(Preface to the Book Of Shadows)
'Keep a book 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 found in their hand of write they may well be taken and tortured. Each shall guard his own writing and destroy it when danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by heart and when danger is past rewrite your book if it be safe. For this reason if any die, destroy their book if they have not been able to, for an it be found 'tis clear proof against them, and "Ye may not be a witch alone", so all their friends be in danger of torture. So destroy everything not necessary. If your book be found on you 'tis clear proof against you alone and you may be tortured. Keep all thoughts of the cult from your mind; say you had bad dreams, a devil caused you to write this without your knowledge. Think to yourself, "I know nothing. I remember nothing. I have forgotten all.." Drive this into your mind. If the torture be too great to bear, say, "I will confess, I cannot bear this torment. What do you want me to say? Tell me and I will say it." If they try to make you speak of impossibilities, such as flying through the air, consorting with the Devil and sacrificing children and eating man's flesh, to obtain relief from torture say, "I had an evil dream, I was not myself, I was crazed."'
'Not all magistrates are bad. If there be an excuse they may show mercy. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards; say you babbled under the torture, you knew not what you did or said. If you be condemned, fear not; the Brotherhood is powerful. They may help you to escape if you are steadfast. IF YOU BETRAY AUGHT THERE IS NO HOPE FOR YOU IN THIS LIFE OR IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME. 'Tis sure, if steadfast you go to the pyre, drugs help you; they will reach you and you will feel naught. An you go but to death, what lies beyond? The ecstasy of the Goddess.'
'The same of the Working Tools; let them be ordinary things that any may have in there houses. Let the pentacles be of wax that thay may be melted away or broken at once. Have no sword unless your rank allows you one, and have no names or signs on anything. Write the names and signs on in ink before consecrating them and wash off immediately after. Never boast, never threaten, never say you would wish ill to anyone. If you speak of the Craft, say, "Speak not to me of such, it frightens me, 'tis evil luck to talk of it".'
(The authentic text of the original Book of Shadows.)
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