I'm trying to start my own Book of Shadows soon. I know somewhat how to do so but I'm confused after reading a few articles. Do I NEED to put in the Wiccan Rede even if I am not Wiccan? Another article said to write a personal blessing but how would I go about writing this? Do I need to have the Wheel Year and Sabbats in it? Is there anything else that I should know?
Re: Book of Shadows Question By: H2OfanRikki / Novice
Post # 2 Jul 27, 2016
A book of shadows is usually just a book where you can write down your experiences, trial and errors, your craft, practice, spells, etc.
If you are not Wiccan, you don't need the Wiccan Rede, if you don't follow the Wheel of the Year, you don't need to add that in either, you can put in whatever you want and leave out anything you aren't interested in adding, a book of shadows is very personal, so everything you put in is entirely up to you.
Do I need to put in the Wiccan Rede even if I am not Wiccan? No.
Another article said to write a personal blessing but how would I go about writing this?
You don't need one. You can make a simple one, "Prosperity and good fortune for me as I learn and grown.
Do I need to have the Wheel Year and Sabbats in it?
No.
Is there anything else that I should know?
This book is for you, you may put in anything that you want or find useful. There is no requirement for what goes in it. You also do not have to have one, they are a tool that you can use and often benefit from.
One of my friends filled hers with any information she found pertaining to her religion, from spells to runes to quick notes she jotted down.
I know sometimes else who has a BoS filled with almost nothing but information on plants.
Mine (though I prefer to use the term grimoire, as people tend to assume that I'm Wiccan if I refer to it as a book of shadows) has three sections; one for spells, one for rituals (such as honoring the dead, celebrating the seasons, etc), and one for miscellaneous writings (I have a short rhyme about faeries in the misc section, as an example).
Some other things people put in their BoS is Zodiacal information, Moon phases, dreams, chakra information, and different types of stones (just some ideas; it's not limited to or required to be any of this).
Point being, there's no right way to go about creating a BoS. And you can always start over. I have an old, smaller grimoire that I decided was too messy and hard to use, so I made a new one. That's always an option.
Your Book of Shadows or Grimoire, whatever you decide to call it, can have whatever you need in it. I personally have 6 notebooks filled to the brim with information on everything that interests me or pertains to my practice. I know people who use 3 ring binders so they can organize their information around to how they want it. Its really up to you.