bookshadows

In your book of shadows is where you record your spiritual journey. For the most part, "book of shadows" is a Wiccan term, but there are other magickal practitioners who use this term to name their journals. Some call their journal a "grimoire" or even "book of twilight," "book of days," etc. It's up to you if you want to give your journal a particular label.

You can enter anything you want into your BoS. Your thoughts, your beliefs, how you view a god and goddess or universal energies, the pantheon you might choose to work with, your magickal name, what elements you feel closest to, the visions you have while meditating, your experiences with astral travel, your experiences with your spirit guides, your celebrations and seasonal rituals, your herb correspondances, the changes in your beliefs as you grow. EVERYTHING magickal and spiritual is fair game. It's your book, you choose what you add.

You can also write the dates that you perform your rituals and spells in your BoS. You don't have to write out all your spells here, but you might consider it a good idea to do so. Record what works for you and what doesn't. You might choose to write out spells or rituals in your journal and if you choose to memorize them, writing them out is a good way to do it. You can even write out how you feel before and after performing spells and rituals.

Anything can be used as your book of shadows, or journal. Loose notebook papers, a diary, a binder, etc. Whatever you can get your hands on. When I first had interests in magick, I found a journal at a local bookstore that was completely blank inside and it looked like an antique. I chose this as my first magickal journal. I filled it up rather quickly because I used it as a regular journal also. I'd enter thoughts of any kind, write about the places I travelled to, friends, boyfriends, song lyrics, etc. You don't have to be this extreme. I love writing out my thoughts now and then, so it was natural for me to fill my journal with so much information.

Take your time searching for the right book to use. Your journal, or book of shadows, will probably be with you for many years to come. But keeping a magickal journal is an option and not absolutely necessary. You decide if it's best for you.