About the BoS

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About the BoS
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Post # 1
Well, I thought some people should know how to make one, and I have not seen too much on it. So here is an overview of your general BoS;

The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store information you'll need in your magical tradition. Many Pagans and Wiccans feel a BOS should be handwritten, but some use a computer to store information as well. Bear in mind that a BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item of power that should be consecrated with all of your other magical tools. Copy spells and rituals into your BOS by hand this will not only transfer energy to the writer, but it also helps you to memorize the contents. Make sure you write legibly enough that youll be able to read your notes during a ritual!

Here's How:

1.To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank notebook. A popular method is to use a three-ring binder so items can be added and rearranged as needed. If you use this style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is great for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings from getting on the pages! Whatever you select, your title page should include your name. Make it fancy or simple, depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a magical object and should be treated accordingly. Many witches simply write, The Book of Shadows of [your name] on the front page.

2.What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical alphabets. Unless you're fluent enough in one of these systems that you can read it without having to check notes or a chart, stick with your native language. While a spell looks beautiful written out in flowing Elvish script or Klingon lettering, the fact is that its just hard to read unless youre an Elf or a Klingon.

When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections that are nearly universally included.

3.Laws of your coven or tradition: Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group, its a really good idea to keep them at the front of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what doesnt. If youre part of an eclectic tradition that doesnt have written rules, or if youre a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what YOU think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you dont set yourself some guidelines, how will you know when youve crossed over them? This may include a variation on the Wiccan Rede, or some similar concept.

4.A dedication: If youve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Wiccans dedicate themselves to a God or Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is a good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to, and why. This can be a lengthy essay, or it can be as simple as saying, I, [name] , dedicate myself to the Goddess today, [date] .

5.Gods and Goddesses: Depending on what pantheon or tradition you follow, you may have a single God and Goddess, or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to keep legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If your practice is an eclectic blend of different spiritual paths, its a good idea to include that here.

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 all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will be at the ready when you really need it. If you have access to a good almanac, its not a bad idea to record a years worth of moon phases by date in your BOS.

7.Sabbat rituals: The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays for most Wiccans and Pagans, although some traditions do not celebrate all of them. Your BOS can include rituals for each of the Sabbats. For example, for 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 as you wish.

8.Other rituals: If youll be celebrating each full moon, youll want to include an Esbat rite in your BOS. You can use the same one each month, or create several different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also wish to include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing Down the Moon, a rite that celebrates the invoking of the Goddess at the time of the full moon. If youll be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be sure to include them here.

9.Herbs: Ask any experienced Pagan or Wiccan about a specific herb, and chances are good that theyll expound on not only the magical uses of the plant but also the healing properties and history of use. Herbalism is often considered the core of spellcasting, because plants are an ingredient that people have used for literally thousands of years. Put together a section in your BOS for herbs and their uses. Remember, many herbs should not be ingested, so its important to research thoroughly before you take anything internally.

10.Divination: If you're learning about Tarot, scrying, astrology, or any other form of divination, keep information in here. When you experiment with new methods of divination, keep a record of what you do and results you see in your Book of Shadows.

11.Sacred texts: While its fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes its just as nice to have information thats a little more established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you, such as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an archaic language, or a particular chant that moves you, include it in your Book of Shadows.

12.Magical recipes: Theres a lot to be said for kitchen witchery, because for many people, the kitchen is the center of hearth and home. As you collect recipes for oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You may even want to include a section of food recipes for Sabbat celebrations.

13.Spell workings: Some people prefer to keep their spells in a separate book called a "grimoire", but you can also keep them in your Book of Shadows. Its easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity, protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include, make sure you also leave room to include information on when the working was performed and what the outcome was.

14.The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to keep it organized. You can use tabbed dividers, create an index at the back, or if youre really super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more, youll have more information to include this is why the three-ring binder is such a practical idea. Some people choose instead to use a simple bound notebook, and just add to the back of it as they discover new items.

15.You may want to use one notebook for information copied from books or downloaded off the Internet, and another for original creations. Regardless, find the method that works best for you, and take good care of your Book of Shadows. After all, its a sacred object and should be treated accordingly.

Tips:

1.If you find a rite, spell or piece of information somewhere else, be sure to note down the source. It will help you keep organized, and you'll start to recognize patterns in authors' works.

2.Add a section that includes books you've read, as well as what you thought of them. This way, when you get a chance to share information with others, you'll remember what you've read.
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Re: About the BoS
By: / Beginner
Post # 2
I find an electronic copy is good too, that way you have a backup if needed, or just want to rearrange things in a different(slightly neater) manor, or if you want to change the text to something else using word.
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Re: About the BoS
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Post # 3
where does one find a electric copy master glim?
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Re: About the BoS
By:
Post # 4
where does one find a electric copy master glim?
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Re: About the BoS
By: / Beginner
Post # 5
You make one, lol. You can use either notepad(for quick things) or microsoft word and just type your spells, rituals, and journals as such. You can organize it by folders and files, such as having a folder for different types of magick spells(ex health spells, money spells, etc) and then having files within each folder to each spell itself.
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Re: About the BoS
By:
Post # 6
Again, the following link is where this information is taken.

http://www.everythingunderthemoon.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=108047

Darkermaster
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