How To Make A Book Of Shadows

The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store information
you'll need in your magical tradition. Many Pagans and

8.Other rituals: If you’ll be celebrating each full
moon, you’ll want to include an Esbat rite in your BOS.

Wiccans feel a BOS should be handwritten, but some use a
computer to store information as well. Bear in mind that a

You can use the same one each month, or create several
different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also

BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item
of power that should be consecrated with all of your other

wish to include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing
Down the Moon, a rite that celebrates the invoking of the

magical tools. Copy spells and rituals into your BOS by hand
– this will not only transfer energy to the writer, but it

Goddess at the time of the full moon. If you’ll be doing
any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other

also helps you to memorize the contents. Make sure you write
legibly enough that you’ll be able to read your notes

purposes, be sure to include them here.

during a ritual!

9.Herbs: Ask any experienced Pagan or Wiccan about a
specific herb, and chances are good that they’ll expound

on not only the magical uses of the plant but also the
healing properties and history of use. Herbalism is often

1.To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank
notebook. A popular method is to use a three-ring binder so

considered the core of spellcasting, because plants are an
ingredient that people have used for literally thousands of

items can be added and rearranged as needed. If you use this
style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is

years. Put together a section in your BOS for herbs and
their uses. Remember, many herbs should not be ingested, so

great for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings
from getting on the pages! Whatever you select, your title

it’s important to research thoroughly before you take
anything internally.

page should include your name. Make it fancy or simple,
depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a

10.Divination: If you’re learning about Tarot, scrying,

magical object and should be treated accordingly. Many
witches simply write, “The Book of Shadows of [your

name]” on the front page.

keep a record of what you do and results you see in your
Book of Shadows.

2.What format should you use? Some witches are known to
create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical

11.Sacred texts: While it’s fun to have a bunch of new

alphabets. Unless you’re fluent enough in one of these
systems that you can read it without having to check notes

shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes it’s
just as nice to have information that’s a little more

or a chart, stick with your native language. While a spell
looks beautiful written out in flowing Elvish script or

established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you,
such as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an

Klingon lettering, the fact is that it’s just hard to read
unless you’re an Elf or a Klingon.

archaic language, or a particular chant that moves you,
include it in your Book of Shadows.

When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS,

12.Magical recipes: There’s a lot to be said for

there are a few sections that are nearly universally
included.

“kitchen witchery,” because for many people, the kitchen
is the center of hearth and home. As you collect recipes for

3.Laws of your coven or tradition: Believe it or not,

oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You
may even want to include a section of food recipes for

magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group,
it’s a really good idea to keep them at the front of your

Sabbat celebrations.

BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior
and what doesn’t. If you’re part of an eclectic

13.Spell workings: Some people prefer to keep their spells
in a separate book called a grimoire, but you can also keep

tradition that doesn’t have written rules, or if you’re
a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what

them in your Book of Shadows. It’s easier to keep spells
organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity,

YOU think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you
don’t set yourself some guidelines, how will you know when

protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include, make
sure you also leave room to include information on when the

you’ve crossed over them? This may include a variation on
the Wiccan Rede, or some similar concept.

working was performed and what the outcome was.

4.A dedication: If you’ve been initiated into a coven,

14.The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to
keep it organized. You can use tabbed dividers, create an

you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony
here. However, many Wiccans dedicate themselves to a God or

index at the back, or if you’re really super-organized, a
table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more,

Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is a
good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to,

you’ll have more information to include – this is why
the three-ring binder is such a practical idea. Some people

and why. This can be a lengthy essay, or it can be as simple
as saying, “I, Willow, dedicate myself to the Goddess

choose instead to use a simple bound notebook, and just add
to the back of it as they discover new items.

today, June 21, 2007.”

15.You may want to use one notebook for information copied

5.Gods and Goddesses: Depending on what pantheon or
tradition you follow, you may have a single God and Goddess,

from books or downloaded off the Internet, and another for
original creations. Regardless, find the method that works

or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to keep
legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If

best for you, and take good care of your Book of Shadows.
After all, it’s a sacred object and should be treated

your practice is an eclectic blend of different spiritual
paths, it’s a good idea to include that here.

accordingly!

6.Correspondence tables: When it comes to spellcasting,

correspondence tables are some of your most important tools.
Phases of the moon, herbs, stones and crystals, colors –

1.If you find a rite, spell or piece of information
somewhere else, be sure to note down the source. It will

all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of
some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will

help you keep organized, and you'll start to recognize
patterns in authors' works.

be at the ready when you really need it. If you have access
to a good almanac, it’s not a bad idea to record a

2.Add a section that includes books you've read, as well

years’ worth of moon phases by date in your BOS.

as what you thought of them. This way, when you get a chance
to share information with others, you'll remember what

7.Sabbat rituals: The Wheel of the Year includes eight
holidays for most Wiccans and Pagans, although some

you've read.

traditions do not celebrate all of them. Your BOS can
include rituals for each of the Sabbats. For example, for

3.Want to hear what other readers have done with their
BOS? Be sure to check in over at our Readers Respond page!

Samhain you may wish to create a rite that honors your
ancestors and celebrates the end of the harvest, while for

Yule you may want to write down a celebration of the winter
Solstice. A Sabbat celebration can be as simple or complex

* Notebook or binder

as you wish.

* Pens and Paper
* Sheet protectors (optional)