Book of shadows: How important is it?

HI, hello. Nice to meet you. I have a question that is kindof important to me, and I am wondering this. I am very bad at keeping notes.! How important is it to keep a book of shadows and how often should I write in it? I have had bad luck with my bos being found by unsympathetic people who cursed me out of their house calling me a devil worshipper before which is why I no longer keep one. I a almost afraid to start a new one. I have one, technically ,but basically it is only a few spells charms and a ritual bath recipe in it as well as some converstaion i have had with a spirit through free writing, but I would like to be a more magickal practical witch with a decent book for my children! Tell me if you will, how important is it and what motivates you to keep one? Many thanks and blesseings to all. Hope you have a great day from Jackie:)

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Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on August 11, 2009 at 1:01pm: Have a blessed day Moonspiral...!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on August 11, 2009 at 12:46pm: Thank you. I've been doing more with mine lately thanks to all the good advice. Blessings!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tita Morris on November 12, 2009 at 7:14am: i think the book is very important, first of all you feel the security of having an object which is like a partner for you, u can have your chants and spells and rituals in there in detail, you can write your prayers and things about herbal and stuff
for example my book is nothing else but a big notebook with spiral so i can add and remove things from in it, i have glutted printed symbols on the cover and in some pages inside, i have printed and glutted some basics about wicca so my child can one day read about them and i can always be reminded some things, i have added things about the sabbats and some exercises about meditation and visualization, i have added things about rituals and esbats and i have made small schedules of altars in rites, you can do whatever you want in your book,

i'd just like to advise you to first keep some notes of something and then to write clean and nicely on your book, for example if you're to make your personal sabbat ritual, write on another notebook your notes, think about what u want and what not and then when you're done write it down in the BoS, i'm saying that because if you change your mind or make mistakes you will have to remove entire pages and this will eventually lead to your book having few pages, about the finding thing, yep you can have it on your pc or you can simply hide it, i mean i am hiding all my wiccan stuffs apart the broom under my bed in a big box and none can see it, i clean my room so none can find it and the only who knows is my mom who is a witch as well lol so none can find it there but even if someone sees the box, just tell them that it contains sheets or pillow cases, don't try to hide and don't start babbling because you will intrigue their interest...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jena minish on November 12, 2009 at 3:20pm: i prefere an accual book of shadows because having a p.c file for it can get hectec. from my experience, its hard to look up what you need. I get confused easily. so a tangable book is more sencible in my case.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lynda Struthers on November 12, 2009 at 5:59pm: I find keeping a Book of Shadows important. I make notes on the work that I do through the month and I sort through them and update the book just before new moon. This way I archive only what works.

The notes do not need to be very detailed. You can even tab your journal on days that you do a candle spell for example; if you achieve the level of energy or result you were looking for, at the end of the moon cycle you can add it to the book for future reference.

It is a handy reference tool when I write my sabbath rituals and I use it to jog my memory for effective chants.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amber Rose Potter on November 12, 2009 at 9:44pm: I think that a book of shadows is very important, but only if you feel the need and desire to create one. I used to believe that a book of shadows (along with other certain elements of ritual structure) were requirements for effective practice. I have realized, over a period of 11 years, that my book of shadows can be anything I want it to be. It can be as concise or detailed as I desire and it does not have to follow any particular format.

For a couple years I did not keep a book of shadows at all. Now, I actually keep three. One book is a simple spiral-bound notebook that I use to keep notes from my reading and research. This one is really important to me because it helps me examine and evolve my beliefs. The second is more like a journal, where I jot down my ideas and experiences. The third is on my computer, where I keep a more formal copy of my beliefs, practices, rituals, correspondences, and the like. The most important part for me is the experimentation and expansion of my practice. Putting everything on paper forces me to examine and question my understanding.

I encourage you to expand your book and I wish you luck. I understand how difficult it can be to express yourself when you don't have any privacy. Perhaps a briefcase or portfolio with a lock and key would keep out unwanted eyes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on November 13, 2009 at 3:52pm: Thanks to all of yu for the wonderful responses, i will be working on my book for a while.:) Blessings and good luck all.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Taylor on November 13, 2009 at 10:09pm: I have abook of shadows on on acumalated knoledge and another on herbal remedies as I practice herbalism which is a constant source of medinal knowledge.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on November 14, 2009 at 2:15pm: Ok, that is something i would like to do, i have a discussion on the main about how to do that and hope to learn more without annoyuing the crap out of people... the internet confuses me to no end though. I tried to google herbalism and how to and got such small print that my eyes hurt. I do thank you for your inpput, it really helps to be able to talk to real people who know. Big witchy grins and cackles from Jackie.:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Desert Rain on November 15, 2009 at 5:09pm: I keep a BoS in a small spiral notebook that I keep in my back pocket with me. I learned how to write in the Theban alphabet, so nobody could read it if I leave it on a table.

For me, I hate physical writing. I'm slow and my hand gets sore quickly. But Theban is easier for me, dunno why.

I wouldn't use a computer just because I like the idea of something physical to have with me. Also, writing in Theban makes it a more magickal experience for me to write and read, like it has a weight to it.

I can type 70 wpm on a computer, but spending a full minute writing little bits gives them a real depth for me personally. Whether from memory or from inspiration, I wrote a little chant recently in my BoS, and it looks so lovely. "Wind blows. Fire grows. Water flows. Earth shakes."

Typing it out does not give me the same feeling. As they say, mileage may vary from person to person. Do what feels right to you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dragon Dreamer on November 15, 2009 at 7:29pm: I am very new, more along the lines of still exploring but I do think having a place to write down your experiences, spells, rituals etc is important. I know circumstances isn't always optimal to keep a physical book or to make a file and keep on your own computer. Another option is to set up a blog somewhere (plenty of free places) and password protect it so only you have access. If down the road you become able to keep a physical record, it is easy to print out your writings, and either copy it by hand into a BoS or put the printed entries into it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Walter Foster on November 16, 2009 at 12:59am: When printing it out, remember that a BOS does not have top be hand done vellum in a hand stitched leather binding. As others have noted it can be electronic and other things. I have found that a three ring binder works great. I can add and subtract things as necessary, and I can also move things around in it. The other great thing about the binder is that if I need a particular spell or what ever, I can pull it out and just have that page on my alter. And you can have several deviders, for instance mine are rituals, spells, herb lore, magical diary, and other knowledge. I also can download from the internet and print things out on paper, use a three hole punch, and put it into the binder. No fuss. After 20 years, I am thinking of changing to several binders as the one I have is full to overflowing. I have a personal objection to the online storage as I know how easily that can be gotten into and not only by criminals, but by you government. Atleast for my binder they have to actually break into my house to get access. A little paranoid sounding I know, but have had bad experiences with the feds, and was an intelligence analyst for 12 years for them. But all this to say blessings on your work and I hope that you will be able to find the privacy for your BOS and for your life. BB; ▶ Reply to This