What is a Book of Shadows?

As explained previously in another section of this website, paganism is an earth based religion believing that there is a creative energy existent throughout the universe, and that this energy resides within all people and things. This energy has equally positive and negative aspects, and exists within everything in nature. One of the most prominent of Pagan beliefs is the idea that you can influence and guide these energies both within and around you. And the way this is done is by what is called "magick" or "spell casting".

A Book of Shadows is a journal of sorts. It is used by many who actively participate in magick and spell casting as a log to keep track of their spells, chants, ideas and inspirations. It usually contains a cacophony of spells and rituals, definitions, songs or chants, and a myriad of other tidbits of information. Anything the person might find useful in their craft.

Often, as I do, a person will have a second Book of Shadows as well. This second book is a chronological log of the spells and rituals I have done. Not the little ones that pop in and out of my life on an everyday, moment to moment basis mind you; but the big ones, the important ones, the long reaching ones. It gives me the chance to look back upon what I have done and review what results, failures and/or challenges I was met with.

What is this page?

I believe that our ability we have to manipulate that energy, like the energy itself, is a part of nature. And with all things natural, I believe spells and magick is and should be uniquely personal. This means following your instincts, creating your own spells, going with the impulse of inspiration that can carry you into magickal workings that are at times planned but more often unplanned and spontaneous. There is creative energy within each and every one of us that gives us that ability if we only learn to recognize it and "go with it".

This is not my Book of Shadows. As many do, unless having taken someone under my wing with the intent of tutoring them, my Book of Shadows is not shared with others. It is an extremely private thing. The spells and rituals written on this page are sometimes mine, and sometimes something that I have ran across in my studies and explorations that was created by someone else . They are not here to be copied and nor strictly followed but are examples of the creativity that abounds within each of us. They are here because I know that sometimes inspiration needs a little nudge.

None of the spells you find here are intended for anything other than the following of the Rede: "An it harm none, do what thou wilt". Manipulating others, harming others or yourself, or working spells for or upon others without their expressed permission is strongly ill advised. These types of actions will come back and "bite you in the ass", even if your intentions are good. So always be cautious and think about what you are doing before you do anything concerning magick. Examine the results and consequences that might come about as a result.

Links to "BOS" pages coming soon.