A word on a wicca's Book of Shadows (we'll call this a thoughtful Tuesday)

Okay, so I've been a bit on the fence about the whole Book of Shadows thing. Initially I was under the impression that people started selling and marketing journals by this name as a way to trick the "fluffy bunnies" of the world into thinking that every witch had some super secret journal that they kept for all things magical. However, upon receiving my great aunt's tome with the title scrawled across the cover I became a bit more receptive to the idea.

I'm not trying to say that I don't think wiccan's make use of or keep books for spells or ritual practice; I'm no fool I know very well that it is common practice in the craft. However, I just found the name to be rather commercialized and therefore it seemed less legitimate from my point of view. I will also admit that I have had a few, but mine were originally used as a means of keeping track of what dreams manifested into my daily life.

That being said, I would never post a picture of my great aunts tome on the internet; therefore, you will have to settle for a picture of mine.

These books come in a variety of shapes and sizes, I just happen to really love the smell of leather, hence the leather tied book. I also really love the smell of old book pages (I know, I'm weird) so the pages in my personal tome are recycled and aged for a particular look. I have seen books ranging from ones that are just plain journals that you can find at any craft or book store all the way up to hand-bound leather-clad masterpieces that cost more than most pairs of dress pants that I own. These books absolutely do not have to be extravagant, it's mostly the witch who decides what s/he would personally like to posses as a means of recording their majickal practices. I also have a great big key tied to my leather wrapping closure, this is honestly something I just happened across in a Michael's craft store, it's nothing super fancy but I have always been absolutely obsessed with keys (and feathers...but that's a whole other rant entirely) so I thought it was fitting to have this extension of my personality linked to my book.

Now before you go off thinking that this is some super secret book full of dark spells and enchantments I should probably state that I am what you would call a "white witch," meaning that I deal in protection majick and all manner of shielding practices. However, this does not mean that I don't mind if someone looks in my book. This book is meant for my eyes and those whom I deem trustworthy; this is at my discretion of course, and under my supervision only.

These books generally hold an wide array of knowledge within them. For example, it is common practice to inscribe ritual set-ups or incantations used to cast a circle, prayer majick is also commonplace, and probably the most common contents are actually the (what I call at least) "mind vomit" of those practicing the craft and trying to manifest their own incantations or rituals. That being said, these books are not dangerous per-say, but can almost be thought of as a manner of scientific journal (I may get some blow-back from saying that, but bear in mind I'm also a medical student so my brain works in a very different manner than most).

With that said (and I am terribly sorry for rambling), do any of you have tomes for your practices? Please feel free to share, I love discussing these sorts of things, I find it quite enjoyable. :)

Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again, friends!