Charmed
Book of Enlightenment
By Cheryl Ann Gardiner
This is what I prefer to call my BOS (Book of Shadows)! In this article, I will explain to you how my “Charmed Book of Enlightenment” came to be and what’s inside!
Why A Book of Shadows?
In my opinion, a “Book of Shadows” is a witch's most cherished possession. It is where you begin your history as a witch. I suggest as soon as you begin your journey as a witch, you would want to begin your own Book of Shadows. It is used to record information you can refer to or keep a record of different spells and rituals you may have tried, how you tried them and what worked and what didn't. So you may want to record a change in a spell or ritual also.
This is a book you can keep to yourself or pass down through generations. A witch with no family will often pass their Book of Shadows on to, bequeaths it to another witch.
The Book of Shadows is often kept in a safe place away from prying eyes. You can also wrap your Book of Shadows and then place in a safe place.
How to Make a Book of Shadows?
There are many ways to make a "Book of Shadows". As you may have already seen on YouTube. My way, which I will explain, is by taking a very large three-ring binder. Why?! Reasons being are that it is going to fill up fast and there is a vast amount of information and sections to place inside. I would suggest using tab dividers for different sections.
I take at least a plain 2” three-ring binder. If there is a front clear sleeve, then you can print out a cover page from your computer decorated in any way you'd like. If not, or you really want to get creative, decorate it in your favorite fabric colors. And add a cloth ribbon trim and/or a feather on the front. I also added cloth trim to the inside of mine with mod podge. You can also use fabric glue to glue the fabric on, trimmings, and embellishments. Go with what feels right to you!
Mine had been given to me by my young daughter at about age 11. She had brought it home from school one day when a teacher had extra binders she offered them to the students. My daughter quickly said she'd love to have one. My daughter had planned on bringing this home to me for my "Charmed Book of Enlightenment". My daughter knew I was looking for something extra big that I could take my materials in and out if I wanted. This comes in handy especially if you're doing a spell or ritual. And I find covering the pages, especially the ones I need to take out for spells and rituals have a less chance of getting dirty if covered in a plastic page sleeve.
What to put in your Book of Shadows?
This can get lengthy but I prefer to give you options and ideas and then you can choose from there.
It can contain an unlimited amount of information.
Some people chose to have a separate journal for just their spells.
I prefer to have my own separate book for my Tarot, Oracles, Lenormand and Angel Cards. Because of how much recording will be done, I like a separate three-ring binder. I will include these subjects in the Book of Shadows but will also give you ideas for a Tarot Journal in another article.
1. Cover Page – My says, “Charmed Book of Enlightenment”
2. What a Book of Shadows is.
3. Title Page: In which, I put the title, ‘Charmed Book of Enlightenment” and signed my name as started by and date. You can add your real birth name, married name, your magickal name and I also added a copyright section.
4. Dedication Page- I wrote mine myself. I'd rather write my own and be creative instead of copying something off the web. It's up to each individual. There is no wrong or right way. Some of us may not have the time to hand write everything. I wrote why I started my Charmed Book of Enlightenment and what I wanted or am hoping to achieve by having a Charmed Book of Enlightenment.
5. Charmed Book of Enlightenment/Book of Shadows Blessing. I wrote my own. It also is a Blessing of Protection for my book. I wrote mine with a smooth rhyming flow to it. If you look online you can get some ideas.
6. Dedication and/or Initiation
Dedication/Initiation
to your Coven or Tradition
Dedication
to your Pantheon
Dedication
to certain God and Goddess
Dedication
to the Divine
7. Laws
Laws
Of your Coven or Tradition
If
a Solitary, Your View of the Acceptable Rules of Magick
8. Witches Pyramid
9. Theban Alphabet
10. Tools of the Craft
Correspondences
What
Each Tool Is Used For
Meanings
and Symbolism
11. Gods and Goddesses
List
of Gods and Goddesses in Your Pantheon
Myths
and Legends of Gods and Goddesses in Your Pantheon
Pictures
or Artwork of Gods and Goddesses in Your Pantheon
12. Correspondence Tables
Phases
of the Moon
Astronomy
Herbs
Stones
Crystals
Days
of the Week
Colors
Elements
Planetary
Zodiac
Astrology
Candles
Oils
Incense
Time of Day (Hourly)
13. Sabbat History, Lore, Myths, Associations, and Rituals
Samhain
Yule
Imbolc
Ostara
Beltaine
Litha
Lughnassadh
Mabon
14. Esbats
Monthly
Lunar Names and Meanings
Monthly
Lunar Associations
Monthly
History, Myth, and Lore
Monthly
Rituals
15. Divination
*Lenormand/Oracle Cards/ Angel Cards
General
Pictures
Meanings
Spreads
*Tarot
History
General
Individual
Card Study
Elements/Correspondences
Readings
Blessing
Mantra
Cleansing
Your Cards
Asking
a Question
Daily
Draw
Pictures
Meanings
Spreads
Tarot,
Lenormand, Oracle and Angel Card Inventory
*Runes
Letters
Meanings
*Pendulum
How
To Charge
How
To Use
Charts
(Free Printable)
Pendulums
I Have
*Crystal Ball Gazing
*Tea Leaf Reading
How
To Do Tea Leaf Reading
Symbols
Meanings
*Scrying
*Palm Reading
16. Sacred Texts
Charge
of the God
Charge
of the Goddess
Special
Chants
Poems
17. Magickal Recipes
Herbs
and Herbal Blends
Oils
Incense
Candles
Potions
Food
and Magickal Correspondences
Recipes
for Sabbats and Esbats
18. Magickal Spells
Consecration
of Tools
Casting
and Closing a Circle
Blessings
Candle
Magick Spells
Protection
Spells
Love
Spells
Binding
Spells
Prosperity,
Money, or Employment Spells
Drawing
Down the Moon Spell
Moon
Magick
19. Crystals and Gemstones
Notes/Usage
Properties
Your
Inventory
20. Feng Shui
Notes
21. Aura Reading
How
to read Auras - Notes
Colors
and their meanings for you
Thoughts
and Feelings
22. Astral Travel
How
To
Your
experiences
Notes
Thoughts
and Feelings
23. Chakras
Different
Chakras and their meanings
Notes
24. Witchy Crafts
Different Crafts
25. Pagan paths - Celtic, Traditionalist
Notes
Thoughts
and Feelings
26. Charms and Talismans
Types
Their
Uses
27. Dreams and their Interpretations
Notes
Thoughts
and Feelings
28. Spirituality
Notes
Thoughts
and Feelings
29. Meditation
Reiki
Different
Types
Breathing
Exercises
Notes
Thoughts,
Feelings, and Experiences
30. Books That You Have Read
Notes
Thoughts
and Feelings
31. Your Book Inventory
Notes
Thoughts
and Feelings