Please allow me to start off by explaining what I'm asking about, and where (situation wise) I'm coming from. My son professes himself to be "pagan", I don't have a problem with that. He has mentioned putting together a Book of Shadows for himself, though "Shadows" has a negative connotation to some, it is, he assures me, just a book to gather his rituals and spells together in one place.
I've begun putting one together for myself, containing the various rituals, spells, and prayers I have found of use in my wiccan methods. Some Trinitarian Wiccans refer to this as a Book of Light.
What I was wanting to ask about is this: Does anyone else in the group have such a book, and what types of things do you find useful to put in it? I know it's supposed to personal and private, so I'm not necessarily asking for specifics, unless you feel like sharing that is.
Any tips or assistance would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance for at least hearing me out.
I call mine by book of shadows and light, so far I have put in herbal recipes, information on tarot, wheel of the year dates, herbal magical correspondences, information about colours,some prayers, info about moon phases, animal totem correspondences and I am still adding to it!I hope this helps! I tend to describe it as a book of shadows and light as we all have our positive and negative qualities!! I hope this helps?! Remember this is your book so do what feels right to you! I have a personal study diary as I am currently working with a book called "Wicca a Year and a Day" by Timothy Roderick, I did a great online wicca course last year and I was so impressed I have now decided to take the steps to become wiccan, it's great to have found this site with others who are also Christian!
Thanks Silver, I'm kinda heading in those directions myself, I'm trying to get it organized though, some of the stuff will forever keep expanding, while other stuff will just stay the same, so it's hard to decide where in the book to put some of these things, that's my biggest struggle right now.
I have a notebook, grimoir, and book of shadows. The BoS is mainly a journal, the grimoir is where I keep my spells, and the notebook is a bunch of random things I've learned. I'm a sucker for organization, which isn't easy with this practice XD Trust your gut when it comes to what to put in or not. If something doesn't feel right, try another way :)
I am kind of a closet practitioner so all my content is online and in password protected folders in a big word document, and in pdf format for my iphone in ibooks.
So far, my book is still on my computer, but once I get it organized, the stuff that will remain the same will get printed out (my handwriting is hard to read for by myself) and I'll stitch and bind them into a book(let) for portability. I guess I could do a pdf on my phone as well, that's a good idea.
Hi AuroraJanaye, Sorry for my late reply! there is a free online wicca course I did last year which helped me to organise my book of shadows as they sent me a lesson each week and it helped me structure my learning, If you Google Uncle Festers Free Wicca Course you can sign up there and they will send you your first lesson within 48hrs, it is an excellent starting point! Then you could add the information to your book of shadows, I have a lever arch file for information (spells, tarot, herbs etc!!) and a diary to reflect my feelings and experiences, remember there is no right or wrong way!
When I move into my own place soon this is something im going to invest in, especially with seperated sections. Like I said above, I have an electronic one but rather have a proper book of shadows.
I bought a black bound sketch book. I work in IT during the day, so having a physical book was that much more important in separating my spiritual journey from my secular life. There is something about having a tangible book to write that is very grounding and intimate. I think in the end it is whatever allows you to connect the most directly to your written journey.
