| A Magical Journal also known as a Book of Shadows | | | | It is very important in all Magical workings, and |
| or Grimoire is a self written magical reference book | | | | particularly in Spell casting, to select the correct |
| containing (amongst other things) Magic Spells, rituals, | | | | ingredients that correspond to the outcome you are |
| potions and brews that you have tried and tested. | | | | aiming for. Carefully choosing the right herbs, coloured |
| A Book of Shadows is also a journal or diary of your | | | | candles or Moon phase timings will reap benefits in |
| spiritual journey. Most contain lists of correspondences, | | | | your Spell casting practice. So you will need to compile |
| dreams and aspirations and affirmations. | | | | tables or lists of correspondences. |
| In fact your Magical Journal can include whatever you | | | | Sabbats and Esbats |
| choose. It is YOUR Magical Journal so include | | | | A calendar of forthcoming Sabbat celebration dates is |
| whatever you like, but here are a few suggestions. | | | | important as you will keep note of where you are on |
| Witches Creed | | | | the Wheel of the Year. The significant eight dates that |
| Whatever your chosen path or tradition, whether | | | | include Samhain (Halloween), Yule and Beltane will |
| Wiccan, Pagan or Green Witch, you will need to hand | | | | need to be honoured and celebrated and you can then |
| write the Creed that you follow. This could be the | | | | schedule your rituals and Spell casting accordingly. |
| Wiccan Rede or a variation of it like the Rede of | | | | Of equal importance is a calendar of the forthcoming |
| Wiccae or the Witches Creed. Basically it is the ethics | | | | Moon phases. The full Moon dates, known as Esbats |
| or rules that Witches strive to live by. It is written in | | | | have particular significance for most Witches, so you'll |
| poetic form, and is the fundamental basis of the way a | | | | need to know exactly when they are due. Also the |
| Witch should strive to live their life. | | | | different phases of the Moon can affect the type of |
| Invariably the different version of the Witches Creed | | | | Magical workings you may conduct. The waxing Moon |
| are usually summed up in the same eight little words: | | | | phase is the perfect time for using your creativity and |
| "If it harms none, do what you will" | | | | being motivated to make positive changes in your life. |
| Although these words seem simple, and the sentence | | | | Put ideas into action and use your full energy to |
| they make up incredibly short, the instruction they give | | | | achieve some of the tasks you've been avoiding. |
| is very difficult to apply correctly to every aspect of | | | | Whereas the waning Moon phase is the best time to |
| daily life. Writing out the full version of the witches | | | | break bad habits or rid bad addictions and to sever |
| creed you follow in your Magical Journal will | | | | ties to bad relationships. |
| concentrate your mind on the meanings of the rules | | | | Herbal Lore |
| you try to life your life by. | | | | Keeping notes on herbs and plants and how you have |
| Magical Name | | | | used them to good effect can be entered into your |
| You should write in your Magical Journal your chosen | | | | Magical Journal. Herbs and plants are very powerful |
| Magical name and the reasons why you chose it. | | | | and many should not be ingested. So you need to |
| Again, having to put pen to paper and explain why you | | | | keep notes on any that are dangerous or poisonous |
| have chosen the name of, say, Artemis Mugwort as | | | | as well as those that are safe to make potions and |
| the name you use for any Magical workings focuses | | | | brews from. |
| the mind. | | | | It's nice to keep some herbal brew recipes that you |
| Carefully choosing a Magical name is an important | | | | find soothing and relaxing, or conversely exhilarating |
| step into choosing to live your life as a Witch. Your | | | | and active! |
| new Magical name is symbolic of you being "born" into | | | | Divination |
| a new life. It also helps you separate your old self from | | | | Record in your Magical Journal any divination |
| your newly chosen one. Traditionally, Witches would | | | | techniques that you are learning. Your experiences and |
| choose for themselves a secret or magical name. This | | | | notes on learning the Tarot, Runes or Scrying can be |
| was different than their given birth name and used | | | | recorded in your Magical Journal. Make notes of |
| when they conducted Magical workings. | | | | predictions you have made through divination, to look |
| Tables of Correspondences | | | | back on later. |
| The term "correspondences" refers to the appropriate | | | | Spell Casting |
| classification of many Spell ingredients such as herbs | | | | Keeping records of the type, ingredients, method and |
| and crystals, objects, timings, directions, days of the | | | | outcomes of particular Spells is an important element in |
| weeks, colours, emotions and qualities, etc. | | | | keeping a useful and functional Magical Journal. |