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What
is a Book of Shadows?
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For
the benefit of non-Pagans/Witches, a Book of Shadows is a common
term used to describe a witch's personal record of their thoughts,
spells, recipes, diagrams or whatever cerebral and spiritual
miasma they can conjure and feel should go on the written record.
It is also sometimes called a Grimoire or Spellbook. It is a
personal choice what one wants to call it but the term Book
of Shadows is the usual term.
This
compilation is something that will never really get done because
it is a map of one's lifelong spiritual path. If you are not
pagan, maybe you would call it a Journal or Diary. The only
difference will be that the witch's "journal" will also contain
their spellwork and other such seemingly strange and spiritual
matters rather than just events of the day. Regardless of what
your spiritual inclinations are, if you are pursuing some sort
spiritual practice, it is a good idea to have a diary to keep
track of ideas that occur to you along the way.
For
the Wiccan and Pagan:
Every good teacher I have encountered (whether by book or internet)
ALWAYS advises the same thing -- Keep
a BOS. I can see why, too. I helps you track your
spiritual progress (and setbacks) and in time gives you insight
to yourself. Remember the 13
Goals? The first one is Know Yourself. And keeping a BOS
is the best way to do this. If not for anything else, it is
amusing to read back a year later what your thoughts were at
certain points in time. Another good reason for keeping a BOS
is that it would be a real bummer to have a spell work then
later forget what you did and used. So if you will take just
one piece of sound advise regarding your spiritual practice,
this is it: start a BOS if you haven't already or go back
to it if you have neglected it.
Here's
some tips on how to start one or enhance your existing one.
(Coming Eventually)
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Why
is it called Book of Shadows?
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Historically,
they say it is called this because during what is known as the
Burning Times (a period of history sometime between the 14th
and 18th century when people just merely have to be suspected
to be witches to get burned or hanged), the real witches had
to carefully hide their records "in the shadows" to protect
themselves.
Another
perspective is how Patricia Telesco, a well-known Wiccan author,
puts it:
"
...magickal energy works between here and the next, between
sounds and silence, between light and darkness. This power flows
through the shadows, marking the border between what we know
and the infinite possibilities of the universe. Somewhere at
the meeting grounds of yesterday and forever, we find the spark
of magic, then translate that experience and energy into written
word as best as we can."
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Why
do I call mine, The Book of Light and Shadows?
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As
an advocate of Balance, it just felt right to call my grimoire
this title. Without light, there can be no shadows and without
darkness, we cannot know light. Besides, I am dividing the book
in 2 parts as outlined next page. The
Shadows section contains magickal material while the
Light section shall contains more spiritual and factual
stuff. All of these things are part of my actual BOLS. Of course,
there are material in my BOLS that I cannot include here because
they are very personal. I'm sure you will develop (or have developed)
some of your own. The sections that I share are those that I
feel may contribute to someone else's spiritual development
without sacrificing my own privacy.
