How Important is a Book of Shadows?

So, what is a book of shadows?  

A book of shadows (BOS) is a complication of a ”witches” beliefs and practices. It’s kind of like a bible for witches, just not as judgmental. Because everyone’s BOS is different, it’s kind of difficult to actually describe what a BOS is. Sometimes it’s a detailed journal of what someone has done in their practice, other times it could be like a textbook of information for the practitioner. It really depends on the person writing/using the book. For me personally, mine started as a textbook type of thing and more recently has progressing into a more spur of the moment journal type thing. But I’ll be going further into that later in the post.  

As I said before, BOSs can be very beneficial to witches/practitioners. They can be used to store ritual outlines, spells, herbs that go with the rituals and spells. Pretty much anything craft related can belong in a person’s BOS. A lot of times I see people using their books as a way or tracking how their magic is working. Like if you were to do a ritual, you would write about the ritual and what outcome you were looking for, then after a certain period of time, you could revisit that ritual and write down what the potential outcome, if any, that there was for the magic.  

Obviously, books of shadows have been around for ages, so it’s difficult to actually put down where they originated per say. The term ”book of shadows” was made mainstream by Gerald Gardner in the 40s or 50s, as he was “creating” Wicca. (If you want to read more about that and other forms of Wicca, go here.) In those times though, it was not common practice to the individuals to create and use their own books. It was most common for the coven to produce the book and the High Priest or Priestess would keep the book for the group.  

The Book of Shadows has gained popularity with the mainstream media due to shows like Charmed, where their book was essentially just as important to the show as the actors were. Since it has become such a common tool for practitioners, several “traditions” have been started in regard to the book of shadows ranging from passing them down to children upon death, to burning them completely when the witch dies. No tradition is right or wrong, it simply depends on the person.  

Personal, I struggle with my Book of Shadows for several reasons. Firstly, I’m definitely a child of technology. There is a running joke that I’m an electronics whore. And it’s completely true. I’d prefer most of my life electronic and automated. That being said, I also want my practice to NOT be electronical. I’d like it to be “traditional” and have a leather-bound book with handwritten information in it. I also have the issue of being a little too OCD for actually writing in a BOS. Especially because I tend to get books with no lines…  

Currently, I have moved my BOS from a big ass binder that I was using, which didn’t feel right ever, to a leather-bound journal, and I kind of threw caution to the wind and just started writing in it and letting the inspiration guide how I was setting it up, and surprisingly, I love it. I’m using colorful pens, which don’t have a pattern to them, which normally would have bothered me, but for this, and the way I am writing it out, I’m not actually bothered by it. Granted, I haven’t written in it in a few months because life got so turned upside down, but that’s beside the point. Lol  

I want to make sure that I leave my children with something of my faith, whether they follow it or not, I want to know that I will have something they can look at and potentially get help from, or at the very least, they can look at it, and know that I was looking to keep them protected.  

I personally chose to set my new one up more as a “textbook” style rather than a journal. Simply because I will literally never remember to go back and verify what all outcomes may have happened from the ritual or spell. But I can sit on Pinterest or google and find different rituals or herbs or spells that I can rework into something personal to put into my BOS.  

When it comes to a Book of Shadows, they can be completely beneficial and amazing for the witch or practitioners that uses them, and they aren’t that difficult to keep or update as you go. But that doesn’t mean that they are necessary in the slightest. As I’ve said before, and will definitely say again, NO tool is necessary when it comes to your craft unless YOU feel like it’s necessary. There is also the fact that if you are in the broom closet, and intending to stay in the broom closet, writing out all your rituals and spells may not be the best idea until you are completely free and safe to do so.  

What do you think about having a Book of Shadows? Do you have one? Do you want to start one? Let me know in the comments! Maybe we could start a BOS ideas swap!