Your Book of Shadows (BOS), is a very sacred, personal tool used to store valuable information youâll need in your tradition, whatever it may be. You will come across a lot of knowledge on your journey and so itâs a great idea to start a journal of sorts to keep it all organized for reference in ritual, spellwork, and any other spiritual work. In this post you will find a basic method to help you get started in making your own BOS. Donât let anyone tell you thereâs only one way to make your BOS - use what works best for you!
Gerald Gardner claimed to have produced the first Book of Shadows and is believed to have coined the term. Of course, many belief systems and individuals have been recording magical and spiritual experience far before his time.Â
His first draft was initially known as âYe Bok of ye Art Magicalâ (renamed The Book of Shadows in 1949)Â It was believed that there existed a Sanskrit book of divination which explained how to foretell things based upon the length of a personâs shadow. This is believed to be where Gerald Gardner came up with the name âBook of Shadowsâ.
Gardner told his early students in the Brickett Wood coven that the Book of Shadows was a personal cookbook of spells that have worked for him personally, and that they were welcome to copy from it, and to add or remove material as they saw fit.Â
Traditionally, the Book of Shadows was always hand-written by the individual, and a common custom for new initiates into a coven was to hand-copy the teacherâs Book of Shadows exactly as it appeared, and then later to add their own material as they progressed in the craft. Some Wiccans keep two Books of Shadows: one book of core rituals which does not change, and from which new initiates copy; and another coven book for ritual use, which is different from group to group and may contain much added material, some of it traded between covens. Today, however, with the advantages of technology, they are often typed and photocopied, or even computerized onto discs or websites.
In modern Eclectic Wiccan terminology, a Book of Shadows is more of a personal magical journal rather than a traditional text, and it exists to record rituals, spells and their results, and other magical information of an individual or coven, and is not normally passed from teacher to student.
1. TRADITIONAL:Â 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! You can also utilize the sheet protectors by leaving page numbers blank on your paper pages and using a dry erase marker on the sheet protector to write down the page numbers on both content and the table of contents to easily keep things organized and rearrangeable.Â
2. DIGITAL: Keep in mind that as our technology is constantly changing, the way we use it does too - there are people who keep their BOS completely digitally on a flash drive, their laptop, or even stored virtually to be accessed by their favorite mobile device. A BOS pulled up on a smartphone is no less valid than one copied by by hand in ink onto parchment. Weâre all on the go pretty much constantly, and if youâre someone who prefers to have your BOS immediately accessible - and editable - at any time, you might want to consider a digital BOS. If you choose to go this route, there are a number of different apps you can use that will make organization easier. If youâve got access to a tablet, laptop, or phone, you can absolutely make a digital Book of Shadows!
3. DIGITAL + TRADITIONAL: You can also design your pages digitally, print them off, and organize them in a handbound journal or three-ring binder. This is my preferred method because itâs quick and pretty. If you arenât artistically inclined, there are premade BOS pages available for print-off on Pinterest.Â
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BOOK OF SHADOWS
When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections that are nearly universally included.Â
Your title page should include your name (or magical name, if you see fit). 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, âThe Book of Shadows of [your name]â on the front page.Â
2. Laws of Your Coven or Tradition (Beliefs)
Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group, itâs a really good idea to keep them at the front of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what doesnât. If youâre part of an eclectic tradition that doesnât have written rules, or if youâre a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what you think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you donât set yourself some guidelines, how will you know when youâve crossed over them?
This may include a variation on the Wiccan Rede, or some similar concept.
If youâve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Wiccans 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, âI, [your name], dedicate myself to [insert deity] today, [insert date].â
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, itâs a good idea to include that here.
When it comes to spellcasting, correspondence tables are some of your most important tools. Phases of the moon, herbs, stones and crystals, colors â all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will be at the ready when you really need it. If you have access to a good almanac, itâs not a bad idea to record a year'sâ worth of moon phases by date in your BOS.
6. Sabbats, Esbats, and Other Rituals
The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays for most Wiccans 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.
If youâll be celebrating each full moon, youâll 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 youâll be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be sure to include them here.
If youâre 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.
While itâs fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes itâs just as nice to have information thatâs 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.
Thereâs a lot to be said for âkitchen witchery,â 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.
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. Itâs easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity, protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include - particularly if you write your own rather than using someone elseâs ideas - make sure you also leave room to include information on when the working was performed and what the outcome was.
Check this link for other ideas on the subject matter to incorporate into your BOS (or a premade one you can purchase.)Â
Many Pagans feel a BOS should be handwritten, but as technology progresses, some use their computer to store information as well. Donât let anyone tell you thereâs only one way to make your BOS - use what works best for you!
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.
If youâre going the traditional route, make sure you write legibly enough that youâll be able to read your notes during a ritual!
Please keep in mind that one does not have to practice magic or even be Pagan in order to create a BOS. One can simply record their spiritual journey and experiences.Â
You can also call it something else if the âBook of Shadowsâ term makes you uncomfortable.Â
What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical alphabets. Unless youâre 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.Â
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 youâre really super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more, youâll have more information to include â 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.
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 youâll start to recognize patterns in authorsâ works. You may also want to add a section that includes books youâve read, as well as what you thought of them. This way, when you get a chance to share information with others, youâll remember what youâve read.
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