BOOK OF SHADOWS


MERRY MEET
I am happy to welcome you to my "Book of Shadows". I fully believe every witch should have one. For it is a very useful tool which helps you to record events and later to see your development as you have followed the path.

A Book of Shadows is a blank book in which you write down any information you think is interesting or useful to you. You should begin yours as soon as possible. It can be any sort of book, but needs to be fairly large one as you will be writing a lot of things in it. (Trust me the bigger the better.) You can make your own if you are lucky to be creative and talented enough, but if your not don�t panic; you should be able to find one. New Age supply stores sell blank "Books of Shadows" or Booksellers and art supply shops often carry bound sketch books that serve well and can be decorated to suite you.

I assume that most of you have visited site similar to this one before, and have seen their Book of Shadows being referred to as a Grimoire. They are using a terminolgy that was in use before the Dark Ages of England. When Witches were being prosecuted for their belief�s. To be caught with a Grimoire during the Burning Times meant torture and death. So they become known as the Book of Shadows, Books that could only be brought out of hiding during the darkest parts of night with as little light as possible to see with. Hence the name Book of Shadows, they have been referred to as this ever since.

A Book of Shadows is a very powerful thing, as it contains all your magical workings and records and therefore it contains residual magic from you. It grows more powerful with the passing years, as you expand it. It must be handwritten. You should always treat it with respect and never let anyone else handle it. A Book of Shadows usually includes:

It might also have:

Its your book, so place whatever you like in it. In this age of technology some like to keep their Book of Shadows on the computer, for this makes for easy retrieval and organisation of the information. However I still think you should have a handwritten book. A computer disk is no substitute for the power of a handwritten book.

I must confess I do both as it surely is easier to print out a spell or a research document when requested to by a friend then write it out. Oh! And to place it on my webpage.!!

You can hide your Book away if its necessary in your home, Or keep it on your altar or bookshelf. Mine is with all my books on the craft in a cantainer with wheels under my bed. I am building a Cabinet for all my books to be stored. I have designed it specially for this purpose with the aide of my older brother. I will let you know how it goes.

My book is wrapped in Black velvet and is kept in a bag that keeps all the power within. ( I even placed my favourite scent "Roses" by way of pot pourri with it). I sometimes cast spells atop of my Book this is a very efficient way of using the power held within.

To oversee and protect my Book of Shadows, A deity that represented what was special to me , was chosen. An excellent deity for my book was the Celtic Patron of Bards, Music, Magick and Poetry.

Taliesin, He was a great Celtic Bard, He is said to have gained his knowledge from the Cauldron of Cerridwen.

It is best to chose a God or Goddess that will protect your workings. This of course will depend on the path within the craft you have chosen to follow.

I would really enjoy receiving any spells or rituals that you have made up, or stories of events, If you like I can place make a page of contributed stories if you would like to share them with other guests.
Taliesin
BLESSED BE
GANELLE

P.S: It might be interesting to note that if you are a member of a Coven, You can add a section dedicated to your Coven Work into your Book.




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