I need help on what kind of journal or book idea I should use as my book of shadows. I see people with there vintage and perfect looking grimoire and I get jealous. And we all got to admit most witches want something like that.
Do any of you guys have any ideas for making an easy book of shadows that looks nice. I don't just want to write in it I also want to add in some flair, like art and stuff. I can't draw good and I'm not that crafty with arts and crafts. I feel like if I did try to draw in it I will mess up or something.
Any ideas?
I would suggest going to your local artisan or farmers markets and trying to locate a journal maker. Many crafty events will have at least one person who does leather crafting or book binding, and they generally have journals that are gorgeous and "witchy", as well as occasionally being customisable.
Alternatively, you could purchase a plain black hardcover sketchbook from just about any bookstore, and modge podgr (it's a type of collage) the outer cover with photos, printouts, and various other bits of meaningful decoration, to create a personalised book. This will also be helpful as the paper is excellent quality for drawing, and is strong enough to handle erasers without tearing!
The latter option tends to be more cost effective, but it can be relatively time consuming, so I'd suggest pricing things out, planning a time frame, and then choosing. Hope this helps!
Re: Book of Shadows Question By: Nekoshema / Novice
Post # 3 Aug 12, 2017
well a BoS should feel right to you. but if you can't find/afford one you like, i would go with a really nice notebook from a bookstore. i know what you're looking for [and i would love one too] but my 3 books don't really look like that. the first is an old notebook [no lines, hard cover] my dad gave me. my second is the closest, my sister got me a leather-bound one with hand made paper and a crystal in it cover [you can find those at bookstores, don't know if they're still popular. the one i got i think is around the 20$-30$ range. the last one is a really nice book with peacock feathers on the cover and gold leafing. really, use what speaks to you. you can always transfer the information to a new book anyway.
I just use a cheap spiral notebook for my witchcraft journalling, but I feel like my sketch books are more spiritual. Maybe you should get a leather bound journal, without lines so you can draw. Also drawing is a skill, you'll get better with time and practise (:
Re: Book of Shadows Question By: PixieSpirit / Beginner
Post # 5 Aug 12, 2017
Also, you could always have a binder and print pages off. That's what I did when I first started out because I always felt like I would mess the pages up if I tried to write in it because my hand writing wouldn't be pretty enough. And you can get packs of parchment paper to use to give it the old look.
Here is a post I wrote on studying tips and advice for beginners, it lists some ideas you could use for a 'Book of Shadows'.
There are a lot of guides on youtube for making your own book/styling it - search and you shall find.
Just remember, you don't need to go all out at once - my personal advice to you is start simple - record your knowledge first before trying to make the book into a literary version of a Picaso.
And don't compare yourself to other practitioners - just because they have this big fancy tome doesn't mean you need it, or if it would be right for you, some practitioners keep small notebooks with some points jotted down and the rest of the info in their head - some practitioners don't have a book at all.