Organising your BoS

[RubyRose]

Does anybody else share this problem?

I have a folder system set up on my computer, which contains all pagan related information, that I have found on the web. As my BoS is a word document, I trasfer files, from subfolders into my Book of Shadows, only regardless of how many subfolders, I have it still manages to get into a huge mess.

I'm thinking, I'm going to have to trash some files, once I place them in my Book of Shadows, just to keep track of what I've included and what I haven't.

My favourites folder is in a worse state than my little corner on my hard drive.

And normally I'm so organised. :lol:

RubyRose

[Shatril]

And normally I'm so organised. :lol:

RubyRose

Well if you put something in your BOS twice that isn't a problem. If you try to put it in the same place it will tell you. Once it is moved to that spot then delete from any other folder it is in. That way no double takes. I took a whole week and did nothing but organize my stuff on the computer. What a pain. I did come up with some small organizing techniques. Sabbats have there own folders. Herbs, oils, tarot, chakras, etc. have own folder. Maybe subfolders, and in these folders I may have included the same file, as it may be relevant to the section. Gods & Goodess there own. Well I won't go through the whole thing, but I guess you get the idean.

Shatril :caffeine:

[teishabee]

Sometimes you can have an information overload. I use to have loads of information on my old computer. Sometimes I think it goes to waste. You could try to cut it down to stuff you know you will use.

Like if your path is wicca , you might have some files containing information on astru. These could be deleted or just put in a misc section. As it would be rare you would want to access this information.

A good clean out helps every now and then.

There are some software programs out there that can sort it for you.

I suggest looking on google, Download. com for these. Most of them are free source.

To organise in cageroires you could also have the same file in more then 1 place as we all know how pagan topics overlap.

I think its just personal to how you can keep track of it all , to what method you use.

Hope I havent garbled and helped a bit. :foh:

[Garden of Eden]

I've decided the no-ordered hardback book I've been using to handwrite my stuff into isn't going to work for me anymore (did it ever?). Only thing is, I'm afraid a ring binder will be too chunky to carry about etc. and that an A5 book like I've had up to this point would be way handier for travelling.

But I really need to be able to move stuff about in my BOS and create sections etc. and add paper to it if I run out of space (I don't want lots of separate books... too messy). Gah... any ideas?

[Faeawyn]

I feel your pain. I have a word folder, with sub folders that is just SLAMMED with information. And none of it is organized well. The subfolders are named things like....spells, spells2, mega spells, great spells :rotfl: :rotfl: You can see the problem. I also have two 3 ring binders that are much better organized....but also don't contain my entire data base. It would be so nice to be able to organize the folders :hehehehe:

[Garden of Eden]

I'm quite scared of ending up with a book/file so large I can't hide it from my parents, because they would probably destroy it if they found it (but not until they'd had a good laugh at my expense and told all their friends...)

*grrrr*

[teishabee]

I've decided the no-ordered hardback book I've been using to handwrite my stuff into isn't going to work for me anymore (did it ever?).

I have that but Ive going to make 2.The first is my rough copy,Then when I have found Ideas and concepts that work for me I will copy them up.

Also you say your parents might find it.

You could always put a lock on it and label something else like homework? Or something they wudnt be interested in looking at.:crown:

[Garden of Eden]

My writing is simply far too messy to do it that way... as for the parents, I don't think I'll be able to get a binder with a lock for the amount of money I get and I'd rather have a beautiful book hidden away than something labelled 'homework' sitting out in the open... It's a great idea though... maybe I can slip the BOS into a homework folder or something and that way it could still be gorgeous and inconspicuous...

*hmmmm*

[*Rain*]

RubyRose, have you considered printing out the stuff you use, or the more relevant stuff, to have as a hard copy in a folder or book. I have a wealth of info on my computer but the more important stuff I have written down in a book.

I have a number of books which helps make things simpler, a small book I use for my tarot stuff, a larger book that I use as my main reference grimoire, a rough notebook where I write different workings, experiences or ideas. I tend to have small hardback books that I can rearrange the pages in.

I understand that not everyone is out of the broom closet and may need to hide their stuff especially from parents, but why don't you put it all in an A4 ringbinder and write something on the side that makes it look like a schoolbook? It's not the most elegant idea but in time you will be able to move it to something more fitting.

[RubyRose]

I feel your pain. I have a word folder, with sub folders that is just SLAMMED with information. And none of it is organized well. The subfolders are named things like....spells, spells2, mega spells, great spells :rotfl: :rotfl: You can see the problem. I also have two 3 ring binders that are much better organized....but also don't contain my entire data base. It would be so nice to be able to organize the folders :hehehehe:

I have similar problems as you as to my naming of files.
The thing is, everything is currently organised, but it could be organised a little better.

Each time I go to organise all my directories, I tend to deliberately skip the Pagan one, because there's too much to sort thru.

RubyRose, have you considered printing out the stuff you use, or the more relevant stuff, to have as a hard copy in a folder or book. I have a wealth of info on my computer but the more important stuff I have written down in a book.

I have a number of books which helps make things simpler, a small book I use for my tarot stuff, a larger book that I use as my main reference grimoire, a rough notebook where I write different workings, experiences or ideas. I tend to have small hardback books that I can rearrange the pages in.

I understand that not everyone is out of the broom closet and may need to hide their stuff especially from parents, but why don't you put it all in an A4 ringbinder and write something on the side that makes it look like a schoolbook? It's not the most elegant idea but in time you will be able to move it to something more fitting.

Yep, I'm currently in the middle of printing out the information that's on Word, and putting it into my binder.

[calria]

I always keep everything hardcopy in a bound composition book...
I have the problem with parental snooping, too, but I write everything in Theban, so my mom just dismisses it as part of my LOTR obsession, and leaves it at that.
Doing everything in Theban is kind of a good thing, too, in that I really think about what I write before/while I write it. I think that writing contemplatively makes what I write much more meaningful.

[Garden of Eden]

I'd love to do that... but Theban doesn't come very naturally to me, I'd have to look up every second character and I wouldn't be able to read it straight either... :(

[RubyRose]

I'd love to do that... but Theban doesn't come very naturally to me, I'd have to look up every second character and I wouldn't be able to read it straight either... :(

Ditto.

[Shatril]

How creative to use Theban. That will certainly be something that you will be able to use when you get older. For those of you who wish they could and it doesn't come naturally, well...Start doing it then you will only have to look up every 3 letters, then 4 then 5 then you just won't have to do it any more. The more u use it the quicker it will become easier.

Shatril.

[IvyWitch]

It's also a good idea to not over organize. I fell into that trap for a long time. If you've got a subfolder that only has two or three files in it, maybe think about moving it one directory up.
How many sections do you have in your binder?

[RubyRose]

It's also a good idea to not over organize. I fell into that trap for a long time. If you've got a subfolder that only has two or three files in it, maybe think about moving it one directory up.
How many sections do you have in your binder?

I currently have 25 folders, under the main folder of Pagan Information.
Pretty much all of them, have 3 or more files contained in each. I went thru it today and cleaned a few files up.

[mucgwyrt]

Blimey Ruby! That's a lot of research! :lol:

[Garden of Eden]

I bought a two-ring binder today in town and some file dividers... I'm gonna start typing all my various poems and spells/rituals and adding them in the correct sections :) (I also bought a beautiful crystal wand which I'd been pining after for months... it's so pretty!)

[Crystal_Raye]

I was going to organize everthing in my computer first and then put it in my BOS but that got to be a pian so now I just put in whatever, whenever.

[calria]

Don't be discouraged by Theban!
At first I looked at it and went... "oh crap..." but then I just started working with it, started with memorizing the vowels, and then did 2-3 letters a day, writing just normal stuff (transcribed a few entires from my livejournal, etc) and within less than a week, I'd got it memorized, and now I do great in it. I'm still trying to find another good 'witchy' alphabet, though, because there are somethings that aren't of my own writing that I'd like to put in my BoS that just don't feel right in Theban...

[RubyRose]

Blimey Ruby! That's a lot of research! :lol:

Yeah it is. I think the biggest file would have to be the one marked 'Correspondence'

It's just over a years worth of research, actually...

[The High Queen of Faerie]

i just have a notebook for each topic, i guess... ie, one for the wheel of the year, etc. if it gets full i just tape more paper in :p i am a dork.

i used to use a binder, but... it got very annoying, what with buying plastic protective sheets to put the papers in and stuff.


and about the theban: i considered doing that. :p i might start a notebook for notes on magickal alphabets, since i've got an ooold book on it. we'll see. :) :hmmmmm:

[Garden of Eden]

I've started writing a lot of stuff in Theban recently, it does get a lot easier as you go along, suprisingly enough... I'm gonna try and learn hyrogliphics (sp?) next :p

[The High Queen of Faerie]

I've started writing a lot of stuff in Theban recently, it does get a lot easier as you go along, suprisingly enough... I'm gonna try and learn hyrogliphics (sp?) next :p


heiroglyphics, i think :)

that's SO awesome though o_o what have you been writing in theban?

[Garden of Eden]

I've been doing these cool little annotation-type things on all my witchy drawings and decorating my new books with words that I feel hold power. I also wrote one or two spells :D

[The High Queen of Faerie]

I've been doing these cool little annotation-type things on all my witchy drawings and decorating my new books with words that I feel hold power. I also wrote one or two spells :D


i want to see your witchy drawings! :D

also, did you decide to do your lammas ritual?

[fay]

I've decided the no-ordered hardback book I've been using to handwrite my stuff into isn't going to work for me anymore (did it ever?). Only thing is, I'm afraid a ring binder will be too chunky to carry about etc. and that an A5 book like I've had up to this point would be way handier for travelling.

But I really need to be able to move stuff about in my BOS and create sections etc. and add paper to it if I run out of space (I don't want lots of separate books... too messy). Gah... any ideas?
my friend had an idea that i said i was going to nick but i havent got round to it yet (story of my life :p ) she bought some card and decorated it and strung it together and that was the covers and then she used loose leaf paper and just added it in when she need more. aka she made her own BOS, which i thought was way cool!

what do you guys have in your BOS? especially ruby! how do you fill so many folders?! i have my one book that is (was) more like a magickal diary, i just wrote entries about anything related to magick or wicca. but i havent written in it in months and i feel quite bad, but im not a diary keeping type person so it doesnt really work for me. any suggestions as to what i should do guys?

blessed be

[RubyRose]

my friend had an idea that i said i was going to nick but i havent got round to it yet (story of my life :p ) she bought some card and decorated it and strung it together and that was the covers and then she used loose leaf paper and just added it in when she need more. aka she made her own BOS, which i thought was way cool!

what do you guys have in your BOS? especially ruby! how do you fill so many folders?! i have my one book that is (was) more like a magickal diary, i just wrote entries about anything related to magick or wicca. but i havent written in it in months and i feel quite bad, but im not a diary keeping type person so it doesnt really work for me. any suggestions as to what i should do guys?

blessed be

Well, the way I fill so many folders, is because most of my information is stored on my computer, I pretty it up and then print it out, and store it in my Book of Shadows 3 ring binder

As for what I actually have in my BoS, go here:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=48557

Bendithion,
RubyRose

[calria]

I try to be really particular about what I put in...
- chants/prayers/rituals
- charges that I read and feel connected to
- the meanings of tarot cards, herbs, crystals, metals, woods, etc.
- ongoing compilations of information about the gods/goddesses
Everything else I put into my Muselog, lately... which isn't much, but it's something.

[The High Queen of Faerie]

I try to be really particular about what I put in...
- chants/prayers/rituals
- charges that I read and feel connected to
- the meanings of tarot cards, herbs, crystals, metals, woods, etc.
- ongoing compilations of information about the gods/goddesses
Everything else I put into my Muselog, lately... which isn't much, but it's something.


muselog?