Tools Of The Craft: The Book Of Shadows

Tools of the Craft: The Book of Shadows

Oh, the beautiful working altar! It is a place of magic, with lots of shiny and smelly things on it which make me feel at home. But to the new witch, it can sometimes seem daunting, and even downright scary to look at - almost as if it came right out of some dark fantasy story.

But there’s nothing to be afraid of. Each object on the altar is merely a tool to help visually direct energy. In witchcraft, every tool has its significance and its own symbolism, and it often helps to understand what makes these tools so important. In this series of articles, I will endeavor to lift the shroud of mystery from these tools and assist in helping you understand what each tool is used for, where it comes from, and why we use it.

The Book of Shadows

We’ve all seen various shows that portray witches with various spell books, from the massive tome in Sabrina, The Teenage Witch to the living spell book in Hocus Pocus. It sometimes seems as if the book is as inseparable from witchcraft as the broom, pointed hat, and black cat! However, unlike how they’re portrayed in media, spell books, or Books of Shadows, are unique to each individual, and may have spells, correspondences, references, or may simply be a journal.

Ultimately, the Book of Shadows (hereafter, “BoS”) is a repository of knowledge pertinent to your practice. It’s your reference guide and a measure of your growth as you progress and learn more.

As many experienced witches who teach can attest to, one of the most frequent questions we get is “How to I make a BoS?” or “What do I need to do to get a spell book?” And this question is tricky not because of complexity, but because of its simplicity. So let’s take a look at the different types of BoS, and what could go into them!

Hard Copies, Media Files, and Oral Tradition

Every witch has his or her own aesthetic, preferred method of going about things, and pocketbook. As such, the types of BoS out there vary depending upon the witch! The most stereotypical BoS is the hard copy book. Durable, long lasting, and with a rather gorgeous look, it’s no surprise that from the get go, many of us will reach out to take hold of one of those faux-leather-bound blank journals lining the back wall of Barnes & Noble.

However, when first starting out, jumping straight to these often expensive books is not necessarily practical. The reason for this is that like our practice, our book will likely change and evolve over time to reflect our growth. As such, it isn’t uncommon early on to tear pages out, reorganize, and add pages to incorporate what suits you.

That said, it’s often recommended for the new witch to start simple. And for that there are a couple of options! First is for those who prefer hard copies. In the .gif above, the keen eye might notice that the BoS shown is a simple graph paper notebook. This is not uncommon, and while some may initially fear having a BoS that looks “tacky,” remember that the book will change over time, and as you practice more and find aspects that you know will not be going away anytime soon, you can incorporate them into another more aesthetically pleasing BoS (there’s no rule that says you can’t have more than one! I have several, and for different aspects of my practice).

Far less expensive is the digital BoS. Earlier on, I addressed Technopaganism and how it relates to paganism and witchcraft. In it, I acknowledged that one rather practical aspect to technopaganism is that witches who adopt this philosophy will often set aside files on their devices specifically for witchcraft. For instance, on my computer, I have a folder dedicated to witchcraft, with subfolders that have word files for notes, rites and spells, my blog articles (yes, my articles go in my BoS!) pictures, and correspondences. Though many witches prefer to cast spells and blessings on their BoS and may scoff at the thought of having a digital BoS, remember that in technopaganism, it is not uncommon to bless and cast spells on the device or drive that has the files in question, just as one would bless and cast a spell on a physical book.

Some witches who like the digital aspect even create public BoS’s here on Tumblr! Blogs are often a great repository for spells and notes regarding witchcraft, so it’s good to keep your eyes peeled for a good BoS page!

Lastly, there is another type of BoS that often goes unrecognized and treated less carefully because it’s not a physical object, and that’s oral tradition. Many of our ancient ancestors who did not have a written language passed their traditions, spells, and rites down to one another through strictly oral means. And some who had a written system maintained a mostly oral tradition as well (take, for instance, the Celts and Norse - both had written systems but maintained their traditions orally). The message here is that if you don’t feel that having a BoS is necessary or desired, you are not a lesser witch for it. Even today, some families maintain an oral system, passing their faith and traditions down from one generation to the next with the spoken word.

Compilations, Dreams, and Magic

So we’ve seen the different formats used for a BoS. But… what goes into it? Well, the simple answer is anything you want! And much to the frustration of many new witches, that’s exactly the answer they get. So let’s take a look at what commonly goes into a BoS, and how it can be varied.

Spells: This one’s the most common subject. After all, many witches prefer a repository of their successful spells for future reference. So many include a section in their books dedicated specifically to spells. (If the book were dedicated solely to spells and rites, it is often referred to as a grimoire instead of a BoS, though this is mostly a matter of preference).

Rites: This varies from tradition to tradition, as some partake in full rites whereas others don’t. But a section devoted to rites will likely include rituals for the Wheel of the Year, other holidays and sabbats, esbat (lunar) rites, and even initiation and dedication rites for covens.

Correspondences: If you rely heavily on correspondences, be they for astrology, color, runes, plants, or otherwise, it is often recommended to have a reference or resource where you can look up the proper correspondences for your tradition. As such, many witches who work with such correspondences will have a section dedicated appropriately.

Recipes: Giggle as you may, but kitchen witches often joke about their BoS being a cookbook. And some legitimately have a cookbook as a BoS. Regardless, those who work magic into their cooking may prefer to have some good go-to recipes on hand! Need an example? One of my books is dedicated solely to Foodie Friday recipes, and I do consider it to be a BoS!

Journals: Whether it be a dream journal, or a diary, there are many witches out there who incorporate their journals into their BoS. This has a couple of benefits: the first is that it is an excellent way of tracking growth; the second is that it provides a cross reference, so if you forget something in another section of your BoS, you could have it in your journal. It is also an excellent way of providing a personal narrative regarding your development and relationship to the gods, if that is part of your path.

Notes: Let’s face it, as a new witch (or even an experienced witch), you probably do a lot of note-taking, jotting down new information or spells or philosophies for your craft. The BoS is an excellent repository for these scribbles!

There is plenty more that can be added to a BoS, but these are the most common subjects. Is there a proper order to have in a BoS? Only if you feel you need one. However, for me, I have found that if I were to establish a table of contents in my BoS, it would be rendered null rather quickly as I add and remove subjects. Instead, sticky notes, tabs, bookmarks, or ribbons can be used to separate sections so that you can easily page through your book!

Custom Made!

Many new witches might see a lot of those rather gorgeous home-made books out there. Though your book need not be pretty to be functional, it is encouraged to make your book your own. If you’re artistically inclined, bend that toward your book and create a BoS that doubles as a masterpiece! Some will create wood bindings, while others may simply draw and decorate the edges of their pages. It can be as complicated as that, or as simple as adding a ribbon with a crystal on it. The book is yours, so do what you’d like with it!

So Josh, what kinds of BoS do you have?

Well, I have several. The first is my aforementioned digital BoS. Though I don’t use it for spellcasting, it is a backup repository of my notes and articles, as well as a place where I can write out new spells and rites as needed before printing them for coven work (because my handwriting isn’t exactly the easiest for others to read). The second is the aforementioned Foodie Friday Notebook. The notes and recipes that I write down are later shared with all of you, and I keep it all for future reference and for my own work! Third is my coven BoS. This is a hard cover blank journal in which I write down all of the rites and spells that we do together, as well as where I write down any notes that may be pertinent to our practice. Fourth is my personal BoS, which is a faux-leather-bound journal in which I write my finalized aspects to my practice.

It’s likely that I could end up with new books in the future, and my BoS’s will continue to change over time!

How can I make my own BoS?

Use everything we’ve covered above as a guideline in crafting your personal BoS. Remember that if affordability is an issue, you can always start small and later on build up to something you’d prefer. Whether it be a digital file, a spiral bound notebook, or a blank journal, remember that your BoS is your reflection and repository! Treat it with care and as much respect as you would any other tool for the craft!

And as always, Blessed Be! )O(

moon phases.

new moon: setting intentions. active energy.

waxing crescent moon: resting, focusing. passive energy.

first quarter moon: taking action. active energy.

waxing gibbous moon: trusting, holding faith. passive energy.

full moon: acknowledging. active energy.

waning gibbous moon/disseminating moon: receiving, expressing gratitude. passive energy.

last quarter moon: returning, giving thanks. active energy.

waning crescent moon/balsamic moon: reflecting, resting, restoring. passive energy.

new moon: the moon is literally new. a rebirth. use this moon for intentions to do with fresh beginnings, starting again, cleansing.

waxing moons: the moon is increasing its size, it is opening; use these moons for intentions about gaining, growing or expanding.

full moon: the moon is at full charge, and can be the most powerful phase in the moon cycle. use this moon for intentions to do with power, clarity, or psychic ability.

waning moons: the moon is decreasing its size, it is closing; use these moons for intentions about ridding yourself of something (or someone), or purging.

application to the craft:

focus is the most important aspect of bringing an intent to manifest itself. focusing your energy can be made simpler by working with a compatible energy in the world as you focus that intent.

if the world around you is releasing an energy complementary to yours, it can be easier for that energy to find its way into reality; as opposed to facing any natural adversity.

cast passive energy intents in passive phases of the moon. (tranquility, creativity)

cast active energy intents in active phases of the moon. (strength, control)

this, in my opinion, is the concept of “the power of thought.” when more than one person thinks a thought, that thought holds more weight. this could explain why people practicing or praying together can often yield stronger, or more immediate results. it is a similar reasoning as incorporating tools and ritual into magick, as well.

your energy is a power in itself. but using the power of the elements, the environments, and the world can serve to add to that power.

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greenswitchery

1 year ago

STORMS MAGICK

Rain storm

Growth

Rebirth

Shedding old skin

Lightening storm

Potent magical power

Good for curses and hexes

Snow storm

Purification

Endings

Changing

Home and healt work

Tornado storm

Erratic but powerful energy

Good for any ritual

Unpredictable energy

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greenswitchery

5 years ago

crystals and gemstones by intention

(all credit goes to the stone app, i just took the info and put it in this list as a witchblr resource. the app is amazing and has descriptions of each crystal as well)

☽ balance ☾

azurite, copper, emerald, green calcite, jasper, lemon quartz, tiger eye, turquoise

☽ calm ☾

amazonite, aquamarine, azurite, blue calcite, green calcite, lapis lazuli, rose quartz, smoky quartz

☽ clarity ☾

amethyst, aquamarine, blue calcite, flourite, quartz, smoky quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ cleansing ☾

amber, amethyst, aquamarine, black tourmaline, bloodstone, quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ communication ☾

amazonite, blue kyanite, chrysocolla, danburite, tektite, turquoise

☽ confidence ☾

citrine, honey calcite, malachite, pyrite, tiger eye, titanium quartz

☽ courage ☾

bloodstone, carnelian, desert rose, rhodochrosite, ruby

☽ creativity ☾

blue calcite, citrine, garnet, malachite, pyrite, orange calcite, rose quartz

☽ dreamwork ☾

azurite, barite, blue calcite, moonstone, sodalite

☽ focus ☾

bismuth, flourite, howlite, pyrite, titanium quartz

☽ grounding ☾

apache tears, black tourmaline, copper, hematite, jasper, jet

☽ insight ☾

barite, blue kyanite, chrysocolla, desert rose, flourite, lapis lazuli, meteorite, moldavite, moonstone, sodalite

☽ intuition ☾

blue calcite, barite, blue kyanite, celestite, citrine, meteorite, moonstone, sodalite, tanzanite

☽ joy ☾

danburite, kunzite, labradorite, lemon quartz, tanzanite, rhodochrosite

☽ love ☾

amazonite, citrine, emerald, green calcite, kunzite, rhodochrosite, garnet, ruby, rhodonite, rose quartz, tanzanite

☽ manifestation ☾

bloodstone, citrine, garnet, hematite, honey calcite, peridot, pyrite, serpentine

☽ motivation ☾

ametrine, carnelian, epidote, honey calcite, ruby, selenite, vanadinite

☽ passion ☾

carnelian, citrine, garnet, orange calcite, pyrite, ruby

☽ protection ☾

amber, amethyst, apache tears, black tourmaline, blue calcite, celestite, dalmatian stone, ruby, smoky quartz, tibetan black quartz, tourmalined quartz

☽ strength ☾

bloodstone, carnelian, chrysocolla, jasper, lemurian quartz, malachite, pyrite, ruby, tiger eye, titanium quartz, turquoise

please let me know if i made any mistakes!

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greenswitchery

3 years ago

Protection Stone

What You Need:

black candle

a smooth stone, from a source of fresh water preferred

3 blackberries/5 elderberries/2 mulberries

½ teaspoon of olive oil

pepper

a pinch of sage

a few bay leaves

three petals plucked from a geranium

mortar and pestle (or something else to grind your herbs)

a glass jar with a lid

paintbrush (using your finger can also work!)

Method:

▽ Grind up your herbs and petals with your mortar and pestle, and once thoroughly blended, scrape them into your jar.

▽ Next, grab your berries and either use your mortar and pestle to grind them up, or use your hands to turn them to mush before throwing them into your jar.

▽ Carefully measure the olive oil with a ½ teaspoon and pour it into your jar, and throw in the amount of (ground) pepper you see fit. Remember that pepper is a powerful substance used in protection spells.

▽ Once all your components are in your jar, blend them all together using a fork, making sure to mix it up until it resembles a paste. If it still looks chunky, try adding a little bit more olive oil.

▽ Lighting your black candle, say an incantation or pray to your deity as you dip your paintbrush (or finger) into your protection paste, and paint a protection sigil/marking onto your stone. Some sigils I recommend can be found here, here, here, and here. An example incantation could go like this:

Blessed Divines, so loving and kind, Watch over me, and all that is mine; Please erase my fears, I will cry no tears; Let no such harm or hurt come to me, This here is my will, so Mote It Be. ▽ When you finish painting your new protection stone, blow out the black candle and seal your glass jar with the lid. Whenever you feel the need to take extra precautions, just repaint your stone to give it a stronger intent! And there you have it! If you make your intention a lot more specific, (eg: I will feel safe when walking home, or I will be safe from nightmares), keep it in your pocket, or have it under your pillow.

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greenswitchery

5 years ago

GRIMOIRE TIPS&IDEAS

I’ve heard from quite a few of you that you don’t know what to put in your grimoire, or that you were having a hard time filling it! Here is a jumble of Lapis Cat’s tips & ideas for your grimoire!

Getting started can be hard, for a lot of reasons! I think it took me so incredibly long to do mine because i was so nervous about messing it up.

Different ways to keep your grimoire

- Spiral notebooks

- Composition books

- Binders

- Flash drive/SD card

- In google drive, notes on your phone/computer, online

- I’ve seen a $5 hardback sketchbook from michaels used

I will add, Don’t go off and buy a $65 grimoire that is beautiful for your first one, unless you really just must. You will have many grimoires after this one, and they will get more organized and beautiful as you establish your style over time.

Once you’ve selected your personal book, Its time to gather information to put in it! This is the part i’m often asked about. Nothing is mandatory in a grimoire, and you should add only information that is important to you. The one thing i will suggest you add is a blessing as one of your first pages. I’ve posted a book of shadows blessing in the past <3 Everything listed under this are just ideas for things you can add in!

Witches Rune

Sacred Traditions

Blessing

Salt Blessing

Water blessing

Cleansing methods

Sabbats

All about your goddess(es) and god(s)

Grounding

Alphabets

Runes

Symbols

Circle Casting

Songs for the goddess

Songs and methods to raise power within a circle

Elemental Powers

Moon Phases/Correspondences

Hour correspondences

Celestial Bodies & Correspondences

Color Correspondences

Herb Correspondences

Crystal Correspondences

Daily Influences

Planetary Influences

Incense correspondences

Astrology/Planetary Spirits

Numbers & their correspondences

Names of power

One word spells

Spell crafting table

Consecration methods for your sacred items

Crystal Cleansing & Programming

Meditations

Teas and associations with magick

Kitchen witchery

Divination

Your personal spells

Sigils

Your rituals

Reactions & Experiences

I hope this helps you get started on your grimoire and gives you plenty of ideas on how to fill the pages!!

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greenswitchery

5 years ago

🔧 Tools of Witchcraft 🔨

as you go along your path, you’ll find there are many tools used in witchcraft, and they all have different purposes. not all witches use the same tools, some use unconventional ones, some don’t use any. here are some that are well known

wand - for directing energy in rituals and spells. represents energy, power, and fertility, used as both air and fire element. this can be anything, from a stick, to a pencil, to a spoon.

broom / besom - air element, for cleansing negative energy out of a space, or to clear the way for a different type of energy. there are many different ways to make a besom, or any old broom will do

chalice - for a mixture that does not need heat applied, for offerings of drinks, or a spell you intend to drink. it’s a water element that can be any type of cup.

crystals - earth elementals, often used for conducting and charging and storing specific types of energy. sometimes the shape can influence how the energy is used

candles - fire elements good for color magic, also good for applying a fire element. can be carved, anointed with oils or herbs. they come in a variety of shapes: tea lights, votive, pillar, taper and jar candles. some scented candles can be used instead of incense

cauldron - water elements for mixing, cooking, and burning things. heat resistant. does not need to be the typical idea of a cauldron, it can be any fire/heatproof pot or kettle.

athame - though often characterized as a “black blade”, and an athame can be any knife you set aside for cutting up plants, or harvesting herbs. like a wand, it can be used in rituals to direct energy in a more hostile manner. considered a fire element

bell - earth element, for cleansing and clearing out, and bringing new energies in, very similar to a broom. for calling and dispelling spirits

jars - good for containing ingredients, potions (assuming properly kept and sanitized), and herbs, and especially jar spells. sometimes a jar is the only tool you need in a spell

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greenswitchery

1 year ago

Planning for the Taurus full moon (10/28) I know that I want to do a financial stability ritual and house protections. But I haven’t reallyyyyyy planned.. I’m very excited to though!

I will post updates, also still have tarot pulls I want to post. ✨