Book Of Shadows

Book of Shadows

thebluechicory:

The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store information you’ll need in your magical tradition, whatever it may be.

Many Pagans and Wiccans feel a BOS should be handwritten -this will not only transfer energy to the writer, but it also helps you to memorize the contents. (Make sure you write legibly enough that you’ll be able to read your notes during a ritual!) - but some use a computer to store information as well.

Bear in mind that a BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item of power that should be consecrated with all of your other magical tools.

To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank notebook. A popular method is to use a three-ring binder so items can be added and rearranged as needed. If you use this style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is great for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings from getting on the pages!

Whatever you select, your title page should include your name. Make it fancy or simple, depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a magical object and should be treated accordingly. Many witches simply write, “The Book of Shadows of [your name]” on the front page.

What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical alphabets. Unless you’re fluent enough in one of these systems that you can read it without having to check notes or a chart, stick with your native language. While a spell looks beautiful written out in flowing Elvish script or Klingon lettering, the fact is that it’s just hard to read unless you’re an Elf or a Klingon.

When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections that are nearly universally included.

Laws of your coven or tradition: Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group, it’s a really good idea to keep them at the front of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what doesn’t. If you’re part of an eclectic tradition that doesn’t have written rules, or if you’re a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what YOU think are acceptable rules of magic;

A dedication: If you’ve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Wiccans dedicate themselves to a God or Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is a good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to, and why;

Gods and Goddesses: Depending on what pantheon or tradition you follow, you may have a single God and Goddess, or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to keep legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If your practice is an eclectic blend of different spiritual paths, it’s a good idea to include that here;

Correspondence tables: When it comes to spellcasting, correspondence tables are some of your most important tools. Phases of the moon, herbs, stones and crystals, colors – all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will be at the ready when you really need it;

Sabbat rituals: The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays for most Wiccans and Pagans, although some traditions do not celebrate all of them. Your BOS can include rituals for each of the Sabbats. Click here for more information.

Other rituals: If you’ll be celebrating each full moon, you’ll want to include an Esbat rite in your BOS. You can use the same one each month, or create several different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also wish to include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing Down the Moon, a rite that celebrates the invoking of the Goddess at the time of the full moon. If you’ll be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be sure to include them here;

Herbs/Crystals: Ask any experienced Pagan or Wiccan about a specific herb or crystal, and chances are good that they’ll expound on not only the magical uses of them but also the healing properties and history of use. Herbalism and crystology are often considered the core of spellcasting, because plants and crystals are ingredients that people have used for literally thousands of years. Put together a section in your BOS for herbs, crystals and their uses. Click here and here for more information;

Divination: If you’re learning about Tarot, scrying, astrology, or any other form of divination, keep information in here. When you experiment with new methods of divination, keep a record of what you do and results you see in your Book of Shadows.

Sacred texts: While it’s fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes it’s just as nice to have information that’s a little more established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you, such as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an archaic language, or a particular chant that moves you, include it in your Book of Shadows;

Magical recipes: There’s a lot to be said for “kitchen witchery,” because for many people, the kitchen is the center of hearth and home. As you collect recipes for oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You may even want to include a section of food recipes for Sabbat celebrations. Click here for more information;

Spell workings: Some people prefer to keep their spells in a separate book called a grimoire, but you can also keep them in your Book of Shadows. It’s easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity, protection, healing, etc …

The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to keep it organized. You can use tabbed dividers, create an index at the back, or if you’re really super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more, you’ll have more information to include (this is why the three-ring binder is such a practical idea).

Keep in mind that as our technology is constantly changing, the way we use it does too - there are people who keep their BOS completely digitally on a flash drive, their laptop, or even stored virtually to be accessed by their favorite mobile device. A BOS pulled up on a smart phone is no less valid than one copied by by hand in ink onto parchment.

You may want to use one notebook for information copied from books or downloaded off the Internet, and another for original creations. Regardless, find the method that works best for you, and take good care of your Book of Shadows. After all, it’s a sacred object and should be treated accordingly!

Book of Shadows consecrating ritual

You can consecrate your new Book of Shadows and Pen(s) of Art with a simple ritual:

On the night of a New Moon, cast a Circle as you feel comfortable doing, and gather together your book and pen(s), along with a blessed bowl of water, inside the circle. By candlelight, consecrate your writing equipment by holding your hands out, palms down, over the equipment and saying words like these:

Book of Shadows, leaves of white Pen of Art with point so fine Soon be filled with Sabbat rite Magick charm and chanted spell. Day by day and night by night, White pages pen of art will fill.

Then anoint each pen, book, etc. with a symbol of your choosing (Pentagram, Crescent Moon, etc.) saying something like:

From this night of the moon, I dedicate this book and this pen (etc.) To the Mysteries of the Ancient Ways. As I will, so mote it be!

Now inscribe the first page of the book with its title, whatever you choose to call it, using your Pen of Art. Below the title write the date in Pagan terms like “The third night of the Wolf Moon, 1999,” - whatever the date is, along with whatever you feel should be there along with the title.

Plant and Herb Properties by Name Masterpost

A Acacia : Protection, Psychic Powers, Money and Love Spells Adam & Eve Roots : Love, Happiness Adders Tongue : Healing African Violet : Spirituality, Protection Agaric : Fertility Agrimony : Protection, Sleep Ague Root : Protection Alfalfa : Prosperity, Anti-Hunger, Money Alkanet : Purification, Prosperity Allspice : Money, Luck, Healing Almond : Money, Prosperity, Wisdom Aloe : Protection, Luck Aloes, Wood : Love, Spirituality Althea : Protection, Psychic Powers Alyssum : Protection, Moderating Anger Amaranth : Healing Heartbreak, Protection, Invisibility, Anemone : Health, Protection, Healing Angelica : Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Visions Anise : Protection, Purification, Youth Apple : Love, Healing, Garden Magic, Immortality Apricot : Love Arabic Gum : Spirituality, Purify Negativity and Evil Arbutus : Exorcism, Protection Asafoetida : Exorcism, Purification, Protection Ash : Protection, Prosperity, Sea Rituals, Health Aspen : Eloquence, Anti-Theft Aster : Love Avens : Exorcism, Purification, Love Avocado : Love, Lust, Beauty

Bachelor’s Buttons : Love Balm, Lemon : Love, Success, Healing Balm of Gilead : Love, Manifestations, Protection, Healing Bamboo : Protection, Luck, Hex-Breaking, Wishes Banana : Fertility, Potency, Prosperity Banyan : Luck. Happiness Barley : Love, Healing, Protection Basil : Love, Exorcism, Wealth, Flying, Protection Bay : Protection, Psychic Powers, Healing, Purification, Strength Bean : Protection, Exorcism, Wart Charming, Reconciliation, Potency, Love Bedstraw, Fragrant : Love Beech : Wishes Beet : love Belladonna : Astral Projection, Visions **TOXIC** Benzoin : Purification, Prosperity Bergamot, Orange : Money, Success Be-Still : Luck Betony, Wood : Protection, Purification, Love

Birch : Protection, Exorcism, Purification and Cleansing Bistort : Psychic Powers, Fertility Bittersweet : Protection, Healing Blackberry : Healing, Money, Protection Bladderwrack : Protection, Sea Spells, Wind Spells, Money, Psychic Powers Bleeding Heart : Love Bloodroot : Love, Protection, Purification Bluebell : Luck, Truth Blueberry : Protection Blue Flag : Money Bodhi : Fertility, Protection, Wisdom, Meditation Boneset : Protection, Exorcism Borage : Courage, Psychic Powers BrackenBrazil NutBriony : Image Magic, Money, Protection Bromeliad : Protection, Money Broom : Purification, Protection, Wind Spells, Divination Buchu : Psychic Powers, Prophetic Dreams Buckthorn : Protection, Exorcism, Wishes, Legal Matters

Cabbage : Luck Cactus : Protection, Chastity Calamus : Luck, Healing, Money, Protection Camellia -Riches Camphor : Chastity, Health, Divination Caper : Potency, Lust, Luck Carawy : Protection, Lust, Health, Anti-Theft, Mental Powers Cardamon : Lust, Love Carnation : Protection, Strength, Healing Carob : Protection, Health Carrot : Fertility, Lust Cascara Sagrada : Legal Matters, Money, Protection, Cashew : Money Castor : Protection Catnip : Cat Magic, Love, Beauty, Happiness Cat Tail : Lust Cedar : Healing, Purification, Money, Protection Celandine : Protection, Escape, Happiness, Legal Matters Celery : Mental Powers, Lust, Psychic Powers Centaury : Snake Removing Chamomile : Money, Sleep, Love, Purification Cherry : Love, Divination Chestnut : Love Chickweed : Fertility, Love Chicory : Removing Obstacles, Invisibility, favors, Frigidity Chili pepper : Fidelity, Hex Breaking, Love

C China Berry : Luck, Change Chrysanthemum : Protection Cinchona : Luck, Protection Cinnamon : Spirituality, Success, Healing, Power, Psychic Powers, Lust, Protection, Love Cinquefoil : Money, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Sleep Cloth of Gold : Understand Animal Languages Clove : Protection, Exorcism, Love, Money

D Daffodil : Love, Fertility, Luck Daisy : Lust, Luck Damiana : Lust, Love, Visions Dandelion : Divination, Wishes, Calling Spirits Datura : Hex Breaking, Sleep, Protection Deerstongue : Lust, Psychic Powers Devils Bit : Exorcism, Love, Protection, Lust Devils Shoestring : Protection, Gambling, Luck, Power, Employment Dill : Protection, Money, Lust, Luck Dittany of Crete : Manifestations, Astral Projection Dock : Healing, Fertility, Money Dodder : Love, Divination, Knot Magic Dogbane : Love Dogwood : Wishes, Protection Dragons Blood : Love, Protection, Exorcism, Potency Dulse : Lust, Harmony Dutchmans Breeches : Love

Ebony : Protection, Power Echinacea : Strengthening Spells Edelweiss : Invisibility, Bullet-Proofing Elder : Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Sleep Elecampane : Love, Protection, Psychic Powers Elm : Love Endive : Lust, Love Eryngo : Travelers Luck, Peace, Lust, Love Eucalyptus : Healing, Protection Euphorbia : Purification, Protection Eyebright : Mental Powers, Psychic Power

Fennel : Protection, Healing, Purification Fenugreek : Money Fern : Rain Making, Protection, Luck, Riches, Eternal Youth, Health, Exorcism Feverfew : Protection Fig : Divination, Fertility, Love Figwort : Health, Protection Flax : Money, Protection, Beauty, Psychic Powers, Healing

Fleabane : Exorcism, Protection, Chastity Foxglove : Protection Frankincense : Protection, Exorcism, Spirituality Fumitory : Money, Exorcism Fuzzy Weed : Love, Hunting

G Galangal : Protection, Lust, Health, Money, Psychic Powers, Hex-Breaking Gardenia : Love, Peace, Healing, Spirituality Garlic : Protection, Healing, Exorcism, Lust, Anti-Theft Gentian : Love, Power Geranium : Fertility, Health, Love, Protection Ginger : Love, Money, Success, Power Ginseng : Love, Wishes, Healing, Beauty, Protection, Lust Goats Rue : Healing, Health Goldenrod : Money, Divination Golden Seal : Healing, Money Gorse : Protection, Money Gotu Kola : Meditation Gourd : Protection Grain : Protection Grains of Paradise : Lust, Luck, Love, Money, Wishes Grape : Fertility, Garden Magic, Mental Powers, Money Grass : Psychic Powers, Protection Ground Ivy : Divination Groundsel : Health, Healing

H Hawthorn : Fertility, Chastity, Fishing Magic, Happiness Hazel : Luck, Fertility, Anti-Lightning, Protection, Wishes Heather : Protection, Rain Making, Luck Heliotrope : Exorcism, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Wealth, Invisibility Hellebore, Black : Protection ****TOXIC*** Hemlock : Destroy Sexual Drive ***TOXIC*** Hemp : Healing, Love, Vision, Meditation Henbane : Love Attraction ***TOXIC*** Henna : Healing Hibiscus : Lust, Love, Divination Hickory : Legal Matters High John the Conqueror : Money, Love, Success, Happiness Holly : Protection, Anti-Lightning, Luck, Dream Magic, Balance Honesty : Money, Repelling Monsters Honeysuckle : Money, Psychic Powers, Protection Hops : Healing, Sleep Horehound : Protection, Mental Powers, Exorcism,

H Horse Chestnut : Money, Healing Horseradish : Purification, Exorcism Horsetail : Snake Charming, Fertility Houndstongue : Tying Dog’s Tongues Houseleek : Luck, Protection, Love Huckleberry : Luck, Protection, Dream Magic, Hex Breaking Hyacinth : Love, Protection, Happiness Hydrangea : Hex Breaking Hyssop : Purification, Protection

I Indian Paint Brush : Love Iris : Purification, Wisdom Irish Moss : Money, Luck, Protection Ivy : Protection, Healing

J Jasmine : Love, Money, Prophetic Dreams Jobs Tears : Healing, Wishes, Luck Joe-Pye Weed : Love, Respect Juniper : Protection, Anti-Theft, Love, Exorcism, Health

K Kava-Kave : Visions, Protection, Luck Knotweed : Binding, Health

L Ladys mantle : Love Ladys slipper : Protection Larch : Protection, Anti-Theft Larkspur : Health, Protection Lavender : Love, Protection, Sleep, Chastity, Longevity, Purification, Happiness, Peace Leek : Love, Protection, Exorcism Lemon : Longevity, Purification, Love, Friendship Lemongrass : Repel snakes, Lust, Psychic Powers Lemon Verbena : Purification, Love Lettuce : Chastity, Protection, Love, Divination, Sleep Licorice : Love, Lust, Fidelity Life Everlasting : Longevity, Health, Healing Lilac : Exorcism, Protection, Beauty Lily : Protection, Breaking Love spells Lily of the Valley : Mental Powers, Happiness Lime : Healing, Love, Protection Linden : Protection, Immortality, Luck, Love, Sleep Liquidamber : Protection Liverwort : Protection Liverwort : Love Looestrife : Peace, Protection Lotus : Protection, Lock-Opening Lovage : Love Love Seed : Love, Friendship Lucky Hand : Employment, Luck, Protection, Money, Travel

M Mace : Psychic Powers, Mental Powers Maguey : Lust Magnolia : Fidelity Mahogany, Mountain : Anti-Lightning Maidenhair : Beauty, Love Male Fern : Luck, Love Mallow : Love, Protection, Exorcism Mandrake : Protection, Love, Money, Fertility, Health Maple : Love, Longevity, Money Marigold : Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Business and Legal Matters, Psychic Powers Marjoram : Protection, Love, Happiness, Health, Money, Healing Master Wort : Strength, Courage, Protection Mastic : Psychic Powers, Manifestations, Lust May Apple : Money Meadow Rue : Divination Meadowsweet : Love, Divination, Peace, Happiness Mesquite : Healing Mimosa : Protection, Love, Prophetic Dreams, Purification Mint : Money, Love, Luck, Healing, Exorcism, Travel, Protection Mistletoe : Protection, Love, Hunting, Fertility, Health, Exorcism Molukka : Protection Moonwort : Money, Love Moss : Luck, Money Mugwort : Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection Mulberry : Protection, Strength Mullein : Courage, Protection, Health, Love, Divination, Exorcism Mustard : Fertility, Protection, Mental Powers Myrrh : Protection, Exorcism, Healing, Spirituality Myrtle : Love, Fertility, Youth, Peace, Money

N Nettle : Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Lust Norfolk Island Pine : Protection, anti hunger Nuts : Fertility, Prosperity, Love, Luck

O Oak : Protection, Health, Money, Healing, Potency, Fertility, Luck Oats : Money Olive : Healing, Peace, Fertility, Potency, Protection, Lust Onion : Protection, Exorcism, Healing, Money, Prophetic Dreams, Lust Orange : Love, Divination, Luck, Money Orchid : Love Oregon Grape : Money, Prosperity Orris Root : Love, Protection, Divination

P Palm, Date : Fertility, Potency Pansy : Love, Rain Magic, Love, Divination Papaya : Love, Protection Papyrus : Protection Parosela : Hunting Parsley : Love, Protection, Purification Passion Flower : Peace, Sleep, Friendship Patchouly : Money, Fertility, Lust Pea : Money, Love Peach : Love, Exorcism, Longevity, Fertility, Wishes Pear : Lust, Love Pecan : Money, Employment Pennyroyal : Strength, Protection, Peace Peony : Protection, Exorcism Pepper : Protection, Exorcism Peppermint : Purification, Sleep, Love, Healing, Psychic Powers Pepper Tree : Purification, Healing, Protection Periwinkle : Love, Lust, Mental Powers, Money, Protection Persimmon : Changing Sex, Healing, Luck Plot Weed : Protection Pimento : Love Pimpernel : Protection, Health Pine : Healing, Fertility, Protection, Exorcism, Money Pineapple : Luck, Money, Chastity Pipsissewa : Money, Spirit Calling

Q Quassia : Love Quince : Protection, Love, Happiness

R Radish : Protection, Lust Ragweed : Courage Ragwort : Protection Raspberry : Protection, Love Rattlesnake Root : Protection, Money Rhubarb : Protection, Fidelity Rice : Protection, Rain, Fertility, Money Roots : Protection, Power, Divination Rose : Love, Psychic Powers, Healing, Love, Divination, Luck, Protection Rosemary : Protection, Love, Lust, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Purification, Healing, Sleep, Youth Rowan : Psychic Powers, Healing, Protection, Power, Success Rue : Healing, Health, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Love Rye : Love, Fidelity

S Saffron : Love, Healing, Happiness, Wind Raising, Lust, Strength, Psychic Powers. Sage : Immortality, Longevity, Wisdom, Protection, Wishes Sagebrush : Purification, Exorcism

St.Johns Wort : Health, Power, Protection, Strength, Love, Divination, Happiness Sandalwood : Protection, Healing, Exorcism, Spirituality Sarsaparilla : Love, Money Sassafras : Health, Money Savory, Summer : Mental Powers Scullcap : Love, Fidelity, Peace Senna : Love Sesame : Money. Lust Shallot : Purification Skunk Cabbage : Legal Matters Slippery Elm : Halts Gossip Sloe : Exorcism, Protection Snakeroot : Luck Money Snakeroot/black : Love, Lust, Money Snapdragon : Protection Solomons Seal : Protection, Exorcism Sorrel Wood : Healing, Health Southern Wood : Love, Lust, Protection Spanish Moss : Protection Spearmint : Healing, Love, Mental Powers SpiderWort : Love Spikenard : Love Squill : Money, Protection, Hex Breaking Star, Anise : Psychic Powers, Luck Stillengia : Psychic Powers Straw : Luck, Image Magic Strawberry : Love, Luck Sugar Cane : Love, Lust Sumbul : Love, Luck, Health, Psychic Powers Sunflower : Fertility, Wishes, Health, Wisdom Sweetgrass : Calling Spirits

T Tamarind : Love Tamarisk : Exorcism, Protection Tansy : Health, Longevity Tea : Riches, Courage, Strength Thistle : Strength, Protection, Hex Breaking, Healing Thistle, Holy : Purification, Hex Breaking Thistle, Milk : Snake Enraging Thyme : Health, Healing, Sleep, Psychic Powers, Love, Purification, Courage Ti : Protection, Healing Toadflax : Protection, Hex Breaking Toadstool : Rain Making Tobacco : Healing, Purification Turmeric : Purification Turnip : Protection, Ending Relationships

U Urva Ursa : Psychic Workings

V Valerian : Love, Sleep, Purification, Protection Vanilla : Love, Lust, Mental Powers Venus Flytrap : Protection, Love Vervain : Love, Protection, Purification, Peace, Money, Youth, Chastity, Sleep, Healing Vetch, Giant : Fidelity Vetivert : Love, Hex Breaking, Luck, Money, Anti-Theft Violet : Protection, Luck, Love, Lust, Wishes, Peace, Healing

W Wahoo : Hex-breaking, Courage, Success Walnut : Health, Mental Powers, Infertility, Wishes Wax Plant : Protection Wheat : Fertility, Money Willow : Love, Divination, Protection, Healing Wintergreen : Protection, Healing, Hex Breaking Winters Bark : Success Witch Grass : Happiness, Lust, love, Exorcism Witch Hazel : Protection, Chastity Wolfs Bane : Protection, Invisibility Wood Rose : Luck Woodruff : Victory, Protection, Money Wormwood : Psychic Powers, Protection, Love, Calling Spirits

XYZ

Yarrow : Courage, Love, Psychic Powers, Exorcism Yellow Evening Primrose : Hunting Yerba Mate : Fidelity, Love, Lust Yerba Santa : Beauty, Healing, Psychic Powers, Protection Yew : Raising the Dead Yohimbe : Love, Lust Yucca : Transmutation, Protection, Purification

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thatfabulouscrazyperson

9 years ago

Ashes fall to ashes & dust falls to dust whether bodies are buried with full honors underneath the Earth or thrown onto the wayside and left to rot."

The Girl From The Well by Rin Chupeco

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thatfabulouscrazyperson

8 years ago

The best of Tumblr: Harry Potter

(The best of Tumblr: Marvel, The best of Tumblr: Disney)

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thatfabulouscrazyperson

8 years ago

Mythology: Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite, And Persephone

Mythology: Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite, and Persephone

You think I’ll be the dark sky so you can be the star? I’ll swallow you whole.

Herbs Associated With The Dead

Here’s a quick post of herbs used to summon, talk to, or celebrate with the dead. It was created to invoke ancestors specifically, but I hope this helps all of you guys!

Bay leaves promote communication with the dead, are used in funeral wreaths, and shared during ancestral feasts on Samhain.

Birch is associated with rebirth and reincarnation. Blessings for the deceased are written on birch bark and burned.

Cedar is used to summon the dead, and in ancestral feasts.

Elderberries are used to decorate altars during Samhain.

Frankincense is used for purification while communicating with the dead and spiritual transformation.

Holly is associated with resurrection and renewal, thus making it an appropriate decoration for Samhain altars as well.

Lavender is used to bring peace to the dead.

Rosemary is burned in Samhain ancestral feasts to communicate with deceased friends.

Rose represents love, healing, and purification, also making it a great Samhain altar decoration.

Tobacco is used as an offering during ancestral feasts.

Wormwood is used to summon spirits and help them manifest.

Sources: “Wortcunning: Herbs of the Deceased.” Nafaeria. n.p. 7 August 2008. Web. 17 October 2015.