Book of Shadows

Almost daily, we receive questions at Moontide regarding just what is or is not a Book of Shadows. There are dozens of books that are published under the name "Book of Shadows", and as Wiccans, we're told that we need a Book of Shadows, but just what is one? 

The truest definition is that it's a type of personal, magickal and ritual diary, and every Wiccan should keep one. Of the dozens published, some are good, some less so, but none could actually serve as your personal  Book of Shadows, as they're not of your own creation, an accounting of your own experiences. They are merely reference material and examples to follow or ignore, as you choose, in the creation of your own B.O.S.

Typically, a B.O.S. will contain a detailed accounting of any spells that you may have performed or instructions on those you may plan to perform. It will contain chants, poems, musings, writings of any kind on your magickal, religious or ritual experiences. It may contain charts regarding the zodiac or cycles of the moon. It may contain any manner of any type of information that pertains to your practice of the craft. Anything. All Wiccans are encouraged to record the details of their practice. In this way, they can more easily share their information if needed, and they may always look back and reference past successes and failures, enabling them to grow more proficient  in their practice.

Your B.O.S. may be typed or handwritten, bound in a gilded, leather volume, or a ratty, loose leaf binder. The actual binding is of no importance. It's only the contents of the book that matter. Every detail regarding your practice, no matter how seemingly mundane, should be taken down. Emotions, musings and feelings, dreams, psychic murmurings, magickal ideas of any kind...all should be written, as any piece of this puzzle may be of importance to your spiritual and magickal growth.

At Moontide, we actually keep three Books. Our first is a handwritten, daily diary of magickal, religious and ritual events, thoughts and research. Later, the best of that information is edited, refined and typed in a beautiful, yet easily read, font. Those pages are printed, put in plastic, sheet protectors and then included in a large, attractively decorated loose leaf binder. Our third, and most personal, B.O.S. is the carefully handwritten version of that second book. Here, we take the time to use our best calligraphic skills in creating, what we hope to be, a magickal work of art...an accounting of our most successful spells and most beautiful rituals and thoughts on the craft. This is the book that will be passed on to our next generation.

How you choose to create your own Book of Shadows is entirely up to you, but you are strongly encouraged to start one, if you have not already. Work on it daily, when possible. It will surely become a great tool and comfort to you as you continue on your spiritual path.

The information contained in our site BOS (an abbreviation nearly all Wiccans use) is yours to reference, but if you're transferring or "borrowing" any of it for your own BOS, please either link your site to the page you wish to share (for any on-line BOS), allowing us to have credit for our work, or use our information to aid you in writing your own thoughts on the subject. 

Articles that were written by those not directly affiliated with Moontide Arts are being used by us with permission, so to use those, you must take steps towards getting your own permission. When in doubt, just email us, and we'll be happy to answer your questions and offer encouragment.