What is a BOS? A Book of Shadows contains the specific beliefs of an individual or group of individuals who practice the traditions of Wicca or Witchcraft.. Today some choose to purchase a Book of Shadows written by another practitioner, and simply follow the author’s instructions for circle casting, the consecration of tools, religious rituals, coven organization, initiation ceremonies and more. This article is for those who prefer to create their own Book of Shadows and keep the contents private.

When you decide to write your own, it’s often difficult to know where to start and what to include. First of all, the book can be of any type. Bound blank books are easy to find and seem to be a favorite choice, but loose-leaf notebooks can also be used and will allow you to add or delete pages easily. Next, begin collecting and recording any information, rituals, and celebrations you’d like to include in your personal traditions.

In his book ‘Living Wicca’ Scott Cunningham offers a brief outline of the most common type of information included in a personal BOS. This list includes:

1. A Title Page that says ‘Book of Shadows’ or something more specific to your tradition. Alternatively, the title page may bear only a pentagram, your name in runes, or other symbols. It can also be blank.
2. Laws. These could also be termed Rules, Codes or Codes of Conduct.
3. Invocations of the Goddess and God may appear next or before the laws. One or two invocations often appear early in the book to ‘bless’ it.
4. An Altar Diagram.
5. Circle Casting and Dispersing Instructions. Be as specific as possible.
6. Rituals: Sabbats, Full Moon rite, tool consecration, Cakes and Wine.
7. Prayers, chants and invocations (for use as you see fit).
8. The Tools of the Craft. (In some traditions, this information forms part of the initiation rites.)
9. Self-Initiation Ritual… and, if desired, a coven initiation ritual. All other rituals of all kinds.
10. Magical rites and information, including herbal lore and recipes as well as Wiccan spells (i.e., those that directly involve the Goddess and God). Also, symbols and signs used in magical shorthand (in the BOS) as well as for magical purposes. Runes.

NOTE: Some still feel that a BOS should be hand-written, for the sake of tradition… but many today enjoy the convenience of typing it into their computer and printing it out as needed. Ultimately, you should do what YOU feel works best for you.

If you’ve been practicing the Craft informally, and are ready to take the next step, set some of YOUR ideas and rituals to paper in your own personal Book of Shadows!

For additional information on compiling your Book of Shadows, you might want to pick up a copy of Scott Cunningham’s ‘Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner’. This book is a classic favorite, with nearly half a million copies in print. You’ll find this title, along with blank journals for creating your own BOS in our online Wicca store.

The following excerpt is from The Craft Companion by Dorothy Morrison

All I am and all I’ll be
Is really simply up to me.
Each day provides a blank new page
A beginning clean of life and age.
And how I live my life today-
In work, in magic, and in play-
Will color what my life shall be
And rebirth a brand new me.

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