This is the same Oath our first teacher, Alaine Ehrhardt, had the original coven members take before starting to teach us. We ask that all using the Associates’ Area take it before entering for the first time, then renew it once a year:
“I, (Craft Name), before those assembled here as Witnesses [1], do solemnly swear that I will always keep secret those things entrusted to my ears alone [2] in this Sanctuary of the Gods [3], unless it be to another person properly sworn [4] before these Witnesses. And may the powers of my mind turn against me [5] should I break this solemn Oath.
So Mote It Be.”
Scary? Not really. Let’s tease it apart and see what it actually means in the context of signing up on-line.
[1] “Before those assembled as Witnesses.” These, first and foremost, are the Gods, or Spirit in whatever form you conceive it. We recommend you invoke Them silently to attend as you take the Oath. If you belong to a coven already or just have like-minded friends, you may want them present too. Better, gather them all to take the Oath and sign in together. It’s up to you. And to them, of course!
[2] “Those things entrusted to my ears alone.” This means everything in the members-only section. The Associates hold copyright to all these materials.
[3] “In this Sanctuary of the Gods.” Originally that meant “physically present in a duly cast Circle.” While The Moon Path tells how to do that, it’s not often practical to have a computer inside (tech may malfunction!) so for now consider whatever place you take the Oath and plan to view member materials as the Sanctuary.
[4] “Another person properly sworn.” Share these materials freely with others so sworn, in your coven or other working or study group if you have one. Just don’t publish them or put them on Facebook or a website without asking our permission first. Contact us here.
[5] “And may the powers of my mind turn against me.” There’s an old witches’ maxim, “power shared is power lost.” We hope you will get great benefit from the materials we publish for members. By swearing this, though, you consent before the Witnesses to lose the benefits from anything you share in violation of the Oath.
We deliberately invoke no further penalty, but in the words of a long-term Associate “we take no responsibility for bad karma, illness, accidents, unwanted manifestations, recurring nightmares, possession, disappearance, entoadment, etc.,” which may result from unauthorized sharing or other misuse of these materials.
