E
THE DESCENT OF THE GODDESS
Tana, our Lady and Goddess, would solve all mysteries, even the mystery of Death. And so she journeyed to the Underworld in her boat, upon the Sacred River of Descent. Then it came to pass that she entered before the first of the seven gates to the Underworld. And the Guardian challenged her, demanding one of her garments for passage, for nothing may be received except that something be given in return. And at each of the gates the goddess was required to pay the price of passage, for the guardians spoke to her: "Strip off your garments, and set aside your jewels, for nothing may you bring with you into this our realm."
So Tana surrendered her jewels and her clothing to the Guardians, and was bound as all living must be who seek to enter the realm of Death and the Mighty Ones. At the first gate she gave over her scepter, at the second her crown, at the third her necklace, at the fourth her ring, at the fifth her girdle, at the sixth her sandals, and at the seventh her gown. Tana stood naked and was presented before Dis, and such was her beauty that he himself knelt as she entered. He laid his crown and his sword at her feet, saying: "Blessed are your feet which have brought you down this path. Then he arose and said to Tana: "Stay with me I pray, and receive my touch upon your heart."
And Tana replied to Dis: "But I love you not, for why do you cause all the things that I love, and take delight in, to fade and die?"
"My Lady" replied Dis, "it is age and fate against which you speak. I am helpless, for age causes all things to whither, but when men die at the end of their time, I give them rest, peace, and strength. For a time they dwell with the Moon, and the spirits of the moon; then may they return to the realm of the living. But you are so lovely, and I ask you to return not, but abide with me here."
But she answered: "No, for I do not love you." Then Dis said: "If you refuse to embrace me, then you must kneel to death's scourge." The goddess answered him: "If it is to be, then it is fate, and better so!" So Tana knelt in submission before the hand of death, and he scourged her with so tender a hand that she cried out "I know your pain, and the pain of love."
Dis raised her to her feet and said: "Blessed are you, my Queen and my Lady." Then he gave to her the five kisses of initiation, saying: "Only thus may you attain to knowledge and to joy."
And he taught her all of his mysteries, and he gave her the necklace which is the circle of rebirth. And she taught him her mysteries of the sacred cup which is the cauldron of rebirth.
They loved and joined in union with each other, and for a time Tana dwelled in the realm of Dis.
For there are three mysteries in the life of man, which are: birth, sex, and death (and love controls them all). To fulfill love, you must return again at the same time and place as those who loved before. And you must meet, recognize, remember, and love them anew. But to be reborn you must die and be made ready for a new body. And to die you must be born, but without love you may not be born among your own.
But our Goddess is inclined to favor love, and joy, and happiness. She guards and cherishes her hidden children in this life and the next. In death she reveals the way to her communion, and in life she teaches them the magick of the mystery of the Circle (which is set between the worlds of men and of the gods).
THE MYTH OF THE ASCENT
Now the time came in the Hidden Realm of Shadows that Tana would bear the Child of the Great Dark Lord. And the Lords of the Four Corners came and beheld the newborn god. Then they spoke to Tana of the misery of the people who lived upon the World, and how they suffered in cold and in darkness. So Tana bid the Lords to carry Her son to the World, and so the people rejoiced, for the Sun God had returned.
And it came to pass that Tana longed for the Light of the World, and for Her many Children. So She journeyed to the World and was welcomed in great celebration. Then Tana saw the splendor of the new God as He crossed the heavens, and she desired Him. But each night He returned to the Hidden Realm and could not see the beauty of the Goddess in the night sky.
So one morning the Goddess arose as the God came up from the Hidden Realm, and She bathed nude in the sacred lake of Nemi. Then the Lords of the Four Corners appeared to Him and said: "Behold the sweet beauty of the Goddess of the Earth." And He looked upon Her and was struck with Her beauty so that He descended upon the earth in the form of a great stag.
"I have come to play beside your bath," He said, but Tana gazed upon the stag and said "You are not a stag but a god!" Then He answered: "I am Kern, God of the Forest. Yet as I stand upon the World I touch also the sky and I am Lupercus the Sun, who banishes the Wolf Night. But beyond all of this I am Tanus, the first born of all the Gods!"
Tana smiled and stepped forth from the water in all Her beauty. "I am Fana, Goddess of the Forest, yet even as I stand before you I am Diana, Goddess of the Moon. But beyond all this I am Tana, first born of all Goddesses!"
And Tanus took Her by the hand and together they walked in the meadows and forests, telling their tales of ancient mysteries. They loved and were One and together they ruled over the World. Yet even in love, Tana knew that the God would soon cross over to the Hidden Realm and Death would come to the World. Then must She descend and embrace the Dark Lord, and bear the fruit of their Union.