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NEW Moon Magic Kit Available Now!

How to Make a Book of Shadows

Make Your Own Book of Shadows

Make Your Own Spellbook

Lesson 1: Book of Shadows

Your Book of Shadows (or Grimoire) is the most important tool in a witch's kit. It is a safe space to record your deepest thoughts and strongest intentions.

 

"This is your spellbook. Your friend. The keeper of your magic."

 

In here you will record your:

  • Spells
  • Recipes
  • Rituals
  • Research
  • & More


Occultish has partnered with Julia from @_witchy_juju to create these free downloadable pages which you can use for the first pages of your BOS. As well as your new syllabus for witch school.


Over the next few weeks, we will dive deeper into all of these concepts, ideas, and practices together. But please feel free to research at your own pace and keep your own notes. 

Book of Shadows Starter Kit

Book of Shadows Starter Kit

Download the Book of Shadows Starter Kit 

 

How  to  Make  a  Book  of  Shadows

A Book of Shadows is an essential tool for practicing your craft. Each book is imbued with the magic, intention and willpower of its creator. It is also where you will keep records of your spell work. 

Sometimes they include wisdom imparted from other witches, dream interpretations, online resources, or just daily life. It also documents spells, recipes, research, and rituals as a reference guide.  

There is no wrong way to make a Book of Shadows.

In your BOS, we will be able to track and record all of the lessons and course work we cover.

To help make this process easier (and free), I will be releasing a downloadable & printable BOS page to correspond with every course. 
 
 

How to Make Your First Book of Shadows

This part is relatively simple, but feel free to expand and get creative with your BOS. A lot of witches keep their spellbooks like a scrapbook, oftentimes printing out interesting pages or images about specific topics. 
  
How to Make a Spellbook

 

1. Get a notebook

You can use a notebook, journal or even a binder to start. We have these beautifully handcrafted journals available here. Feel free to use any notebook you have lying around. OR make your own using loose pieces of paper and ring binder. 
 

Different Page Ideas

  • Cover Page
  • Table of Contents
  • Witch's Guide
  • 13 Goals of a Witch
  • Tools of the Craft 
  • Simple Altar Layout
  • Earth, Air, Fire, Water - Elemental Wheel 
  • Moon Phases
  • Journal Entries
  • Holidays
  • Symbols, Sigils & Signs
  • Tarot Card Readings
  • Birth Chart
 
How to Make a Grimoire

 
2. Write Your Name & Your First Spell

Some witches write the Wiccan Rede, but I personally like to write my own versions of spells. I will also share my opening statement with you to give you an idea of what is possible.  (Feel free to copy this if you'd like!) My BOS starts with:

"As above, so below
Protect this book from wicked foe

Elements of earth, wind, water and fire
Fill this book with love and laughter.

Ancestors ancient and witches of olde
Help this witch achieve my goals.

As above, so below
Please protect me from things I don't know.
This book is mine
knowledge i built.
That it harm none,
do as thou wilt.

 So Mote it be."

Book of Shadows TopicsTypes of Magic

3. Topics of Interest

Organizing Your Spells, Rituals and Recipes can be complicated so you will want to plan the organization of your book before you get started documenting your journey into the magic arts.

Simple chronological marking or color-coding may do the trick for you, but for the more organized witch, dividing pages to make a table of contents might be the way to go. 

After you create your pages, note the page numbers next to the topics in your table of contents. You can also add an index at the end of your book.

Download the free pre-made table of contents to get started.
 
Please re-write this into your own journal or print this page out for yourself. 
 
(Photos from @witchy.books)
 

4. Decorate!

This is my favorite part.
  • Sew a charm into the book spine
  • Glue a collage of your favorite pictures to the front cover
  • Draw different symbols, signs or pictures that identify with you
  • Take as long as you need to start customizing your book of shadows.
There are a million ways to decorate and yours is unique to you!
 
 

Spellbook Cleansing Ritual
5. Cleansing

Now that your BOS is decorated, planned and protected. It is time to officially complete the seal and cleanse your new spellbook.

Book of Shadows Cleansing Ritual
  • Clear a space mentally and physically
  • Grab a candle or a smudge stick or your favorite crystal. (Or all three)
  • Lay your book on top of a piece of cloth 
  • (scarves, blankets, and tapestries will all work fine)
  • Light your candle / smudge stick
  • Arranging your items on your altar
  • Open to the first page
  • Rest your hand on top of your spellbook
  • Recite the opening incantation that you wrote in step 2
  • Reflect on what you want to achieve with your spiritual practice and the types of energy you want to call into your life
  • Say (or think) any closing words or intentions that you have
  • Blow out your candles and clean up your space

  

 

Book of Shadows Research Ideas
 

6. Start Researching

  • Paths of Witchcraft
  • Deities
  • Symbology
  • Sabbats
  • Moon Cycles
  • Altar Layouts
  • Casting a Circle
  • Five Elements
  • Crystals
  • Herbology
  • Spirit Animals
  • History & Lore
  • Shadow Work
  • Spirits
  • Runes & Sigils
  • Astrology
  • Spells
  • Familiars
  • Candle Magic
  • Potions 
  • Alchemy
  • Divination
  • Types of Witches
Please share any resources that you find with the coven on our Official Virtual Classroom.
 
 
Continue Your Witchcraft Journey

Continuing Your Witchcraft Training!

We will be covering as many topics as we can produce throughout this course, but there are also lots of witches that have already provided some incredibly valuable insight, so while you wait for our content...
  • Go out and explore the world first hand.
  • Take notes on everything
  • Be curious
  • Spark the magical flame inside you
  • Observe
  • Experiment
  • Learn from the natural order

Time to Get Witchy!

That's it! You've started making your very first spellbook (or maybe not). Please join the Occultish Virtual Classroom to share your ideas, thoughts, and questions with witches from around the world.  
 
 
 

Download the Book of Shadows Starter Kit

Download the Book of Shadows Starter Kit

Occultish has partnered with Julia from @_witchy_juju to provide you all with a downloadable and printable Book of Shadows complete with common pages, reusable templates and spells. These are great for people that want to create a beautiful and functional BOS from an experienced and very talented witch. 

Stay Wicked!

First time here? 

Join the Coven

 

Please e-mail any questions to occultishemporium@gmail.com

Back to Witchcraft School

16 comments

  • ChDautt

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  • Rachelle

    This is amazing and I am so thankful to see so many beautiful witches

  • Manouk

    Another baby witch here! Have been lowkey practicing for 2 years but never really put my full attention/intention to it. Making a BOS seemed very intimidating, but this was super helpful!

  • Jackie

    Thank you so much. I am looking forward to more!

  • Airi

    Thank you. I never thought about BOS… maybe it’s time to change it.
    Best wishes

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