A Book of Shadows is the journal used by some practitioners of ritual magic to record rituals, spells, and their results, as well as other magical information. Both individuals and covens keep such books.

In traditional Wicca (such as the Gardnerian, Alexandrian, and similar traditions), the Book of Shadows is a text containing the rituals, practices, and wisdom of that tradition. It is copied by hand from that of one's initiator (High Priestess or Priest), who copied it from his or her initiator. The traditional material it contains may not be changed, although additions may be made. Some of the Wicca keep a personal Book of Shadows in addition to that of their tradition. This is typically for individual use and is not always passed on to one's initiates.

In newer forms of Wiccan or neo-pagan practice, the Book of Shadows is more often an individual or coven text, and is not a document of traditional material that is passed from teacher to student. In many cases, this kind of Book of Shadows is an electronic document (disk or website) instead of a hand-written one.

See also

• Neopaganism
• Wicca

External links

• Book Of Shadows in the Internet Sacred Texts Archive
• The Gardnerian Book Of Shadows
• The Avalonia Wiccan Book of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is also the sequel to the movie The Blair Witch Project.