Books of Shadows p. 1

There is no single definitive Book of Shadows (BOS). You will find that a Wiccan BOS can come in many shapes and sizes and styles. People often buy a journal book or notebook and write stuff into it from either their teachers or the internet or published books on Wicca, Magick, Mythology, and Mysticism.  For practical reasons, three-ring binder notebooks are commonly used so pages can be added, updated, or rearranged as needed. However, I know some people also use very beautiful bound journals. Click through links to photos below to see different examples.

What does an average BOS include? Probably some of the following: Rituals for moon circles (esbats) and seasonal circles (sabbats).  Spells and magical theory. Ethics. The Charge of the Goddess. Deities & Spirits. Casting/erasing a circle and calling and bidding farewell to four directions. One or more divinatory methods.  Lore about herbs. Lore about stones and crystals. Moon phases. Dances/chants/songs. Incantations. Etc.

In a coven,  each initiated Wiccan will keep their personal copies of the coven BOS. A student of Wicca who has not yet found a coven may assemble or create her/his own personal BOS, sometimes before entrance into a coven when s/he begins Craft studies.

I urge folks to read Jason Mankey, The Witch's Book of Shadows: The Craft, Lore & Magick of the Witch's Grimoire, 2017. It’s not a BOS.  It’s a book written by a Gardnarian about different sorts of BOSs.

Books of Shadows

Books of Shadows 2

Further reading:
Patti Wigington, How to Make a Book of Shadows 2014, 2017, accessed 9/27/2017.

Books of Shadows, p. 2
Books of Shadows, p. 3
Books of Shadows, p. 4
Books of Shadows, p. 5
Books of Shadows, p. 6
Photos
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