Journaling

Getting your thoughts and feelings out on paper (creatively or just jotting down random words) helps to release emotions that would otherwise build up and cause unwanted symptoms, which is why keeping a remedy journal can help ease stress.

There are various ways to journal what matters to you (natural remedies, prayers, memories, photographs, sketches or paintings, thoughts, and feelings). In the past, a book of natural remedies might have been considered a tool of witchcraft when, in truth, it was merely a wise woman's collection of remedies (no magic or spells) passed down from mother to daughter for healing ailments.

The following information is provided to help you identify the type of journal you'd like to create. Why is this important? Because beginning one kind of journal and then deciding halfway through you should have planned differently will cost you a lot of extra time, money, and energy in the transference.

Let's begin with the most elaborate of journals, The Book of Shadows.

A Book of Shadows

According to Wiccan philosophy, the Book of Shadows (sometimes called a grimoire) is a book that contains religious beliefs, magical rituals, and spells. However, this type of book can be found in many pagan practices, not just Wiccan.

One of the first Books of Shadows was created by Gerald Gardner (renowned for pioneering Wicca) during the mid-twentieth century. He used this book in his first coven and later in other covens he established. However, the Book of Shadows was not associated with just Wiccan covens but also a tool of Alexandrianism and Mohsianism. Gardner believed ancient witches practiced the art of keeping such books throughout history. However, while there is no evidence to support this, there are various possibilities for his belief.

• Witchcraft was alive and well before the printing press was invented and many years before printing was commonplace.
• Many ancient witches could not read or write even after the printing press was popular.
• Another plausible explanation for no evidence of any books could be related to the tradition that a witch's Book of Shadows is to be destroyed upon death.

The book was to be burned to ashes so no one would ever know they were a witch, which makes sense considering one could be burned "at stake" for witchcraft. However, when he created the Book of Shadows, no other covens were known to have or require them. Gardner referred to his book as one with magical spells that worked for him. How he named the book the Book of Shadows is a rather interesting story.

In 1949, Gerald Gardner and another man, Mir Bashir, posted articles in The Occult Observer, a magazine of the times. Gardner's post advertised his new book, High Magic's Aid. Mir Bashir, a palmist, posted an advertisement directly opposite Gardner's. It was entitled The Book of Shadows, about an ancient Sanskrit manual on divining the future based on an individual's shadow. It is theorized, by some, that Gardner adopted this title for his coven's grimoire, his book of spells. It is important to note that not all traditions refer to their spell-books as a Book of Shadows. Sometimes, the Book of Shadows is called The Tree, the Book of Ways, or The Book.

Gardner's book contained much information gleaned from the writings of Aleister Crowley, far more than from ancient texts, as he initially informed his followers. In 1953, his high priestess, Doreen Valiente, confronted him about this. After discussing it, Gardner left it up to her to rewrite his Book of Shadows, which she did. She softened the content a bit (Crowley was pretty extreme in some of his beliefs and wordiness) while leaning more toward traditional witchcraft. Doreen also wrote the poem, The Witches Rune, and helped to write the Wiccan Rede.

In earlier times, the Book of Shadows was kept by the priest or priestess. Its contents were kept secret. For example, Gardner's book was altogether secret until copies were sold and secrets leaked out. Many covens allow their members to have a copy in today's world. Additionally, solitary witches now create their own Book of Shadows. There are now as many versions of a Book of Shadows as people, pagan traditions, and practices. Many of these newer books are nothing like the original Book of Shadows. Now, unless one is a coven member involved in higher magic, they are mostly considered books of inspiration.

Television shows, movies, games, and even comic books have presented the Book of Shadows to intrigue audiences. For example, the television show Charmed, the films Practical Magic and The Craft, and the game Dungeons & Dragons. In most instances, when it comes to entertainment, the Book of Shadows is ill-represented and taken entirely out of its original context, similar to the Tarot Devil.

In modern covens, Wiccans often keep two different Books of Shadows. There's the coven book that cannot be changed in any way. It contains rituals and magical practices that initiates can copy from but not add to. The second book is the initiate's personal Book of Shadows, which includes esoteric information the initiate collects for themselves, such as the metaphysical studies of herbs, essential oils, stones and crystals, astrology, numerology, gods and goddesses, and divination, which is often referred to in the twenty-first century as a journal. In some instances, this journal is not a book at all. It is an electronic document placed on a flash drive or a website. In addition to the second book, there may also be a third, the Book of Mirrors. The Book of Mirrors is typically for writing down one's experiences, thoughts, and feelings about the rituals and spells practiced from the Book of Shadows.

So, what does a Book of Shadows include?

• The Wiccan Rede ("An Ye Harm None, Do As Ye Will") 
• The Wheel of the Year (and the yearly festivals) 
• Moon phases (how they affect spellwork)
• Elements and their correspondences
• Spells and rituals (found or written)
• Herb, incense, essential oils, stones, and crystals (and their medicinal and metaphysical properties)
• Candle magic 
• Color magic
• Recipes for potions and celebratory foods
• Meditations or visualizations (beneficial for focus and intent)

There are also specific things that you should never place in a Book of Shadows. They are as follows. 

• The Book of Shadows is not a personal diary, so no writing should be about private events unrelated to magic.
• Hateful, spiteful, vengeful thoughts
• Curses, hexes, or ill-wishes (they will return three-fold)
• No one else should write in it 

There is an order to a Book of Shadows. The owner's name of the Book of Shadows should be placed on the first page, along with a quote, a poem, or perhaps The Wiccan Rede. The following one or two pages should reflect any rules or traditions one is to follow in one's practice to avoid being tempted to manipulate magic for ego's sake. The following few pages might be dedicated to gods and goddesses and their mythological importance. Your journal can include old wives' tales or sacred chants, or prayers. Once these pages are in place, the rest of the book is ready for the fun stuff, the information, rituals, and spells, keeping in mind the hard and fast rule. "An Ye Harm None, Do As Ye Will".

You can create a Book of Shadows from books with empty pages, such as a leather journal, a hardcover sketchbook, or even a three-ring binder. Pagan stores often display beautiful leather books on display for sale. They are made explicitly for grimoires. If the Book of Shadows is to be passed down to future generations, it should be of higher quality. It should be handwritten to absorb your energy. Using high-quality ink is suggested. If making mistakes is a concern, writing down a rough draft on a piece of ordinary scratch paper beforehand will help to prevent errors later.

If you have artistic talent, you might like an example of how a Book of Shadows or grimoire might be illustrated. I'm sending you over to Benebellwen.com to view a grimoire I consider highly advanced. 

To learn how to make a Book of Shadows (from a witch's perspective), I suggest viewing HearthWitch's video, How to Create a Book of Shadows, which discusses pitfalls to avoid in creating your book, which comes in handy for any type of journal. 

Journals

Journals might contain all of your favorite remedy recipes to refer back to year after year to be shared with those you love. You can write anything you like in a journal. There are no limitations. A journal can be shared or not. It's up to you. And you can use the beautiful journals found in metaphysical shops. However, you'll want to avoid those containing symbols that disagree with your faith. Journals can be used to track your wellness goals or any other SMART goals you've set for yourself.

Diaries

If you want to scribble down your thoughts, feelings, or dreams, you lean more toward a diary. Diaries are private, for your eyes only, and rarely shared (but they can be), so many diaries come with a lock and key.

Scrapbooks

A scrapbook is best for pasting dried herbs and flowers and framing favorite recipes. You can also use it to keep photographs, cards, and letters. As far as creativity goes, the sky's the limit.

Here are some ideas for pages, regardless of which kind of journal you choose.

• Your name
• Prayers
• Positive affirmations
• Remedy notes
• Favorite recipes
• Pictures
• Drawings
• Dried flowers or leaves

Visit a hobby store's scrapbook section to see what piques your interest. Enjoy!