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Book of Shadows or Grimoire


I just had a question for those that are opened minded. There are many here that either Wiccan, Pagan, Druid Ect. Ect. Ect. and I was wondering who still keeps a BOS.

If you do when did you start your first one ? And have you transferred over to the new technologies of keeping things online or still writing everything in your by hand ?

A Book of Shadows is: "A book containing beliefs, rituals, Witchcraft laws and ethics, herbal and healing lore, incarnations, chants, dances, spells, divinatory methods, and miscellaneous topics that serve to guide Witches in their Craft and religion. There is no one general or definitive book of shadows for Witchcraft; each tradition may have its own standard book of shadows, which can be added to or adapted by each coven. In addition to this, individual Witches may add their own personal material. Until recent times the book of shadows was kept in secrecy, however, some Witches have gone public with their books over the years."

(Taken from: http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/b/book_of_shadows.html)

If you do own a Book of Shadows or Grimoire, when did you start your first one? Have you transferred over to the new technologies of keeping things online or are you still writing everything in yours by hand ?

I started writing in my BOS maybe 6 years ago. As I am not as active as I used to be I have had nothing to put in it. And if I were to put something in it, it would be by my own handwriting as I think it means more that way,

I have collected a humble library over the 10 years, notes from my mentor and other kind folks. I have my own book that I keep magicks and energy work in. I have it hand written plus in files on my comp.

My work is all hand written in my BOS. A great deal information was obtained from my teacher.

A lot of the work contains my own spells, and the results. It is also a journal of my journey through Wicca.

Other parts of my Book of Shadows are the crafts that were made for the wheel of the year and even recipes.

I started one 10 years ago and still write in it when I find new spells or create some. I adore it.

Mine has been a life long thing. The book ive finished contains most of the lesser magicks found in my personal grimoire.

But unlike the Book of Shadows, which is a reflection of memories, and occurances after such works. All i keep are the invocations, the designs of circles, and seals as well as notes on candle colors and timing, to encompass other elements into future works.

brahmsbookworks.com has my business when it comes to the makers of my spell and ritual books.

I keep a book of shadows... but I write strange things in it so no one understands wtf I'm talking about... kinda like real life. Only I can make sense of the spells.

Me too. I've been keeping a BoS for only about 3 years. I love it to pieces, though, and it probably wouldn't make much sense to anyone else. It's all hand-written. Some of it's unrelated and none of it's in any kind of linear format. It's part traditional BoS, part journal... I keep some of my most meaningful poetry in there too.

I have a BOS I started writing in it a little over two years ago I think! I write in mine by hand I think it means more that way and I don't always trust computers things can come up missing and get deleted and I just prefer to write by hand!

I do have a book of shadows. I also have a grimoir that was handed to me by my grand mother.
I keep everything in it. I also make sure it is kept from unpure hands. I always do a purifying ceremony before touching it and opening it.

I used to keep a BoS on my PC full of rituals and things I found on the internet. I haven't added to it in a while though as I've really lapsed on my practicing in recent years, but I still have it. A handwritten one isn't feasible for me as I suffer from RSI.

I've kept a BOS since I first began studying about 10 years ago. It contains poetry and ideals and things shared by friends that I find inspirational and just a few spells actually. I keep my spells and rituals on computer disc for ease of sharing.

Ok a book of shadows is like a Witch's journal. It can be filled with spells you have found, and found that DO work, notations on how to make spells better, or if you are more advanced in the art of spellcraft...spells you have written yourself. This book is supposed to be kept private, especially for a solitary practioner. Only by choice if a Witch is in a coven are they ever supposed to allow any of their "brothers and sisters" to read what they have written.

There is a protection spell that can be written in a book of shadows or Magickal journal to keep anyone from finding it and/or reading it. It should be written as such:

"These words herein are mine alone.
Fashioned deep within my bones.
Each picture, thought, and quote you see
Are all reflections of what is me.

Beware the urge to take this book!
Or read it in some private nook.
Because It's Magick isn't blind...
And I shall know you've touched what's mine.

So Mote it Be."

I have used this and it has always seemed to work for me. I am what is considered Pagan Born, and from infancy have been not only practicing, but learing more and have an ever-growing collection of BOS's

my bos has been distroyed by fire once and rewriten in 2 books i am undecided about keeping spells on line

I actually would not reccomend putting spells you have written yourself online...

Online does not sound like the best idea but keeping several copies at least on the computer and on disks could not hurt if something were to happen to the handwritten.

I have a hand written bos and alot of info on my pc. but i have been adding to my bos now for about 10 years now. and has every thing to rite to herbal stuff to family members that was born with in this time :) and dates of other family too there birthdays :)

I would agree with the last few posts putting your spells that are in your BOS online is not a wise idea. Now if you keep them on your computer or in a book that would be fine just too many things can happen with them on line.

I copied the earlier part of my BOS from a copy of the BOS of my tradition, one who is not initiated is not allowed to view or copy the material. Also I have included other literature, as well as my own contributions, as well as updated rituals of the tradition. It is a hardbound book, with my own artistic decorations on the outside and inside. There is no copy of my BOS in any form except itself, all by hand. The book itself was started in 1973, but contains material originating in 1967-68. It was expected that one start their BOS while waiting to be initiated, at least a year in most cases. It was quite a project. I don't believe any copy will find itself in a computer in any media.

I started one about 2years ago. It's compiled mostly of spells, notes, some printed material, 19 enochian keys. As I am a Satanist, I still have my own book of shadows. Even though I am of a different than wiccan. I can still relate to you guys.

Technically a BOS or Grimoire is an individuals personal spell book they make from scratch about what they have learned over the years.

Do I have one? Yes, I have had it for a very long time, I have been practicing since the age of 8, I am now in my 30's. I do take the magiks quite seriously. My BOS as you call it contains mass amounts of information as well as is about to be published much like ~Infernal~ has had.

Even though the thoughts inside said BOS, are of personal interest, once finished it could very well be enlightenment for others within the community of whom should take an interest in such things.

My BoS is all handwritten, in a sort of blank book type thing. I like the personal effect, seeing it all handwritten. Much more meaningful.

Does anyone buy their BoS' from online places like Spritual Shack or Pyramid Collection? or do most people just make one from a spiral notebook?

It's important to keep these things very personal to oneself, after all it is your book, your magick.

My BOS is a new thing I am working on so there is not alot in it... I have a few things, and I will continue to work on it, it is taking a while because it is all handwritten.

I bought a BOS by Raven Sliver Wolf or Silver Raven Wolf. She has a lot of information in it. I was using it as a tool to learn and train by.

I have a BOS for the last 20 Yrs. It contained most of the rituals for every sabbat. Also, every spell created by me. A spell should go into the BOS only when you are sure that it work.

When I kept a BOS which is scomething that I haven't done in years, it was all hand written. Like you I thought that it had more meaning if I wrote it out. I have looked at others online but haven't bought any of them.

I have a bit of a problem with individuals misconstruding the idea of a book of shadows for a training manual bought at a store. The BOS is a personal lifelong journal of spells, incantations as well as what said individual has learned thus far through which ever area of the craft they chose for enlightenment.

A book from a well known author of the esoteric practices is NOT a BOS. It is merely a sort of training manual to start the individual out on which ever journey they chose.

I'll be the first in the family to actually create one of these since I haven't heard of anyone else in the family going through a great many experiences as I have. Not bragging or anything, but I like to keep record of everything that happens, dreams, paranormal activities and whatnot. Even though the experiences started at childhood, I began writing everything down about 5 or 6 years ago.

Oh yeah sorry...i have done some online but most of it is and will be written by hand that i keep locked away. ^^

I started my BOS about two years ago and it is all online and organized by folders on my hard drive.

I also started it as part of a course that I am taking through the Order of Sacred Mists on workingwitches.com.

A Book of Shadows is what i found to be the one i use most it is easyer to keep away from others and is just a habbit because i was brought up on using the book of shadows.

I started one ages ago but never got very far with it. People were telling me that I was doing it wrong any way so I decided it would be best to not do it at all.

I have always kept a book of shadows for various spells and other important rituals I need to perform....

I especially use it when I perform weddings and hand fastenings.....

it's better then using 20 books for spells (most I never use) or thousands of paper notes.

:)

I have read many books of magic and spells but i haven't heard of these books

I've been keeping a Book of Shadows pretty much since I started studying Witchcraft, which would have been six years ago. Over time it's turned more into a journal of my paranormal experiences rather than a collection of magickal information though, so I'm not sure if it would still be considered a BOS, lol. Either way, it is all handwritten.

here have a link, hope it helps

Book of Shadows

started writing my book of shadows 4years ago at the age of 14, i started with colecting the basics like phases of the moon and celebrations. i hand made my first ne but my new one is a beautiful leather bound book with a silver pentagram embossed on the frount.

LadyKrystalynDarkstar: There is never one set way to do a book of shadows. A book of shadows should hold what you want in it and not how everyone thinks it should be (NO harm meant to anyone). But the BOS should contain what is a part of you and your being. Whether its herbs, spells, or whatever you want to put in the BOS.

I have a real nice collection of witch craft and vampire stuff over the past 11 years and I have alot of satanism stuff,

i'd start with your coven creed, or if you don't have a coven, one of your own.

I still write everything down I havent had a chance to put anything on the comoputer it feels kinda weird to me thinking about it , but i think it a great idea for thise who have the time to do so .

I have a BOS where I write down my personal notes, this and that regarding my believes, spells observations etc.

I got my first BOS 6 years ago, on my 18th birthday and I have been writing in it ever since.

It is like a private journal to me, and not something I flaunt around to everyone. I have shown and explained its functions to my husband, so he knows about it.

I like writing mine by hand and the computer

I only write by hand. It makes it more personal and helps maintaining my handwriting.

my wife and i still keep a BOS...

Darkmindset: You can never be too late at starting a BOS. Have fun with it and don't let anyone tell you that it has to be done a certain way because that is not right. A BOS should hold what is in your heart and mind, things that you have learnt and so forth. No harm intended with my post though.

Keep going with it and enjoy.

i am now a satanist, but i was a pagan for 13 yrs and had many books to call my b.o.s. it was 14 books of my own research, spells, chants, etc......

my old roommate stole everything from me shortly after i turned satanist..... oh well, i don't need it now

i started my book of shadows about two years ago. since i'm old-school i like to keep it hand written. i have not yet switched over, as i still have alot of paper to go through. i prefer to use the term "Book Of Shadows" because my paranoid side keeps telling me that "Grimoire" is strickly for those of a darker persuasion. i know thats not true, its just my paranoid side taking over. sorry if thats offending to anyone.

yeah, i do have a BOS, and i started to keep it when i was first getting into the craft, about ten years ago. it's just things i've tried and personal observations on things that've been done by others.

I have about 5 or 6 books filled with spells, herbal information, chants, etc. It is a mish-mosh of all I read and have done. Working on a new one now. Mostly Kitchen Witchery, household magick and the like.

book of shadows i have manny of them with spells and other thingstheir the best cy latter guys

I started my BOS many years ago and still to to this day write in it and have a very big fat book LOL I keep all my notes and results of everything I have ever done and I would not trade it for anything... it is a family heirloom . We are many women in my family and well we share and use it together at times. I love my BOS.

thats always a good thing to pass down from generation to generation

I don't have on.. but I would really like to see how it looks... for me my mind is my "grimoire"...

ya thats always cool to have them in your head i always wanted to do that

I started mine when i was 12.
My B.O.S. is still written by hand.

It always so nice to see just how many people still treasure theirs and especially the ones that have been handed down, mine for certain will be handed down to my son. I have one that is only hand written, amoungst the others that I have .Im so thrilled with all of the responces !

Over the years, mine has turned into a 3 book set. They are all hand-written and leather bound. The 3rd book of the set is my book of dreams. Dreams fascinate me, and I have devoted much time to the study of them.

Yes i as well have one books specifically for dreams, orginally just started as a journal to catolog my dreams but end up turning in to much more over the many years that I have had it.

I wish my mind would hold all the information that I have printed, writen out. Maybe then I wouldn't lose it so easy. Seriously, What little bit that I have in my BOS is mainly of herbs and stones. Some native american stories.

I have several of them, I started my first one at the age of 11 years old.....

KaddaveR -



I'm sure they all look different depending on who owns them.

Well, I'm sure not everyone has one. ;] Just ... a lot of people on this site lol.,.

i started mine when i was 14 and i still have thesame book its pages r blank and i write all my spells and thigns in by hand iv never have used books that are all ready printed out i trhink it works better and has more power comeing from your hands not others

and this is why i bought a lifetime membership to support this site.I myself am so intrigued with this occult and things.I dont have a bos and thought that was just a tv thing.

I have proudly submitted imformation on BOS in the Members Articles .... check it out if you have the time and energy

I first kept a book of shadows when I was studying for my first degree witch class with my teacher. We hand wrote and typed pages out, and stored them in binders. Then, when I joined the Fellowship of Isis, I kept a binder full of my workings, mostly typed. I mix my book of shadows up with typed and handwritten material.

i was born into the craft...it's been in my family for so long and way bay....but i broke off and took a different path....still in magik....i study from the book of the dead or the black earth....(names can be deciving i am not evil) i started at sixteen.....i will never put anything online....i still hand write everything...

Hand writing your book of shadows or your grimories makes them that much more special to you, that much more important. That is why i hand write mine ( i use lined paper lol i can't write in a straight line)

i think most books sould be hand writen to bring u closer to the spell and closer to what u r doing in the spell

The closest thing I've ever had to a Grimoire was a small book filled with scribbled down spells and curses, with bits of paper stuck in here and there. It's since been lost along with lots of other books of mine.

I am currently working on my first BOS and I have found that it is easier to do it on the computer while I am still figuring out exatly what I want to put in there. Once I have a decent amout of information or at least some information that I am sure I want to put in there I am planning on handwriting it into a more permanant book.

When I was younger and tried the darker side of spells I had a Grimorie that was full of spells I had written down over a few years. Sometimes I wish I would have not destroyed it.

I actually just started writting in my first BOS this year. Since this is the year I found my path, my whole life I had been an Athiest until I found a belief and chosen path.

I do keep a BOS though mine isn't a physical book. I keep it as a file on my computer. I did start a notebook version back in high school that I would carry around with me. I still have it but it's not the one that I update.

yes I have a book of shadows I started writing in it 8 years and every day I am coming up with new spells of course none of them are for personal gain just to help others

i started my bos over 5 years ago and it is massive and it is only written on parchment paper i find that its best to be kept in the ld way though many htings now days are updated to the internet

i have jsut recently started to keep a va,piric journal of sorts but that grimoire will take some time to write in

when i was really young i wanted a bos but it was not until i was an adul till i was able to learn what i know now to have in my bos.
i think experience is the key and believe one should make their own bos a very personal aspect..an extension of themselves if you will.

I must say I am so amazed to see so many posts on my thread. And I just love the fact of how many peoplpe still keep their BOS handwritten

yes,it is nice to see the variety of post,i think handwritten bos is the way to go and for me is more meaningfull.

My girlfriend keeps a grimoire. she finds all sorts of information and writes in down in there. She was actually gathering a lot of information about the vampyre community and was going to make a sort of vampyric bible. everything you'd need to know about being a vampyre. she's found some pretty interesting things so far.
but yeah, she lends me the grimoire and i've learned some pretty sweet shit off of it.
It's a good thing to keep around.

yes, i have a BOS of my own and put in it spells that i have came across that i want to use or that i have used in the past.

I think using technolog is a great way to keep track of your spells and to have as a backup, but I was under the impression that a Book of Shadows is more powerful if handwritten.

With handwritten spells, the writer's energies go through the writing implement directly into the book. I think having a Book of Spells (as opposed to the "Disk of Spells") is more meaningful because it is also a Family History of sorts and something that can be handed down for Generations to come.

I was about 11 years old when i started my first book of shadows...did it tottally on my own and with know help and knowledge just samed to be in my head already with no prior traing or learning ect...I think that i was a witch in a past life also....

they are really good to have and they come in handy for a quike refrence

Is it really safe though to even keep one? Like ... what if it were stolen or so?

I totally agree with the comment above and even though i do have one i keep it in a locked book with a key and in a small safe..

Iam thinking of buying a book of shadows and learning from it so if anyone wants to give me a little insight about the book Iwill be a great student I love to learn new things

A book of shadows isn't something that should be bought but made. It's from your heart. The spells you write and the feelings you have. Now if you want to buy a blank book tha'ts a whole nother story. But your BOS should be personal to you. Not something anyone can have.

Grimoire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

me and my mate have the same grimore.

i hand write my BOS. i hope someday i might pass it on to some of my kids or grandkids if they choose to follow the wiccan way. i started mine when i was ten. i look back and realize how much ive grown as a person and as a wiccan. as for posting ur BOS online... its up to the individual i guess

Agreed, Vinesha.


It's unlikely all things written in a Book of Shadows that you didn't right will work for you. Everyone has things that do and don't work for them.

Well I used to have a book of shadows, but my dad went through my room and burned everything and told me I couldn't wiccan before he burned it he read the book. But I have not gotten a new one as of yet and it has been about 5 years or more. I haven't gotten a new one because I try to respect that my mom doesn't want to see those things so I will just wait till I am 18.

Sorry I forgot to answer your question.

To answer your question you posted well I would much rather have it in a book for the fact it is easy to access in my mind it is. Computer anyone can get on it so to speak with a back door trojan so I would much rather write everything down myself and know it is safe from eager eyes.

I have a book a shadows I keep my spells my herbal remedies and things my teachers have tought me i also own a book of spell my grandma gave me it filled with many intresting postions and healing remedies

I do i have all my spells ward and herbal magic in it and trust me you end up needing it i have a book of shadows that consist of 5 leather bound books

ummmmm..................

I started mine 17 years ago, all by hand, still by hand.

For this kind of book it needs essence and when I write in it, somehow I transmit my essence in each page, each writing I place in it.

Using technology for other stuff is find to keep database and to keep acuraty of the info, since by hand we tend to make mistakes, but for the essence, never trust technology.

I think that eventually people will forsake righting in a book of shadows and just start doing so in a journal online or something.

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