I have a question on how to start my new Book of Shadows. I saw a post on social media about beginning to write what colors, chrystals, elements, moonphases etc. you like, to make an altar with some of the items on that list and use these items in your spells/meditation. I very like this idea and would like to start this way.
Does anyone have an overview of topic, suggestions on what to put on that list? And if i write that list, is it a good idea to light up a white candle and incence? Because i have always struggled with anxiety and people pleasing. I am afraid that i write thing that other people rather want then what āIā want and/or like.
Everyoneās BOS (Book of Shadows/Spells) is unique to each person. It is a reflection of what speaks to you. I started my book of shadows as a ādiaryā of my practice. I would write in it things that I wanted to remember. (Anything, spells, god/desses, colors, chants, meaningsā¦.)As I grew in my practice it has becomes where I wrote down the chants and quotes that are inspiring/that I want to remember. It is YOUR book, in YOUR style of what YOU want to have āat your fingertipsā. As with
I think a list of your favorite things and using that list to make an altar is a lovely idea! Lady Gene has some great advice for you already, if I can add another thing to consider Iād suggest using ready-made BoS category pages as a guideline. There is a collection of BoS dividers on the site with different topics (spells, esbats, deities, etc). Browsing through these categories may spark some ideas for what to include on your list.
Thereās also a more in-depth guide to making a Book of Shadows with examples of Books by others. You might find additional inspiration here!
Wishing you all the best as you build your BoS, Nury!
Great Idea Bry, I had forgotten about the printable pages (I donāt have a printer). Yes, you can divide it up and put it in a binder to add/subtract as you see fit. I really like that idea. Instead of having different/old BOSā, this will just give you one, that you can change as you see fit!! Lady Gene
Everyone is different with theirs because its for them. You can make it however you want. Some people draw pictures of flowers and herbs and things like that.
As others already mentioned, your Book of Shadows is absolutely personal to you, there is no need to have anyone look at it or share it.
There are really no rules! And you know what? It is totally okay to try different set ups and see what inspires you and works best for you!
Some people love binders, for me, IĀ“ll prefer plain sketchbooks, that I will use to paint, write, glue my stuff into. IĀ“m more on the chaos magic side, so IĀ“m not using categories, but will use sticky notes and bookmarks to help my find important pages. I love to create Grimoires for certain topics, like Runes for example. My Rune studies are going into their own book.
Experiment a little, until you find what feels home to you!
I use the printables for mine and it has helped SOOOO much with me not having to flip through everything just to find a spell or an herb or something. It has saved me.
I so love the idea of having moveable and changeable pages, I may start my own binder, with written pages. I no longer have a printer, but I am tactile and a writer, so making my own pages to add or remove sounds like a good idea!
In fact, I have one of those small binders that I got when I was āmarketingā in the 90ās (like who wasnāt), itās the smaller paper size, what is it, about 8x4 size?, that has dividers also. I think Iāll use this one. Thanks for the thoughts, all. Lady Gene
To use a phrase, āthatās the beauty of the programā. You get to make/write/put in, any and everything YOU want. Make yourself HAPPY. Itās for noone but yourself.
Lady Gene 
In fact, I have one of those small binders that I got when I was āmarketingā in the 90ās (like who wasnāt), itās the smaller paper size, what is it, about 8x4 size?, that has dividers also. I think Iāll use this one. Thanks for the thoughts, all.
Lady Gene