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Realm of the Mystic Griffin * DISCOVER THE MAGIC WITHIN; Fine Art, Wicca, Magick, Education & Articles
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Spell books, Magick Journals & Grimoires |
The Book of Shadows (BOS),
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What's in a Book of Shadows, & why do I need to have one? by Tree | |
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A Book of Shadows, or BOS, is a record of your life as a witch, Wiccan, pagan. You'll be able to see how you've grown in the craft and as a spiritual entity by looking back at older entries. Your BOS is a journal, a place to store your spells, and a most importantly... a workbook. You can't possibly remember all the words to every spell and/or ritual you'll want to perform. As you find new spells, and try them, you'll want to keep track of the results and any changes you might need to make for the future. Storing such notes in a journal section or chapter of your Book of Shadows keeps everything right together. Often referred to as a witch's bible, such a book of everything is in truth a grimoire. You might choose to create a separate book for recording notes and only put spells, rituals, and prayers into a BOS. Personally I prefer to keep things as together as possible, so my own BOS is actually a grimoire. A BOS can be created by using any kind of blank book. Remember you'll be working from this book so choose one because it will work for you, not just because it's pretty or cool. Many people spend big bucks to get fancy "witchy" looking books in which to write, but they're often just not practical. It can be difficult to get such books to stay flat open when on an altar. One of the best things to use as a BOS is a simple 3 ring binder. Stores like Wal-mart usually have binders that you can slide a picture into a sleeve on the cover and spine to make it look fancy and magickal. By using a binder you can open the prongs and take out only the pages you need for the task at hand. Using a binder also allows you to move things around in your BOS so that it's easier to keep track of all your bits & pieces of knowledge as the number of pages grows.
1. Deity Concepts and Beliefs -
What ARE your beliefs? Do you worship the God and Goddess as a Wiccan in religious ritual, or are you more leaned towards the folk magic of the witch? Worship both God and Goddess, or do you favor one particular deity? What do you believe happens upon death? This is the place to define just what it is you are doing and what you hope to gain from your journey.
2. History, Myths, and Legends of the Gods -
How the world was created in your belief. Who ARE the Gods you'll be working with? Your favorite stories of the Gods can go in here.
3. Altars Diagrams, Decorations, and General Info -
Here you can have guides to remind you how you'll be setting up your altar for every day or holiday use. Your diagrams and notes in here should be a map to show you where to place things.
4. Circle Casting/ Dispersing -
How will you cast your sacred circle? How IS a circle cast. Here you'll store instructions for making a circle and also how to close one down safely.
5. Rituals, Sabbats, and Esbats -
This is where you'll keep notes on what the sabbats are and when. It's also a good place to keep the actual rituals you'll be using. Remember, with a three ring binder you can add new rituals as you come across them, or remove one's you may have out grown, (but don't throw them away! Tuck them in a file somewhere). When you are doing a ritual at the time of one of the spokes on the wheel of the year that is a sabbat. An esbat is what it would be called every other time you cast a circle and call to the Gods. If you're in a coven you may attend a monthly esbat at the full or new moon, say. Sabbats are times to praise the Gods not times to do heavy spell work.
6. Invocation/Evocation -
Here you'll put the definition and the difference between invoking a Deity and evoking an entity. Basically an invocation is an invitation. You politely invite the Gods to attend your rites. Evocation is a bit more forceful. When you evoke, you are pulling out, calling down, politely demanding the presence of a lesser being such as when calling the four quarters and the Elements.
7. Invocations to the Gods -
These are mini-rituals in themselves. Just what God are you inviting? Each Deity has it's own best way to help us, so each has it's own way of being called upon.
8. Prayers, Chants, & Poems -
Non-spells. Petitions and praise to the Deities outside of the sacred circle. Meal blessings, bedtime prayers, meditations, and or course, your favorite pagan poems. Collecting poetry can become a hobby in and of itself. And looking for more is a great way to meet fellow pagans!
9. Magickal Rites and General Magick Information -
Here's where you'll store your ritual, or rites, that you do for a purpose other than just to worship and commune with the Gods. Ritual to contact higher self, ritual for cleansing stones, rituals who's purpose is to cause growth and change. You may also have rites here to call up the Elementals to help you in a deed. In magickal rites the Gods are still called and the sacred circle is cast. These are still religious rites, like a turbo prayers.
10. Spells, Charms, and Other Folk Magick -
Generally in folk magick and witchcraft a Deity or higher power is not called upon. Instead of the higher key energies of the Gods, folk magic works more with the elements and charms. These should be non-religious acts intended to relieve a situation and/or cause personal well being. A formal circle need not be cast for these more casual rites.
11. Tools and Symbols -
In my own book I found it helpful to keep notes of what the tools to use in ceremony are called and how they are used. The more you use your tools and symbols, the more you'll learn them. Until you get the hang of all the terms it really helps to have it handy. The list of possible symbols to use in the world is infinite. But there will be certain symbols you'll use more than once and this is a good place to keep track of them. Don't be afraid to draw in your book. It's really meant for your eyes only, so the level of skill you may have is no matter. And, if you have no desire for doodles, you can always write out a text version. The point is to make a map for yourself. Something that you'll be able to quickly glance at to refresh your memory on subjects such as the arrangement of tools on the altar (see illustrations above).
12. Tables and Charts -
ie. color meaning and use, wheel of the year, stone characteristics, moon cycles.
  So that's my BOS. I later added a section for recipes and home remedies. That brought the total number of sections to 13! This was unintentional, but very fitting as the number 13 is sacred within the occult. Eventually my book collection became a small reference library. You'll likely pick up a few books on the craft along the way too. Don't forget to check the shelves of your local public library! Many have nice collections of new-age & occult books to borrow. You won't want to write down everything you learn. But things you'll use on a regular basis, things that are special to you, and things that may be hard to remember, are things you'll want to be able to find easily. That's the main purpose of a book of shadows -- it's a recipe book, a journal, and a map -- a friend for the journey! |
