Monstrous

Witches Brew => The Book of Shadows => Topic started by: Levinthross on May 03, 2008, 11:10:32 AM

Title: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Levinthross on May 03, 2008, 11:10:32 AM
i would like to know how to properly make and bless/enchant a book of shadows or grimoire i would also like to know what is a book of mirrors or a book of twilight
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: thefang1 on August 08, 2008, 12:46:30 PM
If I were you, I'd stick to pre-made grimoires.  If you try making your own, you'll probably end up in some deep trouble.  Grimoires that are already made detail the powers and capabilities of the spirits and/or demons that they allow you to summon.  Making your own either requires you to summon a mass amount of entities from multiple sources to determine whether or not to summon them, or to simply try semi-random summonings.  Both could be dangerous.  And in answer to your questions, you're basically just detailing different styles of grimoires, each one varying in the type of summonings it details.
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Daemonin on August 08, 2008, 01:37:17 PM
Honestly, I don't even think you need your B.o.S. to be enchanted.  I keep any information I need on my computer and back-up disk.  I ran out of room in all of my written books...

But if you want to make it personally your own and empower it with YOUR power, I'd go the old-fashioned route and create your inks and write your info in your hand.  I would then just ground and center, put your own power into your book with your itent for that book, and go at it.  No need to really summon anything. 

But if you wish for a deity to add his/her blessing, cast your circle and follow the purification ritual of your choice, like you would with any tool you may use (wand, athame, etc.).

Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: thefang1 on August 08, 2008, 02:42:48 PM
No, a grimoire is not necessary.  May people like to use it as a focus for their energy or a reserve, though.
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Levinthross on August 15, 2008, 03:19:23 AM
 well the reason for me to create a grimoire is to have essentially another magical tool for my rituals and save me from the curses of my bad memory also to keep magic in my family for future generations
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: newbloodmoon on October 14, 2008, 08:43:41 PM
If you want your own book of shadows, you merely write down the spells you have used and or created that worked for you.  As far as the grimoires I suggest just buying them.  You can always use Sea Salt, or smudge sticks to purify them.  Crystals work for some people as well.
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Nina on January 05, 2009, 05:47:31 PM
The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store information you'll need in your magical tradition. Many Pagans and Wiccans feel a BOS should be handwritten, but some use a computer to store information as well. Bear in mind that a BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item of power that should be consecrated with all of your other magical tools. Copy spells and rituals into your BOS by hand – this will not only transfer energy to the writer, but it also helps you to memorize the contents. Make sure you write legibly enough that you’ll be able to read your notes during a ritual!


What You Need:

    * Notebook or binder
    * Pens and Paper
    * Sheet protectors (optional)


Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varied
Here's How:

   1.

      To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank notebook. A popular method is to use a three-ring binder so items can be added and rearranged as needed. If you use this style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is great for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings from getting on the pages! Whatever you select, your title page should include your name. Make it fancy or simple, depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a magical object and should be treated accordingly. Many witches simply write, “The Book of Shadows of [your name]” on the front page.

   2.

      What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical alphabets. Unless you’re fluent enough in one of these systems that you can read it without having to check notes or a chart, stick with your native language. While a spell looks beautiful written out in flowing Elvish script or Klingon lettering, the fact is that it’s just hard to read unless you’re an Elf or a Klingon.

      When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections that are nearly universally included.

   3.

      Laws of your coven or tradition: Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group, it’s a really good idea to keep them at the front of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what doesn’t. If you’re part of an eclectic tradition that doesn’t have written rules, or if you’re a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what YOU think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you don’t set yourself some guidelines, how will you know when you’ve crossed over them? This may include a variation on the Wiccan Rede, or some similar concept.

   4.

      A dedication: If you’ve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Wiccans dedicate themselves to a God or Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is a good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to, and why. This can be a lengthy essay, or it can be as simple as saying, “I, Willow, dedicate myself to the Goddess today, June 21, 2007.”

   5.

      Gods and Goddesses: Depending on what pantheon or tradition you follow, you may have a single God and Goddess, or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to keep legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If your practice is an eclectic blend of different spiritual paths, it’s a good idea to include that here.

   6.

      Correspondence tables: When it comes to spellcasting, correspondence tables are some of your most important tools. Phases of the moon, herbs, stones and crystals, colors – all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will be at the ready when you really need it. If you have access to a good almanac, it’s not a bad idea to record a years’ worth of moon phases by date in your BOS.

   7.

      Sabbat rituals: The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays for most Wiccans and Pagans, although some traditions do not celebrate all of them. Your BOS can include rituals for each of the Sabbats. For example, for Samhain you may wish to create a rite that honors your ancestors and celebrates the end of the harvest, while for Yule you may want to write down a celebration of the winter Solstice. A Sabbat celebration can be as simple or complex as you wish.

   8.

      Other rituals: If you’ll be celebrating each full moon, you’ll want to include an Esbat rite in your BOS. You can use the same one each month, or create several different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also wish to include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing Down the Moon, a rite that celebrates the invoking of the Goddess at the time of the full moon. If you’ll be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be sure to include them here.

   9.

      Herbs: Ask any experienced Pagan or Wiccan about a specific herb, and chances are good that they’ll expound on not only the magical uses of the plant but also the healing properties and history of use. Herbalism is often considered the core of spellcasting, because plants are an ingredient that people have used for literally thousands of years. Put together a section in your BOS for herbs and their uses. Remember, many herbs should not be ingested, so it’s important to research thoroughly before you take anything internally.

  10.

      Divination: If you’re learning about Tarot, scrying, astrology, or any other form of divination, keep information in here. When you experiment with new methods of divination, keep a record of what you do and results you see in your Book of Shadows.

  11.

      Sacred texts: While it’s fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes it’s just as nice to have information that’s a little more established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you, such as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an archaic language, or a particular chant that moves you, include it in your Book of Shadows.

  12.

      Magical recipes: There’s a lot to be said for “kitchen witchery,” because for many people, the kitchen is the center of hearth and home. As you collect recipes for oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You may even want to include a section of food recipes for Sabbat celebrations.

  13.

      Spell workings: Some people prefer to keep their spells in a separate book called a grimoire, but you can also keep them in your Book of Shadows. It’s easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity, protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include, make sure you also leave room to include information on when the working was performed and what the outcome was.

  14.

      The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to keep it organized. You can use tabbed dividers, create an index at the back, or if you’re really super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more, you’ll have more information to include – this is why the three-ring binder is such a practical idea. Some people choose instead to use a simple bound notebook, and just add to the back of it as they discover new items.

  15.

      You may want to use one notebook for information copied from books or downloaded off the Internet, and another for original creations. Regardless, find the method that works best for you, and take good care of your Book of Shadows. After all, it’s a sacred object and should be treated accordingly!

Tips:

   1.

      If you find a rite, spell or piece of information somewhere else, be sure to note down the source. It will help you keep organized, and you'll start to recognize patterns in authors' works.

   2.

      Add a section that includes books you've read, as well as what you thought of them. This way, when you get a chance to share information with others, you'll remember what you've read.


http://paganwiccan.about.com (http://paganwiccan.about.com)
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Vince_03 on January 10, 2009, 10:52:31 PM
when i made my own book of shadows, i just made it like a journal. i put there some of my fantasies, my thoughts, my doodles, and some references on wicca,  including the wiccan rede and the charge of the goddess. i put on the cover a huge a pentacle and painted it black. now, it lies buried in my front yard. for some strange reason, i buried it when i was depressed
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: wolfgirl13 on January 11, 2009, 07:09:08 AM
When I made my BOS, I got a recycled earthbound notebook( whichI just thought looked cool), I decorated the outside of it red.
So far I have put things on divination, herbalism,The charges of the God/Goddess, and some other things, and I treat it like a journal.

I put my experiences in it, the spells that work for me, and whenever I can I put my energy into it.
I try and make it a habit to read up on a certain subject every week and put it in there, it helps.
I also put my Patron Goddess, and the day I was dedicated, in there.

Just make sure you purify it and cleanse when you first get it, so that it can be cleansed and "fresh".
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Vince_03 on January 12, 2009, 02:50:45 AM
how exactly do you cleanse a BOS??
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Nina on January 12, 2009, 02:55:21 AM
I presume same as you cleanse Tarot cards, with incense and crystals  :?
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Vince_03 on January 12, 2009, 03:41:47 AM
wait, tarot cards can be cleansed? as far as i got, i only used white crystals for blessing
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Nina on January 12, 2009, 04:00:24 AM
Yes, same as any other magical tool.
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: wolfgirl13 on January 12, 2009, 05:00:25 AM
I use incense alot to cleanse, like sandlewood.
I also use it to cleanse my tarot deck too.
After awhile you don't want different energies of differest things phucking up your tarot deck and anything else, that can channel energy.
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Nina on January 12, 2009, 11:30:29 AM
Isnt it funny that smoke is so powerful in cleansing? I mean, not only for magical tools, but even for people. Some Shamanic medicine men use a lot of smoke to heal. Also, seems that our DNA enjoys, literally, when we smoke. It affects it in a way that our DNA is reacting by making even more and more perceptors, for per example, tobbacco.

Ok, this is off topic, sorry.... just a thought...  :-fly)
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: Vince_03 on January 13, 2009, 06:58:59 AM
I use incense alot to cleanse, like sandlewood.
I also use it to cleanse my tarot deck too.
After awhile you don't want different energies of differest things phucking up your tarot deck and anything else, that can channel energy.

damn, and i never once cleansed my own tarot deck after giving my siblings and other relatives small readings  :doh:
Title: Re: how to make a book of shadows/ grimoire
Post by: wolfgirl13 on January 13, 2009, 07:28:39 AM
I think you'll be okay.
Did you know that you can actually piss of your Tarot deck?
At least that's what someone told me...
If the deck is inactive or not treated well, it won't let itself be used for the person who mistreated it.

I think that is why cleansing and management are so important.