 
Preface For The Book of Shadows
If you would keep a book, let it be in your own hand of
write. Let brothers and sisters copy what they will, but
never let the book out of your hands, and never keep the
writings of another. For if it be found in their hand of
write, they may be taken and arraigned.
Let each guard his own writings and destroy them
whenever danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by heart
and, when danger is past, rewrite your book, an it be safe.
For this reason, if any die, destroy their book an they have
not been able to. For, an it be found, 'tis clear proof
against them'. And our oppressors know well 'Ye may not be a
witch alone'. So all their kin and friends be in danger of
torture. So destroy everything not necessary. If your book
be found on you, 'tis clear proof against you alone, you may
be arraigned.
Keep all thoughts of the Craft from your mind. If the
torture be too great to bear, say, 'I will confess. I cannot
bear this torture. What do you want me to say?' If they try
to make you speak of the Brotherhood, do not. But if they
try to make you spe ak of impossibilities such as flying
through the air, consorting with a Christian devil or
sacrificing children, or eating men's flesh, to obtain
relief from torture say, 'I had an evil dream, I was beside
myself, I was crazed.' Not all magistrates are bad, if there
be an excuse, they may show mercy. If you have confessed
ought, deny it afterwards, say you babbled under torture,
say you knew not what you said.
If you are condemned, fear not. The Brotherhood is
powerful and will help you to escape if you stand steadfast,
but if you betray ought there is no hope for you in this
life or in that to come. Be sure, if steadfast you go to the
pyre, drugs will reach you, you will feel naught. You go to
death and what lies beyond, the ecstasy of the Goddess.
To avoid discovery, let the working tools be as ordinary
things that any may have in their houses. Let the pentacles
be of wax so that they may be broken at once or melted. Have
no sword unless your rank allow it. Have no names or signs
on anything. Write the names and signs on them in ink before
consecrating them and wash it off immediately afterwards.
Let the colour of the hilts tell which is which. Do not
engrave them lest they cause discovery.
Ever remember ye are the hidden children of the Goddess
so never do anything to disgrace them or her. Never boast,
never threaten, never say you would wish ill of anyone. If
any person not in the circle, speak of the Craft, say,
'Speak not to me of such, it frightens me, 'tis evil luck to
speak of it.' For this reason, the Christians have their
spies everywhere. These speak as if they were affected to
us, as if they wouldn't come into our meetings, saying, 'My
mother used to worship the Old O nes. I would I could go
myself.' To such as these, ever deny all knowledge.
But to others, ever say, 'Tis foolish men talk of
witches flying through the air. To do so they must be as
light as thistledown. And men say that witches all be
blear-eyed old crones, so what pleasure can there be at a
witch meeting such as folks talk on?' And say, 'Many wise
men now say there be no such creatures.' Ever make it a
jest, and in some future times perhaps, the persecution may
die and we may worship in safety again.
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