Your Book of Shadows

Think of your Book of Shadows (or BOS for short) as your own personal Wiccan Bible. A BOS is not a journal for your thoughts and feelings. whether it be magick related or not. Leave journal writings for a separate book. The BOS is much more than that. It's a sacred place where you record spells, whether your own or spells written by other practioners of Wicca. Your handcrafted spells are more desirable because whenever you write or make something original, you are putting your own, unique and positive energies into your workings.



Besides spells, your BOS can include the moon phases and symbols, astrological writings (whether yours, someone close to you or all 12 astrological signs), symbolic meanings of colors of candles, altar information, drawings and more writings directly related to your Wiccan path to enlightenment.



A BOS can be anything from a spiral notebook to a handcrafted wooden piece of art. The choice is yours and it depends how much you're willing to spend. It's fine to begin your BOS with a spiral notebook especially if you're just beginning your path. As you wish to include more information and writings you can move up to a larger, perhaps fancier book. Just remember it's preferable to have all your writings in one book, so this means copying any previous writings into your new BOS. Many online Wiccan stores have a selection of Books and they include everything between plain bound notebooks to elaborate wooden books. I, personaly, have a beautiful, handcrafted wooden BOS made especially for me by a friend. It's designed to be opened in order to add more pages as needed. This is important, because hopefully you will have so many writings and works that you will eventually come to the last page and will need more room. Having a book you can add pages then becomes pretty important.



Your BOS isn't meant to be shared. In fact, it's not even a good idea to show it to anyone. This is your Book and your alone. I am a firm believer that negative energy can wreak havoc on your emotions and health and you never know the intent of the person looking at your BOS. The one time it is okay to share your BOS is when and if you decide to hand it down to the next generation. If your daughter or son is following the Wiccan path, what better gift could you give?

A gift filled with love and invaluable information for a loved one is priceless.

Your Wiccan Altar

The Witches Altar, is a special place among practicing Wiccans. Located in the home or outside, your altar is an area devoted to your "tools of the trade". Some Wiccans prefer an outdoor altar because it allows you to perform your spells and magick closest to the Earth's energies. However, having an outdoor altar isn't always practical.



Think of your altar as you would your Book of Shadows. You have made your Book of Shadows personal to you. It contains spells, meditations, astrological-related writings and much more, directly related and meaningful to you. And like your Book of Shadows, your altar should also reflect who you are as well.



Setting aside a specific corner of a room (usually your bedroom) is desirable. Having your tools within your living space brings a positive energy to you and those around you. Your altar can consist of a small table, a dresser top or anything that is convenient to you and your lifestyle. Often, it's not possible to have an area devoted solely to your altar and that's perfectly fine. In this case many practitioners opt for a portable altar. I, personally, have my altar contents stored in a beautiful wooden box that I have wood-burned a pentagram into. When I need to use them they are easily accesible and I can set my altar up quickly. I like adding my own unique handcrafted touches. In fact, whenever possible, this is desirable as it infuses your tools with your own positive energies.



Now, the "meat and potatoes" of the Witch's altar. Include candles in colors that mean something to you or colors that you are fond of. Candle colors can also be changed out to be directed toward a specific spell. i.e. pink or red for a love spell. black for a banishing spell, etc.

Cover your table or chosen surface with a beautiful cloth. Pick out some fabric that appeals to you and sew it into a table top cover. There are also many online Wiccan stores that specialize in Wiccan wares. Many carry beautiful altar clothes. Online Wiccan stores also are an excellent place to find other altar items. A chalice, athame, wand, bell, incense, cauldron, pentagram are also desirable items to include. Note that I say "desirable" and not absolutely necessary. As you grow in your Wiccan path you can add to your sacred space. It can be fun to shop and search for new items to add to your altar. But, remember, if you are adding second-hand items to your workings please also cleanse them. For one, you have no idea what these items were onced used for and two, as always ,directing your own unique energies into your wares is always preferable.

Often, the altar is designed to represent the Earth's four elements-Fire, Air, Earth, Wind and Water. Your chalice can contain the Water, The athame, candles or incense can represent fire, a wand can be used for Air, herbs and plants represent the Earth and a bell can represent Wind. Many times items will vary according to the practioner. There is no law that says you must use certain items to represent certain things to you. It is about YOU and no one else. Do what you feel in your heart is best for you. Remember these items are TOOLS. The energy is what matters and you are the one that sends energy through the tools. Use these tools wisely and remember-"An ye harm none, do what ye will".