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Book of Shadows
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Book of Shadows By: Al Selden Leif The Book of Shadows is one of the tools used for a ritual, done by a Witch. My Book of Shadows contains information about Witchcraft, Wicca, cross studies of different religions, rituals, spells, potions, chants, Witchcraft laws, dogmas and ethics, charges, herbal and healing lore, incarnations, divinatory methods, and miscellaneous topics. This serves as a guide in my Craft. The setup of the Book of Shadows can vary by person or Coven. Until recent times the book of shadows was kept in secrecy. In addition or within your Book of Shadow you may have a description of a set of magical symbols and how to combine them properly. This is usually noted as a Grimoire, if kept separated from the Book of Shadows. I, personally, have the two combined. The name Grimoire is derived from the word Grammar, which is a description of a set of symbols and how to combine them to create well-formed sentences. Traditionally, only one book of shadows was to exist in a coven. The High Priest or High Priestess was the one who kept it safe. Now, most Witches have their own as it is unfeasible for the solitaire practitioner to use one within a Coven. Most witches now, copy information from each other as well as from the High Pries or High Priestess. In the days of old one would have to hand write what information they wanted copied. It was customary to copy from the Book of Shadows held by your coven’s High Priest or High Priestess. A Book of Shadows can be a binder, hand made or a book that says Book of Shadows on it which can be purchased and used. Some prefer theirs to be on parchment paper. It is not uncommon, today, for one to keep a Book of Shadows on their computer or on disks. It is a matter of individual preference. I prefer to keep mine in a binder. Some Witches include their drawings, poetry and diaries within their Book of Shadows. The Book of Shadows can be of any colour that you choose. It is up to the owner of the Book of Shadows who looks inside or at the contents. In the days of old it was considered taboo to look at another’s Book of Shadows. It remains a mystery as to how the practice of using a Book of Shadows was reawakened in the mid-twentieth century. Hereditary Witches claim that their descendants have recorded some of their spells and lore and passed them down. It is said that they wrote everything in little black books. Charles Godfrey Leland published Ardia, or Gospel of the Witches in 1899. He claimed that it contained Witch lore passed to him by an Etruscan Witch. Gerald B Gardner’s Book of Shadows is an example of how a Book of Shadows is acquired, rewritten and passed on. Gardner had taken some material that Aleister Crowley had written and added it to what he had already had (his own and other peoples writings). With the help of Doreen Valiente, Gardner’s Book of Shadows, later, no longer contained much of Crowley’s materials. With what information remained, the Gardnerian tradition of Witchcraft was evolved. Alexander Sanders modified Gardner’s Book of Shadows to form the Alexandrian tradition of Witchcraft. Gardner's Book of Shadows has inspired the Books of Shadows for other traditions, as well. It was also noted that in the days of old the Book of Shadows was buried with the Witch or burned upon the person's death to protect its contents. However, Valiente has acquired Gardner’s Book of Shadows as he wanted it passed. Other Books of Shadows may have been kept as historical documents or simply as a remembrance. I am including a list of how some Book of Shadows’ are kept in order. This is not the standard way nor is it the order I have mine. 1) Redes, Laws, Ethics, Dogmas and Charges 2) Elements and their Correspondences 3) Tools and How to Consecrate them 4) Circle Casting and Ritual Etiquette 5) Rituals 6) Spells and Potions 7) Chanting and Meditations 8) Symbols and their Uses 9) Candles and their Uses 10) Colours and their Correspondences 12) Divinations 11) Writings of the Witch 13) Miscellaneous Some choose to alphabetize their Book of Shadows. It is solely up to the individual or Coven when setting up a Book of Shadows. My Book of Shadows is currently unorganized and cluttered as I have added so much through the years. Rearranging the order at this point could be either beneficial or cause confusion. It is better to be able to find what you are looking for in a timely manner. When setting up or rearranging a Book of Shadows it is a good practice to know the order in which you have everything. Some include a table of contents to remind themselves of where everything is. In conclusion, the Book of Shadows reflects the practices and beliefs of each coven within a tradition, and those that are independent of a tradition, as well as the interests and specialties of an individual Witch. It can serve as a dynamic collection of information, with additions being made when necessary. 
Questions and Answers What is a Book of Shadows? It's a personal reference book about Wicca and Witchcraft. What do I use to make my own? In my opinion, a 3-4inch binder will be best. You can buy a $20-60 book that says Book Of Shadows, or has some symbol on it, but the bad thing about thoes, is that you can't take out pages or put new ones in. If you're on a budget, and can't afford a pricey BoS, it's best to just buy a binder (of your favorite colour) and buy a pack of 3-holed lined or blank paper (any colour of your choice). You can also get a white or black paint pen (or black Sharpie if your book is a light colour) and put your own symbol on it (it's best to use pencil first, so you can make sure it looks good before you actuly use a permanent pen). You can also buy a note book as well. What colour should my BoS be? Does it have to be black? To truly make it your personal book, choose your favorite colour, not your NOW favorite colour, use the one you've loved your WHOLE life, it will mean more. NO, it DOESN'T have to be black. Most people choose black 'cause EVERYBODY else uses it. Use your favorite colour. Can other people look at my BoS? Yes, it's up to the owner who exactly looks at it. They don't have to be Wiccan or Pagan to look at it. You don't have to allow people to look at it if you don't want them to. Will my BoS powers leave if others look at it? No, not at all. I personaly don't believe a book has power, no matter what it's called. The Witch however, does, and your power wont die. Will I die if somebody else gets ahold of my BoS? Hell no! Those are just rumors, mainly started by movies and tv. What do I put in my BoS? Information about Wicca and Witchcraft. Spells. Correspondence. Riturals. Journal/Diary. Thoughts. Poetry. Art/Drawings. Dreams. Astrology. Crystals. Herbs. Essential oils. Basicly ANYTHING you want. Can I draw in my BoS? What can I draw? You can draw whatever YOU want. It's YOUR book, so do what feels right to YOU. Why is it called a Book of Shadows? In the old days, they had to be kept secret, in the shadows, or the owners would be killed for practising Witchcraft. Keep in mind, your personal BoS is YOURS, and what YOU choose to put in it is YOUR dicision. Don't let ANYBODY tell you different. |
