A Book of Shadows is actually a relatively new term, coined by the famous (and sometimes controversial) Wiccan, Gerald Gardner. He claimed that all witches kept a Book of Shadows, a living documentation of their best spells and hexes. It also served as an organizational tool to track the magical properties of things like crystals and herbs, as well as to record moon phases and planetary meanings in different positions in the sky. Think of it as your personal all-around reference book for everything you want to remember in your craft.
Choosing a Book
There is no right or wrong way to create your own Book of Shadows. Some witches love to make an artistic interpretation using paint and leather-bound journals to create something really authentic-looking. Other witches, like me, just use a notebook. If you hate lugging around books, it might be best to record your information in a digital Book of Shadows and keep it in the cloud. Either way, the most important part is that your book works for you.
Once you’ve selected your book, add something to make it special to you. This helps solidify the notion that it’s magical and not just another journal you picked up. Create a title page, sprinkle crushed herbs inside, press flowers between the pages, or cleanse it with incense. Whatever you do, make sure you have now christened it as your Book of Shadows. That way, anytime you pick it up, your mind automatically recognizes that this book is magic.
Getting Started with the Basics
There are a million things you could add to your Book of Shadows—from spells to herbal correspondences, but what should you start with? I like to teach new witches to begin with the basics:
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Moon phases and their meanings
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Colors and their magical correspondences
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Candles and what each one is used for (color, size, and shape)
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Circle casting, grounding, and cleansing
You can also add some herb and crystal correspondences, and if you’re setting up an altar, you can record what you’re using and why.
Keep It Safe
Storing your Book of Shadows is simple, but there’s one main rule: you don’t want just anyone reading it. Of course, if someone happens to stumble across it and open it, nothing bad will happen to them. But your Book of Shadows is personal, and you don’t want to leave it lying around for anyone to pick up. Think of it like a personal journal or diary.
Find a safe spot where you can leave it without worrying about prying eyes. If you’re concerned about keeping its energy free from negativity, you can wrap it in a dark cloth or place it with a quartz crystal.
Your Book Will Change as You Grow
Your Book of Shadows is a living, growing energy. It’s not meant to stay the same forever. As your craft grows, you’ll most likely outgrow your first Book of Shadows. This is entirely okay! Many witches have several books they’ve kept over the years, which serves as a testimony to how much their personal journeys have grown and changed with time. (I think I have at least three or four!)
Book of Mirrors
If you’ve never heard of a Book of Mirrors, some spiritualists and witches use it as a companion to a Book of Shadows. While a BOS is more precise and structured, a Book of Mirrors is for self-reflection, journaling results, and writing in a more organic form. I sometimes recommend a Book of Mirrors if you don’t want your Book of Shadows to get “messy” with lots of sprawling notes. Neither way is wrong, and you don’t have to keep a Book of Mirrors, it’s just another way to record your magical journey.