MM and greetings to you all! I have what may seem like an odd question for you all but I have it nonetheless. I was brought up to understand that a book of shadows is made of parchment and hand made paper depending on various things. The covers that I have ever known were leather or wood, again varing based on the focus of the owner/creator and they are tie bound so that pages can be added and the book expanded. The tie was made and woven in a very specific way as well. Is that not the case any longer or is it simply that it has grown to be something that only a few now know how to make and therefore are passed through covens only? I would also like to ask if any of the rest of the experienced witches if they were taught or believe that they're spirit even after death will be attuned and attentive to their book of shadows? I was also taught this and personally believe it to be true. Thanks for any thoughts or comments in advance. It is a pleasure to learn a bit more of what is happening outside of my own little world these days. :D Have a marvelously mysterious last day of the new moon cycle/visit, Aly
Interesting use of the word "dead", Infamous Butterfly, but yes I have well noticed. I am not sure that is a new phenomenon as in one of your other postings someone mentioned that it had been just them and one other on the boards for a while. That is one reason why I have tried to put some varied items, topics up to see if anyone comes around any more at all. So far they don't seem to be, save for purplejay who does seem to visit now and again, thankfully. Well, have a wonderful day! Aly
I am only describing what I have seen Book of Shadows made of and designed like. The book itself is a collection of spells, rituals, ceremonies, enchantments, everything and anything that was significantly important to the witch that created it. The thing that I have NOT heard said that has been a part of every Book of Shadows I have ever seen is that part of it is typically in code so that only the witch that created it or the one to whom they passed it onto could read it. It is only bits that are done like that typically and I suppose that has faded out of necessity in this era for all I know. I still keep part of mine in code out of tradition I suppose more than any genuine necessity. One of the things I have found most interesting how the generational books that I have seen showed clearly how precious parchement was in days gone by compared with now where we take paper of all kinds so for granted. The older entries have signs of great care and contemplation at what they chose to write down and even some mark outs which most of the time seemed to be when they discovered a better mix than they had originally set down or to add in some nuiance to the ritual. Nowadays, I personally take all my notes on other paper until I get what I want and than I transcribe it onto the parchment. In part because I take a while to perfect what I do and in part because I use ink and quill and I have to pick a day when I am least shaky in order to use it well. That is just my preference to use ink, quill and parchment or natural fiber hand made paper. Again, a matter of tradition that I find pleasing to me. I feel the need to say that just because that is what I know some older Book of Shadows to have been made of and styled like doesn't mean that modern versions aren't any good. Not at all. I am just curious mostly about how one adds to them when they have used up their existing pages in a section or grouping. Maybe these days they do it more like a diary and simply start a new book. I don't know and so I thought I would ask and see. :D I hope each of you have a mysteriously marvelous week ahead! :) Aly
You Hexen book could be just about anything. I have few, my favorite on is an old copy of Malleus Maleficarum Or which i put my spells with by dry paste.
"The Malleus Maleficarum asserts that three elements are necessary for witchcraft: the evil-intentioned witch, the help of the Devil, and the Permission of God." as quoted on wikipedia.
This is a book that speaks ill word of witches so just who do you think you are, stating that you have a copy and use it to hold your spells in! What rubbish! If you were wise you would know not to attempt to con someone who is intelligent and has intelligent friends!
"The Hammer Against Witches", is the English translated name! So! Since druidism is very similar to wiccan/witchcraft and you carry that book, are you self hating?
I do not agree with hexing people or anything else of that sort. Magical dueling is long gone in this country at least. No need any longer for those skills or if there is than I surrender to the first one thrown at me for I have no stomach for such things any longer. I went there once when I was very young and very foolish but nothing good comes from curses or hexes of any kind I can assure you of that. Anyway, there is no need to be intolerant of each other. There is enough of that energy in the world to last an eternity without adding to it in my opinion. I walk my path as each of us walks their own. I wish you well on your path but forgive me if I pray with all my being that they never cross, sir. I am content to stand well outside any ring of fire. Respectfully .... may each of you have a marvelously mysterious and positive week. Aly
I paste me spells over the pages. Its not a true copy not all its just an old copy I picked up at a occult book sale. I know what the Malificus is theinfamousbutterfly. Just my typens bad and English isn't my main language. blackaristide I know how you be feeling about magic duels and the such. But de be a misunderstanding here. I mean spell when I talk about hexen. Magic is magic. and being that Hoodoo was my first type of magic that I learned. I use the term sfrom hoodoo often.
Janar, I accept your clarification and understanding has been gained. :D It is an intriguing thought to paste over any book. I can definitely see the symbolic nature to it. It is sad that human nature throughout it's existance has geared itself towards securing one's own position by persecuting anothers. Such a very sad state of existance in my personal opinion and yet it continues even to this day, even with so much evidence in our more recent human history to warn against it (such as Auschwitz -hope I spelled that correctly and the reformation in the US abolishing slavery). I am waxing philosophical today. :) Yet my own personal history and current physical form shows clearly that hatred is alive and well, and religious tolerance DOES NOT exist in the United States of America any more than anywhere else in the world. Why is it that as souls we do not retain into carnation that the spirit is not enhanced or benefitted by hatred to such a degree? Sure not every path or practice is for everyone and honestly I'd hate to live in a cookie cutter world personally. I like that there are many different ways to honor the same truth, what confuses me is why some seem to think there way is the only way to honor it? That has never ever made sense to me. Ah well, I suppose it never will either so I shall move on to mysteries that are more pleasant and profitable for the day. Peace be from me to each of you and blessed be your day (and night) Aly
MM...i happen to be one of those people who make The Book of Shadows that you are talking about ...i start with a cover for front and back and design them to the visions of the person that it's for...most of the time just talking to them i get a vision myself of what they would like...i did have them on ebay for awhile but most wiccans don't seem to have alot of extra cash...so i haven't listed one in awhile go look at my feedback the pictures of the books may still therel....once feedback is to old they don't let you see the pictures anymore..you have to go in the middle of my feedback pages to find them cause i haven't listed any in the last couple months...if anyone would like any tips on making one...i could help...Sky
Thanks for the information Sky. Nice to see another person talking on the boards as well. I will give your feedback a look as well just to see how things have changed. I've seen some in three ring binders which is why I was wondering, not saying that can't be done just very different from how I was taught. :) Aly
I personally believe that your book of shadows is any blank book that calls to you. I am from 5 generations of Pagans and have my father's book of shadows and my grandmothers. My grandmothers has a leather cover with parchment paper inside bound together by twine. My fathers is a simple hard back book. Mine is a simple hard back book with a cloth cover. I think it does just depend on the materials that were avalible at the time.
Hmm Thoughts - many are they that pass my way - BOS - Book Of Shadows - on an Solitary Practicioner's path - A BOS is a collection of what you learn and practice ie: the spells you cast, magickal tools you make, your expieriences - It is a Book for reference, for reflection and one you would create with a thought that perhaps someday you would pass it on to another....... on a coven path - A BOS is a group effort, it is a collection of the witches adventures, thoughts, spells, etc....... all will add to it. It is also a Magickal Tool of sorts that many old ways High Priestess will custom create to welcome a new comer - It would contain keys to Magickal writtings, Information on Psychic Protection, Working with the Elements, Moon Phases, Colors, Stones, Herbs, Essential Oils, Candle Magicks, General Spells, Rune and or Tarot basics, Basic rules of Magick and so forth. All this custom BOS would be designed to assist the newcomer to fully becoming an active coven member - The High Priestess might very well require that at the end of a Year + 1 day that the new comer present the Custom BOS along with what they themselves have added to it over the past time period - if nothing added, well chances are that new comer would not be fully initiated. In General a Book of Shadows ie BOS is to be considered a collection of magickal knowledge, in general it is not shared unless it is a Coven BOS and even then - each member generally has a personal BOS as well. What do you make it of ????? Let the Goddess guide you in your creation. - It can be as simple as getting a journal and covering it with Leather and consecrating it - It can be elaborate as making it with custom Leather covered cardboard or wood , using a leather cording tie and inserting Parchment papers as pages to write upon............... At the basic root of it all - It is the energy and information that you ultimately put into the BOS that makes it a true BOS
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