Book of Shadows

My personal version
Anabell Moonbem

Tools
Broom

Wand

Ash Staff, Birch Twigs, & Willow Binding, Round Preferred

Censer

Any wood including dowels, as long as fairly straight, Can carve & decorate as wanted

Cauldron

Incense burner, Required for inside rites

Iron, stands on 3 legs, and the opening is smaller than the widest part, Can be any size overall

Magic Knife (athame)

Dull, double edged with black or dark handle

White- Handled

Actual Knife used for cutting Has a white handle Only used for magic, not in the kitchen or anything else.

Crystal Sphere

Cup

Quartz Crystal, Any Size

Pentacle

Cauldron on a stem, Any Substance

Brass, gold, silver, wood, wax, or clay

Book of Shadows

3 ring binder with dividers

Bell

Rituals, spells, innovations & magical info

Robs

Any bell is ok, as long as the sound is appealing

For rites & spells only need at least one

Yellow those involved with divination Purple pure divine power deep spiritual awareness Blue Healers & psychic awareness goddess in oceanic aspect Green Empowers herbalists & magical ecologists Brown attune with animals or spells for them White purification & pure spirituality. Dedication, cleaning rites, full moon or to attune with goddess Orange/Red to sabbats, protective rites attune with god in the fiery solar aspect. Black Most popular, NOT EVIL, is absence of color protective, symbolizes night, universe, lack of falsehood. Is like donning the blackness of outer space, symbolically the ultimate source of divine energy IF no robe, clean clothes of natural fibers (cotton)

Exercise & Techniques

Rituals
Stripping & Preparing a Tool Clean the tool physically using appropriate method 1. 2. Bury It in earth or bowlful of sand or salt usually for a few days Plunge tool into water (Sea, river, lake, or own bath after purifying the water with a few pinches of salt. leave submerged for a few hours

After time frame is up, dry/wipe clean. Tool is now ready for use. A tool needs to be cleaned/ purified if is old or used. Need to be cleaned of old/other energies.

Daily Exercises & Magical Techniques

The Mirror Book
A personal dairy of magical record of progress in Wicca. NO ONE else reads or sees

Thoughts and feelings about Wicca Results from readings Magical successes & failures Doubts and fears Significant dreams Even mundane concerns

Date and Astrological info good too; Book is used for self-awareness and ability to see patterns and fix issues.

Breathing
Deep breathing requires full use of lungs & diaphragm. Get into a comfortable position Relax body slightly Inhale through the nose to slow count of 3, 4, or 5. Allow air to fill lungs & diaphragm, and retain it Exhale to the same slow count Repeat Several times gradually slowing your breathing rate. Should be a controlled, calm, free of tension event; in with love, health, tranquility, perhaps visualizing positive energies as golden-flecked air your breathing in. Out with hate, disease, anger visualizing black smoke being released from your lungs. Practice daily, gradually increasing capacity, if able preform outside. Allows you to get closer to the God and Goddess, and is more relaxing.

Meditation
Sitting is the ideal position with straight backed chair, chin level with the floor, eyes closed, hands resting on your knees palms up, fingers relaxed. This should be a comfortable and relaxed, spine straight and torso erect. Poor posture means this might take a while before it will become comfortable. Breathe deeply for several minutes. Relax, forget, and visualize the tensions and worries from the day exiting your body. Relax into the chair, open consciousness allow it to be open and alert. Time and place should be choosing with care. Light should be subdued, (white or blue) candle light is excellent incense are fine too, but be careful, to much smoke makes deep breathing hard. After mediation record all images, thoughts & sensations in mirror book.

Visualization
Exercise 1:

Sit comfortable, eyes shut, relax; breathe deeply, still your mind. Pictures will continue to pop into your mind. Choose one and stick with it. Let no other images intrude, keep all thoughts revolving around this image Keep it as long as you can and let go of this image to end the exercise When able to do this successfully for 3+ minutes move on.
Exercise 2:

Decide on an image, possibly real physical object you have studied. Close your eyes see this same object in your mind. When you can hold this image perfectly for 5 minutes, move on.

Exercise 3:

Visualize something never seen before, allow mind to move, turn, and rotate this object. Make out and see the fine details when able to do this for 5+ minutes move on.
Exercise 4:

Hold a self-created image in your mind with eyes open. Look at a wall, street, sky and see this image there. Make it look so real you can almost touch it, allow for this image to interact with the landscape and background.

Energy Play
Calm self with deep breathing, Relax, rub palms together for 20 seconds. Start slowly & rub faster & faster feel muscles tense, feel palms grow warm. Suddenly stop, pull hands apart about 2 inches. Feel tingling? If yes, this is the manifestation of power. If no, try to do this again. Spend more time deep breathing and calming yourself. After doing this a few times, use visualization to see the energy going from right (projective) to left (receptive). Then see it swirling clockwise between your hands. Form it into a ball of magical energy. Feel the force & heat in your palms. Cup your hands around the ball, and make it grow or shrink. Finally push this ball into your stomach to re-absorb back into system. Sit or stand before any plant (in bloom helps), Breathe deeply, clear thoughts, hold left palm a few inches from the plant. Pinpoint consciousness to your palm. Feel a dull throbbing, hum, wave of heat or shift in energies within the palm? This is the magical energies from the plant. Try with stones & crystals too. Once feeling the energies, visualize moving it around without rubbing your palms. Concentrate; tighten muscles, to build the energies. Once bursting with power hold out right hand visualize from it going from the body down the arm and out the fingers. Really feel and see the energies. Practice building power then directing it into each room, filling all the voids, nooks and crannies. Visualize the energies forming a protective barrier which no negativity or intruder can cross.

Magical Circle & Altar

Magical Circle
Circle usually 9 feet in diameter, but any size will work Markings often placed on the floor cord, chalk circle, or objects situated to show outline Objects such as flowers (Spring & Summer), Pine Boughs (winter Festivals) Stone, shells, quartz crystals, even tarot cards. Cardinal Points are often marked with lit candles or ritual tools.

North: Pentacle, bowl of salt or earth East: Smoldering incense, fresh flowers can substitute South: Candle or oil lamp or lava rock

West: cup/bowl of water

Can be placed at cardinal points or on alter.

Altar
Altar with tools stands in the center of the circle, and wood (oak or willow) is preferred.

Symbolic divine areas of the altar

Alar set in center facing north - Middle often holds flowers in a small vase or cauldron, censer, and pentacle

Goddess (left)
Cup, pentacle, bell, crystal, cauldron, Image of goddess possible, Broom laid on the side

God (right)
Candle (red, yellow, gold) or figure, censer, wand, athame, white-handled knife

Dont forget to have matches near for the lighting of candles & incense. And a place to discard - its not polite to do so in the cauldron & censer

Goddess symbol / candle Bowl of water Cup Crystal Bell

Censer Red Candle Pentacle Cauldron or spell Material

God Bowl of Salt Incense Knife & Wand Bolline

Days of Power
There are 4 nights determined by solstices & equinoxes (circa March 21, June 21, September 21, December 21) There are 4 sabbats, which have been observed for the longest time and are associated with agriculture, bearing cycles of animals, and are solar rituals (Imbolc February 2, Beltane April 30, Lunghnasadh August 1, Samhain October 31). Sabbats usually have Celtic names. Esbats are full moon celebrations, and occur every 28 days.

Wiccan Calendar

Yule (Circa December 21)

Yule is the winter solstice, where the Goddess gives birth to a son God. Winter Solstice = Divine Birth Yule = greatest darkness & shortest day of year Usually Celebrate Yule just before dawn & Watch the sunrise as a fitting finally to their efforts God = sun = sun is reborn light candles to welcome suns returning light.

Imbolc (February 2)
Marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth. Sabbot of purification after shut-in life of winter Festival of Light & Fertility Feast of Torches, Snow drop Festival, many others Self-Dedication Rituals preformed

Ostara (circa March 21)

Spring Equinox, First true day of Spring Natural energies shift from sluggy winter, to exuberant spring Earth blanked in fertility Night hours = Days hours - Light is over-taking Darkness Time of beginnings, of actions, of planning spells for future gains, and of tending ritual gardens

Beltane (April 30)

Emergence of young God into Manhood; God desires Goddess, Love, unite, pregnant Celebrate the symbol of her fertility May Day- Marked with feasts & Rituals Marks return of vitality, passion & hopes consummated

MidSummer (circa June 21)

Summer (Litha) Solstice returns when natures powers reach high point Classic time for magic of all kind in past bonfires for fertility, purification, health & love longest daylight hours.

Lughnasadh (August 1)
First harvest, Nights grow longer days grow shorter Remember warmth & Bounty in food Reminded that nothing in the universe is constant

Mabon (circa September 21)

Autumn equinox, Completion of harvest Days & nights are equal, Nature declines

Samhain (October 31)

Farwell to the god, Time of reflection coming to terms with one phenonmoanom remember their ancestors & all those who have gone before

Self Teaching

Great challenge, several things can be done to make this happen:

Study Thought Prayer Experimentation

Study: Read many books by many authors, each can be thought of as a teacher. Take all of it in, but use what
feels right. Mark in pencil important messages, or use bookmarks. Combine books information, make notes and formulate your own personal view. Question everything and make Reading an active process, and remember harm none.

Thought: Books start the lesson, thinking and questioning further the learning and lesson. Determine
questions (if necessary), study has uncovered. Knowledge, Determine your feelings concerning this knowledge. Rely on your intuition and determine what info is applicable to your practice.

Prayer: Communicating with goddess & god; asking for help, thanking them, asking for guidance. Light
candle or walk in nature, petting a cat, starting into fire, standing in the shower, sinking into a tub, or doing a popular diviation (tarot cards, pendulum, rune stones). ONLY FOLLOW PRAYER: message comes in many forms: Dreams, clouds, cards & stones, sudden discovery of needed info

Experimentation: Putting what you have learned into practice, Try and put into practice new things see
what feels right.

Secrecy: Use to be the norm to save own skin. Now its ok to tell who you feel comfortable with. Talking about
your magic and rites will not hurt the outcome but increase energy to it. Believing such things can be limitations and will allow you to be further limited and restricted.

Magic while sick? You need you use your best judgment. If you are ill and lack energy, mediate or do more
of a mental magic, or just skip it. Dont over exerts yourself. Put your energies to healing and getting well.

Magical Names: Numerology & Symbolism Self Initiation: Not always required When you feel you have gained enough experienced in wicca. Reading
DOES NOT mean experience. You must have actual hands on Process

Self Purification (shower or bath) Set up altar (usual tools) Cast circle (not required but does improve it) Opening invocation to goddess & god Symbolic Death of old self (non-wiccan) Pray anew to the goddess & god dedicating self Relax, watch candle flame, eat snack/ drink sharing with goddess & god Close circle after thanking for attendance.

Everyday Wicca: bringing tools learned to daily life

Harm None

Remembering this code allows you to rise above anger, jealousy, and hatred and may even transform such potentially destructive emotions into positive energies Helps reduce stress More than 1 chance at life Right action brings positive energies wrong brings negative energies Three fold rule - what you put out comes back 3 fold (both positive and negative) We have control over our life can change them with positive ritual, also teaches patience Are things - generate and release energies and if repeated with intent can be powerful source or energies Caring for the planet Recycle, ruse, planting/garden work, not using harmful chemicals, donating to eco causes, supporting endangered animals If on Earth were with Them. Never spate form Them unless you believe so. Part of our make up & all of the world around us

Reincarnation Karma

Magic Thought

Earth Stewardship

Continuous presence of Goddess & God

Enhancing Everyday Spirituality

Make an offering to Them
Set aside 5 mins each day for Sacred Time

Morning/ evening meditation Art/Craft with wiccan theme Pagan music Gardening/Tending plants Mediation with stones Experimenting with new divination Visiting gardens & Parks Reading pagan fairy Tales (only kind there is) Volunteering

Recycling Writing about wiccan involment Corresponding with other wiccans Wirting rituals Collecing magic herbs Connecting with animals

Effective Prayer

Process of attuning & communicating with goddess & god

Start by adopting a prayerful attitude (from within)

O Goddess within O God within

Shift consciousness to the warm, peacefulness of prior contact

O Goddess of the moon, water, and Earth O God of the forest and mountains

Speak then to Them in specifics (Reason for the prayer)

I pray to thee

Types of prayers

Thanks
O Goddess within O God within; O Goddess of the moon, water, and Earth O God of the forest and mountains; I give thanks for _____________________

Help
O Goddess within O God within ; O Goddess of the moon, water, and Earth O God of the forest and mountains; Help me _____________________

Celebration
O Goddess within O God within ; O Goddess of the moon, water, and Earth O God of the forest and mountains; (even you are celebrating)

Daily Prayers

Before Meals
From forest and stream From mountain and field From the fertile earths Nourishing yield I now partake of Divine Energy May it lend Health Strength and love to me Blessed Be

Before Meals
O Goddess within O God within I now partake of the Fertility of the Earth Bless this food with your love

Morning
Bless this day, sun of fiery light. Bless this day; prepare me for the night.

Sunrise
Fire growing, Sun is glowing; Glowing, flowing Down on me.

Evening
The moon illuminates the earth With wondrous silver rays; Illuminate me through the night And through the sun-lit days

A Prayer before sleep

O Gracious Goddess; O Gracious God, I now enter the realm of dreams Weave now, if You will, a web of protective light around me Guard both my sleeping from and my spirit Watch over me Until the sun once again Rules the Earth O Gracious Goddess O Gracious God Be with me through the night

Invocation Before sleep

Lady of the moon Lord of the sun Protect me and mine Now day is done

New Moon Chant

Silver flowing Dianas Growing Growing, showing Love for me Short Chant for Help Divine mother

Mother Divine Show me the way Give me a sign

Prayers/Rites of Thanks & Offerings

Daily Offering
Place offering in a bowl or ground What I take I freely give Accept this offering, Goddess & God I give you this symbol of my devotion May it strengthen my bonds with you

Rites of Thanks
Thanks for an Answered Prayer (after prayer place offering) Goddess What no human ear could hear, you heard What no human eye could see, you saw What no human heart could bear, you transformed What no human hand could do, you did What no human power could change, you changed Goddess of love, Goddess omnipotent You through Whom all power flows Source of all Queen of the Cosmos Creatrix of the Universe Accept this humble token of thanks Who has spoken and who has been heard

Solitary Ritual of Thanks

Supplies: Large white bowl,, white candle, water, small fresh flowers (white), and one piece of white cotton cloth Place bowl on the altar, affix white candle to the center of the bowl, with warmed beeswax or with drippings form another white candle. Pour water into the bowl, float the fresh flowers on the surface of the water. Light the candle While visualizing the reason for the ritual Lady of the Moon, of the stars and the earth Lord of the sun, of the forests, and the hills I perform a ritual of thanks. My love shines like the flames My love floats like the petals Upon you Lady of the waters Lord of the Air, of horns and of fire I perform a ritual of thanks My love shines like the flame My love floats like a petals Upon You Lady of the Caves, of cats, and snakes Lord of the Plains, of falcons and stags I perform a ritual of thanks My love shines like the flame My love floats like the petals Upon You.