How To
Make a Book of Shadows
The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store
information you'll need in your magical tradition. Many Pagans feel a BOS
should be handwritten, but some use a computer to store information as well.
Bear in mind that a BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item
of power that should be consecrated with all of your other magical tools. Copy
spells and rituals into your BOS by hand – this will not only transfer energy
to the writer, but it also helps you to memorize the contents. Make sure you
write legibly enough that you’ll be able to read your notes during a ritual!
What You Need:
Notebook or binder
Pens and Paper
Sheet protectors (optional)
Here's How:
To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank notebook. A popular method is
to use a three-ring binder so items can be added and rearranged as needed. If
you use this style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is great
for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings from getting on the pages!
Whatever you select, your title page should include your name. Make it fancy or
simple, depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a magical
object and should be treated accordingly. Many witches simply write, “The Book
of Shadows of [your name]” on the front page.
What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of
Shadows in secret, magical alphabets, Witches Runes, aka Theban alaphbet.
Unless you’re fluent enough in one of these systems that you can read it
without having to check notes or a chart, stick with your native language.
While a spell looks beautiful written out in flowing Elvish script or Klingon
lettering, the fact is that it’s just hard to read unless you’re an Elf or a
Klingon.
When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections
that are nearly universally included.
Laws of your coven or tradition: Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they
may vary from group to group, it’s a really good idea to keep them at the front
of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what
doesn’t. If you’re part of an eclectic tradition that doesn’t have written
rules, or if you’re a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what
YOU think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you don’t set yourself
some guidelines, how will you know when you’ve crossed over them? This may
include a variation on the Witches Rede, or some similar concept.
A dedication: If you’ve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a
copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Witches dedicate
themselves to a God or Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is
a good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to, and why. This can
be a lengthy essay, or it can be as simple as saying, “I,
Gods and Goddesses: Depending on what pantheon or tradition you follow, you may
have a single God and Goddess, or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to
keep legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If your practice
is an eclectic blend of different spiritual paths, it’s a good idea to include
that here.
Sabbat rituals: The Wheel of the Year includes
eight holidays for most Witches and Pagans, although some traditions do not
celebrate all of them. Your BOS can include rituals for each of the Sabbats.
For example, for Samhain you may wish to create a rite that honors your
ancestors and celebrates the end of the harvest, while for Yule you may want to
write down a celebration of the winter Solstice. A Sabbat celebration can be as
simple or complex as you wish.
Other rituals: If you’ll be celebrating each full moon, you’ll want to include
an Esbat rite in your BOS. You can use the same one each month, or create
several different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also wish to
include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing Down the Moon, a rite that
celebrates the invoking of the Goddess at the time of the full moon. If you’ll
be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be
sure to include them here.
Herbs: Ask any experienced Pagan or Wiccan about a specific herb, and chances
are good that they’ll expound on not only the magical uses of the plant but
also the healing properties and history of use. Herbs are often considered the
core of spellcasting, because they’re an ingredient that people have used for
literally thousands of years. Put together a section in your BOS for herbs and
their uses. Remember, many herbs should not be ingested, so it’s important to
research thoroughly before you take anything internally.
Divination: If you’re learning about Tarot, scrying, astrology, or any other
form of divination, keep information in here. When you experiment with new
methods of divination, keep a record of what you do and results you see in your
Book of Shadows.
Sacred texts: While it’s fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and
Paganism to read, sometimes it’s just as nice to have information that’s a
little more established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you, such
as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an archaic language, or a
particular chant that moves you, include it in your Book of Shadows.
Magical recipes: There’s a lot to be said for “kitchen witchery,” because for
many people, the kitchen is the center of hearth and home. As you collect
recipes for oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You may even
want to include a section of food recipes for Sabbat celebrations.
Spell workings: Some people prefer to keep their spells in a separate book
called a grimoire, but you can also keep them in your Book of Shadows. It’s
easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity,
protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include, make sure you also leave
room to include information on when the working was performed and what the
outcome was.
The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to keep it organized. You
can use tabbed dividers, create an index at the back, or if you’re really
super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more,
you’ll have more information to include – this is why the three-ring binder is
such a practical idea. Some people choose instead to use a simple bound
notebook, and just add to the back of it as they discover new items.
You may want to use one notebook for information copied from books or
downloaded off the Internet, and another for original creations. Regardless,
find the method that works best for you, and take good care of your Book of
Shadows. After all, it’s a sacred object and should be treated accordingly!
Tips:
If you find a rite, spell or piece of information somewhere else, be sure to
note down the source. It will help you keep organized, and you'll start to
recognize patterns in authors' works.
Add a section that includes books you've read, as well as what you thought of
them. This way, when you get a chance to share information with others, you'll
remember what you've read.