How to Start Your Book of Shadows
Traditionally, the Book of Shadows was handwritten, copied from a High Priestess or Priest when entering into the religion. However, any way you wish to keep your Book of Shadows is fine, there is no benefit to handwriting it. Just make sure you are comfortable with whatever utensil you use, whether it be your keyboard, a pencil, or even a sharpie.
The are many beautifully bound books, but instead of keeping it in the form of an actual book, you can also keep the information in a 3-ring binder (my choice) or on a disk. Simply make sure that it feels right to you.
Some of the basic things you may want to have in your Book of Shadows:
A Dedication
Protection Spell
Table of Contents
Glossary of Terms
Sacred and traditional texts like The Wiccan Rede &/or The Charge of the Goddess.
Information on the Sabbats (Wiccan holidays) and Wiccan Wheel of the Year (calendar for the cycle of the seasons)
Information on Goddesses and Gods
Correspondences: Amulets, colors, incenses, stones, symbols, etc.
Outlines: Spells, rituals, altar set-ups, etc.
Recipes: Food, incense, oils, etc.
Meditations: Chants, prayers, poetry, etc.
Lores: Moon, dragon, fairy, etc.
Divination Studies: Runes, palmistry, tarot, ouiji, etc.
Index
Of course, there is a lot more that can be included in your Book of Shadows and any of the things I listed can also be taken out. It all depends on your path choice and what you personally feel needs to be in there. If it doesn't feel right, you're not at all required to keep it in your book. Also, you may want to leave some blank pages in between sections. Doing this, you can write down any additional thoughts you may have about a particular part of your book or about anything you may have tried and want to keep record of. Soon enough, you'll see that your book will become full before you know it.
The order in which you put things doesn't matter. It's personal preference. It can be organized and sorted in any way you feel comfortable with, just remember that this book and its contents will become a very important part of your magical practice and you'll be using it often. You'll want to be able to find things easily.
Now that you've got the basics, go get started on your Book of Shadows.
Published by Bambi
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9 Comments
Post a CommentDo it as you start your journey, you can always add more things as you go.
I'm fairly 'new' to Wicca (taking my first steps to fully commit and commune). I've begun reading, and some meditation, but was wondering at what time should I begin my Book of Shadows? I'm going to begin solitary practition (may seek out a Coven in time) and will seek a mentor soon, but I'm not sure if I should begin my Book now as I start my journey or wait until I'm well educated in the Craft and on my way to 'induction'? Feedback very welcome! Thank you!
I use a 3 ring binder-and print my pages out and put them in plastic sheets..On the back of spell pages I handwrite my results...the only thing I hate is that the binder is big! I want the "charmed" type book they sell on ebay.
For my BOS I use a scrapbook album that is post bound with the sheet protecter covers and all you have to do is add more posts to the ones already there to make it a larger book. It works extremely well. It is like a thre-ring binder but you don't really have to have more then one book if you don't want to just one really big book.
i use a three ring binder in plastic sheets. thie problem is i'm on book three of my bos and it can be pricey but worth it!
i use a three ring binder in plastic sheets. thie problem is i'm on book three of my bos and it can be pricey but worth it!
i use a three ring binder in plastic sheets. thie problem is i'm on book three of my bos and it can be pricey but worth it!
Great article. I decided to use a 3-ring binder for ease in inserting, removing, and rearranging pages. I'm also planning on using Microsoft Access to sort my spells and such, for easy recall. Yet, I am still tempted to use the handcrafted BOS that I sell on my store stie (www.ryverswitchywonders.weblodge.net). They are beautiful, but i don't like my handwriting and prefer organizing printing out my pages after organizing them on the computer.
Interesting :)