Grimoire of the Witch
Grimoire, Book of Shadows. All fancy ways of saying "journal". A Book of Shadows is simply put, a way of keeping a record of what you have learned and what you have done as a Pagan, whether you be Wiccan or witch, Heathen or Asatru, Gardnerian or Alexandrian, solitaire or in a coven.
A BOS can be handwritten by the light of the Full Moon in the ancient script of the Elven-kind, if you're so inclined. Or, it can be typed, copied, and pasted and kept in a folder on your computer. I do suggest though not writing your book in Elven unless you are fully fluent in the language. Mine is kept on the computer, but also handwritten in a book specific for the purpose.
I've had two BOS over the years, plus now keep a family BOS for our coven group. Within their pages I keep track of rituals, spells, divinations, and anything else we might think important.
A BOS can be handwritten by the light of the Full Moon in the ancient script of the Elven-kind, if you're so inclined. Or, it can be typed, copied, and pasted and kept in a folder on your computer. I do suggest though not writing your book in Elven unless you are fully fluent in the language. Mine is kept on the computer, but also handwritten in a book specific for the purpose.
I've had two BOS over the years, plus now keep a family BOS for our coven group. Within their pages I keep track of rituals, spells, divinations, and anything else we might think important.
My Book of Shadows
The first BOS I created was a 3-ring binder. I decorated the outer cover, duly put all the appropriate protections on it, and used it to record any work I was doing.I like using a 3-ring binder because pages can be moved about. It makes it much easier to keep things organised in a logical fashion.
My current BOS is a simple spiral bound, blank, unlined journal. I've written my craft name on the front along with a dedication note from my coven mother-teacher.
Our family BOS actually looks like a "real" Book of Shadows. Leatherbound, Scrollwork on the front cover. A way to latch the book closed. We came across it at a Witchfest conference one year and liked it so much, we decided to get it.
Family Book of Shadows
Get your own BOS here
Yes, a simple 3-ring binder can work for your BOS, but if you want something special, please consider one of these blank books from Amazon.
What Goes in a Book of Shadows
double, double, toil and trouble
The Book of Shadows (BOS) is a reference, a guide, a journal, a means of record-keeping. Within it's pages you will keep details of spells cast and the results, of rituals conducted with a note of the intention and any work done, you can record dreams, divinations, thoughts and ideas. Basically, anything that you find important as a Pagan or a witch.Our family BOS starts off with our family history. My husband and I decided that we wanted ours to be very much used like an old-fashioned family bible. We therefore printed up the family line for both of us back 2 generations, and have left space for future generations. Future additions will be handwritten in.
After that, I have put a drawing of my preferred altar set up with explanations of what goes where as I have detailed in Tools of the Witch.
The remaining pages are used for recording rituals that we have done as a family. Sometimes we have a formal ritual with all the smells and bells, other times we just invite family around for an informal dinner.
Some rituals that can be found in our family BOS include Circle Opening and Closing rituals, symbolic great rite, initiation rituals, naming ceremonies and a handfasting ceremony. The naming and handfasting ceremonies are detailed in Life Rituals.
My personal BOS also contains information on spells I have done and divinations I have done using either a tarot deck or my amulets, dreams, and things seen during guided imagery sessions.
Suggestions for Your Own Book of Shadows
do's and don'ts and might consider's
You're going to see all sorts of rules and laws and thou must do this statements about creating a Book of Shadows online.Let me tell you straight out. There are no rules, there are no laws, and there is nothing you must do to make your BOS your book.
Some things I have seen as "Must have in your BOS":
A dedication page - If you want to write a dedication in your book, go ahead but it isn't necessary.
Writing in a special language - Use your native tongue. If you cannot think and speak fluently in a language, do not write your BOS in it. You'll just end up having to go get a translation dictionary every time you want to read it.
A protection spell of some sort - Again, go ahead and put one on if you want, but for the most part the only person who is going to have an interest in your BOS is you. Unlike the fictional spellbooks found on popular TV shows, a BOS has no inherent magic, no special powers. It's just a book. An important book, but just a book all the same. Everything within those pages will have been put there by you, they will be of importance only to you.
As a side note -
it is considered to be the height of bad manners to touch a witch's tools, including their personal Book of Shadows. Always ask permission first.
More blank book journals
Triquetra Sticker (Rectangular)
Why not by your own blank book or ring binder and put this sticker on the front to decorate it.
Price: 3.69 
Book of Shadows
Price: 12.99
Yellow Pentacle BOS
Price: 14.49
Other lenses on the Book of Shadows
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Essence Of An American Witch
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I created this lens to allow others to peek into the life of a typical American witch, what we do, what we are and basic beliefs. I certainly do not speak for other witches, their beliefs or opinions. We are all individuals just like anyone else. I...
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Pagan Book of Shadows an instrument of spell weaving
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Explanation and description of a witches book of shadows.
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Tools of the Witch
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Witches like stuff. There is something about lighting a candle, burning incense, or writing words using dragon's blood ink on parchment paper that just brings a spell together. None of these items is magical in and of itself. Energy used to create m...
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- NanLT NanLT Jun 18, 2009 @ 11:39 am | in reply to KimGiancaterino
- Wow! Thank you.
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jun 18, 2009 @ 11:33 am
- This lens is featured on A Day of 100 Squid Angel Blessings.
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- awakeningwellness awakeningwellness May 5, 2009 @ 9:24 am
- Your book is gorgeous with the vesica pisces on the cover!
Great lens! 5*
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- 24websurf 24websurf Apr 30, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
- I always wondered about this. Of course everything I knew came from "Charmed"... :) I enjoyed this lens very much! 5*s
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- WhiteOak50 WhiteOak50 Apr 15, 2009 @ 11:07 am
- The two things I have always taught the people who came to me is: In your BOS you must always write your entries and always write in your own words any spells you do. By writing in your BOS it gives it power and by using your own words in spells; makes it yours. Good Lens!!
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