| A Witch's book of Shadows is many things. It is a | | | | workings, these terms meant something entirely |
| combination of a how-to manual, a journal, a recipe | | | | different from what they sound like. Most often, |
| book, a spell book and reference manual all in one. | | | | these terms were codes that referred to botanical |
| Every one of them is different, as different as the | | | | ingredients. Keeping them in code in this fashion kept |
| varied witches who write them. There are a lot of | | | | the recipes secret. |
| similarities between all these books, however, and | | | | Another practice was to write all of the information |
| that is what this article is intended to address. | | | | in a book of shadows in an alternative alphabet, such |
| The Wiccan Rede and The Charge of the Goddess | | | | as runes. Unless you knew what each symbol meant, |
| The Wiccan Rede, as well as The Charge of the | | | | the information was indecipherable. |
| Goddess are two pieces of literature that every | | | | The use of such alphabets is still alive today, though |
| witch is familiar with, and they usually include them in | | | | for a different reason. Many believe that certain |
| their books of shadows within the first handful of | | | | alphabets lend power to magickal workings that |
| pages. | | | | would be lost if everyday language were to be used. |
| The Wiccan Rede is a collection of rules and codes | | | | Another practice is to to use specialty inks. Most |
| of conduct that most witches adhere to very strictly. | | | | commonly, these specialty inks are dragon's blood ink |
| It is a reflection of many of the beliefs and behaviors | | | | and dove's blood ink. Just as above, no actual doves |
| that many witches share, and boils down to one | | | | (or dragons!) are harmed in the making of the ink. |
| basic commandment: | | | | These specialized inks are thought to lend additional |
| "If it harms none, do what thou will." | | | | power and protective qualities to the spell being cast. |
| The Charge of The Goodess serves a very similar | | | | The Content |
| purpose. For most witches, it is an empowering piece | | | | Most of the content of a book of shadows is going |
| of poetry that describes the Goddess, and the basics | | | | to be recipes for incense, tinctures, oils and infusions. |
| of the ways She intends for us to follow Her path. | | | | However, the possibilities of what goes into one of |
| Both of these are often recited as part of many | | | | these books are virtually limitless. How to perform |
| Wiccan ceremonies and rituals. Reciting them in ritual | | | | various rituals and spells is often high the list. |
| serves the purpose of reminding Witches of their | | | | Correspondences for astrology, color, stones and |
| values, and instilling the sense of connecting with | | | | crystals, and botanicals will often fill many pages. The |
| Deity through ceremony. | | | | different glyphs, sigils and occult symbols that a witch |
| Codes and Magickal Alphabets | | | | will commonly use are often part of the makeup as |
| Due to the fact that the practice of Witchcraft was | | | | well. |
| persecuted for so many years led to most, if not all | | | | Many covens often incorporate song and chant into |
| practitioners to devise ways to keep their magickal | | | | their rituals. The lyrics for these are often a big part |
| practices secret. One of the ways that this | | | | of a book of shadows. |
| manifested was the invention of codes and ciphers | | | | It is easy to see that a book of shadows can easily |
| to keep the Book of Shadows safe from prying | | | | become a large resource for any witch. If that witch |
| eyes. | | | | uses the book as a means of journaling their magickal |
| Though people poke fun at the use of terms such as | | | | undertakings, then it can be an especially large |
| "adder's tongue" and "baby tears" that were | | | | document. |
| apparently used as ingredients in certain magickal | | | | |