Cordelia Foxx:  The Sacred Taking is a ritual used in times of crisis to ensure the survival of the coven . It has been invoked three times in our history . The first , during the Salem Witch Trials in _ 1692 _ . The coven had decided to flee south , away from Salem and the persecution of the Court of Oyer and Terminer . The reigning Supreme at that time , Prudence Mather , suffered from consumption , and knew she would be too weak to make the journey . She gathered her witches and invoked the Sacred Taking . It 's the most hallowed sacrifice a Supreme can make . Prudence took her own life , which allowed a new Supreme to rise and lead them to safety .