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Record all your important spells, rituals, prayers, and more in your own unique Book of Shadows
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A Book of Shadows is a personal record of spells and beliefs, typical to Witchcraft and Wiccan traditions. Each one is individual, and most often very private. Your own Book of Shadows will become an invaluable resource in the study of magick: in it, you’ll record important spells and rituals you create or discover, as well as logs of your experience as you travel your unique spiritual path. We’ve composed a list of instructions for creating your own Book of Shadows, below. Alright, now let's begin!
Things You Should Know
- Create your Book of Shadows using a journal, a notebook, or a binder, or use a computer and make a digital Book.
- Record all your rituals and spells in the Book, as well as correspondences, dream logs, poetry—anything that pertains to your magickal growth.
- Protect your Book! Your handmade volume of spells and rituals is an invaluable tool, and an irreplaceable one.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat does it mean when it suggests adding artworks or stories? I am not very good at drawing or writing tales.Community AnswerBasically, this is about all the stories in that you have experienced involving magic or magical stories, that you feel are important enough to go into your BoS. As for the artworks, if you were to do a magical sketch or drawing/art that you created or were given involving magic or even pictures of magical things that you believe are appropriate to be in your BoS (Wicca/Magick). Those would be the kind of things to put in your BoS. The most important thing is to have fun with your learning so there is no need to be expert at either drawing or writing.
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QuestionWhat can I do if I'm a beginner in spell casting, but my friends humiliate me when it doesn't work?Community AnswerSpell casting is a subtle and sweet art, and humiliation via friends will not help your energy. Perhaps you should practice alone or with more supportive people.
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QuestionDo I need to sign my name in the BoS with blood?Community AnswerNo. BoS are very personal. If you want to, then sure, but there's really no need, and you'd hurt yourself in the process.
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Tips
- You can also turn a preexisting book into your own Book of Shadows. Simply write your name in the front cover to make it your own, and highlight or mark the pages you find useful or meaningful.Thanks
- Note-taking programs, such as Google Notebook, Evernote , or MS Office OneNote, are useful for making a virtual Book. Just remember to back it up !Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- I prefer not to write down my beliefs because I wouldn't like for someone to find my book and uncover my innermost feelings. As an alternative, if you still want to write down your beliefs, would be to invent a coded way of writing or use an existing one. You could do this for the entire book as well, and the added effort could help to focus the mind, breath, and intention on the recording of your spiritual and magickal life. It may even lock in more potency, thus making the book function as a talisman itself.
- If you want to be extra, you can get a custom binder online, page protectors (optional), and shop around on Etsy or other online craft communities for printable BoS pages that can be printed on regular printer paper, or even parchment printer paper. The sky's the limit!
- Maybe some Pentagle Charms made of wood should hang on ribbons from special pages in your book. Not only does this prove your beliefs, it shows you where your pages are!
- You do not need to feel obligated to add something to your book of shadows, or do it in a specific way. your BoS is personal, so trust your intuition when making it.
- Don't glue your gem or stones as it can damage the energy of the stone or gem. Instead, use a copper wire, strand of fabric, or another natural material.
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References
- ↑ https://thecreativecottage.net/creating-a-book-of-shadows/
- ↑ https://magickalspot.com/how-to-create-your-book-of-shadows/
- ↑ https://forestofwisdom.com.au/blogs/into-the-forest/beginner-s-guide-to-spell-candle-magick-and-colour-correspondences
- ↑ https://www.moonchild-spiritual-emporium.co.uk/blogs/news/tree-herb-flower-correspondences
- ↑ https://exemplore.com/paganism/Making-A-Book-of-Shadows
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 340,786 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I have been a solitary practitioner for over 30 years, and going back to the very beginning has been helpful in several ways. I had gotten away from keeping a detailed BOS, for example, but this has reminded me of the joy that comes with that practice." ..." more
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