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[K] If there be any disputes or quarrels among the brethren, the [10] High Priestess shall straight convene the
Elders and enquire into the matter, and they shall hear both sides, first alone, then together, and they shall decide
justly, not favouring the one side or the other, ever recognizing that there be people who can never agree to work
under others, but at the same time there be some people who [15] cannot rule justly. To those who ever must be
chief, there is one answer, "Void the Coven and seek another, or make a Coven of your own, taking with you those
who will to go." To those who cannot rule justly, the answer be, "Those who cannot bear your rule will leave
you," for none may come to meetings with those with whom they are at [20] variance; so, an either cannot agree,
get hence, for the Craft must ever survive. So it be Aredan.
[L] In the olden days when we had power, we could use our Arts against any who ill-treated any of the
Brotherhood, but in these evil times, we may not do so, for our enemies have devised a burning [25] pit of everlasting
fire, into which they say their God casteth all the people who worship him, except it be the very few who are
released by their priests' spells and Masses, and this be chiefly by giving money and rich gifts to receive his favour,
for their Alther Greatest God [Greatest God of all] is ever in need of Money. [30] But as our Gods need our aid to
make fertility for men and crops, So the God of the Christians is ever in need of man's help to search out and
destroy us. Their priests tell them that any who get our help or our cures are damned to the Hell forever, so men
be mad for the terror of it. But they make men [35] believe that they may scape this hell if they give victims to the
tormenters. So for this reason all be forever spying, thinking, "An I can but catch one of the Wicca I will scape
this fiery pit." But we have our hidels, and men searching long and not finding say, "there be none, or if they be,
they be in a far country." [40] But when one of our oppressors die, or even be sick, ever is the cry, "This be Witches
Malice," and the hunt is up again. And though they slay ten of their people to one of ours, still they care not;
they have many thousands, while we are few indeed. So it is Aredan that none shall use the Art in any way to do
ill [45] to any, howevermuch they have injured us. And for long we have obeyed this law, "Harm none" and
nowtimes many believe we exist not. So it be Aredan that this law shall still continue to help us in our plight.
No one, however great an injury or injustice they receive, may use the Art in any to do ill or harm any. [50] But
they may, after great consultations with all, use the Art to prevent or restrain Christians from harming us and
others, but only to let or constrain them and never to punish, to this end.
Page 40
The Gardnerian Book of Shadows
Men say, "Such an one is a mighty searcher out and persecutor of Old Women whom he deemeth to be Witches,
[55] and none hath done him Skith [harm], so this be proof they cannot, or more truly, that there be none," For all
know full well that so many folk
have died because someone had a grudge against them, or were persecuted because they had money or goods to seize,
or because they had none to bribe the searchers. And many have died [60] because they were scolding old women, so
much so that men now say that only old women are witches, and this be to our advantage, and turns suspicion
away from us.
In England 'tis now many a year since a witch hath died the death, but any misuse of the power might raise the
Persecution again; so never break this law, [65] however much you are tempted, and never consent to its being
broken. If you know it is being broken in the least, you must work strongly against it, and any High Priestess or
High Priest who consents to it must be immediately deposed, for 'tis the blood of the Brethren they endanger. Do
good, an it be safe, and only if [70] it be safe, for any talk may endanger us.
[M] And strictly keep to the Old Law, never accept money for the use of the art. It is Christian priests and
sorcerers who accept money for the use of their Arts, and they sell Dwale and evil love spells and pardons to let
men scape from their sins. [75] Be not as these. Be not as these. If you accept not money, you will be free of
temptation to use the Art for evil causes.
[N] You may use the Art for your own advantage, or for the advantage of the Craft, only if you be sure you harm
none. But ever let the Coven debate the matter at length. Only if all are satisfied that none may be harmed [80]
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