Books of Shadows

[Raevyn]

(I know there are other threads on this and will dig 'em up in a sec, but I figured some people weren't around before or have changed since then so I'd start a new discussion on it)

Your Book of Shadows - do you have one, or many, or none at all? Do you keep it in a hardcover book, a binder, a box, on a disk, or..? Do you put all your correspondences in it, or just rituals and spells you wanna remember? Do you maintain it regularly, or rarely ever? Is it organized, or a complete mess? How does it reflect your practice? How is it unique to you? Have you kept it a long time, or just started one? Do you use it as a journal, for dream interpretations, tarot readings, random notes, as a glossary for correspondences and languages, or..? Would you like to someday hand it down to your children, do you share it with your family now, do you share it with a coven or group?

You don't have to ask every question - just tell me about your BoS - all the questions I mentioned are things to think about in response.

[Flar's Freyja]

Recently, I merged several of the BOS threads into one and it's rather large, so starting a new thread is a good idea. The old thread can be found here:

Magickal Basics, Tools and Correspondences (http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21667)

I've ended up with two - one where I record the rituals that I've written myself and performed, and another where I file information from public rituals I've attended, the internet and other things that are not my own that I like.

I'll be merging the two into one as soon as Flar's friend makes me that wooden ring binder that he promised.

[Raevyn]

For me, I've had a BoS of some assortment for about 6 years. I've had it in notebooks, binders, hardcover BoS type books, on a disk, in a box, on random scraps of paper, etc. I realized yesterday I have a hardcover BoS, a binder full of literature I print out, a hardcover journal, and a small binder for dreams and tarot readings. I figured I'd organize my BoS together so I have something that represents my beliefs and practices, that someday I might hand down to my kids.

I got a 3" black binder and 31 dividers, and plan to type everything out and print it (my writing is atrocious, plus I can type a lot faster then I can write). I plan to use it for correspondences, notes, literature, dream interpretations, and divination reading records, a journal, etc. I plan to go through the books I have and get the relevant information from each altogether, drawing from eastern and western as well as ancient and modern beliefs and practices (with complete credit to the authors etc. of course!). I want to get it well organized with room for changes later (which is why a looseleaf binder is ideal), and wanted to make sure it had lots of room not only for my notes but for the literature I print out (like liber al, notes on the same, kaballah info and lessons, and so on).

My list of sections is currently being (repeatedly :D) revised, but some sections I want to include are

1.Simple Correspondences (numbers, colours, directions, weekdays, etc.)
2.Gemstones
3.Herbcraft
4.Chakras
5.Numerology, Magic Squares, & Sigils
6.Meditation & Astral Travel
7.Kaballah
8.Tarot
9.Runes
10.Dreams & Ouija
11.Astrology
12.Moon Phases, Correspondences, & Magic
13.Yoga
14.Angels & Enochian
15.Wicca
16.Kemeticism
17.Alchemy
18.Chaos
19.Satanism
20.Thelema
21.Folk Magic Spells
22.Journal
23.Magical Alphabets (coptic, hieratic, hieroglyphic, theban, etc.)
24.Redes, Creeds, Principles, Laws, Witches’ Pyramid, etc.
25.Charges, Affirmations, Mantras, etc.
26.Resources & Literature

[MammaStar]

It's funny that this posted again. The other day I went to write down a dream I had and I realized...I have to BOS's now. My main one is one of those photo album binder types. I made the cover and it's filled with rituals that I've read about and adopted to fit my style, spells, herb lore and other related info, I have sections dedicated to different paths, such as Celtic, Streghira, and Green. Also have a section with articles and tidbits I've found on the 'net and printed out.

My other one is a tiny journal book, that was given to me by my mom a long time ago. It has kittie's on it, which is why she gave it to me. I've been using it to record dreams and the limited work i've done with my tarot cards (still learning) and feelings, thought's, etc after meditation. :D

[Raevyn]

:D Are there any benefits or disadvantages to having more then one BoS for you?

For me, I liked my hardcover book, but since the pages are unlined and they can't be ripped out, and my writing is atrocious (and it wouldn't go through a printer), it's not practical. With my binders (which I have several of to hold literature I print out), well with all the stuff I print out it's not really organized well, plus they're all over the place.

I said my list of sections was under revision and I've already revised it lol - I put Redes, Creeds, & Ethics at the beginning, decided to put simple correspondences in with Folk Magic (and decided it'd be Folk Magic rather then Folk Magic Spells, so it could include theory and correspondences). I put Dreams by itself and decided to put ouija stuff in the Journal, and put Kaballah down with the other magical systems and religions. I decided I'd put charges in the Wicca section, added a section for the Per Ankh and Akhet classes I'm taking, and moved sections so it's Journal, Magical Alphabets, Per Ankh class, Akhet class.

It's funny, I knew I'd change my mind so I wrote down the section names in pencil :D

[mol]

I have what might be called a BoS. Although I label it a Magical Diary it would probably be the same. Its hardcover and it basically has notes on rituals, experiences, etc.

[Raevyn]

That's another thing - we all recognize the term "Book of Shadows" but I was thinking mine won't be about "Shadows" - mysteries and hidden secrets, as much as about information, reflections, and ideas. I thought of Book of Mirrors or Book of Light (to signify reflections and how information colours our view, and to signify how information enlightens us, respectively), but they both sound hokey.

Magical diary wouldn't work for me either, because a lot of my work is in religion rather then magic. *ponders*

[Ahautenites]

I have a 3" white binder with calendar pictures of Robert Vavra's unicorns on it. Inside, it's divided into sections. I update it every now and then.

It has sections for holiday decoration ideas and other crafts, favorite quotes, information on gods and goddesses that have taken an interest in me, concepts of Ma'at, herbal remedies, astrology stuff, incense and essential oil recipes, tarot information, crystal and gemstone info, info on familiars and animal guides, meditation techniques, other people's poetry, music, and food recipes. There are some other odds and ends in there, too, but I can't remember what they are off the top of my head. I think there are all of two rituals/spells in there. One of them is a crossing over ceremony for your familiar. I can't recall what the other one might be. When I do spellwork, I rarely ever write anything down. My BOS reflects my practice in that it's geared toward Kemetic things now, whereas before, it was mostly eclectic Pagan stuff.

It's unique to me because it has all of the things in it that interest me. A goodly amount of the contents are handwritten. (At one point, I even handcopied the Tao Te Ching into it.) The cover is totally me because it has a picture of a gorgeous unicorn in the company of equally gorgeous peacocks. These two animals mean something special to me. The BOS has seen many transformations. It started out as a cloth-covered, blank journal book I'd gotten for $15 at the local Walden Books store. Then, when it got to disorganized, I switched to a DOS, instead. I found it convenient because it was hidden in my computer (so no prying parental eyes would see it), and because I could just copy and paste all of the info I wanted into it. This had a downside because I never took the time to read the info I copied and pasted first. I just always said I'd get to it later. And then I rarely ever did. So, then I decided (for some reason or other) that I wanted to switch back to a BOS. This time, I chose a 1" black binder and put all of my stuff into that. There were no official sections in it, though. It was fairly disorganized. Finally, there got to be too much stuff in it anyway, so I moved it to the 3" white binder I'm using now. I use the black binder to contain my personal journal instead. I've been keeping some form of a BOS since January of 1998. I will some day hand it down to my children (provided I have any) or else to someone I know will appreciate it. Anyone who wants to can look in it. There's nothing secretive in it. It's more like a reference manual than anything else, really. Now, my journals are another story. Those notebooks are personal. The only way anyone will be allowed to read them is if I'm dead and have given them my express permission to read them after I'm gone.

[Storm]

I love questions like these!! I have a ring binder that I keep a section of correspondense, Alphabet systems, I have a section on personal in which I keep essays I write, also things I write on here that, or any conversations that I am particularly moved by. Then I have a pagan tidbits section consisting of essays and chants and the like that I have collected from the internet, stuff on different magickal systems and discussions on beliefs and so on. I have a section where I keep a printed version of an online deity dictionary and more extensive info on specific deities. Then I have a notebook for tarot work, a notebook on runes. A notebook on herbs, a notebook on spells, a dream journal where I record astral progress as well as dreams. Then I have a journal that I write anything in, my beliefs as well as goings on in life.

Someday I would love one of those excellent but very expensive big tomes. They cost alot. I think I will save up and then wait till I am a little more developed in my workings. I don't know if I would have the patiense to write all my thoughts and some stuff might not make sense without that.
I love your list, by the way, Raevyn. Very specific.

[MammaStar]

Originally posted by Raevyn

:D Are there any benefits or disadvantages to having more then one BoS for you?



For me it's no trouble. My big one is too big to keep by the bed, so it's handy to have my little journal next to my bed.

You asked earlier about sharing. I wrote a little thing in the beginning of my book. I don't remember it all (I'm not home ATM) but I did say "all those with open minds & hearts may look through these pages" or something like that.

For the big book, I like the freedom to change it around. I've changed the binder order a few times...the one I posted about is the most recent change. I'll probably go through it again, now that we've been talking about it here. :p

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Raevyn

That's another thing - we all recognize the term "Book of Shadows" but I was thinking mine won't be about "Shadows" - mysteries and hidden secrets, as much as about information, reflections, and ideas. I thought of Book of Mirrors or Book of Light (to signify reflections and how information colours our view, and to signify how information enlightens us, respectively), but they both sound hokey.

Magical diary wouldn't work for me either, because a lot of my work is in religion rather then magic. *ponders*

I prefer to call mine a "Book of Shadows and Light" and I found a wonderful book blessing by that title somewhere on the Internet, which graces the first page. I like your term "Book of Mirrors."

As for having two books, this happened quite by accident but the advantage is that it seems easier to keep the one with my more personal rituals and journaling hidden away, and the one where I file info I've gathered can be a bit more conspicuous, which makes it easier to file things when I come across them. Thus far, I've put all of those sheets into sheet protectors but when I get that wooden one I want to put everything on parchment-type paper to give it that ancient, mysterious effect.

[Kaylana]

Your book of shadows can be ordered and designed anyway you liked. I say be creative and have fun.

[Grey]

I have something similar though I always called it a grimoire. I record all magical experiances of any importance, record what Ive cast ans when (if it affects anyone else) and have some table and charts Ive drawn up. Ive heard some people talk about the BoS as this, and that weems to be what your saying, but Ive also heard it referred to as like a textbook, written a long while ago... have any of you?

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Grey

I have something similar though I always called it a grimoire. I record all magical experiances of any importance, record what Ive cast ans when (if it affects anyone else) and have some table and charts Ive drawn up. Ive heard some people talk about the BoS as this, and that weems to be what your saying, but Ive also heard it referred to as like a textbook, written a long while ago... have any of you?

Yes, quite a few people organize their BOS' that way. :lol: As one who is not very organized, I prefer to keep the charts and such in the books I bought them in and use those books for reference.

I think it would be lovely to have a unique, beautiful BOS to hand down to someone. Unfortunately, many of us are not from families where the craft is hereditary and it's recommended that your book be buried with you when you die or given to the members of your coven, if you belong to one, to be disposed of.

[LadyWillow]

My BoS is a three ring binder in which I keep correspondences, poems, the Wiccan Rede, holiday lore, spells, blessings, prayers, crafts, and whatever else suits my fancy.

Every once in a great while, I'll decide it's time to update my BoS and I'll work about 2 or 3 days on it, adding or subtracting things, and then I'll leave it alone for awhile and the cycle begins again.

[Krymson Moon]

My BOS is a hardcover artist's sketchbook that has a paintable cover. Everything about is has & will be done by my hand. I plan to leave it to my children when I pass on, as it is the most personal thing in my possession. It is in no particular order & is a wonderful mosaic of my witchy life.

[cydira]

My BoS is a disorganized mess that's loosely comprised of 3 hard cover journals, 3-4 notebooks, a file folder of research, a few disketts, and a 3 ring binder that's full of additional stuff.

I'm attempting to organize this mess, but I feel that my efforts are going to take a while. :p I have a wide range of stuff in my BoS. I have notes on different divination practices I've researched and I've used. I have a growing section of correspondances, magical & ancient alphabets, and a budding list of gem stone associations. I also have things like herbal recipies, medicinal techniques with herbs and other holistic healing methods, notes on psychology and physiology, and some stuff on basic health.

I'm building a section that I'm calling "crafts" that has stuff like embroidery stitches and quilt patterns in there. I'm also putting in there patters for stuff like an altar cloth that I made. I am trying to organize my notes on the Celts and on the different ethnic groups that make up my heritage. Mainly, those notes are historical, but that's where I draw alot of my information from too.

I have a running book list of books that I've read relating to witchcraft and magic. I also have a running list of books that I've read relating to physics and the other "hard" sciences. I try to keep stuff like that in mind when I sit down and start seriously looking at spells and what not. :)

[MoonDust]

I have a binder that holds much of the research I’ve done so far. I also have a composition book that works as a mirror book/diary that I carry with me and just work on and enter information to whenever I have the chance or have something to put in to it. Right now I’m very new and figure anything that I find I should put down for future reference. One day later on I’ll try to straighten everything out I suppose.

[Erincelt]

Ah yes.. I have the "sometimes somewhat logically arranged ever-growing pile of miscellaneous loose, torn-out, and seemingly randomly stapled papers" of Shadows. :D

I've tried time and time again to put it all together.. but it just doesn't happen. I've been giving it another shot though, and this time around it seems to have a better chance of living to see a birthday. ;)

[~ Monk ~]

Originally posted by Raevyn
I thought of Book of Mirrors or Book of Light (to signify reflections and how information colours our view, and to signify how information enlightens us, respectively), but they both sound hokey.

Actually, I like Book of Mirrors. I've been compiling notes, rituals, and various "wisdom papers" for my own version of a BoS, but I've been thinking BoS might not be an accurate description for it. Book of Mirrors is much closer. A lot of what I'm putting into my book has to do with inward reflection, seeing ourselves for who we really are and facing unfinished business and issues - looking into the mirror, but knowing that the mirror doesn't reflect good or bad, simply what is.

I thought about using Book of Reflections - though it does sound kinda...cheesy...:eyebrow:

[Erincelt]

The last time I had any amount of it together in some sort of near-coherent form, I chose the name Book of Reflections, because that's what most of it is.

[Toad]

I have what I would call a Magical/Spiritual Diary...but I guess that I am in the minority in that mine is totally digital.

It is mainly housed on a portable 5gb PCMCIA card that rests in my laptop (with a card reader in my desktop at the house). I do keep multiple backups of it on different media (tape, DVD and disk). But strangely enough I dont keep paper copies of any of it.

For me...a handwritten copy is just not going to happen. My handwriting is terrible. And this way my information is extremely portable.

[~ Monk ~]

Originally posted by Erincelt

The last time I had any amount of it together in some sort of near-coherent form, I chose the name Book of Reflections, because that's what most of it is.

And that's how I feel - yet for some reason a part of me is resistant to that title...

[Rainx]

I've been thinking mine wouldn't be book of mirrors as most of it isn't reflections at all - the bulk of my BoS binder is printouts of interesting essays and articles, information, tarot spreads and astrological info, etc. Most of it is *data*, rather then reflections. So maybe it should be book of light.

I dunno :D

If I were going to keep journal entries I'd have to do it online - I find I *can't* really handwrite anymore, let alone neatly. I can type over 100 wpm easily, but I can't write more then a couple paragraphs without my hand cramping up.

[~ Monk ~]

Originally posted by Toad

I have what I would call a Magical/Spiritual Diary...but I guess that I am in the minority in that mine is totally digital.


Actually, I think quite a few people do this now, Toad.

My handwriting goes from great to chicken scratch the longer I write, so I'll probably end up with a mix of written and printed pages.

[~ Monk ~]

Originally posted by Rainx

I've been thinking mine wouldn't be book of mirrors as most of it isn't reflections at all - the bulk of my BoS binder is printouts of interesting essays and articles, information, tarot spreads and astrological info, etc. Most of it is *data*, rather then reflections. So maybe it should be book of light.

I dunno :D

Data...how about Book of Input/Output? :D

Actually - that might be better for those who have a digital Book...

[Jeleia]

Originally posted by Rainx
If I were going to keep journal entries I'd have to do it online - I find I *can't* really handwrite anymore, let alone neatly. I can type over 100 wpm easily, but I can't write more then a couple paragraphs without my hand cramping up.

I'm the same way. Although I would like to be able to handwrite everything, I know I'll never be happy with it. My writing may start off nice and consistent, but before long it gets sloppy. Plus my writing is always changing depending on the mood I'm in.

I'm planning to really sit down one day and retype everything onto the computer, include some pictures, print it and put it nicely into a binder... (If I ever have the time...)

[Rainx]

The problem I'm having with the binder of printouts is that it gives me an excuse never to write things down - I don't write down dream interpretations, tarot spreads, or spiritual musings because I feel I should type them up and print 'em out, but I never get around to it.

I think too, at least in terms of journal type entries, typing things out might allow for more "editing" then anything - once you've edited your thoughts half a dozen times are they the same thoughts?

But then.. again.. my writing is pretty horrible :)

[alexx]

I just want to say thanks for reading this thread as it made me organise myself!
Not being one for ritual as such, more of an "off the cuff" spellcaster and herb/tarot obsessive, I didn't get along with having a book of shadows, but also regretted fumbling through books/internet/memory for that useful correspondence or bath oil recipie!

I've been inspired to organise myself and now own a silver binder with sections as follows:
1: Correspondences
2:Tarot - by far the biggest, this will have the typed version of my own tarot research on each card, personal feelings from that card and a record of each reading I do, with feedback. I had this stuff in a ratty book so I am typing it up...tiptaptiptap...
3.Spells/charms
4.rituals
5.goddess
6. god
7.aromatherapy
8.non-magical herbalism
9.substitutions


I'm sure it will get added to, and will be really valuable both for my use, and for others - I'm thinking of lending it to my partner to get an insight into what I'm up to" ;) Still don't know quite what to call it...it's just "the folder" atm.

[TYRRHENUS]

I recently sent mine to a bookbinder. Only $35 to have it bound. And another $15 for the 'stamping.' By stamping I mean, they put gold lettering on the cover and the spine.
I had a choice between cloth, leather and imitation leather. I went for the cloth not because it was the cheapest (that's important too in this economy) but I asked myself why an animal had to die for something which no one but me and a few others would read anyway.
I gave mine a title: Libellus de Magicis Romanis or Little Book of Roman Magic(s).
Don't have chapters really. Mostly prayers, ceremonies and correspondences.

[SylverStar]

I have a BoS that I started a few months ago. It is just a large black journal with graph paper inside. I bought it at Barnes and Noble. I haven't really put much in it yet. I have way too much to put in it and it just seems a daunting task. I have managed to put a few correnspondences in it, a list of Gods and Goddess's, some chants, and my last spell. It's a work in progress and will end up being just as choatic as my room. I also have a dream book that I rarely use. I've had that for ever. And I have a couple of other workbooks that I've used for certain books I've read. I think I also want to start a divination and meditation journal.

[serenarian]

I have three. One is a small fabric-lined book that holds some of my personal reflections, and also lists of my supplies. Another is a large ring-bound book where I keep all my factual information, including quotes from authors, spells, rituals, Sabbat information, herb lore, and recipes for magickal cosmetics. The third is a floppy disk which has things I've written, such as a book review I wrote for an online magazine of a Wiccan book, more lists of supplies, more spells, and other stuff.

LOL, do I sound organised or something?? :D

[popanite]

hi
im new to the craft and i went to litha celebrations in my town today and i got my book of shadows from a shop there . now i have got my book of shadows were do i start with filling it in ????

[aida]

hi
im new to the craft and i went to litha celebrations in my town today and i got my book of shadows from a shop there . now i have got my book of shadows were do i start with filling it in ????

Since every witches grimoire is personal, there's really no right or wrong way of doing it. You can start with an index of herbs, oils, candles and stones, or with basic meditation excersizes, like I did. You can also build your own profile. Generally the BoS is used for keeping a journal of your own magical workings and experiences. Hope you enjoy making your grimoire. :)

[samiaminsane]

Since I am not organized, I have various different books to make it easier to find things:
1) Black binder with all my printouts
2) Spiral notebook for dreams and journaling
3) Spiral notebook for tarot/runes/other divination
4) All my BOS things are in a rubbermaid storage container until I find a nice, suitable leather scrapbook. My BOS is all spells/rituals and correspondences. It's decked out scrapbooking style (<-- work at a craft store).

[morrigen]

My partner just bought me a new one for winter solstice (in Oz)...it's wooden, with big black iron hinges and a pentacle carved in the front. It's filled with hand-made parchment.

I'm absolutely thrilled!!!!!!!

Before that it was all in cheap notebooks :D

Now I have to copy all of what's in the notebooks into my new one. Which, I think, will be a joy in itself. :)

*big happy grin*

[RubyRose]

My Book of Shadows consists of a 3 ring binder, that I place it all into.

I have a file on word where I write it all up and then print it out. Any information I find on the internet that I think will be useful, goes into a folder systems I have set up on my hard drive. Right now, its a mess of files.

[xmo0driinq]

my b0s is a binder with clear sheets to hold the paper. i have 4 sections ive divided into general learning (which consists of outlines ive made with the basics of wicca), sabbats and ebsats, prayers.chants.rites, and divination and folk magic. i also have a plain notebook to scribble anything down that doesnt fit into those categories :)

[Theres]

i have quite a few notebooks with my recipes, etc, but that's it. i don't call them my 'Book of Shadows' because that seems so pretentious and silly. so no leather bound grimoires full of gold hardware and engraved pentacles for me... i wouldn't be able to stop laughing long enough to read it! :lol:

and while were on the subject... i don't believe that these are traditional witchy tools either. despite Gardner's attempt to create an (allegedly) ancient tome full of arcane knowledge, i have a hard time seeing the illiterate witches of the Middle Ages keeping all the evidence against them in one nice, tidy place. :noway:

it does make for a good Hollywood script though.

[audi]

im still super new to all this so right now i have everything seperated in to different catologues so that i can find them more acurately. all the notes i take from the books ive read go to one note book. another note book is a journal of different expereinces that ive had and different stuff that ive done. then i have a big binder of all the stuff i have copies of- print outs off the internet or whatever. and those are tabbed into sections... then i have a notebook that i have had from before with poems and stuff of that nature. ::shruggs:: it isnt ideal but im a bit of a perfectionist. and i really wanted to get a good grasp on what im doing so i dont mess up the book that i have for my book of shadows.
im open to suggestions. do anyone have any?
have a great day. take care. *hugs*

[silversky89]

I just started mine, seeing as how I new to Wicca. But I use a composition notebook for it, and i have color chart, moon chart, day meanings, random notes, wort cunning tips, altar decor ideas and suggestions, sabbat info, etc in it already. Next are a few beginner spells and hints, tips, and tricks. I printed a list of substitutions for oils, herbs, etc. Already it's a mess, though when I'm upset, cleaning and organizing helps me think clearly(clear your space, clear your mind), so it will go through stages of messy and organized. I try to keep things organized but that rarely works out. My BOS is color coded for certain things. That's about it...If I forgot anything, SORRY!

[maudlin]

i have mine in a 3 ring notebook. its white with a round mosaic frog sticker on the front (ive had this sticker/notebook for years)
i use dividers to separate the sections, and they are in some semblance of an order. i used to have 3 notebooks, with stuff just crammed in, so i recently took all the info out, weeded out everything i didnt need anymore. combined similar information and stuck everything back in this one. there are more pages waiting to be filed just shoved in the back of the notebook than i think actually got organized, but some of the info im not happy with. i'll get to it eventually and fix what i hate.
i have to handwrite everything. i feel like printouts are so impersonal. plus ive always been a handwriter. ive always had handwritten journals and i can spend hours just copying things. i do have random pages from magazines or other places that are full of info and nice pictures that go in their section, since that would be too much to recopy and make it look organized.
mine has a title page but i really want it to be in big block gothic lettering. one day.
i guarantee i'll reorganize it again before the year is out.