Book of Shadows

The original Book of Shadows is the ritual book of the sect of Neopagan Witchcraft named for Gerald Gardner. While Gardner claimed to have discovered his witchcraft in the English countryside, it is likely that he wrote most or all of the contents of the original book. Gardner certainly coined the term 'Book of Shadows', which hadn't been a part of European occultism before that time. The Gardnerian Book of Shadows (or BoS) contained all the basic instructions for the witch's rituals of worship and magic. It was meant to be kept secret among the initiates of the covens, but over the years various versions have been made public. One version is available at http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/

In more recent Pagan usage, a 'Book of Shadows', has come to refer to an individual witch or magician's personal book or collection of rituals, lore and magic - her personal grimoire. Such books are different for each individual, developed as their personal practice requires. Pagans who become formally initiated in an occult system may be required to copy traditional material, but for the most part a personal BoS is a self-created book of spells, rituals, experiences when working with magick, magickal history or lore, and lessons learned. Because these Books of Shadows are so individualized and personal, how it is created and what it contains is open to interpretation, and up to the person creating it.