| Your BOS |
| Your BoS Is it time to start recording your beliefs and preferences into a working tradition? Most Wiccans have a Book of Shadows (BoS), or a book that contains rituals, concepts, beliefs, etc. These books are often used in circle to guide rituals (an "instruction" book). Even if you hate writing, consider making a BoS. They are valuable not only for recording your rituals, spells and ideas, but also for helping you expand your understanding of Wicca. The actual book can come in many shapes and sizes. Some folks prefer bound blank paged books. I suggest using a three ringed binder...you will be adding and subtracting stuff over the years and being able to shuffle pages helps. I suggest you hand write at least one copy of your BoS. Computers are great, but "Disks of shadows" loose some of the mystique of having something in your own hand. Besides BoS can be fun to make, esp., if you are creative and can decorate some key pages with drawings, calligraphy, Celtic knotwork, etc. (suggestion: use clear plastic 3 ringed binder sheets, or punch holes in a transparency, to protect the pages from wax droppings during a ritual). Below is a sample "table of contents" for a BoS. You can change or modify it at will: 17. Book Blessing (invocation asking for the God/Des to bless/protect) 18. Statement of tradition (name of practice, brief explanation of sect/tradition, deities.) 19. Rules/goals (as above) 20. General beliefs (reincarnation, threefold law, etc) 21. Altar layout, tools used and what for, ritual dress, etc. 22. Rituals I.e.: ? Circle casting procedure ? Sabbats/Moons ? Prayers, invocations, songs ? Etc. (handfastings, initiations, tool consecrations, etc) 23. Spellworking Rituals - color/element/stone correspondences "spells" recipes, incenses, ritual foods, etc. One big thing is missing. I prefer to keep diaries, dream and magic journals, meditation, etc. in a separate book. Why? Because I see the BoS as a relatively "permanent" book HOME |