Traditionally, the Book of Shadows is a journal that belongs to a High Priestess or a High Priest of the Wicca Religion. The Book of shadows is also called the "Black Book". In earlier times, people who were initiated into witchcraft were requested to copy the entire book by hand.
This book consisted of the thoughts and meditations of the person who initiated the new follower to the Wicca religion. It was assumed that all the knowledge of the Initiator would be passed on to the new Witch in the process of copying each of the pages filled with ancient knowledge. This book used to be kept a secret and the information in it written in a coded or jumbled manner to prevent non-believers from abusing them.
As Witches succeed in creating new spells, they may append these spells and rituals to their individual Book of Shadows. Later in life, if they become a High Priest or High Priestess and initiate other Wiccans, this book may be copied by hand by the new followers of the religion. In this way, the original information is passed down from generation to generation.
The term "Book of Shadows" originated with Gerald Gardner who helped spread Wicca all over the world. He is believed to have based the name on a Sanskrit manual that defines the length of a man's life by the length of his shadow. Gerald Gardner's Book of Shadows is published online at http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/ . It includes information on Casting the Circle, Drawing Down the Moon, Initiations, the tradition of Cakes and Wine, Sabbat Rituals, Chants, Helping the sick, the Scourge and the Kiss, The Eightfold Way, the Meeting Dance, Skyclad, etc. As he constantly updated his Book of Shadows, we can see the additions and appropriate changes that are made to the information to keep it current.
In his Book of Shadows, Gerald Gardner explains The Eightfold path:
Meditation or Concentration
Trance States, Clairvoyance, Projection of the Astral etc.
Drugs, Wine, Incense
Dance, Performing Rites
Chants, Spells, etc
Blood control, Breath Control
Scourge
The Great Rite
Regarding Casting of the Circle, he mentions this: "It is most convenient to mark the circle with chalk, paint or otherwise, to show where it is; but marks on the carpet may be utilized. Furniture may be placed to indicate the bounds. The only circle that matters is the one that is drawn before every ceremony with either a duly consecrated Magic Sword or Athame. The circle is usually nine feet in diameter, unless made for some very special purpose. There are two outer circles, each six inches apart, so the third circle has a diameter of eleven feet."
Rose Ariadne
Author Bio
Rose Ariadne has been practicing ancient forms of Witchcraft for over 25 years. Get more info about the Book of Shaodows here: http://www.askroseariadne.com/editorials/book-of-shadows.html
