Well, first to start off, it's best to know what you are using it for. I've seen many ppl use a BOS as a spellbook, and others use a grimore as a spellbook instead, keeping the BOS as a ritual diary. Either ones fine, but there is one custom trait that almost every BOS has. Like most profesional witch's items, they all are different in some way; no two are the same.
If you are using it as a spellbook, Its best to write down as many corrert corrospondents you can find, such as: herbs, items, metals, crystals, trees types, moon phases, flowers, major dieties, oils, incence, what they do, ect. After that, spells and rituals you have tryed yourself and proven possible (you dont wanna have a non-working spell in there before you do it), basic notes of how long they took to take effect, what the timing was, the corrospendents to that spell, ect. You will also wanna write down any techneques you find usuable and workable along the way. Not everybody ways for doing somethings are the same, and you just might find a better way. (so keep everything writen down)
If your using it as a journal, you'll wanna basically write down what you did magickal that day. I doesn't matter if it was just meditation, put it in there along with your thoughts, furture plans, dates of spells and outcomes. You can even use pictures, poems, whatever to help explain your feelings. Its basically your book, you can put anything in it.
You can even use it for both a journal and a spellbook if you wish. Just remember though, the more you write in it, the more power from you it gets. Handwriten BOS are almost always better than ones put together with typed paper. And do not let anyone see it, let alone read it but you read it. I hope I helped you. ^^ If you have anymore questions on Books of shadows, just pm me and Ill help you.
A book of shadows should never be read by anyone but the person who wrote it. Unless they are told otherwise. A BOS (for short) can house spells, enchanments, thoughts, ideas, learned information, or a list of things you wish to learn. It can be decorated any way you like. A BOS should always be made by yourself. However, it can be a gift from someone...but ONLY if you trust them!!! For example the one i have my aunt made for me as a Yule gift.
I'm making my own Book of Shadows. I am writing the spells in English, but My thoughts I will make up my own code for, or use the Angelic Alphabet. This way, if it falls into the wrong hands, no one but my self can read it.
A book of Shadows can be as simple as a notebook that you have written spells and other things in. It can be decorated however you want it. You could also have a cyber BOS. this is the same as a regular book of shadows, but with one difference. It's on the computer. I have both actually. since i have a laptop my cyber BOS goes everywhere with me. my actual book never leaves my house. I hope that this has helped you deside to create your own Book of Shadow.
honestly, a book of shadows is a witches way of recording their magickal life, in the way that they see fit. Like myself i write the knowledges I learn and the spells i make/ use on a daily basis. I have a spiritual journal for my actual daily thoughts and practices, aswell as feelings and experiences.
However, a BoS can be used in any way a witch sees fit.
Aswell, others are allowed to look in your book if you permit them, depending if you're a neo- or traditional witch.
traditional witch - only you and coven members may look inside (sometimes only you)
neo-witch - the witch who has opened their book and does not care who glances in, however nothing can be taken out of the book by others nor be touched, unless from the same coven.
Best way to think of it is like a diary, its up to you how you treat it, aswell as it is up to you what your write in it. I myself, am more tradition but still neo. I let very few close friends even know that i practice witchcraft and even then they are not allowed in my BoS...some of my family doesnt even know it exists.
hey, i'm semi-new to casting, and am waiting for the full moon to bless my BoS. I was wondering if anyone had spells that THEY HAVE TRIED AND WORKED that they think are essential to a BoS.
