Are you ready to start your Book of Shadows? Perhaps you’ve been keeping one all along, although you may call it a dream record or art journal. Because the Book of Shadows is a record of your personal explorations in magic, it can include anything that helps you reach into the hidden world where emotions and intuition prevail. The book is itself a tool of magic, and it is the first and most important magic implement you should create or acquire. It is a diary, a guide to herbs, gems and stars, a recipe box, a log of spells, a repository for collected wisdom — your own and others’.
Your Book of Shadows can be as elaborate as a hand-tooled leather-bound tome or as simple as a child’s spiral notebook. Many witches make their own books. Whatever you use, be not afraid to write or draw in your book. It is your own, and no one will laugh or criticize. If your own handwriting displeases you, take some time to learn italic script. Some witches still use the secret Theban alphabet invented by 11th-century ceremonial magicians. This may help to conceal your practices from prying eyes.
You can also keep your Book of Shadows on your computer. Any technology can be integrated and used in a magical system. You can create beautiful works of magical art, copy and paste in other images that please you, create collages, even add music. Theban and other secret alphabets are available as computer fonts.
Whatever you use, be sure that your first action is to consecrate your book and dedicate it to its magical purpose.
Some traditional Wiccans write out or print the orders of rituals in large clear letters, slip them into page protectors and keep them indexed in a looseleaf binder. This way the words can be accessed easily during bonfire-lit nighttime gatherings, and won’t get splashed with wax or wine.
Our online Book of Shadows offers many spells for you to try and adapt to your own needs. Come and discuss your experiences and ideas in our forum. Rickard Rakell Womens Jersey
Witchcraft has always been associated with books. The ancient Egyptians saw reading and writing as magical arts. In the old pagan days, books were such a symbol of wisdom that folk healers would collect books and display them even if they were illiterate. Those who could read and write would often keep a book with spells, lists of herbs and their properties, and magickal knowledge gathered from others, for the old ones knew as we know today that shared knowledge strengthens all.
During and after the Middle Ages and the fearsome Burning Times, witches took great care to conceal their books, for these could be used as evidence against them. Many simply memorized everything and hid or destroyed their books. At the time, these records were not called a Book of Shadows. That name most likely started with Gerald Gardner in the 1940s, and it was he who gave that name to any book of knowledge kept by a witch. The older name is grimoire, from the French word for grammar, reflecting the relationship between literacy and magic.
Within traditional Wicca, a Book of Shadows is a book of rituals used at sabbats and esbats, but it also applies to a witch’s personal notebook. You should begin keeping one as soon as you learn the basics of witchcraft and begin your process of introspection and discovery. In addition to this personal journal, your book should also have a section devoted to magical work. When you cast a spell or create a charm, write it in this section, including materials, diagrams and recipes. Leave space for later updates on whether or not it worked. Another section can have lists of herbs, foods and natural materials with their magical properties. Anything useful learned from other witches goes in the book as well. A.J. Derby Womens Jersey
The cover of the Wiccan book of shadows can be any color, picture or design. The owner of the book of shadows needs to have the cover be just as personal as the inside of the book of shadows. If the Wiccan has interests in gardening, crocheting, knitting, music, animals, foods, nature, or anything else they can use their interest for the cover of their book of shadows.
How to Create Your Own Book of Shadows
There are many Wiccans who enjoy the fun and creativity of making their own book of shadows. They enjoy dividing their book of shadows into certain categories that are important to them. By having the categories in the book of shadows it is easier to find the information that is needed to help out with a certain situation. When a Wiccan makes their own book of shadows they are following their own path rather than doing what another Wiccan is doing.
Some Wiccans will keep what they have put into their book of shadows to themselves, while others will share what they have in order to help others through difficult times. Many times a Wiccan will write down mantras, or music, or meditations they feel will help another Wiccan, but any changes needed to be made to the book of shadows should be made only by the Wiccan who created the book of shadows.
The book of shadows is a personal resource to find information quickly when an answer to a certain problem is needed immediately. People have all types of books, and look through all of them to find one answer, when the organized book of shadows is an easier way to go. It does not matter how big or little your book of shadows is. As time moves along you will add or subtract from your book of shadows, until you finally get your book of shadows exactly the way you want it.
Before starting your book of shadow write down what you want in your book of shadows, and how you want it laid out. You can add pictures, meditations, categories of all kinds that you as the owner of the book of shadows will allow you to follow your path easier. Brendan Langley Authentic Jersey
