Inspiration for Your Book of Shadows

In a world of online life and digital record-keeping, the lost art of paper journaling might seem best relegated to a bygone era.

But keeping a Book of Shadows is a rewarding experience and a lovely way to pass on the secrets of your tradition. Here are a few pages from mine to inspire you.

I like recording holiday traditions in my Book of Shadows.  Over the years, I have collected some unique rituals and celebration ideas.  I reference these sections during Sabbats over and over.

Many are fans of the Old World style grimorios.  If this is you, there are lots of awesome options out there for you, including handmade, leather bound blank books with real parchment and covers with detailed embossing.

Personally, I like to include modern references as well as ancient ones.

In this passage on sex and spirituality, instead of including a more traditional love goddess from one of the classical panteones, I used a postcard of Marilyn Monroe, who was, in her own way, a modern-day Venus.  References modern-era pop culture like this help me to see the “magic” living in the world around me.  Thinking outside the typical “Book of Shadows box” creates a unique, expressive grimoire with personal meaning.

Similarly, in this collection of beauty and glamor spells, I included images of 20th century beauty icons like Angelina Jolie and Elizabeth Taylor.

Of course, I have also made many notes on traditional goddesses from different pantheons that I found unique or interesting.

In this passage, I recorded my thoughts on the Greek goddess Iris.  Iris is the goddess of the rainbow, which symbolizes the bridge between worlds.  In Greek mythology, Iris passes messages to the gods.

I’ve had this beautiful, elaborate love spell in my Book for over 10 years.  Every time someone close to me asks for a love spell, I pass this one on as you would a baking recipe to a close friend.

That’s all for now.  I would love to see some of your Books as well, so please do share!