Book of Shadows Meaning and magickal uses
Also called BOS, Grimoire, Witch's journal
Your personal book of spells, rituals, notes and lessons, kept on or near the altar.
- Intentions
- Wisdom, Divination, Creativity
- Element
- Spirit
- Planet
- Mercury
- Day
- Wednesday
- On the altar
- On a stand at the back or side, open to tonight's ritual
- Can be
- A notebook, a binder or an online book
How to use it
- Read from it
Lay your Book of Shadows open on the altar to the spell or ritual you are working, so you can read the words without trying to remember them.
- Write it down after
After each ritual, write the date, the moon phase, what you did and how it felt. Over time these notes become your best teacher.
- Keep your altars
Add a picture of each altar you build, with what you used and why. Next year you can see how your practice has grown.
Works well with
History and folklore
The name Book of Shadows comes from Gerald Gardner's tradition in the 1950s, where each initiate copied the coven's book by hand. Earlier magicians kept grimoires, books of spells and conjurations, and cunning folk kept their own recipes and charms. Today most witches keep a personal book that grows with them, on paper or online.
Your personal book of spells, rituals, notes and lessons, kept on or near the altar.
- Intentions: Wisdom, Divination, Creativity
- Element: Spirit
- Planet: Mercury
- Day: Wednesday
- On the altar: On a stand at the back or side, open to tonight's ritual
- Can be: A notebook, a binder or an online book
How to use it
- Read from it. Lay your Book of Shadows open on the altar to the spell or ritual you are working, so you can read the words without trying to remember them.
- Write it down after. After each ritual, write the date, the moon phase, what you did and how it felt. Over time these notes become your best teacher.
- Keep your altars. Add a picture of each altar you build, with what you used and why. Next year you can see how your practice has grown.
Works well with: Spirit, Amethyst, Rosemary, Purple Candle, Ansuz
Folklore
The name Book of Shadows comes from Gerald Gardner's tradition in the 1950s, where each initiate copied the coven's book by hand. Earlier magicians kept grimoires, books of spells and conjurations, and cunning folk kept their own recipes and charms. Today most witches keep a personal book that grows with them, on paper or online.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.