For those of you who DON'T know what a BOS (Book of Shadows) is I shall tell you! A BOS is essentially your magic diary/encyclopedia. While most witches memorize spells that they use on a regular basis, a witch cannot be expected to memorize what every herb is good for, every spell they've ever used, and what every color/ crystal is used for. You can use your BOS to catalogue information that you can then refer to later when drafting spells (while you can buy spell books, it's better to learn how to create your own spells. More on that later). You can also use your BOS to write down meditations, prayers, poetry and anything else you decide is relevant.
For those of you who are aware of what a BOS is, but have no idea where to begin crafting one you can browse this page for ideas and advice. If you have a question about something you can leave a comment. If you have a comment you can leave that too! This page is not intended to come up with your BOS for you. Every book is as unique as the witch who creates it! It should be a fulfilling, enlightening, and exciting experience. Ive been working on mine for 9 years and I'm still adding to it! Your BOS will grow as you grow. Many witches like to keep their BOS in pretty leather bound books (or other organic materials as many Pagans, myself included, are vegetarians). I do not follow this practice, while I think my BOS is pretty (and I did go out of my way to make sure that it was black {not to be clich'e but for the magickal properties of black}) I did not think that such a binding would be effective. Because I keep adding new spells, new herb mixtures, new prayers and meditations, I keep my BOS in a three ring binder. This allows me to organize and move pages around as necessary, and I am able to add more pages when I fill the exsisting pages. Every witch has his or her own preference though. It is up to you to decide what works best for you!
The following posts on this page will contain different spells that I think are useful for everywitch to know, and other BOS basics!
I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I do!
~Stella
Magical Tools!
One of the things that I am quite sure that my fiancé
thought when I let him in on the fact that I am, indeed, a witch was “damn…witches
sure come with a lot of accoutrements!” With two cats, a Book of Shadows (which
is starting to get rather hefty), wands, crystals, herbs, my four leaf clover
collection, my scrying bowl (not all scrying is done with crystals, I prefer
water and ink), various in sundry pendants, altar cloths, altars, pentacles, a besom,
a wand (which he made me…I’ve not gotten around to consecrating it yet) I’m
rather inclined to agree. While you don’t need all of the accoutrements that
many witches use in their craft or even any at all to be a witch…they do make
ritual and life rather easier. Witches
try not to encourage materialism but it is rather difficult to pass up magical
articles that we find. You can certainly be a witch without any of these things
because magic is in strength of will, but they definitely make life easier.
Here, I will make a list of the tools that I think most witches should consider…if
you don’t already have them.
Since I mentioned besom above, and not everyone is familiar
with that word I will start there! A besom is one of the more famous symbols
associated with witchcraft- the broom! The witch’s besom is not used for flying
as we often see, but rather, it is used for purifying. The besom has also been
used by some for protection by laying it under the bed or across a windowsill.
Witches don’t just use any old broom. A besom is handcrafted, often by the
witch, and much thought is put into what kind of wood is used because different
woods have different properties.
The second symbol, often associated with witchcraft is the
wand. Wands are used for invocation, to draw symbols, and quite often, to
direct the flow of energy for spells. The same consideration for the properties
of the materials that brooms are made of is also given to the creation of wands…and
most other magical tools.
Cauldrons have so many practical uses; they can be used to
mix different magical ingredients, for scrying, and to contain magical
transformations.
An athame is a knife used by witches to cut things in the
astral plane. This knife is not for physical cutting. It can also be used to
direct energy as you would use a wand, and is a symbol of the God and masculine
power (as is the wand) and goes in the God corner of the altar.
Not all witches have a boline, but it is a crescent shaped
knife that is basically a witch’s pocket knife. It is used to gather herbs, and
cut things in the physical plane…if we get down to it any old knife will really
do though.
Many pagans include a pentacle on their altar; this symbol
is used for protection as well as invocation.
Incense is often used for purifying the place that magical
work is to be done in, but it can also be used to instill a magical state of
mind, peace, and as an offering to the Goddess and God.
A bell is used to invoke the goddess, good energies, and to
banish evil spirits and spells. This is often placed in the Goddess corner of
the altar.
A chalice is the symbol of the Goddess and is used for drink
offerings. This tool goes in the Goddess corner of the altar.
Candles are an integral part of ritual (and even have their
own category of magic) and are often used to represent the Goddess, the God,
and the different elements on the altar. White or silver is often used for the
Goddess candle while gold or yellow is often used for the God candle.
As I’ve mentioned it is very important that you consider the
magic properties of the materials with which all of these tools are made. When
you make magical purchases, if you are not crafty enough to make your own
tools, make sure that you purchase from a reliable vendor, especially when
shopping online. When shopping for your magical tools, do so with intent. What
are you drawn to? Which item urges you to take it home right now? These items
were probably meant for you and will serve you well. It reminds me of the line
from Harry Potter, “The wand chooses the wizard, Harry!” I believe there is definitely
truth to that!
As always brightest blessings!
~S
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