Welcome to Gaia! ::

You may be wondering where in the world to start. Perhaps a lot of what is being told is going in one ear and out the other.
First of all, DO NOT be afraid to ask questions, as this is one of the ways we all learn. Read as much as you can, if you come across things that contradict each other, ask us. We have all had to start out at one point or another. You will also find when reading up on things, that your path will change a number of times. Once you come to realise how this all works, you WILL most likely choose no set path, but what works for you, eclectic.
Get your self a book that will remain sacred to your eyes only. This is your Book Of Shadows (BOS). You will need to write everything down which you learn and do. It is your magikal diary. It is important to have one. As you progress you will find it impossible to remember everything, so having your notes will help. Some people have just one, others have three or four, it will depend on you.

How you decorate your BOS is also up to you. Even if you find that you have only doodled on one day, doodling also has meaning.
Once you have your BOS, read up on how others have used and designed their books.

Next, there are so many directions in which to learn about the craft, the way I am sharing with you is one that I believe sits well. Start to learn all about the elements. Air, Earth, Water and Fire. Leave Spirit till last. Do not just read up about them all, you must get outside and feel each one at their different stages. This is important as you will need to be able to raise these energies when performing magik.
Feel them, write everything down. I have files on these in the docs. Spirit is a complex element yet very simple, to be understood properly, leave it till last.
Once you have studied these, let us know and we will share with you your next task. In the meantime read and write down as much of what you read here too. IT WILL ALL FALL INTO PLACE, quicker than you think.
Blessed Be.
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What I post here is just what I have been doing for so many years now. These are only guidelines for you.
On my first page I have written a blessing to my BOS. This is asking that all pages within are protected and blessed by Our Goddess and God.

"May no unprepared eye or hand behold this Blessed Book Of Shadows and Power.
Ancient Mother, behold this book, guard and bless it's pages.
Ancient Father, behold this book, guard and bless it's pages
By the power of the Moon and Stars above me
So shall it be"

Now while I honour the Moon, their are some who honour the Sun. So phrase it to suit you.

On this page I have drawn the moon and the stars and two candles which represent my Lord and Lady. Again, this is up to you how you decorate your BOS. This BOS is sacred and should be handled as such.

Now I am fussy when it comes to my BOS. It is for my eyes only. Some do not mind others looking at them. I also write most of it in Theban. (Witches alphabet). This is another form of keeping all inside safe. Again, up to you.

While not all BOS are the same, you will find certain things are kept in all.
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On my next page I will have a dedication. This is to give myself willingly to the art of the craft and to ensure that it gets passed down. To promise my loyalty to the God's and all their wisdom that they guide us with.
This is just one way, there are many more on the net, just look up dedications in the craft.

"To the Goddess of many names, our ancient Mother, who is Queen of Heaven and Earth and the bright magik of Luna light.
To the God of many names, our wise Father, the Lord of the Sun and ripening corn and Green Lord of the woodlands, the great Horned One.
May this Book Of Shadows and all other written in my hand be an offering to the Gods, and contribute the following:
Initiative, patience, strength, communication, nurturing, drama, ritual skill, enthusiasm, empowerment, will, balance, truth, growth, wisdom, innovation, compassion, Love, unity.
In perfect Love and in perfect trust and in perfect peace
So Mote it Be"
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The next one I have is optional. Now while I am not Wiccan, I still like to have their Rede in my book. It is after all, knowledge. When this book gets passed on to the next generation, they may well be of the Wiccan faith. So below are two versions of the Wiccan Rede.

The Wiccan Rede (the short version)

Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must, in perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give.
Form the circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out.
Soft of eye, light of touch, speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, singing out ye Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss your hand to her times two.
When the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth ye'll know.
When ye have and hold a need, harken not with others' greed.
With a fool no seasons spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind ye threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is anow, wear the star upon thy brow.
True in Love ye must ever be, lest thy love be false to thee.
In these eight words, the Wiccan Rede fulfill
"An' it harm none, do what thou wilt."
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The Wiccan Rede (the LONG version)

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name, let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning- adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But - Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolg shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lammas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree By the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend Lest you be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
True in love you must ever be unless your love is false to thee.
Eight words the Rede fulfil "An' ye harm none, do what ye wilt".
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The following posts will have BOS above them. It will be up to you whether you place them in your BOS.

BOS ~

The 13 Principles

The following set of thirteen principles was adopted by the Council of American Witches, in April, 1974.

-- We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
-- We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
-- We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called supernatural, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
-- We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity ~ as masculine and feminine ~ and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive to each other. We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magikal practice and religious worship.
-- We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. ~ and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magikal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
-- We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
-- We see religion, magik, and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it ~a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft.
-- Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch - but neither does heredity itself, not the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.
-- We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
-- Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way", and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
-- As American {Or World-Wide!} Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
-- We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the sufferings of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
-- We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Blessed Be
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The Witch’s Code of Chivalry

- Chivalry is a high code of honor which is of most ancient Pagan origin, and must be lived by all who follow the Old ways.
- It must be understood that thoughts and intent put forth on this plane will wax strong in other planes, and return... bringing into creation, on this world, that which had been sent forth. Thus, you should exercise discipline, for "as ye do plant, so shall ye harvest".
- It is only by preparing our minds to be as Gods that we can ultimately attain godhead.
- Above all else, you must be true to yourself.
- A witches’ word must have the validity of a signed and witnessed oath. Thus, give thy word sparingly, but adhere to it like iron.
- Refrain from speaking ill of others, for not all truths of the matter may be known.
- Pass not unverified words about another, for hearsay is, in large part, a thing of falsehoods.
- Be honest with others, and let them know that honesty is also expected of them.
- The heat of the moment plays havoc with the truth. To keep your head is a virtue.
- Contemplate always the consequences of your actions upon others. Strive not to harm.
- Different covens may well have diverse views on love between members and with others. When a coven, clan, or grove is visited or joined, you should always find out their practices and abide by them, or leave.
- Dignity, a gracious manner, and a good humor are much to be admired.
- As a witch, you have power, and your powers wax strongly as wisdom increases. Therefore, exercise discretion in their use.
- Courage and honor endure forever. Their echoes remain when the mountains have crumbled to dust.
- Pledge friendship and fealty to those who warrant it. Strengthen others of this path and they will strengthen you.
- You must not reveal the secrets of another witch or another coven. Others have labored long and hard for them, and cherish them as a treasure.
- Though there may be differences between those of the Old Ways, those who are once-born must see nothing and must hear nothing.
- Those who follow the mysteries should be above reproach in the eyes of the world.
- The laws of the land should be obeyed whenever possible and within reason, for the most part they have been chosen with wisdom.
- Have pride in yourself and seek perfection in mind and body. For the Lady asks "How cast thou honor another unless thou give honor to thyself first?"
- Those who seek the mysteries should consider themselves as select of the Gods, for it is they who lead the race of humankind to the highest of thrones and beyond the stars.
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BOS ~
This is to forever keep you in the knowledge of what and who our Mother is and what She does and gifts us.

The Charge of the Goddess

Whenever you have need of any thing, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, then shall you assemble in some secret place, and adore the spirit of Me, Who am Queen of Heaven. There shall you assemble, you who want to learn arcane secrets, yet have not won the deepest ones; to these will I teach things as yet unknown.
You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you are really free, you shall be naked in your rites; and you shall dance, sing, feast, make music, and love, all in My praise. For Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and Mine also is joy on Earth; for My law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it, let nothing stop you or turn you aside; for Mine is the secret door which opens upon the land of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life, and the cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of immortality.
I am the gracious Goddess, Who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of humankind. Upon Earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before.
I do not demand sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and My love is poured out upon the Earth. I am the beauty of the green Earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of humankind.
Call unto your soul; arise, and come unto me; for I am the soul of Nature, Who gives life to the Universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must return; and before My face, beloved of Gods and of all peoples, let your innermost Divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
Let My celebration be within the heart that rejoices; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
You who think to seek for Me, know your seeking and yearning shall avail you not unless you know the mystery: that is... if that which you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it without yourself. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
Aradia de Toscano... researched and recorded by Doreen Valiente, with revisions
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BOS ~
This is to forever keep you in the knowledge of what and who our Father is and what He does and gifts us.

The God Charge

Come ye all and hark unto me, The Consort of the Lady, for I am your God. I was brought forth from the Goddess, empowered by the beauty and strength of Her song.
I am her Son, Lover, and King as I am also your Son, Lover and King. I am born at the Winter Solstice, a promise of life renewed. As the Sun waxes, so does my strength, and I become the Stag of the forest, roaming free and untamed, until in the Spring, I join with Her, who is the Spirit of Nature Herself, and I am rapt in Her beauty.
We join in a holy and sacred love, which brings life to the fields. I continue as the Stag, until at Summer Solstice, She who is Queen calls me to be her King, while I am at the Height of my power. I accept, knowing the responsibility this entails. I am a merciful King, who protects His creatures.
At the Harvest, I willingly sacrifice myself, so that my creatures, who I love dearly are provided for during the lean months ahead, when snow and cold blanket the Earth in sleep and Death. I become the sailor of the last seas.
As such, I become the Guardian of the Gate between worlds. I bring you to the Island Remembered where I give rest, so that you may become young and be born again as I must also, at Yule, to continue the Pattern.
I am the Lord of the Dance, who dances in honor of the Singer of the Song; the Song which brought me forth. I am the Sun, who shines brightly, bringing forth light and warmth of day to the Earth, who is our Mother.
I am also the flame, who brings light and warmth into the hearth of your homes, as well as the light and warmth in your hearts. Mine is the lightning which dances across the dark sky for Her favor.
Mine is the Seed which empowers Life, and Mine is the comfort between lives, Mine is the lust in your nature, Mine is the joy of the dance in your hearts, Mine is the inspiration in your minds, which fuels progress. Mine is the strength and power of your being, tempered with compassion and mercy.
I am your God, I was always here, always patient... waiting for you to return home again to me. I do not seek dominion over the Goddess who brought me forth, nor do I seek dominion over you my children. I do not threaten with damnation, hell, flood or plague, for I love my creatures far too much to do them such harm.
I am in you and around you. Turn inward my children and experience your Divinity. The Goddess and Myself joined together make up the Whole and Continuous One, Who is Infinity, which is Divine. As such, We contain you, making you Divinity Incarnate.
Know this and never forget this. You who are our creatures and children, are never dirty, but Divine. Strive to see this in each other, for even if you were to forget and forsake Me in this Life, remember the Law… "LOVE UNTO ALL BEINGS, LOVE IS THE LAW AND LOVE IS THE BOND".
Let My inspiration spawn power with and not power over. Seek not to have dominion over your fellow creatures who share this Time and Space with you.
Defend the weak and the oppressed from those who would do this, for the corruption of power over others through fear is a cancer which has afflicted my children and makes me sad.
Mine is the joy of the wild forests and of pleasures of hearth, home and each other. But these things will be forfeit, if the destruction of the Mother continues. Reach into your souls and call forth Llugh with His mighty Spear, and Cernunnos mighty and ever-living defender of the Wild places.
Defend the Earth Mother from the rape and destruction brought forth by your kind, for if the Earth Mother should be killed, you my creatures, whom I love, will perish also. Know this in your hearts. The Time is now.
Know that I am always with you and in you, when ever you have need of me, look to the Sun, or go to some wild place and call my name, and I will come. I am your father, your son, your brother and your lover......You are mine and I am yours through eternity.
by Michael 29 August 1993
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BOS ~
The Charge of the Crone

I am the Queen of Magik and the dark of the Moon, hidden in the deepest night.
I am the mystery of the Otherworlds and the fear that coils about your heart in the times of your trials.
I am the soul of nature that gives form to the universe; it is I who awaits you at the end of the spiral dance.
Most ancient among Gods and Mortals, let my worship be within the heart that has truly tasted life, for behold all acts of magik and art are my pleasure
and my greatest ritual is love itself.
Therefore let there be beauty in your strength, compassion in your wrath,
power in your humility, and discipline balanced through mirth and reverence.
You who seek to remove my veil and behold my true face, know that all your questing and efforts are for nothing, and all your lust and desires shall avail you not at all.
For unless you know my mystery, look wherever you will, it will elude you,
for it is within you and nowhere else.
Behold, I have ever been with you, from the very beginning, the comforting hand that nurtured you in the dawn of life, and the loving embrace that awaits you at the end of each life, for I am that which is attained at the end of the dance.
I am the womb of new beginnings, as yet unimagined and unknown.
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BOS ~
With light, you must have dark, there must be balance.

In Honor of Most Lovely One, Goddess Hecate
Quiet is the night
Dark is the Moon
I ask Hecate, the Crone
To take Her throne.
Sleep, sister, sleep
Be not alarmed,
For the Great Goddess
Keeps you from harm.
Quiet is the night
Dark is the Moon
I ask Hecate, the Crone
To take Her throne.
Sleep, brother sleep,
Be not alarmed,
For the Great Goddess
Holds you in her arms.
Quiet is the night
Dark is the Moon.
We honor Hecate the Crone
Who has taken Her throne.
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The Witches' Rune

Darksome night and shining Moon,
harken to the Witches' rune
East and South, West and North,
hear me now I call thee forth!
By all the powers of land and sea,
Be obedient unto me.
Wand and pentacle, cup and sword,
hearken ye unto my word.
Cord and censer, totem and knife,
waken all ye unto life.
Powers of the Witches' Blade,
come ye now as the charge is made!
Queen of Heaven , Queen of Hel,
send your aid unto my spell.
Horned Hunter of the night,
work my will by magick rite.
By all the powers of land and sea,
as I do say, 'so mote it be!
By all the might of Moon and Sun,
as I will, it shall be done!
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Here is a list of things I have in my Journal BOS. Yes, journal, I have a spell and a herb one too. These are just guide lines. You put in yours what you feel is right for you.
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I have info on the deities I am drawn to.

I have info on familiars that guide me. In order to access knowledge from them, you must know all you can from them and about them.

I have moon phases with their meanings and how to incorporate each one in my magik.

Info on crystals, candles, incense. ( I usually write in stuff when I come across it, that way it is not too daunting).

Horoscope info, both Solar and Luna.

My family tree, as I have witches in my family back to the 16th century.

If you have a special ability, write all you know on it and let the next owner know all about you with this ability. Remember, this is history in the making.

Different types of divination, all about them, how they did or did not work for you etc.

Chants, spells you have cast - how they worked or did not, whether they were borrowed or (preferably) your own spells. Remember to write spells you have done into your BOS. Ones you have not performed yet should be placed loosely in the back until you do use them. This book is what you HAVE done, not spells you have not done.

All about herbs you have used, either in magik spells or cooking or protection, talismans or amulets.

Signs, this should be done every day. Signs that keep popping up everywhere, you may need this info soon, it is a way Mother is trying to communicate with you. Know your magikal signs too.

There is so much info that you can put into your BOS. This is history of you, your way of life. Something to pass down to future generations, even if they do not follow your path, it is still history.

Have fun with it, put a lot of love and devotion into it. This is so special and sacred.

I wish you all so much happiness with your journal(s) and may the Goddess shine down on you.

Blessed Be