Book of shadows.....just a perspective

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Every now and then I take a few moments and sort of look back at where I came from and the things we did and compare it against the concepts of today.
Sometimes it can be a real wake up call other times it leaves me with a heavy heart. At times I find I can not tell if its nostalgic with fondness to what I remember or if we were that far removed from what occurs today.

One such item is the Book of Shadows. Oh we had many names and many descriptions of what one was. Gods, we called them Grimores after the Middle Ages, We called them Tomes of lore, and we called them hidden family treasures.

With a voice of awe and reverence we sometimes just called them "The Book".
Yet that is perhaps the first major change. It appears today that everyone is trying to make this elaborate cover and designs for them. I get on line and read of these great works of art that are know called BOS's. I wonder about the plain legal binders that I saw used in the past or that plain everyday note pad. I can remember going into houses and such and "The Book" would be hidden in plain sight.

Perhaps it is but a sign of the changes. Ours were made to be hidden in public view. Never anything that would attract attention or reveal the true nature of the item. NO, never would we see much less imagine such a concept! A book where the outer frame is more important than the inner pages.

Sorry but that's the view I have of the new fancy book covers. I guess I hold that view because all of ours were hand written and passed down with strict guidelines. I can still remember the imagery of an old dark ages site with dripping candles and cleric with their ink well and pen as they strove to record and transcribe the many pages of recorded lore and tradition. NO we didn't work that way but it was imagery. An idle mind can dream up all sorts of imagery.

Reading the many pages I find so many that start out with "I have printed lists of stones, herbs and this or that. I have color correspondences. I have detailed printouts of Chakra's." I'll be honest some times it makes my head spin.

But that is but the tip of the iceberg. A lot of times it's like genealogy. In my own line one person took information that was speculated as a possibility. That info was discussed with another and it then became factual. Today, years later that subjucture is now plastered across the net as factual. Oh those of us that now the truth are told we don't know or that it is proven but no one can tell us by who.

Yes I remember one instance where the girl who passed the original speculation was quoted as the source. Rather funny in fact, this young person argued with her that she was wrong for they had it from her (The person they just told that was wrong). Chuckles. Yep that was interesting especially when the person finally realized that they were speaking to the source of the material.

What caused this? Why, that is perhaps the simplest of questions to answer. They copied without ever checking or researching what they copied. Yep just copied it and printed it out. Like that young family historian it appears that the same fate is reaping its toll within the pagan community and its current "BOS".

I have seen some pretty impressive works of art yet the interior pages so lack of anything when its simply print out after print out of information. Yep, colonized indexes colonized and bolded headers, yep ream after ream of info pulled from this site or that site.

I've found pages of poems and stories that the author wrote their heart out about. Yet I once asked the person what it meant for if the inspiration was their something must have been note worthy to make it so important to write. Yet I just got a blank stare or a mumble of "I don't know I just felt like I had to write it!"

What's truly sad is I can't feel what it was that was so important and they have long since forgotten what it was that so inspired them for no notes or remarks are with the story to tell the why of it.

I find page after page of quotes from different authors. I find pages from "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews and I ask. OK I know what Ted says it means to him but what does it mean to you? So I get Ted's words read back to me and can only shake my head for once again a message or lesson is missed for the person only recorded what it meant to Ted not them.

Page after page of spells fill the works. Spells for love spells for money, spells to make this happen or cause that not to happen. Spells for nearly everything and anything one can dream of. I ask what is the beat of this spell? Yet I get a blank stare again. Ok I ask what do the words speak to you? It's amazing the number of times the words speak something different to the person than what the spell is supposed to do.

Yet perhaps it should not be so funny for the person was devote as they printed it off from the site and diligently placed it within their BOS. Perhaps.

Scroll after scroll of ceremonies and rituals dot the page. But once again no notes or personal indications of what it means to them and why they were going to do it. Nope simply printed page after page with the site IP address across the bottom of the page. I ask why this color candle? Answer - That's what the spell calls for, that's what the book says, your being too picky, you don't understand what were trying to do. Oh yes the answer roll off tongues like water from a falls.

I ask, "If this is so important to you and filled with your energy then why is it not charged by your hand? Yet the answers once again are many and the IP's at the bottom of the page are just as many.

As I walk away I wonder is the future is so bright that I have to wear shades?

Sadly I think no. Yes the covers are pretty and the artist has spent many hours in preparing the outer shell but it seems as if that is the extent of the artist's work for the inside is simply a rehash of someone else’s work and will soon become like the family history of the researcher.

Many pages plastered upon the net with little research into them and just an aping of what another said whether it be right or wrong. The collector of history will greedily scrounge and devour every page they find while the true adept and follower will diligently search, research and document the journal that they may walk upon the road years later and still experience the thrill of their first true discovery or the joy of that first realization of the moment when two pieces finally came together and they understood the meaning and importance of the event.

Not only understood but took the time to record in their own hand what it was that they felt, sensed and came to understand about themselves, their history and their future.

I wonder. Do you judge your book by its cover?

[RainInanna]

Thank you for sharing your perspective. You have an excellent and refreshing point here.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Overall...good points , MonSno_LeeDra...

A few exceptions...some of us like fancy covers...

Did not matter which lifetime I was in...

In this lifetime I wrote with two tall candles burning on the desk...

Ball point pen...parchment paper...mgieckal items surrounding...

And some of us...know the real...Wietch's Book Of Shadows...

Otherwise...well said...

[LadyDancer1181]

That's an interesting perspective. Aside from my rituals and spells you will find a lot of mundane (yet very important) information in my BoS. The reason I don't have any notes in the margins or footnotes explaining what certain things mean to me is because I record those sorts of thoughts in my Mirror Book. I keep my BoS as almost like a textbook to refer to and my Mirror Book is my personal spiritual journal. Both are discreet and you couldn't tell they were anything other than a journal. Nothing fancy, although I have done some leather branding on the front of my BoS.

I actually have mine written by hand. I just couldn't bring myself to print out things from the computer. I wanted it to be a labor of love. All 600+ pages of it :)

[MonSno_LeeDra]

LadyDancer1181


The reason I don't have any notes in the margins or footnotes explaining what certain things mean to me is because I record those sorts of thoughts in my Mirror Book


While not in your BOS it is present never the less. I assume the mirror book it like our old dream journals and such so I am guessing at it's purpose. While the items we write are important I think the personal touch is critical for I believe it's what enables us to look back and understand what brough us to that point in time.

It's like a passage we charge with our energy and imprint our thoughs and spirit upon.

Shawn Blackwolf


A few exceptions...some of us like fancy covers...


I'm not saying anything is wrong with fancy covers. Heck before I lost mine to the movers around the world I also had what were fansy covers for me. Yet it never was the cover that told the story of what lay within.

When I was initiated as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy I had a charge book with a fancy cover and all. That charge book was very much like a BOS but when I look back over it the ornate cover and carrying box raise no memories or only minor ones yet each hand written page by my peers is what carries the charge.

Each stroke of the pen carries their energy and thoughs. Each stroke revives my memory of them and the strength of their words. Each stroke reminds me of the trials and tribulations I underwent that bound us together.

Years later when my children look at that book it carries none of that for them. Yet, when I speak of it and those old voices carry through mine then my sons 'Feel" the energy of that book.

That is what I find so lacking in too many BOS. Yes the covers are grand and pretty but a cover does not make the book, the book should make the cover.

Sadly if I could give a newby a bit of advice it would be to make copies or keep them at hand. If you live in one area then its pretty safe to say they are safe yet if you move around a lot then things are destroyed or vanish. Most of mine have met that fate so all that remains for me are bits and pieces.

Yes I do have a new one but it lacks the spirit of all that came before. Though in my writings I think shreds and echoes of that past make themselves known.

Sorry sort of drifted off their.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

I'm not saying anything is wrong with fancy covers. Heck before I lost mine to the movers around the world I also had what were fansy covers for me. Yet it never was the cover that told the story of what lay within.



That is what I find so lacking in too many BOS. Yes the covers are grand and pretty but a cover does not make the book, the book should make the cover.
....................................................................................


MonSno_LeeDra...

And I , in no way wish to argue your point...

That very often , these days , the depth of content is missing...

On one hand , however , the artistic quality of some of the grimoires today , can inspire the young , who are walking on the stones laid before them , to fill those pages with words and spells , and information , both owned and understood...


When I was first writing , I could not use just any paper...

It had to be " sandtone parchment "...if I ran out...I very often waited to write...it affected my inspiration...

Now...I know I , for one , have sat at many a table and desk over time , and labored , filling pages
and sheets , with hard earned wisdom...
not just this time round...

And been inspired , by both the quality of what I was writing on , and the look and quality of the instrument I was writing with...

And...I believe...not to argue your point , which was well made...

Yet , I believe a cover , should reflect the quality of what is within it's interior...

A wholistic view...

I would recommend to those following in our footsteps...

Do not place anything in your "fancy grimiore" until you are sure of it...and as you have pointed out...

It is not the flash , which shows the lightning mind , nor the power of the witch...

As with any storm to be respected...the power , thru charge , in what we call time...must be built...so in the prescence...

hair might stand on end...skin might tingle...

The voice be heard as thunder...or as the wind...

And the wisdom earned...shown forth as the result...
of whatever spells are cast...

[Astara Seague]

my big Bos is handmade of wood and parchment the front has my covens symbol with a moonstone in the center I wouldnt call it fancy but it means alot to me,

I have a few small ones that I carry with me, they are more like notebooks for use when I am not home , then I transfer the info into the main BOS,they are quite plain I must say.

but I do have one "fancy" one I got in Lava.. not to replace my others... I just fell in love with it... I may not even use it as a BOS maybe a dream journal or something else instead

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Actually , Astara...

That is what I am saying...As long as a Book of Shadows...
contains potent information...AND...has a personalized cover...
with symbolic reference to what is inside...it enhances , can
inspire , and becomes your energy , thus mgieckal...

everyone to their own...some will , some won't...

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Thank you to all who have added to this thread. I find a learner only stops growning when they stop asking questions or cloese thier mind. So I am thankful for your responses for though I may not always agree it always gives me new perspectives to ponder.

=================================================

Here is another facet of this thread that has danced about my mind at times.

If I write the item out by hand, it then is infused with my energy and power. The very process of taking the time to write inspiring me for it must have been something important just to take the time to write it out.

Yet what if I type it out? For instance I get an ipanthany (sp) as I read a thread here. I infuse the response with my deepest feelings and understanding. I put forth as much intent and effort into that response or idea as I do my hand written works. Does it then hold the same weight as my hand written BOS?

If it holds the same weight as they typed article should I copy that item into my book or does printing the response carry the same charge since it was in effect written by my hand?

Yes I realize on the surface it seeems to contridict my earlier statement but in this instances I am the creator of the typed word where my reference is to blind copy of anothers inspired work.

Personally I enter them as printed sheets with additional hand written notes if needed or even copies of the initial thread that inspired the responce I penned.

[Juniper138]

I am 27 years old.
There was a computer in my kindergarten class, but that was still a it of a novelty at the time. Typing class started when I was in the 2nd grade (handwriting rather than printing started in 3rd grade). By the 4th grade, major projects, reports and essays were expected to be typed and printed, and spell-check was used to correct grammar and spelling. In 6th grade we switched to math done nearly entirely on a calculator. By 8th grade nearly everything was expected to be typed and printed. By 12th grade pretty well everything HAD to be typed and printed and our bibliographies at the end of projects had lists of websites rather than books.
I was luckier than most children, as I had a mother with a love for literature. I was the only one of my group of friends growing up who had a recent set of Encyclopedia Britannica at home. I was reading at a university level at age 12, while most of my classmates barely struggled through the required reading material for school. Reading material that was mostly on a computer screen rather than in a book.
My point is, my handwriting is unreadable and my printing looks like the scrawl of a child, because I stopped hand writing things as a child. My spelling is deplorable, even if my vocabulary is not. I am much more skilled at researching online rather than using books. I couldn't tell you the last time I laid my hands on an encyclopedia that did not come on a CD, with a search engine.
I began walking my spiritual Path at the age of 14. From about the ages of 14 to 18, my BoS was 70% photocopied from books and other people's BoS (the internet was still fairly new at the time) and about 15% printed material found online, 10% beautiful drawings and illustrations and 5% hand written notes, poetry and original stuff by me. But then, I WAS a teenager, and one who grew up in a world where hand writing things had gone out of style. The cover for my BoS was very plain, as I was in the broom closet at the time.
From roughly ages 19 to 23, my BoS began to develop in a much more personal and intellectual manner, not unlike my own development as a young adult. Out went much of the photocopies, though some were hand copied and put back in. By 23 my BoS was 10 % photocopies, 50% printouts from online (ah the heyday of Paganism new to online), 10% illustrations, and 30% painstakingly hand written notes, prayers, research, poems, thought and ideas. My BoS now took up more than one 3-ring binder, so a Herbal and Grimorie were born. All three were leather bound, the leather hand burned (with a wood burner) with fancy spiral designs on them.
Two years a ago (at 25) my main ritual BoS had an accident, much of it stained or destroyed by the spilling of a large cup of earl grey tea. And shortly after, my Herbal took a tumble while hiking and wound up partially submerged in a swamp.
Today, My BoS takes up five 2 inch 3-ring binders. The kind that are nylon and zipp up, keeping the contents safe. I also have much of its content in plastic sheets!
There in my Ritual and spiritual BoS, my Herbal, my Grimorie (which has the least amount of pages in it), my Misc (for any oddball bits and pieces) and my Old Stuff. Old Stuff is full of papers that are partially damaged, not use that often anymore, or anything I feel takes up space in the more "working" Books.
My BoS is now about 50% hand written, which is pretty good for someone who was taught to type, not write growing up. and 45 % printed from a computer. But most of that material is still original work and notes (etc) BY ME, it is just typed. The stuff I really want memorized or that it very meaning full get slowly and painfully hand written, the rest is comfortably typed. I still do have some pages that are copied from other sources, but I know as years go by, more and more of that will find its way into Old Stuff. What illustrations survived are still there, in fact, my Herbal has many drawings of plants, and even some photos. And the covers of my water proof binders are painted with mandala like designs.

What this rather long and maybe not very interesting post is trying to say is:

Understand that things are different now, that kids are taught to type, not write. If it bothers you older generations so much that we type and need a calculator to do math, change the school curriculum, change how you teach the Craft. Spend some time at home with your kids and Craft students working on their handwriting, researching, and spelling skills, because they do not teach that at school any more.

Understand that in this age of instant gratification, the internet, and poor research, the youngsters are going to start out with a BoS that is mostly full of fluff and filler.

Understand that while someone may do something one way at 20, they will probably not be doing it that way at 30. Give us some time to mature and walk our path a little bit first. Let us make some mistakes and learn from them. Let us peek into your BoS and realize how much better something like your Book is. Give us time to grow up. Give the gods a chance to toss our Book into a swamp and make us start all over again.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Well written , Juniper...

Thank you...And to begin my response...I most certainly do
work with my students , on reading , researching at libraries...
and online...used bookstores...

I used to teach in the arboretum cafe of a public city library...
so I often would take my students upstairs...and loaded them
down with books for the next week of work...

Handwriting...oh , most certainly yes...they had to write their
number - letter formulas by hand...sometimes one hundred in a week...

If I could not read them...back to the drawing board...literally...

Spelling...and yes , to my critics here...not on this thread...so far...
I do spell in English , as well speell in Faery Tongue...

They not only had to spell properly in English , but also in Faery...
Obri , and Runic...

I have even asked my Associates here , to correct spelling on the
Wild Board storyline...lol...:) ...

I feel it is very important to offer everything I can to those who
shall follow...that is why I am here...why I have struggled to convey
what I know , to offer it , even under continual challenges , and
doubt of what I post...

As far as judgement on those younger , or new...None , on my side...

I am always here , in the best way I can...to assist those ready to learn...
whatever I can offer...whether online...or if we ever meet IRL ...

Blessings...:)

[Willow Rosette]

I have an herbal Book of Shadows. It is in a normal 3 ring binder. I havent made a fancy cover for it but each page on the inside has its own herb and is scrapped. I did scrap it on the computer and typed it up but it takes me several hours to do each page and they have just as much of my energy and love in them as if I had hand written them. I research my information and work hard to make the scrapping match whatever plant is with it. So although the front cover doesnt look like much the pages are made with as much love and energy as possible and I am truly proud of how it has evolved into a labor of love.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

And that is what MonSno_LeeDra was just saying , Visha's Mommy.....

Just wanted to acknowledge your effort...But I want to hear him
comment on that...sounds very beautiful...:)

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Visha'sMommy wrote:

So although the front cover doesnt look like much the pages are made with as much love and energy as possible and I am truly proud of how it has evolved into a labor of love.

That's part of the energy and resonace i'm speaking of. I can feel your energy and spirit in these words as you simply speak of it so I can postulate the energy that must emanate from the actual item.

I believe it's sort of like giving birth to a child that was born of our brain / mind and emotion. We put all our energy and commitment into the birthing yet the very end product is a testiment to that spirit that fills us.

Like a child we (me at least) look upon the item before us with both love and joy. I recall the hurt that touched me as much as the joy that filled me. I see the wonder of new things and hear the echo of old friends and mentors. I recall the hours that were spent making it the best it could be, hours that perhaps could have been spent in other more useful ways until I hold it in my hand and feel the energy my thoughs and energy have imbued it with.

Your book sounds as if it is all that and more to you. My old mentors and teachers would say your book is alive and a living document. To them that was the highest prise they could bestow.


Juniper138 wrote:


What this rather long and maybe not very interesting post is trying to say is:


I can't speak for others but to me it spoke with an energy and language of truth and evolution. Truth of the feeling you experienced and evolution of the energy and understanding of your journey.


Understand that things are different now, that kids are taught to type, not write. If it bothers you older generations so much that we type and need a calculator to do math, change the school curriculum, change how you teach the Craft. Spend some time at home with your kids and Craft students working on their handwriting, researching, and spelling skills, because they do not teach that at school any more.


Very good points to ponder and think about. Perhaps that is part of this thread for me, looking at new ways of doing things while maintaining the "Spirit" of the old.

I haven't had a novice student in quite a while so i tend to forget what its like sometimes.



Understand that while someone may do something one way at 20, they will probably not be doing it that way at 30. Give us some time to mature and walk our path a little bit first. Let us make some mistakes and learn from them. Let us peek into your BoS and realize how much better something like your Book is. Give us time to grow up. Give the gods a chance to toss our Book into a swamp and make us start all over again.


Well Spoken sometimes us old birds need to be remined of things. Thanks for the refresher lesson.

[Willow Rosette]

Here is an example of one of the pages. The picture isnt as good as the real thing but I am very proud of it. This was one of the first ones I made with out a template.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b329/kindranelson/HouseLeek.jpg

[Philosophia]

I don't have a BOS but I do keep many journals which are filled with everything from books to my witchcraft path and the many chants, prayers, rituals, etc.. I also have many two ring binders who are crammed with information from the internet and books.

My laptop is also part of my journal. Combined with my handwriting journals, each has its own power and energy within the words themselves because they are a part of me.

[RainInanna]

Well, I agree with you totally MonSno_LeeDra. I've been studying various forms of Paganism for about a decade, and up until about a year and a half ago I had BoS after BoS, in which I copied and re-copied the same tables of correspondences and spells from others. The covers and papers may have been beautiful or functional, but the content was dry and impersonal. Similarly, I read book after book. All reading and writing.

It's been quite different to experience spirituality personally, and now my books consist only of personal experiences, musings, and when I do include something from another source it's only when I actually use it and have my own input on it. The covers on my journal and notebook are lovely, but more importantly the content speaks to me and of me.

[Denikke]

I know the last post is this thread is a few months old, but I just wanted to bump it up so that other people can see it.
And I just want to say...Oh...My...God and Goddess. You're words are SO full of truth they're about to burst. I am, what I consider to be, a young pagan. I've been walking my Path for almost 10 years, but I still consider myself to be a complete novice. I can understand both sides of the conversation here. I'm still in school (my last year of highschool) and I NEVER handwrite anything. In my elementary years, we spent a few days here and there throughout grades 2, 3 and 4 learning how to handwrite. And never anything more than that. I can handwrite, if I have to, but if I have any choice, I will print. I think my printing looks just fine, and I like to see how it evolves as I mature, but I truely wish I was able to handwrite like my grandmother. She handwrites everything, because that's what she was brought up with.
Typing is something that has made everyday life easier in a lot of ways. I personally LOVE old fashioned typewriters, and I wouldn't hesitate to use one to create pages for my Book. Computers seem too impersonal to me though. And printing pages off other websites to stick in your book seems like a waste of time to me.
To me, any spiritual book should be a labour of love. I know chrisitans who still write out the bible by hand and hand them down to their children. I couldn't applaud those people more. Some people can't do this, for whatever reason. That's understandable too. But the difference between a christian bible and a pagan Book is that christians follow a uniform doctrine. Pagans each have their own unique beliefs and they should embrace their individuality and make sure it's reflected in their books.

A Book of Shadows (or whatever you choose to call it) should be something you would be proud to hand down for generations to come, whether you actually do or not. You should want your great grandchildren to be able to wonder what you thought about many subjects and be ABLE to give them an answer through your book. Why should they care about what someone on some website thought? Your book should be able to passed down 5 generations from now with your descendant saying "This is what your great grandmother/father thought. This is what he/she believed in. I know you're interested in the same path, so this can be a beginning to your studies".

As for the pretty cover, empty book thing. I completely agree. Too many people are just taking things they find in other books and online at face value and not stopping to think about their own beliefs. I call them the Sheep of Religion. All religions/belief systems have these people, and it's pretty sad.

For me, my Book is a complete labour of love. I get my information off the web, out of books and from my own beliefs and what feels right to me. I don't currently have an actual book, I'm organizing and planning and working on what I want in it for now. But whenever I think I want to put something into my book, I ask myself why. What about this particual piece of information do I believe and why. Some of it will be copied, word for word, but ONLY because I agree with exactly what the original author has to say and it holds some extra, special meaning for me, which I usually expand on at the bottom or back of that page. When I copy things like the 3fold law, or the witch's rede, I write out WHY I believe in that and, in simple terms, what it means to me. A Book of Shadows is NEVER complete. It is always a work in progress, all throughout your life.
Just like raising a child is a lifelong experience, so too is your Book. In fact, it is a LOT like raising a child, and the same care, devotion and love should be put into both.

[Rasari]

To an extent, I agree and get where you're coming from.

However, applying an artistic look or touch to the recording of one's work is not reflective of laziness or lack of researching their material or even a shallowness of material within their respective journals.

Its essentially like assuming any beautiful woman who is elaborately dressed is shallow, naive and stupid based on looks alone while idealizing that a wise woman could only possibly be old, wild and plain. That in itself is ignorant at best. So yes, one can grasp at imagery and imagine dripping wax and quills dripping ink on parchment as symbolic of knowledge and tradition... But to mistakenly take that image as a sign of authenticity alone is rather hypocritical.

I've got many, many MANY journals (I don't use the term BoS) and books of notes and research on various subjects. 6 Rune/siedh/galdr/germanic history / ect journals, three spiritual journals, two personal journals, a dream journal, 4 journals on herbs (not correspondences), A journal on superstitions and lore, 3 journals on family history, traditions, recipes, ect. another journal on recipes from outside sources, a set of nine discs containing anything from my digital "library" to notes, articles of interest, references and images. With the exceptions of my discs and notes and ramblings I print off prior to hand writing or as a print copy that I'm not going to record in a journal. Everything is hand written. No spells. No eclectic god spice rituals. No chakras. No correspondences.

I'm in the process of mass hoarding any scrap book material or ends and odds that catch my fancy for the purpose of doing a more permanent compilation of my journals.

And one day... I'm going to buy a few fancy, elaborate shells to protect this information, get them a custom made fancy heirloom book stand and pass them on as heirlooms.

And it will not deteriorate or detract from what is within them.

So no, I do not judge a book by its cover. I prefer instead to read what inside it first and hope it develops from there. (or in the case of certain authors... guage out my eyes, but thats another story.)

As mentioned, obviously a beginner... Particularly with all the crap thrown at them today and an often shoddy choice in teachers... Is not going to have substantial depth to something such as a BoS right of the bat.

[Denikke]

To an extent, I agree and get where you're coming from.

However, applying an artistic look or touch to the recording of one's work is not reflective of laziness or lack of researching their material or even a shallowness of material within their respective journals.

And one day... I'm going to buy a few fancy, elaborate shells to protect this information, get them a custom made fancy heirloom book stand and pass them on as heirlooms.

And it will not deteriorate or detract from what is within them.

So no, I do not judge a book by its cover. I prefer instead to read what inside it first and hope it develops from there. (or in the case of certain authors... guage out my eyes, but thats another story.)

As mentioned, obviously a beginner... Particularly with all the crap thrown at them today and an often shoddy choice in teachers... Is not going to have substantial depth to something such as a BoS right of the bat.

I will agree with the point you've made. JUST because a BoS (or whatever you want to call it) is beautiful on the outside, DOESN'T mean that it's empty on the inside. But the point that I think that MonSno_LeeDra was originally trying to make is that a lot of new witches, and I have to assume some of the more seasoned witches too, go out and get a beautiful book, and instead of putting in things that are meaningful to that particular person, they just go and print off a bunch of stuff from the internet that *looks good* and that's all. That is not a personal BoS. That is a collection of OTHER peoples work. Sure, some of that stuff may have extremely profound meaning for you. But having a BoS that consists SOLEY of others peoples works is pointess. And I think this is the mistake that a lot of younger witches are making at this point. Sure, they have pretty little books, but those books are filled with someone else's thoughts and ideas. Even something as simple as writing out your own thoughts in the margin can give a page from someone else your energy and make it your own.

[Rasari]

I will agree with the point you've made. JUST because a BoS (or whatever you want to call it) is beautiful on the outside, DOESN'T mean that it's empty on the inside. But the point that I think that MonSno_LeeDra was originally trying to make is that a lot of new witches, and I have to assume some of the more seasoned witches too, go out and get a beautiful book, and instead of putting in things that are meaningful to that particular person, they just go and print off a bunch of stuff from the internet that *looks good* and that's all. That is not a personal BoS. That is a collection of OTHER peoples work. Sure, some of that stuff may have extremely profound meaning for you. But having a BoS that consists SOLEY of others peoples works is pointess. And I think this is the mistake that a lot of younger witches are making at this point. Sure, they have pretty little books, but those books are filled with someone else's thoughts and ideas. Even something as simple as writing out your own thoughts in the margin can give a page from someone else your energy and make it your own.

Exactly, agreed. However, most of the beginners don't KNOW better. There isn't too much out there that really gives a good, solid foundation and direction as to what to put in their BoS or spiritual journals. Google BoS contents and you get lists saying "this is what you put in" and give out or suggest print outs (colors, angels, pre-written ritual or spells, shallow or vague pigeon hole description of deity, ect.)

Rarely do any of their available sources as a beginner give them substantial footing to even know where to begin with writing a spiritual journal, evaluating the self, working on spiritual developement and sorting out the crap from substantial, useful information.

So one can't really look toward the beginner with disappointment unless they REFUSE to develop and learn, not if they don't know what they are doing from the get go. That right there is the difference between what some call a "Fluffy" and a beginner. The beginner doesn't know better and want to grow, learn and develop. The Fluffy *refuses* to learn or develop, wants instant magic / spirituality. And is going to go the fastest, least effort required route to get it.

A seasoned Witch... Should have moved past that point... Unless... See above definition...

[Denikke]

I'm glad we're in agreement. And this is exactly why I revived this thread. Perhaps more of the beginners on this forum will see this and understand the need for a book that not only holds information, but also your own personality and *flavour* if you will. Information is great, but the true power comes from within.

[mtpathy]

my book isnt of rituals or traditions, but of gemetrical shapes and colors that are associated to vibrations "colors", and gemetrical shapes "triangle:sending or recieving or affect, square:trapping or opening, circle:deep or shallow"..theres others i dont care to go to deep into it.

my magick is through both aura reading, & empathy and because of this its pretty spontanious so the "colors & shapes" are simply the tools, the practiced art of associating them to vibration,mental imagery,emotions, and how to associate that to yourself and to others ie: all things inwards and outwards is the magick.

ive been currently working on a method of associating vibration and colors to drone instruments, drums, singing bowl, flute and using the notes of the instrument if applicable, or the carrying away of the beat or drone to 1st color, then 2nd vibration, then spontanious creating of mental reality, this method isnt without its faults, it seems to be much better for animistic practices, or self exploration. however it does have promise for actual magick work.

[Greybird]

If I write the item out by hand, it then is infused with my energy and power. The very process of taking the time to write inspiring me for it must have been something important just to take the time to write it out.

Yet what if I type it out? For instance I get an ipanthany (sp) as I read a thread here. I infuse the response with my deepest feelings and understanding. I put forth as much intent and effort into that response or idea as I do my hand written works. Does it then hold the same weight as my hand written BOS?

If it holds the same weight as they typed article should I copy that item into my book or does printing the response carry the same charge since it was in effect written by my hand?


Some snipping for highlights.

As I mentioned in another thread, to me, a book as an entity exists separately from its paper form. The thoughts, energy, focus, and passion that go into writing don't just vanish if you don't propel them through a 'ball point quill' onto paper. Even if no physical form exists, that passion and energy serve to create the same spiritual form of the work as a written copy of it does. It is there that the energy is held. It is from there that the passion flows through the words when they are read, whether they are read from squiggly pen lines, dip-penned magical inks, or inkjetted fonts.

On the other hand, blindly copied information, divorced from meaning and passion, can be just as meaningless in carefully crafted handwriting, IP address at the bottom of the page or not. I absolutely agree with the idea that someone who stuffs as much material as possible into a book without understanding what it really means is wasting their time, but I'd feel the same way if they were hand-copying it in pokeberry ink with a stork's quill.

I'm another person who types instead of writing, but I didn't learn that way as a child. My own typing classes were held on old fashioned IBM electric typewriters, which were a pain in the rump, and most teachers wouldn't accept typed homework. I didn't own a computer until I was in my late 20s. I've simply learned to communicate more comfortably and effectively through a keyboard than through a pen. I can type fast enough that I don't have to stop while my hand catches up. I type naturally enough that I don't have to stop and think about the keys. I just put my fingers on the board, and my thoughts appear on the screen. I don't write and then type. I don't compose and then type. I just think, and let my fingers handle the rest. Heck, sometimes when I'm composing, I just sit and type with my eyes closed.

Different people work differently. I'm a writer. I did it for a living for a period of years. To me, the passion is in the choice of words, the flow of the thoughts. To someone who finds writing awkward, the words themselves may not carry that same oomph. To them, the words may get their energy from their presentation and from the artistic value of the pages. Some feel that the words have to flow and communicate. Some feel that unless it is written in Ye Cheezey Renfaire Ænglisch in an alphabet from a fantasy novel it is meaningless. Others may feel that the words are irrelevant, that only the type of ink and the cramps in their fingers are what are valuable.

The only gauge of who is right and who is wrong is to ask what the book is meant to accomplish. Now, I can't think of anyone who will say, "It is meant to store as much crap as possible that I've never read or confirmed and don't understand, but which someone told me was important", so I agree with that point. ;)

[RainInanna]

Interesting perspective. I find the feel of paper and pen more intimate by far than my keyboard, and yet, I don't find myself writing either since inevitably whatever sentiment moves me is slowed by my wrist cramp or inability to write as fast as I type.

[serenarian]

My BoS is a microcosm of me. I handmade the entire book from scratch - although I did not make the paper, or the outer cover, I hand-picked the paper that I wanted, sewed the pages together, and designed and made the outer cover. I add pictures, handwritten notes, and occasionally typed articles that resonate with me, and the book lives and breathes my spirituality as much as I do. So much so that it feels charged when I pick it up. The cover, I suppose, could be called fancy as it is covered with blue velvet, but to me, the cover does not matter. I chose blue velvet because it reminded me of the element of water.

[tribalesque]

I'm on the pen and paper train. As a young Pagan (I'm 21), typing took over writing at school very quickly. I can't even turn in assignments or projects if they are hand written! However, I made the conscious choice to hand write my book because I find it a much more intimate connection. I take my time, I sketch and scrapbook some of the pages when it suits me...

However, my book is a large wooden book with a very beautiful, personally decorated cover. It's a expandable design, so the book can grow as I grow. For me, I feel no need to hide what I am, or what I do, so I feel no need to make my outer-cover discreet. It is beautiful and reflects how I feel about my spirituality.

I have a separate binder that keeps printer articles etc that I fancy, and I also have a notebook to record dreams, meditations and such. I've personalized those covers also. I'm also in the midst of making little hand made books for each of the deities I work with, which I intend to place on their altars and write poems, songs and prayers in. Anything that I they'd be pleased with.