The Book of Shadows is a book that is filled with information pertaining to magickal rituals, spells, divination processes, recipes and many other things that tie in with the person's spiritual experiences. In Wicca and other Pagan paths that are related to witchcraft, it is very common for a person to write and keep their own personal Book of Shadows. It is typically hand written in a notebook, a handmade book, or an elaborate pre-made book. With today's technology, a Book of Shadows can also be created with a computer or stored on a person's web page.

What does the name Book of Shadows mean? Where did this type of book originate?

It is believed that the name Book of Shadows refers back to the times when witches were persecuted and needed to keep their reference book hidden away, or in the shadows. There are others who say that Gerald Gardner, who brought Wicca to the forefront in the 1950’s, popularized the name. It is unclear when these books first came into use, although some say they could possibly go as far back as the Middle Ages. However this is probably unlikely, since the majority of people who practiced folk magic and other types of witchcraft during this time were peasants and nearly all peasants at that time were illiterate.

The confusion over its origins may have to do with the fact that the Book of Shadows is often confused with a magickal reference book from the past called a Grimoire (pronounced Grim-wahr'). The original Grimoires were books used by ceremonial magicians who were mostly well educated and very wealthy. But these Grimoires of times past were strongly linked to Judeo-Christian beliefs, rather than Pagan traditions. It's important to note that today, the names Grimoire and Book of Shadows are often used interchangeably.

What type of information is kept in a Book of Shadows?

The information can vary, depending upon a person's experiences and personal preferences. For the most part though, a Book of Shadows will contain references and experiences such as:

  • Spells, rituals and incantations, along with how they worked, personal feelings about these experiences and any changes the person would wish to make with these in the future
  • Recipes for potions that will be used in a spell or ritual
  • Herbal remedies
  • Information on various Gods and Goddesses
  • Records of messages that one receives through divination or dreams
  • A table of correspondences, which are lists of the meanings of herbs, candle colors, crystals, etc.
  • Information on such topics as Sabbats, chakras and psychic protection

For people who are part of a Coven, it used to be customary for a Book of Shadows to be kept primarily by the High Priest or Priestess. However it is now common for each member of the Coven to also have his or her own copy. A Book of Shadows that is used by a Coven typically includes a code of ethics and laws that apply to the Coven members. It may also include the beliefs and practices of the particular tradition that they follow.

As mentioned, for the most part a Book of Shadows is created by hand but there are some that are available in print or on the Web. People who are just beginning their Path find these to be particularly helpful.