Many moons ago I started my BOS. It was before computers,tablets and cell phones. I reorganized it about a year ago. I didn’t realized that had so much in it. As I am getting older(crone here) I have been streamlining my life.
So, I decided why not utilize the items(computer, and tablet) that were not available when I started on my journey.
So, I started digital BOS. Its pretty cool, learning alot of new stuff on the computer, while I am doing this.
So, after my long winded explaination, heres my question to everyone. Do you have a digital BOS or ever thought of making one? And if you have one how has it helped or hindered you in your practice?
Blessed be
Celestria
I have a rather skimpy one at the moment - it is physical, and it’s skimpy because I’m trying not to overwhelm it too fast!
It could be that in the future it would be easier for me to have it in a digital format. But for now, part of why I enjoy it is because of the tactile nature of it: just touching the pages, using my hands, doing a random sketch or notes - that makes me feel more connected to it.
But it is true that it’s more about the content, and not so much how it gets in there. So I say whatever is working best for you is the right way to do it!
I have files on my computer that I back up. I have no real book, mainly because ink is too expensive and my handwriting is AWFUL. I can’t even read it some days. I even have pics and things saved.
I have reached “crone” age also and have been streamlining many things. This past winter, I got rid of 8 bags of books and clothes, doesn’t sound like much, but by bus, it was not so easy. However, I am a very tactile person and still have a touchable BOS. I have changed mine, I now use a small (3.75 x 6.75) binder so that I can add and change pages instead of having a bazillion different places in one book. With the binder, I can add, change, delete anything, and I have the Tabs between the pages so that I have sections, like circle work, section by itself. Chants section, Notes section….and other spaces/tabs as I see fit to change things.
At my age, but always even has a wee-one, I was into books and tangibles. I use the computer at home, now, but that is it with electronics for me. I still have a land-line, and I was dishes by hand…..Anyway, my BOS is still a literal book. I am afraid to not have tangible documents. I know that if I rely on electronics they’ll get lost somehow. So, I always keep an “hard-copy”.
Congrats on your new digital BoS, Denise! May it serve you well
I have a series of folders on my computer where I store magickal stuff, but over the many years of practicing while posting online, at some point, I think Spells8 itself has become like my BoS! It houses both the spells and readings and other magickal things I’ve shared while also having a vast amount of spells and content shared by others. At this point whenever I have a question, I usually end up here searching the forum to see what others have done or hear their thoughts. It’s like a big interactive BoS I can access anywhere, at any time, as long as I’m on the internet. Not a traditional BoS by any means, but it’s working for me!
I too love being able to change out the pages in a binder. I keep two sizes, the smaller, as a “working” book of shadows and if I find the need to condense 4-8 pages into one or make a “formal” page for I can make that for the big A4 book. In theory. At the moment the big book has a nice wheel of the year and like 3 sabbats done but its a work in progress
The smaller book I make lists, drawings, collages, stick in random things I’ve printed or collected. Some pages are made from old sketches, paper bags or recycled seed catalog pages etc. I love to trade pages too. Whenever it gets too full to use the binder rings well, I’ll go through and prune, refresh and remake pages as needed.
I do use the bookmarks and online BOS here, but it tends to be more as a part of a reference library. If I need to look something up I can, but it doesn’t feel real and I tend to forget it compared to if I write something down on paper.
