OW book of shadows

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

I wanted to start a book of shadows just for the forum, if you would like to add anything to it, please feel free guys! lets get out bos growing!!

[Dervish]

can u specify a little? what u call a book of shadowZ?

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

yeah sure, I wanted to get some rituals,spells,charms,and all magickal recipes into the book of shadows that way if someone needs a fast referance it will be in the book, I keep forgetting I have to start adding stuff to it!...

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

Basics of rituals-
If you belong to a coven, you will learn from others how to do rituals and likely how to write your own. How rituals are organized and performed will differ from tradition to tradition, and from coven to coven. If you are a solitary, then it is up to you to learn about doing ritual.

You can just limit yourself to pre-written rituals, but you will likely want to start creating your own at some point. Even the pre-written ones can seem intimidating until you grasp the overall basic strucutre of a Wiccan ritual. Not all rituals need to have all these components, but this is a good outline for a basic ritual.

Cast the Circle
The first thing you need to do is cast your circle. The space within your circle is sacred, and considered to be 'between the worlds'. Not only does your circle keep out unwanted energy, it also serves to keep your energy in. You may want to cleanse your space with a ritual sweeping or with some incense before you begin.

Call the Quarters
The Quarters (also sometimes called Watchtowers) are the guardians of your circle. They are usually directional and/or elemental in nature. The exact wording on how to call the quarters is varied, and can be adapted to your needs. You might consider these Watchtowers to be the solid corner-posts of your circle.

Invoke Deity
If you are not familiar with any specific Gods or Goddesses, you can always just call on the Lord and/or Lady. Over time, you can research the various pantheons and learn about the different Deities out there. You may invoke certain Deities just get to know them better, or choose Deities that represent the energies you want for your ritual. You should always be respectful, and ask Deities to join you.

Raise Energy
If you are performing this ritual with a specific goal in mind (a spell), then you need to raise energy before you do that spell. It's your energy and will that drives a spell. If your ritual is to celebrate the Sabbats or to give thanks to the Gods, then you may not feel the need to raise any power. Methods for raising energy could be dancing or chanting.

Purpose of Ritual
This is the central part of the ritual process. If you are working a specific spell, now is when you do that, using the energy that you've raised. Worship, celebration or giving thanks could also be part of your ritual.

Ground Your Energy.
You raised energy earlier, and now you must ground it. Release the remaining energy down through your body and out into the Earth. Even if you are indoors, and your feet aren't truly touching the Earth, you can still visualize your energy dispersing this way. Depending on the nature of your spell, you may find that most of the energy is used up in your spellwork.

Thank Deity
I'm sure this part is obvious. If you've asked a Deity to join you in your circle, you must then thank them when the ritual is complete.

Release the Quarters
Similar to thanking the Deities. You've called the Quarters to assist you, and when you are done, you should thank them and release them.

Release the Circle
The step will return your ritual area back to 'normal space'. Most circle casting techniques that you will find are written with both an opening and closing portion to the text.

Cakes and Wine
It's traditional to eat after ritual, and this can be a social part of the ritual if you are working in a group. It doesn't have to literally be 'cakes and ale'. You may choose to use foods that suit the nature of the ritual. This is another aspect of the grounding you did earlier. By eating and drinking, you can focus yourself back to the physical world.

This is only an outline, to help you put the features of a ritual into context. You can find more details in our Circle Casting section, on how to call the Quarters and cast the circle.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to be creative and to experiment. The best way to become comfortable in ritual is to "just do it".

[Neshumah]

When i was initiating my Wicca path i've discovered that i would work better on my own and, therefore, i've decided to become a solitary Witch. However, i find covens a very neat experience and what your heart feels is unexplainable. During rituals it has such strong energy and power that you feel like crying at some point. It's beautiful and every Witch/Wizard should try it at least once.
I also feel that there are two sides about making spells in a group. The energy can be stronger but you also take the risk of the spell not work as well as if you do it by yourself. Imagine if at least one of the persons is not concentrate enough or thinking about something else; or even if the group is thinking about the purposes of the spell in different perpectives...
Do you know what i mean?!

I also feel different when i cast spells under the full moon. It's energy has such power in me that i can spend easily two hours meditating and invoking the Elements and The Gods. ;D

[section8]

ANTI BURGALUR!

To protect your home from burglaries, get up before sunrise and put a pinch of pepper on the threshold of one door and the sill of one window. As you place it there say,

"Pepper sting rogue, knave or thief;

Whoso breaks this bond finds grief.

I mean it for this sill and door,

And all through this house forevermore."

[zayin]

Standard Cakes & Wine

1. Ring bell, or clap 3 times.

2. Feet spread and open arms raised.

"I acknowledge my needs and offer my appreciation to that which sustains me! May I ever remember the blessings of the Lady and the Lord."

3. Feet together, hold a cup in left hand and athame (black handled knife, usually double sided) in your right and slowly lower the point of the athame into the cup.

"As the Divine Male joins the Divine Female for the benifit of both, let the fruits of Their sacred Union promote life, love and joy. Let the earth be fruitful and let Her bounty br spread throughout the lands"

4. Set down athame; pour libation into the libation bowl or cauldron.

5. Now touch the point of the athame to the bread/cake in the offering dish:

"This food is the offering of the Lady and the Lord given to me. As I have recieved, may I offer food for the body, mind, and spirit to those who seek such of me"

^. Eat this Circle food and finish the beverage, (divide among attendees present. When finished:

"As I have enjoyed these gifts of the Goddess and the God, may I remember that without Them I would have nothing. So Mote It Be!"

[section8]

I have a suggestion for this book of shadows. If people want to post their spells, rituals, magickal expeirences below they may but then when you see one that looks worth enough, you create a thread and list all of the helpful threads in the main thread so that people can look through to find what their looking for. Example:

Spells: (4)

• Name Of Spell
  
• Name Of Spell
  
• Name Of Spell
  
• Name Of Spell
  

Rituals: (2)

• Name Of Ritual
  
• Name Of Ritual
  

Crystal Information: (3)

• Name Of Thread
  
• Name Of Thread
  
• Name Of Thread
  

Or you can create sub-boards, I have always wanted to add to something like this.

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

great idea sweety!!, How should I do this?? perhaps a subboard??? also this may take some time eh? I would like to do this when I get more time, maybe later this week..thanks darlin!!!

[section8]

That would work for a sub-board! Then people can post any of their spells/good information and you could add it to the "book of shadows" which would be the thread with all of the links to the spells and spell names.

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

okay, as soon as I have time darlin Ill make a sub board for it..thanks again!

[ladybleu]

yes sub-board. then we wont have to look through the whole thread for one thing.

[Dancing Bear]

This sounds great . I found my book of Ancient Wisdom the other day I'll bet theres some terrific Spells and cures in it.. I'll have to go check now.

[ladybleu]

Cool, and I am getting my BOS out and sorted also, this is a great idea.

[Dancing Bear]

Yes Lady Bleu getting pretty excited myself. Its been a while since i looked up all my spells and cures..
Quite enthused now.

[section8]

EHHHH! *Is excited.*

[Akeia]

A ritual to get acquainted with the Fae:


To begin:
Invoke your chosen Diety. Leave an offering to the flower Faery's such as a garland of violets, a rose, or small cakes.
Light your candle and speak the following:

"Gentle Flower Fairies from near and far,
Come watch over my back yard
Bless these herbs, and fragrant flowers
Fill them with your loving power.
Late at night when firefly's glow
Use your magic to make them grow
By the powers of the stars, moon and sun
Do as I will and it harm none."

When done, meditate for a moment or lie back and sip some wine and observe the moon and night sky.

From Garden witchery by: Ellen Dugan

[Akeia]

www.magicalmoments.bmobley.com
Garden Witch Spell Worksheet:

Goal:____________________________

Day:_____________________________

Moon Phase:______________________

Moon Sign:________________________

Diety Invoked:______________________

Herbs Used & Their Magical Applications:______________________________________________



Flowers Used & their Magical significance:_________________________________________________________


Candle Color (if you would incorporate candle magic}:______________________________________________________________


Crystals or stones:___________________________________________


Charms or verses:____________________________________________________


Setup {equipment, candleholders, vase, cauldron, fireproof bowl, etc.}:__________________________________________________________________________


Results {How long it took for the spell to work, and any results you noticed.}:______________________________________________________________________________________



By the Shadow of the Moon and Light of the Sun
Happy Gardening, Blessed Be, An it Harm None

From: Garden Witchery by: Ellen Dugan

[ladybleu]

Casting a Circle (beginners)

Ingredients: You can use your athame, wand, finger, etc.

Setting: A circle is created with energy. Make sure you know where the boundaries will be beforehand and have everything that you're gong to use inside the area, because you don't want to have to leave it after you have cast your circle. It can be inside or outside, Day or night. Whenever you need it.

Clear your mind.
Visualize the energy of nature and the universe mixing with your own (building up inside) you can visualize a cone of blue fire funneling through the top of your head or simply see a ball glowing a bright purple. I like to use white, use whatever is comfortable.

Now, pick a quarter at which to start. some pick North, some start with East.Point your athame or finger etc, towards the ground and see the energy flowing out. Begin to walk clockwise and walk the circumference of the circle. While doing this be sure to imagine a circle forming. Don't see it as a circle on the ground, instead as a sphere with you inside. Half of it is above the ground. You are walking on a plane through the diameter and the other half is below the ground. The Circle is Cast.

If you want to say a spell with it:

By the earth that is her body,
and by the air that is her breath,
and by the fire of her bright spirit, and by the living waters of her womb,
the circle is cast.

[Dancing Bear]

Ok!! Cool everyone has started already i'm going to have to post up now

Just a little Start for Spring

A Sring Ritual

This ritual is for new hopes, new beginings, new relationships and life changes and anything to do with fertility, children and Love.

For Spring energies or any time of year when needing a new begining, use eggs, any flowers or leaves in bud,pottery or china rabbits, birds or feathers as a focus for your own sprialling energies. Carry Sparkling Crystals, such as Citrine~ the strengthening stone, Yellow Beryl~ the energizer or a yellow rutilated quartz with streaks of gold~ the regenerator for your spring talsiman..Also i find Amber a good little stone too!!
Set up little Alter with Spring in mind. Feathers are good, Yellow Candles,
I normally bring out my little pots and bowls and go for a walk around the garden or the neighbourhood and find flowers that are pleaseing and sprigs of grasses,I put them in their little pots and bowls and display around the home. And sometimes the supermarket have cheap flowers also..I also have placed a lovely Cirtrus Candle in a beautiful ornate bowl trimmed with oranges and a fine golden rim on the dining table. even sometimes the silk flowers also do just fine,(I have a beautiful bunch of crocuses,.. so pretty). you can get some that are so realistic you could never tell they were not fresh.
With the eggs this time of year the weather is cool enough to display your eggs in the kitchen in a nice ornate basket. Also those lovely ceramic eggs are normally brung to the fore in the cabinet.

Have fun sprucing up your enviroment for Spring