The Wiccan Book of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is a book which contains all of your spells, rituals, recipes and many other Wicca related things. In Covens it is generally given to a Witch when they have been Initiated, or some Covens have one Book of Shadows which everyone contributes to. The Book of Shadows can contain the Coven's traditions, beliefs, Sabbat notes, ritual workings, religious texts and any other notes which the Coven have deemed worthy to put in the Book.

Solitary Witches often make their own Book of Shadows, below I have listed some things which you may wish to include in your Book of Shadows.

• The Cover can have your name or simply 'Book of Shadows' on it
• Write out your Dedication to Wicca in the front
• Write out what you want your book to do for you, what do you want to include in it?
• How do you want to organise your book, with sections? With tags?
• Many books include the following information: your traditions, beliefs, your initiation ceremony, your God and Goddess, dedications, rituals, spells, Sabbat rituals, Divination, magical recipes and religious texts.
• Having all of that information, can muddle up your book. So I would suggest, having it in the form of a three ring binder or just as a number of volumes.
• You can also have illustrations, dried herbs in the pages, a record of all the Wiccan books you have read and many other special items.
• Do you want to handwrite it or type it? I suggest hand writing it, as it transfers your energy to the pages and it makes it more personal.

Those are just a few suggestions, it is entirely up to you on how you design your Book. I suggest not having one until you have performed a Self-Initiation, as you can bless your Book along with the rest of your Wiccan items. Also, having the book in front of you during any spell making is useful, as you can add notes while you are in the Circle.

Herbs and remedies

The use of herbs and plants are a very old practice which go back to our early Ancestors. Having knowledge of some of our most common herbs, is a start to learning about their healing and magical properties. Some Witches aspire to have a few herbs in their garden, or at least go to a healthy foods Supermarket. But I suggest growing your own herbs in the garden, as you feel linked to nature and there is a feeling of accomplishment when you use them. However, be careful when making remedies and stick to the common herbs at first, as some plants are very toxic when consumed. Only choose to explore further once you have become quite skilled in the properties of herbs. Below I have listed some of the common herbs, their properties and what they are used for.

Herbal Infusions/herb teas


For making a herb drink, just pour hot water over a table spoon of herb leaves. Leave for a few minutes then strain into a cup. If you are taking the tea for medicinal uses, then drink the tea three times a day.


Camomile - A soothing and relaxing tea which helps in the relief of anxiety. Can also be given to children to aid sleep. Used in baths and will help someone that has greasy hair or skin. In ritual camomile can be burned to break bad habits and drive away bad thoughts.

Elderflower - Good for colds and eases sinus problems

Fennel - Eases the digestive system and stops bloating in the stomach.

Peppermint - Eases nausea and bloating. This herb aids in concentration and study, rubbing this herb on your skin can increase your energies before you have a ritual.

Raspberry leaf - Soothes the digestive track

Rose hip - Very high in vitamin C, when combined with hibiscus flowers it has a lemony flavour

NOTE: Pregnant women are advised to avoid any herbal teas, with the exception of peppermint, lime and camomile as they help women with their morning sickness.

Herbs in cooking


There are so many different herbs which are common in the use of cooking, I will only list a few of the most popular herbs.

Basil - Generally used in tomato dishes, basil is good for the nervous system

Bay - Stimulates and aid the digestion, bay leaves can be used in soups and casseroles

Chives - Often used in potato, egg and soup dishes. Chives help the digestion

Coriander - Can be used for treating a urinary infection. Very good in the use of curries, salads and sauces

Dill - Used in soups and pickles, Dill can relief gripes and a gassy stomach.

Fennel - Aids the digestive system and is generally put in stuffing for fish

Mint - For savoury dishes and deserts, very good for colds and aiding digestion

Parsley - Good for many foods and drink, parsley can be used as a stimulant to menstration and is very good for bad breath. It can be eaten both raw and cooked.

Rosemary - Used in lamb and chicken dishes, a stimulant to the nervous system and soothes digestion. Also very good for concentration and can be put into the bath.

Sage - Used in stuffings of meat, good for indigestion, sore throats and sweating. It aids in weight loss and stimulates the metabolism.

Thyme - Very good for aiding a cough and catarrh, also good for the digestion. Can be drunk at night as a mild sedative and is used in many foods.

There are many more types of herbs to use in cooking, before experimenting I must advise that you DO NOT put something in your cooking unless you are absolutely sure you know what it is is and what it's properties are. I also advise you read a few Herbal books, as they will contain a larger bank of information on different herbs. For an introduction into herbs I suggest you read Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies by David Hoffman.

Candle magic

Candle magic is a simple and traditional technique. It has been around for many years, an early example of it would be in the Lascaux caves when the caves would go in so deep that carrying a flame was necessary, it was thought that the flames would create a liminal boundary between the living and the dead. Candle magic is a very powerful form of Sympathetic magic (For a list of different types of magic click here).

Candle magic is good for drawing positive energy and focussing your inner mind. You can request for something or ask the God/Goddess a question. However, like any other form of magic, whatever you do will return to you three fold, always keep to the Wiccan Rede. Be very careful with the words you use, as your request may come true in a very unconventional way. Some Candle magic is performed over a couple of days, while others can be performed during a specific moon phase. It is a good idea to place your candle on an alter, to keep it safe and out of the way.

A candle can be blessed and consecrated. It is also important, that you pick the colour of your candle wisely. As each colour has a specific meaning. Below is a list of different colours and their meanings:

Green - Growth, health, fertility and love

Yellow - Intellect, inspiration, creativity and confidence

Red - Strength, fertility, passion, attraction and power

White - Balance, cleansing, purity, healing and truth

Black - Protection, new beginnings, hex-breaking and healing

Pink - Devotion, faith, friendship, peace and the purest form of love

Gold - Protection, wealth, masculinity and luck

Lavender - Mother spirit, selflessness, understanding and calming

Blue - Truth, peace, wisdom and protection

Purple - Power, wisdom, psychic powers, confidence and divination

Brown - Balance, home, prosperity, learning and concentration.

I find that the white candle is the most effective during any ritual, I generally use that colour all the time because it is untainted and pure. Note: If you can avoid it, don't use a scented candle, because I find it distracts your senses when meditating.

The Pentagram

The Pentagram is an ancient Wiccan symbol that has been seen throughout history, it has been labelled as an evil sign. But in the Wiccan religion it has several meanings and uses, for the most, it has been used for protection against negative energies; many Witches wear one for this purpose.


The points represent Spirit, Water, Air, Earth and Fire. Some Wicca practices draw a pentagram in the air to cast a circle which helps invoke the elements. Then when releasing the circle, the pentagram is drawn in the opposite to release the elements.


Drawing pentagrams on your doors and window sills is not uncommon in Wicca, to keep out the bad spirits and negative energies.


The Pentacle is the five pointed star within a circle, it symbolises the balance of the Elements. And is used on the Altar, at times it can be used to represent Earth. 

Divination

To find things that might be hidden, Divination can be practiced with or without tools. Nearly all Witches practice Divination in some form, I myself, practice with Tarot cards and I prefer to keep to the one Divination skill so I can perfect it. I would advise that method, but it is entirely up to you. Divination is not a way to contact Spirits, it is used to access the inner mind or your subconscious. It requires you to interpret the meanings of Divination for yourself, and not learn the meanings that someone else has written. Traditional forms of Divination are listed and explained below:

Tarot - A pack of cards are arranged into a spread, these cards generally have an Ethereal theme on them, they would have images of the Mother Goddess, Cernunnos and Death. But Tarot cards do come in many forms with different themes. Once they are in a spread, they are then interpreted. You may have asked it a question, or you may be searching the spread for an inclination to the future. The searchings into your inner mind will tell you the answer.

Runes - Runes are small pieces of wood, stone or pottery. Each rune has a different symbol and the symbols are interpreted once you pick them out. Runes are thought to be Norse in origin, before using them you must research each symbol to correctly interpret them.

Crystal ball - A round-shaped glass, which is used to focus the inner mind on whatever you wish to see.

Palmistry - A palm reader interprets the lines on both your hands, from your hands they can determine a person's character, future, skills and talents.

Tea leaves - A very old skill, tea is made in a pot and then poured into a cup without being strained. Once the tea has been drunk, you can interpret the tea-leaves left behind. Future events are generally interpreted.

Astrology - Everyone is familiar with the daily horoscopes, these are not true forms of Divination. Astrology is both an art and science, when interpreted accurately you can find true meanings behind the stars.

Full moon - May 17th

The Full Moon of May is known as the Flower Moon, it reminds us that all blossoms will be fading from this point and onwards. This is part of Life's natural cycle. During this time, the faded flowers teach us to take only what we need and store away things for later. The Goddess is in her phase of Mother at this time, so she is at her most powerful. Now is a good time to perform any rituals or magic, as your results are likely to be successful.

Phases of the Moon

In Wicca, the phases of the moon represent a different aspect of the Goddess, Witches use these phases to time their rituals and magic as they will be most attuned at this time. As you all know, the moon has a large role to play in the nature of our Earth. It influences the tides and even us, as we are mostly made up of water. For that reason, there will be monthly fluctuations in energies and concentration. Below I have listed different phases of the moon and the Goddess they relate to.

New Moon - The first moon of the cycle relates to the Goddess in her maiden aspect, this is the time for her to learn new skills. So for us we should start fresh and rejuvenate. You can cast any spells related to health, self-improvement, beauty and luck.


Waxing Moon - This is the period of time between the New Moon and Full Moon. Some believe it symbolizes the Goddess in the form of lover, this is the time for her to be assertive and adventurous. The spells you can cast should are centred around growth, whether it relates to fertility, healing, friendship or courage.


Full Moon - Magic and nature is at its most powerful during a Full Moon, the Goddess is in the form of Mother at this time, so the Goddess is at her most compassionate, nurturing and creative. The spells to cast should be related to fertility, love, romance, psychic abilities and artistic projects.


Waning Moon - As the moon is disappearing in the sky, this is the time for removing things from your life. The Goddess is in the form of Grandmother, this is the time for her to retreat and collect up her knowledge. The spells to cast during this time can relate to banishing bad relationships, bad habits and addictions.


Dark Moon - When the Moon is invisible in the sky, the Goddess is in the aspect of Wise Woman, at this time she is all wise and presides over death. It is thought that no magic should be performed during a Dark Moon, as the energies that you require to be attuned are not there. This doesn't have to be true, but I do believe that feeling the Moon's power does influence the workings of your magic.

Sabbats and the Wheel of the year

There are eight seasonal festivals and thirteen full moons. Over the year you can create eight Seasonal rites, this way you feel harmonized with nature and the Divine. Each festival can be dedicated to a specific God or Goddess, they each have their own individual rituals and they are great ways to celebrate the Seasons with the ones you love. Below I have listed the Seasonal festivals starting with the first of the year.

Samhain (31st October) - Also known as Halloween, Samhain is the most important Sabbat of the Witch's year. It marks the beginning and end of the Wheel of the year. The time when the Goddess returns as the Grandmother, she is past her bearing time but she can still pass on her wisdom through Spirit; for that reason, Samhain is a perfect time for you to practice your Divination skills.
In the Celtic calender, Samhain is considered to be a day outside the normal year, when a veil between the worlds of the living and dead were thinnest. For this reason, Samhain is also a day to commemorate you Loved ones, however, we do not summon the Spirits as it is not right to disturb the peace of those that have gone.
It is traditional to light a candle in the window, to welcome home the spirits and repel the bad ones. Another tradition is to honour the Horned one and go on 'The Wild Hunt'. The Wild Hunt is when the Horned one collects up lost souls, some covens enact the Hunt by setting a course and running though the woods.

Yule (21st December) - Yule marks the Winter Solstice, days begin to lengthen and the rebirth of the sun is celebrated. It is traditional to bring evergreen plants into the house, to give a reminder of life returning. Holly represents the God and Goddess as the berries signify the Mother returning and the green leaves symbolize the Holly King, he reigns until this time. On Yule, it is traditional to make a Yule log, this is not the eating kind. The Yule log is a wooden log with candles lit inside it, each member of the family would light one and express a wish for the oncoming Season.

Imbolg (2nd February) - The first signs of Spring are appearing at this time, it signifies the return of the Goddess as the Maiden and the God is reborn as a young man. Imbolg means 'in belly', which can be interpreted to mean the land and animals are pregnant. Now can be a good time to plant seeds in your garden.

Oestara (21st March) Oestara marks the Spring Equinox, a time when day and night are equal, it is also the time for balance and for throwing out the old to bring in the new. This Sabbat is celebrated as a Spring Festival, as you can see the leaves, first buds and shoots of the corn. Oestara is also a brilliant time for 'Spring cleaning'

Beltane (1st May) - Beltane is the second most important Witch's festival, it is the marriage of the God and Goddess, the Goddess becomes the Mother and the God returns to reign beside her. Again, it is a day when the veil between our worlds are thin, so be very careful when working magic at this time, as the spirits are at their most mischievous and your results will not be as accurate. Due to the Great Marriage, this festival is also linked to fertility. Traditionally at a May Day festival, you would find a partner if you did not have one. Beltane is a time for Witches to Handfast (get married), they would make their promises to eachother, a gold and silver cord is fastened around their hands to symbolize their union.

Litha (21st June) - Litha marks the Summer Solstice, it represents the height of the Sun Kings power, after this day his power decreases as the days shorten. Now is a good time to have an outdoor barbecue or picnic with your family, as the hot and green days are at their most delightful. The Goddess is still in her phase of the Mother, with the coming harvest she is full of promise.

Lammas (1st August) - The harvest is brought in, this festival is often related to sacrifice and death as we have to repay what we have been given. A great feast would be made with the new harvest to celebrate the blessing of the land. Small cakes would be made in the shape of men to honour the Corn King, this is the origin of the Gingerbread man. Bread can also be made in the shape of a sheaf of wheat, this is the Lammas bread. Lammas is a good time for considering the positives in your life.

Madron (21st September) - Madron marks the Autumn Equinox, day and night are equal and again this is the time for balance. Madron is also at its height of Harvest, it is the time for returning things to the way they should be. This is a time for forgiveness and to make up for regrets, it is the festival of Healing.

And so the Sabbats continue on to Samhain, that is the Wheel of the Year.

The God and Goddess

In Wicca the divine is both male and female. The God and Goddess appear to everyone in the form that an individual wishes to see them in. In history, there have been many stories of different God and Goddesses from all kinds of cultures. It is easy to think that they are each different deities, but they are actually the same Divine with a different face. It is difficult to list all the God and Goddesses from each culture, but I will list a few that are popular in the Wiccan religion.

The God - The male side to the Divine has often been depicted as the Great Hunter, God of the Forest and Lord of the Animals. He represents life, death and rebirth. This is seen in the cycle of the Seasons. To honour the God, there are yearly festivals for the harvest and Seasons. Below are a list of popular Gods:

Cernunnos - 'The Horned God', he is often depicted with horns or antlers, he is associated with particular animals such as the stag and ram-horned serpent. He has been described as a peaceful God of nature and fruitfulness, but also as the Lord of Wild things. He has Celtic origin and has been referenced to in some form since the earliest times of the Upper Palaeolithic; the first evidence of this is seen in Lascaux Cave in France. Throughout history, there has been reference to the 'Horned one', for example on an archaeological site called Star Carr in England; large amounts of antlers were uncovered, it was thought that the site was used for Seasonal Festivals and the people wore the antlers on their heads. Cernunnos can also go by the name of Herne the hunter, although Herne has his own story, if you are interested in learning more about the Gods please feel free to research.

The Goddess - The triple Goddess or Mother Goddess is a universal deity with a strong Lunar depiction, at different phases of the moon, she is called the maiden, mother and grandmother. She represents nature, fertility, the powers of healing and death. The Goddess has been present since our earliest ancestors, an example would be the 'Venus figurines', their shape and fertility was emphasized because it was essential to the life of the people. The Goddess has an overwhelming number of forms, as does the God throughout human history. She has appeared in the Greek legends as Aphrodite and Persephone. In the Celtic religion, she can be known as The Morrighan and Cerridwen.

Studying both sides to the divine is essential for you to fully understand Wiccan Worship, it may also help you to pick a specific face of the Divine to worship. I find that if you pick one image of the God and Goddess, it makes it easier to picture the Divine in your mind. For example you may choose Cernunnos and Cerridwen. It is your choice entirely, and you may decide to worship a particular face of the Divine for each season or Sabbat.

The Elements and Zodiacs

All of nature is made up of four Elements, Witches believe that these Elements together with the fifth Element make up ourselves and the world.

The Elements are real energies, which can be accessed by understanding the way they work around us. They represent different aspects of our being, Air are our thoughts, Earth is our physical body, Fire is our passion, Water our emotions and Spirit is the force which is ourselves.

The Five energies are represented in the Pentagram, this symbol is worn by many Witches and appears on the alter at rituals. During a ritual, you can also invoke the pentagram of a specific Element if you wish to cast a spell that requires the strengths of that Element.

Elements are also linked to the seasons, astronomy and the zodiacs. Below are some definitions of the Elements and their relation to the Zodiacs.

Air - The place of mind and body, source of logic and thought. This is the part of us that wants to learn, it is also the curious and youthful side to us. Air signs are good at making a point and starting anew. Although, Air signs can also seem detached and impersonal with their approach. The zodiacs associated with Air are: Aquarius, Libra and Gemini.


Fire - Fire heats the blood and is the source of sexuality. It is active, exciting and makes things happen. It is also renewing and purifying, as fire transforms, changes and destroys the ground for new growth. The passion from fire can bring love, life and creativity, it is also freedom and courage. However, those associated with fire are hot-tempered and argumentative. While fire is passionate, its intensity can also consume, it is impatient and never stops unless it is has burned itself out. The zodiacs associated with Fire are: Sagittarius, Aries and Leo.


Water - Accepting and tolerant, Water overcomes difficulties instead of confronting them head-on. It brings sorrow, love, compassion and empathy. It also brings fear and can overwhelm. Water is the well of information, it brings knowledge from meditation and knowing one's self. The zodiacs associated with Water are: Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces.

Earth - Earth is the physical body, its qualities are dependability, endurance and protection. It has a pleasurable side as it governs the source of life through sensuality. Earth can also be greedy and it can demand things in excess. It is important to appreciate both Earth's sense of peace and destruction. The zodiacs associated with Earth are: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.


Not everyone will feel linked to their Element, but some people find aspects of themselves within another. However, it is important not to deny your Element as it still holds a part of you.

The Art of Magic and becoming a Witch

Witches believe in the practice of magic, it is a real force that can make changes to your life by the force of will. To continue down the path of Wicca, you must understand that it involves the development of magic and psychic powers but also the wisdom to use them. It requires you to understand that magic is not to be used mildly, but with respect and understanding.

If Wicca is indeed the path you have chosen, then studying all you can about the Craft is essential before you can become a 'Witch'. The basics you need to know are as follows:

The Gods and Goddesses, Sabbats, Candle magic, Divination, knowledge on the Elements, Herbalism, creating an alter, communing with nature, Environmental awareness and Spiritual awareness.

Only after you have learnt about these things, can you fully understand the art of Wicca. After you feel you know all you can know, you may then perform the Self-Initiation to officially enter into the Craft as a Witch. I will post about Self-Initiation in a later post.

Rules behind Wicca

The Wiccan Rede

With Wicca there is a rule that all Witches must strive to follow, and by which they measure their actions. It has the following key phrase:

An it harm none, do what though will


This means you should do what you feel is right for you, but in doing so, you must not harm others. At times, doing what is right can still hurt others, in that case, if you are willing to accept the consequences you are required to make a moral judgement.
The Wiccan Rede can come in a much more poetic and lengthier form, but I find that, that one phrase is enough to remind me of the Witch's Rule.

The law of three-fold return


When practising magic, every Witch must be aware of the consequences their magic will have upon themselves and the surroundings. The following term is generally applied to this warning:

Whatever you do, be it good or ill, will be returned to you threefold


Every Witch must have this in mind before they practice any magic.

An introduction to the Wiccan Path

Dear reader,

To begin your journey into Wicca, you must be fully aware of what this path contains. I will also like to take the opportunity to welcome you to my blog, which is dedicated to the art of Wicca and all its practices.

I will be posting about specific rituals, Sabbats, spell-making, candle divination, tarot reading and much more. So please read my blog often for the latest posts.

Now, Wicca is a nature based religion, it has a God, Goddess and a system of magic. The followers of this religion are called Witches, they are magic makers, healers and worshippers of the God and Goddess.
In Wicca, the divine is both male and female, equal and opposite to each other. There is only one God and Goddess, but both are referred to by different names at different times.

Another important aspect of Wicca, is respecting nature and all things that grow and live in it. While you can worship nature, a Witch must care for all things that live upon our world in order to truly practice the art of Wicca.

Simple ways of doing this do not always entail spell-making and calling upon the Goddess. But making a difference in your immediate environment, by being economical, collecting litter, recycling, giving old items to a charity shop and caring for your pets.

In the Wiccan religion, it is very important that you understand that everyone has a Spiritual Choice. Whether it is to follow the Christian or Hindu religions. It is someone's choice to believe in the Divine, as it is a person's path and they are solely responsible for their destiny. However, everyone is entitled to their own Spiritual choice, as long as it harms no one else.

Starting the path of the Witch requires you to learn and grow, this means you must do the hard work. You can choose which specialities you would like to study and you are not forced to keep by a specific schedule. However, if you are in a coven. The High Priest and Priestess may ask you to do certain tasks or perform rites for the yearly Sabbat. Studying in Solitude would not require you to do those things if you did not wish it.

If you are fortunate enough to have a teacher for Wicca, you must respect that they will not do the work for you. They are only there to advise and guide you through the motions of Wicca. I have found, that if you set up personal goals for your learning, the task flows much more easily.

And that is it for the introduction to Wicca. I will be posting much more information regarding Festivals, Elements and the Divine very soon. Thank you for reading.

Blessed Be.
Rose