Ok...I'm really hoping this is the last time I post about this because I'm starting to annoy myself lol. I've gone back to an old note book that had maybe four pages written on (thankfully in pencil, but was a pain in the ass to erase).
I've decided I'm not going to be fancy about my book. I'm not going to do fancy decorations, fancy embellishments, creative fonts, colors, etc. My book is going to be about as basic as I can because at this point I'm never EVER going to create my book the way I want to. It's just not in the budget (and the creative outflow has way too many leaks).
My book I bought years ago. It's a rather thick, purple vinyl book with one silver book mark. I'm writing it out in pencil (I know a lot of people cringe at the thought of using a pencil because it can be hard to see in candle light, but frankly I don't work solely by candle light; I always have an over head light on), merely because when I make a mistake it's easier to erase it than to use white-out.
The only embellishments I'm adding to my book are some imagery that I'm printing off the computer. I have a history section, and it's including semi-historic photos. I'm also going to print off symbols to paste in appropriate places as I write, but like I said, it's going to be VERY basic, and nothing more than words.
I would love nothing more than to have as fancy a book as I see many people make out there, and show off on videos and in pictures, but it seems my creative forces are waning to nothing. I'm to the point where I just want a practical book, not something fancy. I just want the information that I can look up when I need it, as opposed to a book that's all antique and fancy like.
I may upload a pic or video of it later, but right now, it's in the very beginning stages and I've only added my history section (and right now it's just a bunch of words, I haven't put the pictures in yet). I have a LOT more information that needs to go into it yet before I show it off.
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**UPDATE**
This project is going a lot faster than I thought it would. I'm just not caring anymore about how it looks, not trying to make the letters picture perfect, not worrying about every little detail, I'm actually enjoying what I'm doing.
It's funny...a lot of the information I put into my book...if i were to write it down on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, I'd finish half the page, then put it aside for weeks on end, never finishing it...now I have 27 pages done. I'm so proud of myself. Naturally I'll worry about any kind of embellishment if I want later, but for now, I love how it's going...I almost can't wait to start working on it again.
I've finally just relaxed about the whole damned thing. I still get anxiety and apprehension about a few small things (like information on the pentagram, there's some other sources I wanted to include in there, but I'm not going to worry about it, and include it later on in the book).
I think that's my whole problem why I have so many half-filled books...my anxiety about putting more information in later that I think is important. I forget that not everything has to go together, and that it can indeed be a chaotic book. I can flip through the pages, make book marks, add flags if I need to. I have to realize that I have to STOP being so obsessive-compulsive about this book. It's not how it looks that's important but the information it contains!!!
It feels so good to just let loose about it. I promise, a little later I'll do a small video and show it off (because really, I'm not superstitious about it).
OH...By the way, this is my inspiration for the "relax and stop being obsessive-compulsive" attitude. I've never watched her videos before but her book certainly inspired me to stop worrying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z63G49t7PA
Discussing my thoughts on various topics
Showing posts with label Book of Shadows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book of Shadows. Show all posts
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Ugh...Frustrated!!!
It's eating away at me bit by bit. I have maybe 6 or 7 small notebooks sitting around my house with maybe 10 or 11 pages written on them (same thing over and over), and it's just NOT what I want!! This process is NOT working out!! GAAAHHHH!
My journey for the perfect BoS is getting more and more frustrating by the day. I think I really LOATHE hard bound books. I want my book to be set up in a certain, specific way (I already have the contents page completed and saved in a file on my portable hard drive). I just can't do that with a hard bound book, because I constantly think in the back of my mind that "what if I want to add to this section later?? I won't be able to if I don't leave some pages." and that means leaving a bunch of blank pages, and I hate the way it looks. It's right frustrating to constantly feel this way. I want something I can rearrange, but I can't seem to make the book itself come together! I also want it small so it's portable, because, now that the redesign of one of the parks I used to frequent is completed, I can go back there (albeit with a little less privacy than before considering they tore down a shit-load of bushes and trees, which made it utterly beautiful) and maybe do some workings on nice days (obviously when summer rolls around, considering the park is NOW under maybe a foot or two of snow).
I'm right unsure about what I want to do. I was seriously considering buying a binder-type organizer from Walmart because I can use a hole punch to punch out holes in some blank paper and stick it in there, but now I really don't know. Can I justify spending $29 for it?
Just while writing this another thought popped into my head...maybe using the screw posts I have to make a book using the roll of vinyl I stopped using, and some 9 x 12 artist canvas I can get from the dollar store. I have a TON of small post extenders and an extra 8.5 x 11 scrapbook with some pin heads in it that's being unused, but I found that the more extenders I used, the more flimsy the book got.
Ugh, this is SO frustrating!! I also JUST got my printer to start working again, so I might be able to print off some pictures to use, but the quality sucks really bad for some reason if I don't use photo paper (and I find photo paper to be too thick).
I'm seriously about ready to pull all my hair out of my head. This is getting ridiculous!
My journey for the perfect BoS is getting more and more frustrating by the day. I think I really LOATHE hard bound books. I want my book to be set up in a certain, specific way (I already have the contents page completed and saved in a file on my portable hard drive). I just can't do that with a hard bound book, because I constantly think in the back of my mind that "what if I want to add to this section later?? I won't be able to if I don't leave some pages." and that means leaving a bunch of blank pages, and I hate the way it looks. It's right frustrating to constantly feel this way. I want something I can rearrange, but I can't seem to make the book itself come together! I also want it small so it's portable, because, now that the redesign of one of the parks I used to frequent is completed, I can go back there (albeit with a little less privacy than before considering they tore down a shit-load of bushes and trees, which made it utterly beautiful) and maybe do some workings on nice days (obviously when summer rolls around, considering the park is NOW under maybe a foot or two of snow).
I'm right unsure about what I want to do. I was seriously considering buying a binder-type organizer from Walmart because I can use a hole punch to punch out holes in some blank paper and stick it in there, but now I really don't know. Can I justify spending $29 for it?
Just while writing this another thought popped into my head...maybe using the screw posts I have to make a book using the roll of vinyl I stopped using, and some 9 x 12 artist canvas I can get from the dollar store. I have a TON of small post extenders and an extra 8.5 x 11 scrapbook with some pin heads in it that's being unused, but I found that the more extenders I used, the more flimsy the book got.
Ugh, this is SO frustrating!! I also JUST got my printer to start working again, so I might be able to print off some pictures to use, but the quality sucks really bad for some reason if I don't use photo paper (and I find photo paper to be too thick).
I'm seriously about ready to pull all my hair out of my head. This is getting ridiculous!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
"Book of Shadows circa 1639"
I really wanna pick apart this post because 1) I'm not a part of the group it originated on, so I can't input my own comment on how ridiculous it is, and 2) because I can.
Now the summary. There's a young girl, judging from her picture, perhaps in her late teens, who claims she found a Book of Shadows from around 1639 at a library. There's a fishy smell to this entire post, and subsequent posts made from this user. I'll start from the beginning.
BIG RED FLUFFY FLAG ALERT #1
"i found a book that it was looking very old and like a journal...but i realized that it was [a] book of shadows...it started in march 1639"
--So, this girl finds a book and not only claims it's from 1639, but also that it's a book of shadows. Clarification #1. The book of shadows didn't come into existence until about the 1940's-50's. It was a compilation of information pertinent to Gardner and his newly formed religious tradition. The last known reference to even the phrase "Book of Shadows" before it's association to Wicca, was from an article he once read, and it wasn't discussing a magical book of spells and rituals. IF...there was a "book of shadows" type book in 1639, it wouldn't be called a "Book of Shadows"...so if this book is indeed titled "Book of Shadows", then that's big fluffy red flag #2, and that's where more stink of bs comes from.
BRFFA #3
"she was e really bad witch and bad person"
--Well, reference to this "really bad witch and person" would be nice, other than hearsay...I could say Glinda was a bad Witch, but there's no reference saying she was. As far as I can tell this person took a random name of someone ACCUSED of Witchcraft...in Sweden, pasted her poor name to a ridiculous post and turned her into some evil figure. How do we know this "Anna Eriksdotter" was a bad witch and person, I've never heard of her?!??
BRFFA #4
"i felt like it was bad energy and it brought it nack to the library...i came home and i found it on my bed"
--Aside from this person's terrible spelling, the logical conclusion I make (because I'm logical despite practicing a mysterious craft) is that she brought the wrong book back to the library. Now, if I were to make this assumption on this group in the thread, I would have been bombarded with NO NO NO I BROUGHT THIS BAD, EVIL BOOK BACK TO THE LIBRARY AND IT TELEPORTED BACK TO MY ROOM!!! Who are you trying to convince? Me? You lost me at "book of shadows 1639".
BRFFA #5
Another poster, seemingly trying to justify this ridiculous post, offer's HER solution:
"burn it
if the library has an issue then pay the fee but burn it" etc.
First of all, if it's a library book, absolutely they will have an issue with it, and I'm sure it would be quite the hefty fine to pay for destruction of public property, considering it's a book for public viewing. Secondly, not only would this girl have to pay a fine to the library, she could ALSO be charged criminally. Destruction of something that is not yours can become a criminal offense...she could land in jail (though I think that would be a bit much over a book). Thirdly, this would be a HISTORICAL book. I'm not sure why the library allowed her to check it out in the first place. Unless it's a copy of a book that has been re-copied numerous times, libraries do not allow historical documents to leave the premises...so if this is the only book from 1639, and this girl took the book home, then she stole it and that's another criminal matter, on top of attempted destruction of public property. Oh the charges are building up here!
BRFFA #6
"i tried to burn it cu this was the first thought...but it can't be burned"
--A book that cannot be burned. Really now. Is it bound with human flesh and tied together with human tendons too???
--Now this is where things get interesting. The first line of her post reads:
"yesterday i went to the library...i found a book that it was very old..."
Now she says:
"it wasn't a book in the library"
--Then where did she get it from? The back alley way? Oh it unravles...
"i threw it in the river and it keeps showing"
--This girl really ought to be a story writer because she's good at fiction
What I find ridiculous is that this girl is adamant that she's right. I mean...does she need meds? Is she schizophrenic? and does she also have memory problems?
The thread is quite humorous...I'd read the responses while it's still up. The hole keeps being dug deeper and deeper.
I know, I know, drama, drama. But I have little excitement in my life. I was entertained by the last dramatic posting on this site, but the user I believe has since been banned or just plain left. They say on this group that PaganSpace is known for their teenage drama, but I've been a member of PaganSpace for a number of years and I haven't seen half as many "dramatic" posts as I have on Wiccan Together, so I think the comment is unfounded; but please paruse the thread, it's entertaining if not sad lol
Now the summary. There's a young girl, judging from her picture, perhaps in her late teens, who claims she found a Book of Shadows from around 1639 at a library. There's a fishy smell to this entire post, and subsequent posts made from this user. I'll start from the beginning.
BIG RED FLUFFY FLAG ALERT #1
"i found a book that it was looking very old and like a journal...but i realized that it was [a] book of shadows...it started in march 1639"
--So, this girl finds a book and not only claims it's from 1639, but also that it's a book of shadows. Clarification #1. The book of shadows didn't come into existence until about the 1940's-50's. It was a compilation of information pertinent to Gardner and his newly formed religious tradition. The last known reference to even the phrase "Book of Shadows" before it's association to Wicca, was from an article he once read, and it wasn't discussing a magical book of spells and rituals. IF...there was a "book of shadows" type book in 1639, it wouldn't be called a "Book of Shadows"...so if this book is indeed titled "Book of Shadows", then that's big fluffy red flag #2, and that's where more stink of bs comes from.
BRFFA #3
"she was e really bad witch and bad person"
--Well, reference to this "really bad witch and person" would be nice, other than hearsay...I could say Glinda was a bad Witch, but there's no reference saying she was. As far as I can tell this person took a random name of someone ACCUSED of Witchcraft...in Sweden, pasted her poor name to a ridiculous post and turned her into some evil figure. How do we know this "Anna Eriksdotter" was a bad witch and person, I've never heard of her?!??
BRFFA #4
"i felt like it was bad energy and it brought it nack to the library...i came home and i found it on my bed"
--Aside from this person's terrible spelling, the logical conclusion I make (because I'm logical despite practicing a mysterious craft) is that she brought the wrong book back to the library. Now, if I were to make this assumption on this group in the thread, I would have been bombarded with NO NO NO I BROUGHT THIS BAD, EVIL BOOK BACK TO THE LIBRARY AND IT TELEPORTED BACK TO MY ROOM!!! Who are you trying to convince? Me? You lost me at "book of shadows 1639".
BRFFA #5
Another poster, seemingly trying to justify this ridiculous post, offer's HER solution:
"burn it
if the library has an issue then pay the fee but burn it" etc.
First of all, if it's a library book, absolutely they will have an issue with it, and I'm sure it would be quite the hefty fine to pay for destruction of public property, considering it's a book for public viewing. Secondly, not only would this girl have to pay a fine to the library, she could ALSO be charged criminally. Destruction of something that is not yours can become a criminal offense...she could land in jail (though I think that would be a bit much over a book). Thirdly, this would be a HISTORICAL book. I'm not sure why the library allowed her to check it out in the first place. Unless it's a copy of a book that has been re-copied numerous times, libraries do not allow historical documents to leave the premises...so if this is the only book from 1639, and this girl took the book home, then she stole it and that's another criminal matter, on top of attempted destruction of public property. Oh the charges are building up here!
BRFFA #6
"i tried to burn it cu this was the first thought...but it can't be burned"
--A book that cannot be burned. Really now. Is it bound with human flesh and tied together with human tendons too???
--Now this is where things get interesting. The first line of her post reads:
"yesterday i went to the library...i found a book that it was very old..."
Now she says:
"it wasn't a book in the library"
--Then where did she get it from? The back alley way? Oh it unravles...
"i threw it in the river and it keeps showing"
--This girl really ought to be a story writer because she's good at fiction
What I find ridiculous is that this girl is adamant that she's right. I mean...does she need meds? Is she schizophrenic? and does she also have memory problems?
The thread is quite humorous...I'd read the responses while it's still up. The hole keeps being dug deeper and deeper.
I know, I know, drama, drama. But I have little excitement in my life. I was entertained by the last dramatic posting on this site, but the user I believe has since been banned or just plain left. They say on this group that PaganSpace is known for their teenage drama, but I've been a member of PaganSpace for a number of years and I haven't seen half as many "dramatic" posts as I have on Wiccan Together, so I think the comment is unfounded; but please paruse the thread, it's entertaining if not sad lol
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Uh Oh...
I'm not disappointed in my smash book at all...I'm pretty proud of how it's progressing. However, I'm thinking it might be a bit too small for what I want it to do. I'm not talking about not enough pages...there's more than enough pages to do what I want, but the size of the pages is what's too small.
Ok, yeah, I've been searching around the internet getting more inspired. I love the practical magic book of shadows...FAR more than the Charmed book. The PM (Owens) book looks so much more like a legit book a Witch would use, as opposed to the Charmed book, which looks like just a bunch of random incantations, amid art work.
I want a book like the Owens book, and I think the only way to accomplish that would be to have a bigger book with larger pages. I would by all means make it in the same way I'm making my smaller notebook, but on a larger scale.
I think I'll keep making my small notebook Smash book of shadows...that'll make it portable...but I think when I get some more money (ugh, it's always about money) I'll buy myself a larger sketchbook or something along those lines and start again.
I'm kind of running out of ideas though. I might save the "Amas Veritas" website, because it has screenshots of the Owens book, and I might be able to be inspired further. Maybe it'll help me with my block.
Ok, yeah, I've been searching around the internet getting more inspired. I love the practical magic book of shadows...FAR more than the Charmed book. The PM (Owens) book looks so much more like a legit book a Witch would use, as opposed to the Charmed book, which looks like just a bunch of random incantations, amid art work.
I want a book like the Owens book, and I think the only way to accomplish that would be to have a bigger book with larger pages. I would by all means make it in the same way I'm making my smaller notebook, but on a larger scale.
I think I'll keep making my small notebook Smash book of shadows...that'll make it portable...but I think when I get some more money (ugh, it's always about money) I'll buy myself a larger sketchbook or something along those lines and start again.
I'm kind of running out of ideas though. I might save the "Amas Veritas" website, because it has screenshots of the Owens book, and I might be able to be inspired further. Maybe it'll help me with my block.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Creating a Page
I'm going to create my own style of page to add to my smash book. It'll be a background page. I've seen this almost-exact design somewhere, but for the life of me, I cannot find it. It happens every time I want to find something...you know, to give credit for where I get my inspiration, so if anyone see's something that looks similar to what I'm about to show, PLEASE let me know! :)
(Eta: I found it here : http://faula.tumblr.com/post/5159122373
Now, My book is your typical notebook, so the pages are half the size of typical 8.5 x 11 paper. What I did to make a background page was to:
1) Open Word document. Adjusted the page by changing it to a landscape mode and book fold. Also changed margins to "0.5" all around
2) Open Google Chrome (or whatever other search engine you use)
3) Searched "Pagan Scriptures" (because I'm too lazy to find my portable drive and copy it from there lol)
4) Copied a few chapters and pasted to my Word document.
5) Changed the font to a slanted handwriting style ("beautiful ES" font)
6) Went back to Google Chrome and searched "Goddess Symbol" in Images
7) Copied desired "Goddess Symbol" and pasted it to my Word document
8) Formatted picture by changing the Layout to "Behind Text" and "Center"; Changed picture to "Washout".
This is what I have so far:
My plan now is to experiment by creating an aged look...not by using the coffee/tea method (because I find it doesn't create the effect I want), but by watering down some brown paint, and allowing the page to dry, before I print. I'm hoping it will work. Be sure to check for updates.
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UPDATE
I tried to update yesterday, but for some reason my iPad wouldn't let me, so I'm doing this now.
I forgot to give a shoutout to "Mandi See" of the YouTube channel "TheShoeWhisperer", who in one of her BoS making videos, showed how she colored her pages, and she painted as well, hence where I got my inspiration. I like to show my appreciation to my inspirations, so this is one of them.
Her "How to make pages" vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1jOxCrX1tw
I'm done with numerous pages in my "Smash" Book of Shadows, but I'm really, REALLY proud of three of them.
The first page I'm proud of is my page on Runes. I used a purple background, printed off the title "Runes" on to some card, and colored the letters with brown marker-pen, Then I made a pocket. I was going to make flaps, in which I wrote the information, but determined it would have taken up, like, four pages in my book, and I really didn't want that. So I made a pocket with some scrapbook paper, and I'm really proud of it. The "flaps" (I had pre-made), I'm going to stick into the pocket so I can randomly choose a rune, complete with information on it. Brilliant!
The second and third pages are on my numbers. I painted some paper yesterday (it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted, but it's a work in progress), and glued it to the front and back sides of my book page, and applied information on numbers, from 1-9, 13, 15, 21 and 28. I love how they look, and I'm so proud of myself for them. I really hope I can continue with this creative streak. I still have to apply the information on the runes, but I'll do that later.
I also have a page on Stones I have to do next...not sure how I'm going to do that yet.
(Eta: I found it here : http://faula.tumblr.com/post/5159122373
Now, My book is your typical notebook, so the pages are half the size of typical 8.5 x 11 paper. What I did to make a background page was to:
1) Open Word document. Adjusted the page by changing it to a landscape mode and book fold. Also changed margins to "0.5" all around
2) Open Google Chrome (or whatever other search engine you use)
3) Searched "Pagan Scriptures" (because I'm too lazy to find my portable drive and copy it from there lol)
4) Copied a few chapters and pasted to my Word document.
5) Changed the font to a slanted handwriting style ("beautiful ES" font)
6) Went back to Google Chrome and searched "Goddess Symbol" in Images
7) Copied desired "Goddess Symbol" and pasted it to my Word document
8) Formatted picture by changing the Layout to "Behind Text" and "Center"; Changed picture to "Washout".
This is what I have so far:
I then saved the program to my desktop so that I can print it out later.
My plan now is to experiment by creating an aged look...not by using the coffee/tea method (because I find it doesn't create the effect I want), but by watering down some brown paint, and allowing the page to dry, before I print. I'm hoping it will work. Be sure to check for updates.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE
I tried to update yesterday, but for some reason my iPad wouldn't let me, so I'm doing this now.
I forgot to give a shoutout to "Mandi See" of the YouTube channel "TheShoeWhisperer", who in one of her BoS making videos, showed how she colored her pages, and she painted as well, hence where I got my inspiration. I like to show my appreciation to my inspirations, so this is one of them.
Her "How to make pages" vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1jOxCrX1tw
I'm done with numerous pages in my "Smash" Book of Shadows, but I'm really, REALLY proud of three of them.
The first page I'm proud of is my page on Runes. I used a purple background, printed off the title "Runes" on to some card, and colored the letters with brown marker-pen, Then I made a pocket. I was going to make flaps, in which I wrote the information, but determined it would have taken up, like, four pages in my book, and I really didn't want that. So I made a pocket with some scrapbook paper, and I'm really proud of it. The "flaps" (I had pre-made), I'm going to stick into the pocket so I can randomly choose a rune, complete with information on it. Brilliant!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Book of Shadows: Final Stage???
Ugh, I myself almost feel tired of this topic...perhaps only because of the frustrating nature that is creating the perfect book of shadows. I'm really hoping this is the end of my search.
I've decided to create two books for myself. One a working book that will contain nothing more than immediate needed information (complete with decoration...almost a practical magic style book), and another detailed informational book (I can see that one growing quite large, like my last book detailed book).
I've gotten some good inspiration for both books. I've taken screen-shots and saved imagery from books that have inspired me (I'll link below to what inspires me), and I have one website saved that has an extensive contents listing (I'll link that one too), that I think may be appropriate for me at this point in my path.
I think what I might do (and I hate it when I say this..."I think" and "I should" are always procrastinating phrases for me, for some reason), is progress VERY slowly with my working book...decorate on an as needed basis or when inspiration arises, and simply work on my detailed book.
I have things planned a bit, with my working book. When I see something inspirational I save it to a special file on my computer, so I can print it out later. I also plan to perhaps purchase some old nature magazines if not scan some images from the Pagan magazines I currently own to print.
As for my detailed book, I have the listing all typed out...not sure if I'm going to omit anything or not...at this point.
I may update as things progress, but for now things are only in initial planning stages.
Links of inspiration
http://naturalwitchlife.blogspot.ca/p/daily-grimoirebos-pictures.html (took me forever to find it again lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSW9SU0vX2w
Ma’iingan
I've decided to create two books for myself. One a working book that will contain nothing more than immediate needed information (complete with decoration...almost a practical magic style book), and another detailed informational book (I can see that one growing quite large, like my last book detailed book).
I've gotten some good inspiration for both books. I've taken screen-shots and saved imagery from books that have inspired me (I'll link below to what inspires me), and I have one website saved that has an extensive contents listing (I'll link that one too), that I think may be appropriate for me at this point in my path.
I think what I might do (and I hate it when I say this..."I think" and "I should" are always procrastinating phrases for me, for some reason), is progress VERY slowly with my working book...decorate on an as needed basis or when inspiration arises, and simply work on my detailed book.
I have things planned a bit, with my working book. When I see something inspirational I save it to a special file on my computer, so I can print it out later. I also plan to perhaps purchase some old nature magazines if not scan some images from the Pagan magazines I currently own to print.
As for my detailed book, I have the listing all typed out...not sure if I'm going to omit anything or not...at this point.
I may update as things progress, but for now things are only in initial planning stages.
Links of inspiration
http://naturalwitchlife.blogspot.ca/p/daily-grimoirebos-pictures.html (took me forever to find it again lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSW9SU0vX2w
Ma’iingan
Monday, September 10, 2012
Portable BMW
Finally finished...my "Book of Modern Witchcraft"
The cover...I used thin card...typical for scrapbooking
The inside cover, title page
Sample page showing double-sided print...information on the Pentacle
This will be my book that I cart around with me everywhere. I'm hoping for the construction at the park in the next town is finished so that I might return with my book.
Ma’iingan
Thursday, September 6, 2012
"The Book of Modern Witchcraft"
I've created a new...book of shadows, so to say, but I'm not calling it a "Book of Shadows". I'm tired of the term, it's too cliche. I wanted a better title for my book, so I'm calling it "The Book of Modern Witchcraft: As Dictated by Ma'iingan".
It'll contain most of the same information as a typical book of shadows, but it'll look like your typical book. It's all printed out (I've FINALLY figured out how to print double-sided on my printer), sewn together, I just now have to find some glue (my clever little kids have hidden it on me). I'm going to recycle a cover I had made a mistake on (it's a practical-magic style cover that I didn't properly measure on). I'm not going to have triple covers, just a front and back. It'll be brown leather (as that's what I used). Maybe...I'll add embellishments...I'm hoping I can get a silver pen and maybe write the title on the cover and on the spine in Theban.
I'm glad I was able to make this book. I've wanted a book that I can carry around with me...but one that I don't have to hand-write in. Let's face it, I can't stand hand writing everything anymore. In a bare-bones basic book, like a binder, handwriting is ok...but in a book I want to revere as something integral to my path, I want it to look...a little more professional (hey...it's MY book).
It'll be so much easier to conduct ritual using a much smaller book than a binder. One of the main reasons I wanted a smaller book was so that I don't have to teeter a large binder in one hand and cast a circle with the other; balance a large book in one hand and call in the directions with the other. I want full use of my hands while I work, while also being able to read it and not have it take up my entire altar (and it'll fit nicely in my purse, so I'll be able to take it with me everywhere I go).
Now that I'm thinking of it, having a small book I can now purchase a small plate holder to hold my book on my altar...Hmm...the mind keeps wandering as I write. Amazing how that happens. I also may need to find some soft meditative music to put in my iPod to play in the background, but I can find that on YouTube.
I so want a ritual room of my own. Seems like every time there's a small bit of space somewhere, it gets taken up by something else. I've seen so many ritual rooms that are so impressive that I want one of my own. I especially love "TheShoeWhisperer"'s room she's shown YouTube. It's a purple room, and very beautiful. Check it out.
I'll add pics of my book later when I'm done, but again, I'm using the same techniques shown by "BaronessNZ" on YouTube, I mentioned in "The Book of Shadows Complete" page above. Very simple and rather sturdy (especially if you use cheap artist canvas boards for the covers)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Update**
Well, it seems fate is against me here...I will NOT be using the cover I had, that I had made the mistake with. My book is too thick for one side, and too thin for the other, and for the life of me I cannot pry the "leather" apart from the "canvas board".
Oh well, I suppose I must make other arrangements".
Ma’iingan
It'll contain most of the same information as a typical book of shadows, but it'll look like your typical book. It's all printed out (I've FINALLY figured out how to print double-sided on my printer), sewn together, I just now have to find some glue (my clever little kids have hidden it on me). I'm going to recycle a cover I had made a mistake on (it's a practical-magic style cover that I didn't properly measure on). I'm not going to have triple covers, just a front and back. It'll be brown leather (as that's what I used). Maybe...I'll add embellishments...I'm hoping I can get a silver pen and maybe write the title on the cover and on the spine in Theban.
I'm glad I was able to make this book. I've wanted a book that I can carry around with me...but one that I don't have to hand-write in. Let's face it, I can't stand hand writing everything anymore. In a bare-bones basic book, like a binder, handwriting is ok...but in a book I want to revere as something integral to my path, I want it to look...a little more professional (hey...it's MY book).
It'll be so much easier to conduct ritual using a much smaller book than a binder. One of the main reasons I wanted a smaller book was so that I don't have to teeter a large binder in one hand and cast a circle with the other; balance a large book in one hand and call in the directions with the other. I want full use of my hands while I work, while also being able to read it and not have it take up my entire altar (and it'll fit nicely in my purse, so I'll be able to take it with me everywhere I go).
Now that I'm thinking of it, having a small book I can now purchase a small plate holder to hold my book on my altar...Hmm...the mind keeps wandering as I write. Amazing how that happens. I also may need to find some soft meditative music to put in my iPod to play in the background, but I can find that on YouTube.
I so want a ritual room of my own. Seems like every time there's a small bit of space somewhere, it gets taken up by something else. I've seen so many ritual rooms that are so impressive that I want one of my own. I especially love "TheShoeWhisperer"'s room she's shown YouTube. It's a purple room, and very beautiful. Check it out.
I'll add pics of my book later when I'm done, but again, I'm using the same techniques shown by "BaronessNZ" on YouTube, I mentioned in "The Book of Shadows Complete" page above. Very simple and rather sturdy (especially if you use cheap artist canvas boards for the covers)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Update**
Well, it seems fate is against me here...I will NOT be using the cover I had, that I had made the mistake with. My book is too thick for one side, and too thin for the other, and for the life of me I cannot pry the "leather" apart from the "canvas board".
Oh well, I suppose I must make other arrangements".
Ma’iingan
Friday, May 11, 2012
Perfect Pages
Not sure how many people have gone over to see my new blog "Ma'iingan's Crafts", but I thought I'd share my pages I have shared over there that I am going to put into a new Book of Shadows. I think (hopefully) I have finally gotten the pages I have been longing for. It includes imagery from the Charmed book of shadows, but contains MY information, and is on a parchment type background so I think it looks good. Here's a tiny sampling:
I think they turned out REALLY well. I'm most proud of my dedication page. I just love how it turned out. I do believe, in total I have over 45 pages created on various topics from correspondence, to prayers, to general information...all done in this fashion, using borders from the Charmed book. I'm so proud of my accomplishments. Today...is printing day, I'll take a pic when they're all printed out and placed in my (temporary) book (when I feel ready, I'm going to make a cover for it...I'm thinking of another practical magic-style book).
IM GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson Learned 1) Next time purchase parchment paper...saves on ink lol.
Here's my book. Now bear with me, it's a work in progress, and took me about half a month to get this far.
Mind you, the binder it's in is only temporary until I make the cover...the page protectors might be permanent though...haven't thought that far yet. I'm thinking of ribbon binding the book, so whether I use page protectors or not really doesn't matter, because I can just undo the ribbons and start again.
Ma’iingan
I think they turned out REALLY well. I'm most proud of my dedication page. I just love how it turned out. I do believe, in total I have over 45 pages created on various topics from correspondence, to prayers, to general information...all done in this fashion, using borders from the Charmed book. I'm so proud of my accomplishments. Today...is printing day, I'll take a pic when they're all printed out and placed in my (temporary) book (when I feel ready, I'm going to make a cover for it...I'm thinking of another practical magic-style book).
IM GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson Learned 1) Next time purchase parchment paper...saves on ink lol.
Here's my book. Now bear with me, it's a work in progress, and took me about half a month to get this far.
Mind you, the binder it's in is only temporary until I make the cover...the page protectors might be permanent though...haven't thought that far yet. I'm thinking of ribbon binding the book, so whether I use page protectors or not really doesn't matter, because I can just undo the ribbons and start again.
Ma’iingan
Friday, March 9, 2012
Why is the Book of Shadows called a "Book of Shadows"
Gerald Gardner created the first book of shadows, roughly at the end of the 1940's or early beginnings of the 1950's. During that time, the last of the laws against Witchcraft were just being repealed or made no longer illegal.
However, just because it was no longer illegal for someone to practice Witchcraft, that didn't mean that one was immediately safe to begin openly practicing Witchcraft. There were still people who greatly feared Witches, believing them to be the malevolent, evil people who bring nothing but harm and demise to anyone they encounter, as they were portrayed to be. Should information or documentation relating to Witchcraft fall into the wrong hands, one was STILL in great danger...no not from the law, but from private citizens who may not have agreed that Witchcraft was no longer illegal, and may take matters into their own hands.
If one were to look at Gardner's "161 Ardanes", one could see that (because it was written in the early days of Wicca) privacy and safety were a great concern to him. Keeping information private was a main goal for ANYONE in Gardner's tradition.
So, because the information and records were to be kept secret...Gardner (discovering the phrase in an article somewhere) designed a "Book of Shadows" in which to store information. Whether he wrote it in his native language, or in another type of script, that's unknown...but keeping the information secret or "in the shadows" was a big thing.
Looking at the Ardanes, number's 50-60 discuss the importance of keeping your book 1) yours and 2) very secretive; and emphasizes what he believed would happen should the book fall into the hands of the "enemy"...to use his words.
The book of shadows is called such, simply because the information was to remain in the "shadows" and remain secretive. Today we no longer have to worry about the things Gardner had to worry about when he created his Book of Shadows...today we can openly share our books of shadows with no worry about torture or death...however a new problem arises: the naive teenager misunderstanding the true nature of a Book of Shadows...but that's a topic from a different blog-post.
Ma’iingan
However, just because it was no longer illegal for someone to practice Witchcraft, that didn't mean that one was immediately safe to begin openly practicing Witchcraft. There were still people who greatly feared Witches, believing them to be the malevolent, evil people who bring nothing but harm and demise to anyone they encounter, as they were portrayed to be. Should information or documentation relating to Witchcraft fall into the wrong hands, one was STILL in great danger...no not from the law, but from private citizens who may not have agreed that Witchcraft was no longer illegal, and may take matters into their own hands.
If one were to look at Gardner's "161 Ardanes", one could see that (because it was written in the early days of Wicca) privacy and safety were a great concern to him. Keeping information private was a main goal for ANYONE in Gardner's tradition.
So, because the information and records were to be kept secret...Gardner (discovering the phrase in an article somewhere) designed a "Book of Shadows" in which to store information. Whether he wrote it in his native language, or in another type of script, that's unknown...but keeping the information secret or "in the shadows" was a big thing.
Looking at the Ardanes, number's 50-60 discuss the importance of keeping your book 1) yours and 2) very secretive; and emphasizes what he believed would happen should the book fall into the hands of the "enemy"...to use his words.
The book of shadows is called such, simply because the information was to remain in the "shadows" and remain secretive. Today we no longer have to worry about the things Gardner had to worry about when he created his Book of Shadows...today we can openly share our books of shadows with no worry about torture or death...however a new problem arises: the naive teenager misunderstanding the true nature of a Book of Shadows...but that's a topic from a different blog-post.
Ma’iingan
Thursday, January 26, 2012
BoS Evolution: Take 2
Whew...it's been a while since I discussed a Book of Shadows. I've been trying reeeeeeeeeeaaalllyy hard not to discuss my favorite topic too much to detract people from being tired of it lol. I love Books of Shadows. I do. I'm so fascinated with the construction of just the book itself...and putting stuff into it, it's just a wonderful resource, I don't understand how people can get overwhelmed. I love them.
Anyways...I wanted to talk about it's evolution again. While I have discussed before how it's gone from such a taboo subject to a rather open one, I want to talk about mere cover design. I'm loving now how many people get so creative with just the cover itself. Not only do people go with the basic black design of the book itself...people are going with wild designs. I think this is awesome!!
Not only for the mere fact that it looks nice...but it keeps the book mundane, so that if you were to place it on a book shelf in plain view, NO ONE WILL KNOW IT'S A BOOK OF SHADOWS!! Sorry...I had to make that big to emphasize the point.
People are so creative, not only do people who make their own book or decorate their own book, make them look antique and old, but they also make them trendy and fashionable. I just recently saw a very new video posted on YouTube of a young woman's book of shadows and the cover was amazing. Kind of a splattered paint (I think it was black, white and red...the black being the dominant color...maybe another color or two in there somewhere). I loved it. Another video showed a young woman's book with a clothed pattern that had little sparkles added to them. It was so nice, I would have actually bought it if I could have. It was beautiful.
There's nothing wrong with going with basic black for your cover if that's what you want. Black is a great color, as it's absorbing of energies...so negativity can bounce off of it. However, there's much to be said about color and design when it comes to your book as well. Don't be afraid to use color. Paint your cover, use markers, add symbols and decoration; Add beads and charms to the cover...bedazzle the hell out of it, because your Book of Shadows is a reflection of YOU. Your path, your traits, your personality; Your thoughts, your feelings, your experiences. Make the book as much a part of you as your left arm lol.
Go crazy with designs. Have fun with it!
(sorry, just had to, lol)
Ma’iingan
Um...if you want to see the books I mentioned above...here are the links:
Wild and funky
Clothed flower-y design
Anyways...I wanted to talk about it's evolution again. While I have discussed before how it's gone from such a taboo subject to a rather open one, I want to talk about mere cover design. I'm loving now how many people get so creative with just the cover itself. Not only do people go with the basic black design of the book itself...people are going with wild designs. I think this is awesome!!
Not only for the mere fact that it looks nice...but it keeps the book mundane, so that if you were to place it on a book shelf in plain view, NO ONE WILL KNOW IT'S A BOOK OF SHADOWS!! Sorry...I had to make that big to emphasize the point.
People are so creative, not only do people who make their own book or decorate their own book, make them look antique and old, but they also make them trendy and fashionable. I just recently saw a very new video posted on YouTube of a young woman's book of shadows and the cover was amazing. Kind of a splattered paint (I think it was black, white and red...the black being the dominant color...maybe another color or two in there somewhere). I loved it. Another video showed a young woman's book with a clothed pattern that had little sparkles added to them. It was so nice, I would have actually bought it if I could have. It was beautiful.
There's nothing wrong with going with basic black for your cover if that's what you want. Black is a great color, as it's absorbing of energies...so negativity can bounce off of it. However, there's much to be said about color and design when it comes to your book as well. Don't be afraid to use color. Paint your cover, use markers, add symbols and decoration; Add beads and charms to the cover...bedazzle the hell out of it, because your Book of Shadows is a reflection of YOU. Your path, your traits, your personality; Your thoughts, your feelings, your experiences. Make the book as much a part of you as your left arm lol.
Go crazy with designs. Have fun with it!
(sorry, just had to, lol)
Ma’iingan
Um...if you want to see the books I mentioned above...here are the links:
Wild and funky
Clothed flower-y design
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Page Designs
I'm going to show you how you can use Charmed pages for your own Book and information. I'm in the attempts to make a personal grimoire (as opposed to a BoS), and thought I'd share my pages with you all.
Here are examples of what my book will look like. Enjoy :)
You will note that the written text-block is kinda fuzzy looking. That was on purpose as one's Grimoire/BoS's information is rather private and I don't really want people to see what's written out.
Click on the pics to get a better view!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Oh Too Simple Book Jacket
Have a Pagan/Wiccan/Witchy type book you don't want people to see? How about a spiral bound journal you use as a BoS you want to spruce up; Or even your Book of Mirrors or plain journal. I have THEE Super Simple solution for you!
**Book Jackets!**
I can understand some people not being as creative to create a whole book on their own, yet want a pretty cover for their book of shadows; or something to hide their witchy books as they read. It's so simple. Here's how.
Measure your book. Measure the height, width and thickness of your book and maybe add maybe a half an inch more to all three. Add 3 1/4 of an inch length for both the back and front for your cover to slide into. Superglue as close to the edge of the material (cloth, vinyl, leather, whatever you choose) as you can on the 3 1/4 inch extra material, fold it over and wait to dry. Slide your book in and voilà!!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Book War: BoS vs Grimoire
There are a lot of people out there who like to interchange terms. Most recognizably, people interchanging Wicca and Witchcraft, and Pentacle and Pentagram, but those are not the only terms that are interchanged by (at least) novice occultists, particlarly Witches and Wiccans (those who generally use the item I am about to discuss). Grimoires and Books of Shadows are interchanged almost as much as Wicca and Witchcraft.
Let us discuss the differences and contents of each.
We all know what goes into a Book of Shadows. I think throughout this blog I've discussed it enough, that my readers should pretty much know...basic things like spells and rituals, but also useful information like history, journals, corresponding information, etc. It's in a sense an all-purpose book, to store all your information that you think is important for your path (and rightly so. It's not like we can all afford a big filing cabinet to store our information, nor are all of us able to accommodate such a structure, especially if some of us are "hiding" our practices from outsiders. A book of shadows is much more portable AND hidable, especially from prying eyes).
The Grimoire is more of a specified, practical book. It's geared to basically one purpose: practice. In a Grimoire you don't store journals, history, poems and jokes, feelings and fears...you store your personalized spells and rituals, ceremonies and preparations for each practice. Think of it as a spell book, but including more practices than just spells.
Just as there is a distinct difference between Wicca and Witchcraft, there is also a distinct difference between a Grimoire and a Book of Shadows. While both are used in either practice of Wicca or Witchcraft (or even practices outside those two systems should the need drive an individual), they are not one in the same book. One is geared to something specific, one isn't.
Friday, July 22, 2011
All Done: "Ouroboros" Book of Shadows
It's Done!!! My Book is Done!
Overall thickness of book: 4 inches!!!
(Click pictures for a closer look)
Overall thickness of book: 4 inches!!!
(Click pictures for a closer look)
Flaws:
I think I want to make a smaller one now. While I had fun making it, it was also a "cursed" task, as I call it. Too many times did I have to get more superglue, as shown above, a slit in the side, superglue on the front cover, too many interruptions...not sure if I want to consider this a success or not. The book is made, but I'm not really happy with some of it.
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