Goddess of Autumn

A poem by Viviane Crowley

I am the Waning Moon, the Goddess who is fading from the land

In the Springtime I sought my Lord and mated with him beneath the trees and stars

At Bealtaine I wed my Lord beneath the first blossoms of the hawthorn tree

And in the Summertime I ripened the apples in the orchards and the fruit grew round and strong

At the corn harvest I cut down my Lord that by his death our people might be fed

And now in the Autumn time I descend beneath the Earth

To dwell with my Lord in his dark kingdom until our child is born

At the Winter Solstice I will bring forth the child and renew your hope

And at Candlemas I myself will return to renew the land.

I leave you, but I return to you

When you see my power fade and the leaves fall from the trees

When snow obliterates like death all trace of me upon the Earth

Then look for me in the Moon and in the heavens, you will see the soul of me

Soaring still among the stars and in that darkest time

When the Moon is covered by shadow and there is no trace of me in Heaven or on Earth

When you look outward and your lives seem cold and dark and barren

Let not despair eat at your hearts.

For when I am hidden I am but renewing

When I am waning I am making ready for return

Remember my promise and look within you

And there you will find the spirit of me

Awaiting those who will seek

For by the well-spring of your being I await you always.

I am Diana in Heaven and on Earth, Persephone

And within you that dark Hecate

Triple am I - the One in Three

My body the Earth My soul the Moon

And within thine innermost self

The eternal spirit of me.