Book Of Shadows
There are two main books used by Witches with their Craft.
The Grimoire, and the Book of Shadows.
Both books are used to collect information related to the Craft.
The Grimoire is often used by a Coven. It includes the Coven rules, rituals, and practices, and is otherwise much like a textbook for Magick.
They rarely have personal notes or observations.
The Book of Shadows is a personal Grimoire, a shadow of the self. Many Witches never show their Book of Shadows to anyone. It has everything a Grimoire has but created by the individual Witch, plus it will have personal information, thoughts, observations, and rituals.
While a single book is the stereo-type, many Witches will have multiple books, divided by topics or dates. An encyclopedia of Grimoires.
There is a lot of information that can go into this book, each one as unique as the person owning it. Below is a very long list of ideas. Include what you need to get your crafting done, and what feels right for your book.
The Book of Shadows Lengthy List
Book Blessing
(and/or Dedication and/or Initiation)
Protective Charm and/or Warning
Dedications, Charges, and Redes
Dedication to the Craft
Dedication to the Creator
Dedication/Initiation to your Coven or Tradition
Dedication to your Pantheon
Dedication to certain God and Goddess
Dedication to the Divine
Dedication to Nature, etc
Witches/Wiccan Rede
Charge of Goddess
Charge of God
Laws
Of your Coven or Tradition
The Acceptable Rules of Magick (according to YOU, this is your book)
Spiritual Rules
Witches Pyramid
13 goals of a witch
The Four Agreements
Witchcraft Oath
Calls to Gather
Yours
Introduction
Name, age, birthdate, birthplace
What inspires you
Likes and Dislikes
Thoughts and beliefs
What inspired you to become a witch?
What is/was your path to becoming a witch?
Are you religious and what are your thoughts?
What is witchcraft and magick to you?
What do you want your life to look like?
What do you want your life to feel like?
Write down your needs, wants, and fears, and get to know yourself a little better.
Daily Practices
Daily Rituals
Daily Blessings
Morning Intention
Nightly Close
Regular Practices
Weekly Rituals
Monthly Rituals
Moontime Rituals
Birthday Ritual
Yearly Ritual
Calendar
What is Time?
Cycle of Life and Death
Phenology Wheel
Times of the Day (Hourly and Key times)
Days of the Week
Months and Seasons
Zodiacs and Calendars
Festivals and Celebrations*
Sabbats*
Quarters/Cross-Quarters *
Esbats *
Astrology and Astronomy
Sun
Moon
Planets
Zodiacs
Constellations
Retrograde
Void of Course
Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable
Symbols and Runes
Letters
Symbols
Moon Runes
Magic Circles
Ogham Staves
Sigils, Sigil Wheels
Egyptian Hieroglyphs
Runes and Runic Codes
Theban Alphabet (Witch’s Alphabet)
Amulets and Talisman (as tools often inscribed)
Secret Languages and Coding/Decoding/Creating them
Tools of the Craft
Origins, What Each Tool Is Used For, How to make, & Proper Usage
Meanings and Symbolism
Correspondences
Bells
Besom
Mirrors
Cauldron
Grimoire
Crystal Ball
Pendulums
Special Clothes
Dream Catchers
Altars – layouts, use
Wands/Staves/Staff
Ritual Knife/Athame
Incense/Bundled Herbs
Ouija/Divination Boards
Correspondence Tables
Candles
Colors
Cords
Elements
Essential Oils
Feathers
Fragrance
Incense
Metals, Minerals
Planetary
Seashells
Teas
Salt – types, purpose
Zodiac and calendars
Phases of the Moon
Time of Day (Hourly)
Days of the Week
Numbers, numbering systems
Crystals, Gems, Stones
Flowers, Spices, Herbs, Trees
Directions – calling of the four directions, etc
Divination
Arithmancy and Numerology
Astrology, Planets, Meanings and Definitions, Birth Charts
Biorhythm
Bones
Cartomancy *
I Ching
Gazing (Crystal Ball)
Geomancy
Lithomancy
Necromancy
Palmistry
Pendulum (How To, Charts, Boards)
Radiesthesia
Runes
Scrying
Tea Leaf Reading (Symbols, Meanings)
(there are so many other ways)
Magickal Recipes
Herbs and Herbal Blends
Oils and Essential Oils
Incense
Candles
Potions
Infusions, tinctures, balms, lotions, teas
Food and Magickal Correspondences
Recipes for Sabbats and Esbats, Festivals, Quarters, Cross Quarters
Rosewater, Moon Water, Silvered Water, Lavender Syrup, Black Salt, Purification Salt
Other Kitchen Witchery
Magickal Spells, Incantations, Curses, and Ritual
Spell Workings
Secret Names
Spell Timing
Preparing a Spell
Prepping a ritual
Consecration/Anointing of Tools, how to
Consecration Rhymes, Blessings
Casting and Closing a Circle
Amulets, Charms, and Talisman
Sachets, Magick Bags, Conjuring Bags
Protection Sachet, Charm Bags
Elemental Spell
Golden Psi-ball for Happiness
Drawing Down the Moon Spell
Moon Magick/Moon Water Spell
Charging/Balancing/Grounding
Cleansing/Smoke Bathing/Purifying
Banishing, Binding, Hexing, Cursing
Nature Rituals (wind, storm, rain, etc)
Crystal Grids
Bath Rituals
Spell of life
The Honey Jar
The Witch Bottle
The Witches Rune
Protection Spells
The Oak Pentagram Amulet
To Bring Joy to a Negative Person
Prosperity, Money, or Employment Spells
To Get Noticed at Work
Retrieval Spell (find what is lost)
Candle Magick
Garden Magick
Kitchen Magick
Knot Magick
Sex Magick
Blood Magick
Science
Anatomy
Alchemy
Archaeology
Architecture
Astronomy
Environments
Meteorology
Mineralogy
Neurology
Philosophy
Psychology
Quantum Physics
Sacred Geometry
Flora (info, care, guides)
Fauna
Mycology
Drugs and Hallucinogen
Familiars and Totem Animals
Creatures and Cryptozoology
Taxidermy, Insect Preservation, Herbal and Floral Presses
Herbalism (Preparation of Herbs, Potions, Infusions, Baths, Teas, Cosmetics, Perfumes etc.)
Natural Medicine (Salves etc.)
Alternative Medicine (Acupuncture, Meditation, Bach Essences, Reiki, etc)
Physical Movement – Salutations, Stretching, Yoga, Meditation Poses, Martial Arts
Natural Phenomenons and Catastrophes
Science in relation to Energy and Magick
Parapsychology (Telekinesis, Telepathy etc)
Physiognomy, Kinesics, and other studies related to body language
Otherworld
Ghosts and Spirits and How to Communicate with Them (Ouija etc.)
Dreams, Lucid Dreaming, Dreamwork
Astral Projection
Spirit Guides, Angels, Archangels, Daemons, Beings
Invocation, Evocation, and Conjuring
Other Spiritual Practices
Different Studies of Energy Work, Magick, and other Spiritual Practices
Auras, Chakras, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism, Kabbalah, Mysticism,
Gnostic Study, Wicca, Thelema, Voodoo
Philosophical Texts
Poetry, Stories, Artwork, Mythology, Theology, Thealogy, History, Herstory, Spiritual and Religious Stories
Witch – history, etymology, how to say in other languages
The Origins of Witches and the History of Magick
Witch types
Deities List
Pantheons
Mythical Beings
Myths, Legends, and Stories of Gods, Goddesses, and Beings
Lore and Superstitions
Pagan Lore
Divine Information about the Creator
Creation Stories
Spiritual Pictures or Artwork
People (that inspire or interest you)
Any other lore, legends, parables, fables, or stories you like
Secret Societies
Poetry
Prayer, Intentions, Mantras, and Sacred Text
Prayers
Blessings
Prayers for Prayer Beads and/or Mala mantras (and make beads)
Intentions – for morning, for moon cycles, yearly, daily, birthday, etc
Close – nightly, for ending moon cycles, year close, weekly close, etc
Chants (for individuals, groups, and for circle)
Energy Share (sending strength or “vibes” or peace, etc)
Meditation mantras and expression
Miscellaneous
Pressed Leaves and Flowers (Herbarium)
Witch Challenges
Mundane Tasks Made Magickal
Song Lyrics and Lists
Quotes
Drawings and Sketches
Dream Journal
Photos
D. I. Y Ideas and Tutorials
Books to Read and Favorite Summaries
Terminology
*Festivals and Celebrations (Birthday, Handfasting, Funerals, Dedications/Christenings, etc)
*Sabbats – History, Lore, Myths, Associations, and Rituals, Food, Drink, Recipes, Activities, Songs, Music, etc –
Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltaine, Litha, Lughnassadh, Mabon
*Quarters/Cross-Quarters –
Autumn Equitherm – Samhain – October 31st – opposite Beltane – temperate
Winter Solstice – Yule – Dec 19th/22nd. opposite Litha – least light
Winter Thermstice – Imbolc – Feb 2/3 – opposite Lammas – most cold
Spring Equinox – Oestarra – March 20/21 – opposite Mabon – equal day and night
Spring Equitherm – Beltane – May 1st – opposite Samhain – temperate
Summer Solstice – Litha – June 20/22nd – opposite Yule – most light
Summer Thermstice – Lammas – August 1st – opposite Imbolc – most heat – midway between the Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox
Autumn Equinox – Mabon – Sept 22/23 – opposite Oestarra – equal day and night
*Esbat
Lunar Names, Meanings, and Associations
Monthly History, Myth, and Lore
Monthly Rituals
Phases of the Moon
Full Moon and New Moon in each Constellation
*Cartomancy – Tarot and Oracle Decks (Pictures, Meanings, Spreads, Symbolism and History)
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