I believe in Dionysos Bakcheios,
the Starry Bull, the Liberator;
continually born, continually dying,
and continually experiencing rebirth;
whose presence in its fullness
fills heaven, earth, and the realms below.

I believe everything dances;
that nothing is ever truly lost,
but that life simply returns
in different forms.

I believe that joy is holy,
that beauty is revelatory,
that suffering is transformative,
that love is stronger than despair,
and that every ending
conceals a new beginning.

I believe that every soul
is called to awaken,
to be purified,
to seek wholeness,
and to draw ever nearer
to the divine through
love, ecstasy, wisdom,
and right action.

I believe that the Gods
reveal themselves
through nature,
through dreams,
through poetry,
through music,
through philosophy,
through ritual,
and through the hearts of those
who seek them with reverence.

I believe that the Holy Words,
the Sacred Rites,
the Mysteries,
and the living thiasos
are gifts through which
Dionysos continues
to teach, transform,
and bless his people.

I believe that our calling
is to cultivate virtue,
to cherish fellowship,
to care for the earth,
to honor our ancestors,
to welcome the stranger,
to seek wisdom,
to celebrate life,
to worship the divine,
and to become worthy members
of the thiasos when we die.

I believe that the heroes and heroines,
the prophets,
the poets,
the performers,
the philosophers,
and the warriors
who have carried the flame before us
remain our companions in memory,
our teachers in wisdom,
and our inspiration
in the work that lies ahead.

Therefore I will strive
to live with courage,
discipline,
reverence,
joy,
creativity,
compassion,
justice,
and wisdom,
that I may better perform
this work, both here and there.

I believe that death
is not the end of the journey,
but another mystery;
and I await with hope
the further unfolding of the soul
beneath the gracious gaze
of Dionysos Bakcheios.

Io euoi! Euoi euoi!

Io Dionysos Bakcheios,
the Starry Bull,
now and through
all the turnings
of the eternal dance.