This is my Book of Shadows. There is a lot of history surrounding it and I have been putting off making a decision as to what to do with it.

Here's the story:
Jeff (my ex-husband) made this BOS for me when I first found the women who eventually formed the Coven with me. He worked long and hard to make this Book. It's made of wood, leather, crystals, amulets, animal bones and parchment paper. It is a beautiful Book.

When the Coven formed, this became our Book, hence the name on it 'Circle Of Enchantment'
We used the book for initiation and then added some things to it but the Coven became 'official' too late in the game - we broke apart shortly after initiation.

Obviously I kept the Book, there was no way I was going to allow any of the members to have it. I removed all of the pages that were written on by the Coven and burned them - as a release with no ill will. I set the Book out in the Moonlight under a Full Moon to cleanse it. I've passed it through incense and even used a smudge stick to rid any negativity.

It's been about 7 years since the Coven broke apart. This Book is completely empty inside. I have thought about packing it away and just having it as a momentum of that time of my life. I would never destroy it, sell it or give it away. Yet, I haven't been able to box it up. Something is drawing me to it.

I have been contemplating using it - as my own. I think it would be a wonderful heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. I would love to fill it with magick for my children - full of spells, chants, 'recipes', etc. I suppose I'm hung up on the fact that the front of the Book has the name of the Coven. I thought about asking Jeff to make a new cover and although there are no bad vibes/feelings between us, I'm afraid that may take some of the energy away from the Book - changing what it is.

I'm just not sure what to do. it is a part of me, a part of my past. It has been cleansed.

Thoughts? Advice?


More pictures of my BOS:

Here you can see the thickness. Also, Jeff burned the edges of the pages to give it an 'old' look:



Here's a look at the leather bookmarks with amulets:



A closer look at the amulets:



The inside of the Book:



The animal jaw used as a clasp:



The front of the Book:

Can you believe it? Imbolc is just around the corner! (February 2nd this year)

Imbolc is the first of three Awakenings. In the waxing year, there is a festival of Awakening for each of the three aspects of the Lady. Imbolc is the Awakening of the light, when the first signs of new growth begin to appear, and the plans for the new year are laid.

Seed catalogs are purchased, and farmers ready to sow their crops when the time comes. Animals prepare to bring forth life in their turn.

Even in the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, the blessing of the candles is a preparation for the coming of light. The first Awakening is the awakening to the possibilities of the new year.

More Witchy Magick...

What I find really interesting is that, the traditional date for the holiday is also Groundhog Day. In American and European folklore, the groundhog emerges from his hole on this day, and if he sees his shadow, we are in for six more weeks of winter. Six weeks is a curious interval.

Six weeks is roughly the amount of time between Festivals - between spokes of the Wheel of the Year. If the groundhog sees his shadow on Imbolc, the return of the Light is delayed until the next Festival, Spring Equinox.



I'll be setting up my Altar for Imbolc soon, what about you?

P.S. Blessed New Moon everyone!

Hematite is the all-purpose grounding (energy-balancing) stone, not to mention a beautiful ornament.

Tell, or charge all your troubles to or into the rock, then put it on the ground overnight, so that the negative energy will soak into the Earth and become neutral.

I used to wear Hematite rings but somehow I always broke them! What does that say about my need to be more grounded? Now I have a few hematite palmstones, like the one pictured in this post. I usually carry one in my pocket and I have one on my altar.

Thank you all for the kind words and well wishes for my mother in law. At this point we're just playing a waiting game, so positive thoughts!

Zyon has told me to keep plans as is for our Disney trip (April 29th - May 6th) and if something happens and she is unable to go with, we'll cross tat bridge when we get there.

Thank you all again

Well, we got some not so good news the other day. My mother in law had a mammogram and a rather large lesion was found on one breast. She is scheduled for an MRI - but must wait 30 days because she has been taking Estrogen - which has been linked to causing breast cancer.

She was put on hormone therapy two years ago and her endocrinologist felt the need for her to be on hormone therapy far outweighed and cancer risks. UGH
So, in February she will have an MRI. Hopefully that test will be all she needs. If not, I suppose the next step is biopsy.

She is trying to stay positive. The mind is a powerful thing - positive thoughts can create positivity and good health. Please send any positive thoughts her way, light a green candle for healing or just some well wishes would be appreciated.

The native tribes of North America called the January Full Moon the Wolf Moon because this was when the wolves were howling, hungry and hung out outside lodges where people stayed warm. The Celtics call this moon the Quiet Moon. It is also known as the Cold Moon or the Ice Moon depending on the cultural origin.






Correspondences:

* Colors: Black and white, silver
* Gemstones: Hematite
* Trees: Birch, Hazel
* Deities: Inanna, Freyja
* Herbs: Thistle, nuts and seeds, marjoram
* Element: Air



An hour after arriving it goes void of course until Sunday at 10:41 am. So, if you want to do any spell work it will have to be just as it arrives tonight or after 10:41 am the next day.

Source: About.com

Oak is known as the tree of endurance, and triumph, it is connected strongly to the Earth and can easily channel natural energies.
Oak centers the mind, allowing it to focus on the task at hand, it can also help bring about needed matters of the heart.
Oak help promote both observation and intuition.

Magical Properties: Knowledge, Protection, Healing
Element: Earth, Water, Spirit
Planet: Jupiter

You will need:

• Grape Oil (or Sunflower Oil)
• 1 pinch of Sea Salt
• 1 Acorn

Blend ingredients and simmer on low heat in an enamel pan.

Remove from burner and let cool.

Place it in a small bottle or bowl that will only be used to charge and anoint items such as candles in your Magick Circle.

To charge the oil itself, bring it into your Magic Circle or sacred space.


Pagan Magic - Wicca & Witchcraft Shop