BOOK OF SHADOWS
My first Book of Shadows began with my original coven when I copied from their Book of Shadows. From then on it has become an eclectic collection of spells, rituals and useful information. This compilation of five volumes took many years to collect. The red book is mainly an index to all the others as I could never find anything. The black book with red trim is more of a diary of magick meetings and workings.
For a truly organized Book of Shadows, a ring binder, with labelled tabs, would have been great. The pages could be rearranged as necessary and it would make finding spells, rituals or tables of reference so much easier. One with a leather covering would look more like most people imagines they do. Of course I never thought of that at the time and they probably were not around.
I also know of some modern-day witches who keep their Book of Shadows on their computers. This again would be an easy method.
But I must admit I like the idea of having a more traditional looking, magickal and mystical book to reference.
In my Book of Shadows there is circle casting, a guide to the sabbats, rituals, many different tables of reference for planets, colours, candles, herbs, all things relating to Witchcraft. Words and music of Pagan songs are also contained within my books. Of course it had to include the Witch’s Rune, The Witch’s Creed and The Charge. The Wiccan Rede was necessary…. “Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill – An it harm none, do what thou wilt”, to provide an ethical way of life.
Crystals are mentioned in my BoS but my main source of reference for them is my book, The Definitive Crystal, Gem and Mineral Reference Guide. This book took me several years and a lot of research to write and is invaluable to me. Along the way I gathered many of the crystals to meditate on as I wrote about them. I use these crystals daily and they surround me in my home.
Your Book of Shadows is a personal and private journal of your thoughts and path. Therefore no-one else should ever write in it but you. If someone has something they want to record they need to start their own book.
There are many books written today with all the information you could ever want. The internet is also a great source of reference. There are a lot of different paths you can take in your spiritual journey and most of that information is readily available. Back when I began, books on anything along these lines were extremely hard to come by. We had to search interstate and overseas which meant that any access to other Books of Shadows was priceless. Witchcraft was very much a secret way of life in those days and in many parts of the world illegal. It has become very much more open and available these days, but there are still people around who either don’t believe in it or are frightened by it.
I am a solitary witch by choice now, only occasionally working with other people, so my Books of Shadow are very necessary. I take what I need to use for spells, rituals and tables of correspondence from any source and path I can find.
Spells or rituals to cause harm or evil only bring negativity and thus don’t have a place in a book that in my opinion, requires positive vibrations. Also your BoS should only contain things to do with Wicca, Witchcraft and Magick.
A Book of Shadows is a personal collection kept by Witches and Pagans whilst a Grimoire is not so personal and instead includes information about rituals, spells, potions, and how to prepare magical tools.
