = 40]

And Death scourged her gently, and she cried, "I feel the pangs of love."

And the God raised her, and said, "Blessed be..." He gave her the Fivefold Kiss:

"Blessed be the feet that have brought you in these ways;
Blessed be the knees that shall kneel at the sacred altar;
Blessed be thy womb, without which we could not be;
Blessed be thy breasts, erected in beauty and in strength;
Blessed be thy lips, which shall speak the sacred names."

Also he spake, saying, "Thus only may you attain to joy and knowledge."

And he taught her all the Mysteries and gave her the necklace, which is the Circle of Rebirth.

And she taught him the mystery of the sacred cup, which is the cauldron of rebirth. They loved, and were one.

And he taught her all the Magicks. For there be three great mysteries in the life of man--love, death, and resurrection in a new body--and magick controls them all.

"To fulfill love, you must return at the same time and place as the loved ones, 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 Magicks."

And our Goddess ever inclineth to love and mirth and happiness; in life, she guardeth and cherisheth her hidden children; and in death, she teacheth the way to have communion, and even in this world she teacheth them the Mystery of the Magick Circle, which is placed between the worlds.

Journey of the Lady
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