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Image from "Magickal Graphics"
I always wanted to be that type of witch that you read about or perhaps see in movies that have their herbs/flowers perfectly organized dried and hanging upside down in their cottage just waiting to be added to their spells, everything written in a perfectly organized and detailed manner in their Book of Shadows, and knowing when to plant and harvest syncing with the moon cycles and creating smooth and beautiful sabbat/esbat rituals.
Instead, I happen to be a witch with Attention Deficit Disorder who stumbles along the path of magick and if a spell turns out right, well, it’s by the Grace of the Goddess and God. I’m not putting myself down, I’m just stating the facts.
Let me show you the type of witch’s I’m most like so you can get a clear picture of what I’m trying to talk about. Remember “Aunt Clara” from the television show “Bewitched” And for those of you who have never seen the show, I’ll talk more about “Aunt Clara.”
In the show, you had the main character, “Samantha Stevens.” She was able to run a household and perform magick by twitching her nose or tugging on her ear and everything would just line up. She had a mortal husband who was far from a witch but Samantha was right there and available to help him out with work (yes, she made a few mistakes, but not many), she had a little girl witch, Tabitha and then there were her colorful family members.
I won’t talk about each of them because they each deserve a post but I will talk about “Aunt Clara.” Aunt Clara (played brilliantly by actress, Marian Lorne) always looked like she flew through a storm on her broomstick and seemed baffled and surprised that she even managed to land. She’d mumble and bumble her way with spells which you just knew would end up in a disaster.
She was loving, funny and was a complete opposite from the type of witch, her niece, Samantha was. I so related to her. I certainly don’t look like her, but the whole confusion of making an incantation turn out right? Check! Confused about the principles of magick? Yep! Always having the best intentions but not knowing how to execute them? That’s me! I wanted to be more like “Samantha” even as a little girl. I wanted my magick to be polished, able to run a household like the witchy version of Martha Stewart and be focused enough not to turn anyone into a frog…at least by accident.
Onto the next witch, whom I identify strongly with. “Luna Lovegood” (played by actress; Evanna Lynch) from the book and movie series “Harry Potter.” Hogwarts is a school for young witch’s and wizards and had every type of student imaginable. Of course there was “Harry” and his friends, but Luna stood out for me. You had “Hermione Granger,” the perfect student of witchcraft and magick. She studied hard, always raised her hand knowing the right answer in her classes and was so focused and accurate with her spells.
Cool, calm and collected Hermione Granger
I on the other hand, was am much more like “Luna.” .Luna lived in her own world, she conversed with the dead, she always had a soft and gentle manner and a loving word for her friends (most of her peers considered her too odd and quirky), but you could always tell, she would never be the top student that “Hermione” was. Luna was my favorite character though with her ethereal manner and again and dreamy spirituality.
When I was at school, the same age that Luna and Harry were, I was always drifting off into the fae dimension as opposed to focusing on what the teachers were lecturing about. Forget getting a homework assignment in time or memorizing the numbers of mathematical equations, no matter how much I studied, I just never could “succeed.” My eyes always had a far away look and I was never part of the “popular crowd.”
And then finally, I’ll talk about “Gillian” (played by actress, Nicole Kidman) one of the two sisters from the book and movie “Practical Magic.” (I know that the book characters of Sally and Gillian are a bit different than their versions of the movie, but I’ll talk about how they were portrayed in the movie.)
Her sister, Sally (played by actress, Sandra Bullock) ran a store that was beautiful and organized with all the herbs placed carefully in the proper jars and had natural beauty products displayed in the most clean and simple ways. She was able to advise her patrons with the exact spells and magick they came in seeking, resulting in the desired outcome and was just…grounded and practical. She wasn’t running off into the night, chasing after “bad boys” like her sister Gillian did, she was logical and calm during major crisis’.
Beautifully organized, Sally's shop in "Practical Magic"
I don’t pursue bad boys like Gillian did, (been there, done that) anymore, but my magic is more spontaneous, unpredictable and loose like Gillian’s. Even though I want to be more like “Sally” with her earthiness and maternal ways, I would fail miserably if I ran a shop like “Sally’s” and I tend to act before I think which has gotten me into trouble here and there.
I have cat hair usually adorning my clothing, I sigh with ecstasy being in nature, I can be wicked and sarcastic with my tattoo’s blazing like Gillian had and despite my best efforts to think logically and composed, I’m afraid I fall short in that department.
So, what’s a witch to do? I want to be more like my witchy friends who seem to make life just flow with their methods and magick. I envy my friends (witch’s or not) who can plan out what their going to blog about on a certain day and then execute that while simultaneously keep up with all the blogs they subscribe too, email their friends in a timely manner, and have a Book of Shadows that just works for them.
This is where I need your help, brother and sister witch’s. I have never had a formal Book of Shadows, and it just feels like the time to start. I purchased a beautiful and customized BOS from a fantastic artist on Etsy, and I’m ready to start, but I feel overwhelmed.
My custom Book of Shadows
I have a problem breaking projects down in small steps and tend to end up frustrated and feeling paralyzed with my lack of concentration, organization and focus.
I KNOW I’m not the only witch out here who “fly’s by the seat of her/his pants,” and so those of you who would be willing to help me out, would actually be helping out many of us who need guidance and help. I’m going to be doing more posts about the blessings and challenges of being a witch who has ADD, but for this post, I just want to start and ask for help to create my own BOS.
Where do I start with my BOS and how do YOU organize yours (if you have one)? My mind goes galloping off in a million directions and I really need to know how to slow down, have patience and take the steps that will help me create my BOS. I’m scared I’ll get dumbfounded and stymied with my racing thoughts and then put my BOS away and leave it blank and unfinished like so many other projects and artistic endeavors I’ve started.
Should you be brave enough to help me with this challenge,
I will post what I’ve learned from each of you and then post about my own progression with my BOS. I would really appreciate any tips, lessons and advice you can offer me that will break down how to create a BOS in small, doable and simple steps.
As I said before, I’m ready to take on this task of creating a BOS that I’ll love and cherish that becomes part of who I am on my wiccan path.
Thank you SO much for taking the time and effort into helping me out.
Graphic courtesy of "Magickal Graphics"
© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
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Can’t help you there, Wendy. I’m still stuck on wanting Nocole Kidman to come and teach me how to make little things grow big. I’m talking frogs and princes, of course.
You are such a naughty boy with your innuendo’s Jeff, lol…If and when I meet Nicole, I’ll send her your way.
First, my Wendy love, I must ask: why aren’t you partying with me at Pagan Culture? You write an awesome witchy post and your knowledge about fictional witches is superb.
Second, I’ve been practicing for almost 20 years and I don’t have a formal book of shadows. I’ve tried many times, but I have severe OCD and I can’t deal with issues like okay, what about if this page’s color doesn’t match that one? Or, should it handwritten? How long will that take me, for every time I make a mistake I MUST start over? And so on…
Recently I started brewing an idea that might work for me. I’ll put together an EXTREMELY personalized journal based on storytelling. In it I’ll explain what being a Witch has meant to me and how it changes through the years. Most of my spells and rituals will probably remain in my mind and in different boxes though.
I think that when your witchy soul is ready for a Book of Shadows, it will beat the ADD and the results will be magical.
Now, about that Witches in Fiction bit. Um, do I foresee a great post about someone’s favorite fictional witches and why
Many hugs and infinite blessings!
Hi Magaly!
First thank you for the compliment on my writings. I can totally relate to you about being a perfectionist when it comes to stuff like a BOS and I’m still trying to say to myself like a manta “there’s no such thing as perfect, just perfect enough…” We’ll see how that works. I also love the idea of your journal and story telling. If I get stuck with making my BOS, then a journal might be the way to go. I know that there are “sensate” type of people who can make lists and detail everything perfectly and then there’s the more intuitive people like myself and it sounds like you are too, that have to go with the flow and be a bit more unconventional. Of course we’re not one way or the other, but I’m trying to work on more sensate functioning…
Now, for your fabulous “Witches in Fiction” thank YOU for the invite. I am changing so many of my meds. and going through hell with them that my blogging and even visiting other blogs is really limited. For the next month or so, everything will be off, which coincides with Merc. Retro. sigh… ; ) But, I’m really excited to see all the fab. blogs signed up and will definitely head over and please keep me in mind for the future to post if you have another party.
With the challenges you face, I’m going to recommend something you may not have thought of: Keep record of your spells on your computer. Once you’ve recorded a spell there, and got it just the way you want it, you can easily hand-copy it into your BOS.
This allows you to keep an index of your spells on your computer. That way, you can use the Search function to find that spell for healing that required motherwort, was performed on a Tuesday, and really worked.
It also lets you write a template for recording spells in general. I use a document that is then pulled into my current file via the “Insert” function. If you’d like details, or even (gasp!) a copy of the template, please contact me.
I happen to be an astrological witch. I don’t know if you are, but I also pull a “here and now” chart for every spell I do, defining “now” as the moment just before I go to altar. I hand-copy this chart into the BOS as well.
I think the template might make things a lot easier for you, but then I am a sufferer from OCD, not ADD, so my information may not be helpful … best wishes.
Vivienne, your suggestions are the exact type of info. I’ve been looking for to help me organize and structure my BOS. I’ve heard of “virtual BOS’s” but have never seen one and I really like the idea of creating everything on my computer first. I would love more lessons and esp. seeing the template you use if you don’t mind. I absolutely follow the astrological happenings, esp. when Merc. is in retro. like it is now and nothing seems to come easy, but I’ve never written the exact planet movements. I have a dream journal where I always include the moon phases and again love the ideas you have for the corresponding days and specific herbs. You sound like an incredibly talented witch and maybe making a BOS e-book and then charging a few dollars as I know it takes a lot of time and effort for all the info. might be worth it for you. I so want a step by step BOS guide which I know would help my ADD and OCD tendencies ; ) I would buy your e-book in a minute and tell every other witch about it as well!
Dear Wendy…First, thank you for a fabulous post. You write so honestly and well. Second, I SO wish I could assist you. The best advice I could give you is just to go with what you feel in your heart. Make your Book of Shadows a true reflection of you and your spirit. Jot down what you have in your mind when you have it! Place little pieces of nature or anything else in it in between your entries. I’m sure it will provide you with future inspiration!
Theresa
Thank YOU Theresa for your wonderful compliment…I wish we lived closer so you could help me out with a BOS, too…It would be wonderful to have prints of yours inserted for the different witchy holidays and your art is always gorgeous. I really like the idea of putting bits and treasures from nature in the BOS. Like pressed flowers for different spells..That’s a great idea of yours, thank you : )
ok so the request is more sam and less clara huh….sorry my brain froze. you see I am clara and luna and gillian,with a healthy dose of stephanie plumb thrown in for comic the relief!
I don’t have a book of shadows but I have a sketch book it has all my doodles and ideas in it and it is a fair representation of whats in my head sometimes (scared yet? you should be!)
here’s a link to what I’ve shared on my blog
http://florasbeecrazyquilter.blogspot.com/search/label/sketch%20book
if you want to take a look, blow past the first two entries they deal with the cover I made for the book.
my sdvice, stop trying to be someone else, you.are.fine.
write what comes to you the way it comes to you, if you want it to look pretty write it on a scratch pad ( i keep several all over the house-random is my middle name!) then clean up the language, spelling and ink blobs-there are always blobs!)and then put it down in your bos.
I have gotten used to my rather laze-fair way with most things who wants to be “normal” anyway? normal is boring its a bad word, be you it makes life interesting!
We are a lot alike with our tendencies to be more like “Clara, etc…” and I also love Stephanie Plumb, I can really relate. Your journal is incredible, esp. the cover! Why aren’t you selling your art on Etsy? I love what you create and would buy your items in a minute. Relaxing and actually enjoying the process of creating anything is something I need to remember how to do, instead of making such a forced project according to the critical noise that’s constantly playing in my head. I need to turn it off! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous sketch book and your suggestions : )
I like the idea of keeping them on the computer. Just don’t forget to back up what’s there!
Personally, I have journals where I write down favorite sayings, the properties of herbs, dreams, sketches of nature, etc. No real rhyme or reason to any of it. Someday I hope to have it organized (LOL….who am I kidding? I guess the reason I haven’t organized anything is because I lean towards OCD and have a tendency to “over” organize things. LOL)
I always thought that using different colored pages would help with organizing a BOS – healing would be green, love is red, and so on.
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It seems we magickal folk either have ADD or OCD tendencies, lol…well some of us do. I read that organizing is like using and developing a muscle and that one isn’t born with the natural ability to organize. I love the ideas you suggested like the sayings…I wish I was better at sketching and could create art the way you do. I really want to learn how to do Altered Art journaling and found a book for beginners on how to start, so maybe that will be my attempt. I also found some great blank BOS pages from SteelGoddess over on Etsy that are all different with various images. I also plan to use different colored ink for different spells which (no pun intended ; ) is kind of like your suggestion for having different color pages. Thanks for your ideas and if you ever start a BOS, I would love to see it.
I don’t think I am going to be much help but here goes….First you must follow Magaly’s suggestion and join in the Witch’s in Fiction bit…you are a fantastic writer of wonder.
But on to the matter at hand. It is my understanding (yeah the cracked pot here) that BOS is a collection of the particular witches, spells, shortcuts, life lessons, manner of handle particular situations and rituals. It is only that witch’s. Some have been passed down after a witch’s death but………..it’s the individuals. So it only has that witch’s heart, desires and magick in it.
My thought is that the only reason for writing something down is so that you can remember how to do it. We all are flying by the seat of our pants….directed by ?????? (fill in the question marks). Whoever you feel helps, directs, guides.
I have favorite ways we have done ritual for a particular esbat or sabbat and I write it down…but as for being like any fictional witch, no I am me and they wouldn’t want to characterize me.
Just do what you “feel”. Write down what is in your mind or heart. I think too often we try to fit into a mold and I and this is only my thought am a unique and proper witch because I practice my magick, my way. I may get lost and need a bump from a sista witch from time to time but I can’t fit into someone elses idea of who I am to be.
You are such a dear, do your own thing and own it. Be proud of all that you bring into this world. Let your BOS be just that, yours. Draw a silly face on a page and give yourself a laugh……remember my love, life is terminal, it is not serious. I wish I was there to give you a big old Oma hug and smack your butt and tell you to enjoy the playing of it…..now go have fun coloring outside the lines….The Olde Bagg
Sorry for the book writing here.
Linda you are one of the kindest and wisest people I know. I just felt warm all over reading your comment. I would love to join Magaly’s party, but I’m still struggling with health and med. issues which is leaving me so loopy and unorganized, which was happening for the Oz party that you had, otherwise I’d be there in a minute.
I’ve also read that grimoire’s/BOS’S can be passed down if there’s a lineage of witch’s but I have yet to meet any witch’s who’ve passed down their BOS’S. My mother was a witch, and I’ll post more about that later and wrote amazing poetry that was almost like a BOS, except I’m one of those who like you suggested needs to stay authentic to myself when it comes to art. Part of my struggle to just enjoy and create comes from my brilliant mother who always was on me about how I created and the proper grammar, etc..I’m working hard on diminishing her inner-voice that lives on in me now.
You made me laugh so much and I promise (after feeling the smack on my butt) that I’ll have fun with creating things, Oma : ) Can I smack your butt back? lol..
Well…let me preface by saying that I’m not really a witch and I don’t have a BOS and I’m definitely OCD rather than ADD. All that said…I think that others have hit the nail on the head when they said that 1. You are perfect the way you are and 2. Your BOS should be a reflection of you…so have fun with it…do what feels right.
Were it me I’d probably follow the suggestion about organizing everything online…and then make it like a scrapbook.I’d probably figure out a few key sections that I wanted to have and then using a really pretty font start printing things out and putting them in my BOS…. That way I could move pages around..reprint things if I screwed up…and I could add…herb and plant clipping, hand drawn pictures and symbols, tokens, photographs etc…to the pages I’ve printed and pasted in.
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Melissa, you may not be a “formal” witch, but you’re definitely magickal and are earthy so know the real magick of the universe. It’s so hard sometimes to just relax and enjoy the process, whether we have ADD tendencies or OCD tendencies. I’ve replied to comments below saying I also tend to have OCD anxiety with wanting everything to look just perfect. The BOS book I bought has a way of adding pages and it’s really large so that I can add/alter and play around with the structure. I bet you’d make a gorgeous earth journal, Melissa, thanks as always for your supportive and loving comment.
your site is beyond cool!! just learned about you from the Paw Relations site and I had to come over and check you out. I am now a subscriber! I am so looking forward to it!
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Hi Caren,
Welcome and so glad you like my blog! I love to visit your site and esp. see all the wonderful kitty related news. Thank you for subscribing and I hope we get to know each other better : )
Hi Wendy!
Thanks for responding to my comment, thanks for stopping by my blog as well!
I am looking forward to getting to know each other better too!
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Hi Wendy,
I’m so pleased you found my ideas interesting.
Yours is the idea for an e-book, mine is the idea for the template; would you consider collaborating, and splitting any income 50-50? Your POV on how easy this is to use, and how to make it easier, would be quite valuable to me, easily worth half whatever income it eventually produces.
Whether your answer to that is yes or no, here is the template “clean,” and following it is a copy with examples. What’s in bold is absolutely necessary; the frills are in plain print.
Goal of the Work
Detailed description of goal:
Why do I want this? What purpose will it serve in my life?
Simplified description of goal, taking into account above two answers:
Chant derived from goal:
One-word description of goal:
Goal Correspondences
Phase of Moon:
Deity:
Method of raising energy:
Magical action:
Color:
Herb/Incense/Essential oil:
Planet:
Day of week most favorable for Work:
Planetary hour most favorable for Work:
Astrological Conditions at the Time of the Work
Is the Moon visible? If not, the Work must delayed until it is again seen as a slender crescent.
Will the Moon be or become void-of-course during the Work? If it is or will be, the Work must be rescheduled to fall after the VOC period.
Will any planet be stationary direct or stationary retrograde over a planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work?
Will Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto contact any planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work?
Will the Moon transiting be through a sign (or house in my natal chart) which rules the goal?
Personal Considerations
Is any element represented in my chart by 4 or more occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?
Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element?
Is any element represented by no or one occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?
Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element?
Results
Worked immediately:
Didn’t work within 14 days:
Worked after _____________ days
TEMPLATE WITH DETAILS:
Goal of the Work
Detailed description of goal: I need a job. (Sometimes, it’s this simple.)
Why do I want this? What purpose will it serve in my life? I need the income. I don’t want to live on the street. Plus, I love what I do for a living, just not the people I currently do it with. (Note that there are two streams here: the person loves what [s]he does for a living, AND she needs money to live. Both are equally important to her, but the need for money can be said to be critical.)
Simplified description of goal, taking into account above two answers: I need an income-producing situation doing what I love.
Chant derived from goal: (The quality of your poetry isn’t all that important, but do try for rhythm. Just shut that inner critic up, and go for it. Myself, I ain’t Wordsworth, and I know that … but I’ll live.)
What I love and money too
Comes when I have work to do!
One-phrase description of goal: Work I love for money.
Goal Correspondences (My choice of author for correspondence lists is always Scott Cunningham. Scott’s been gone a while now, but his friends keep his lists up-to-date. Do be aware that his work is Egypto-Graeco-Roman derived.)
Phase of Moon: Waning to banish unemployment or waxing to draw a job. (Every magical goal can be stated in two ways: to draw the desired outcome, which can be worked during the waxing Moon, or to banish its opposite, which can be worked during the waning Moon. I have done Work at the wrong phase of the Moon when I was in grave need of help, and I did get results, although I had to wait until the phase changed to get them.)
Is the Moon visible? If not, the Work must delayed until it is again seen as a slender crescent. (In the Dark of the Moon period, those three days while She is not visible, there are simply not enough lunar energies to fuel any kind of Work. No work-around exists for this. Work done during this period will not be effective.)
Deity: (It’s best, if possible, to work with Someone Who has already come into your life. If that’s not possible, ask for help this time, but be prepared to give back the energy you asked for in devotion and sacrifice. As for sacrifice, virgins are a Christian fixation and dead animals cruel and unnecessary; wine or tobacco [though Venus doesn't like it, as it's an herb of Mars] work well for almost every deity, as does a candle in Their color, perhaps rolled in herbs sacred to Them.)
Magical action: (In our example, employment spells are usually seen as workings of the element Earth. The witch might use magnets, an Earth device if ever there was one, to pull a sigil scribed with hir name toward one bearing the symbol for the new job; once they are bound together with the magnets, s/he might lay them on a copy of hir resume. S/he could also bury them. If your goal is fiery, burn something, you pyromaniac [light a paper, or a second candle, scribed with your goal from a candle scribed with your name; use one candle to partially melt the side of the other, fuse them, and allow them to burn together]; if it’s watery, consider drinking water imbued with your goal’s energy; if it’s airy, blow the symbols of goal and self together, or scribe a fan with your goal and use it to blow incense smoke over yourself. The possibilities are limited only by your own creativity; have fun!)
Method of raising energy: (Usually, this involves repetitive movement or activity of some kind. Dance, do a simple sidestep around or in front of your altar; bust your favorite yoga moves; clap; play your Tibetan singing bowl; play a single short phrase over and over on a flute, guitar, rattle, or other musical instrument; chant; sing; dig in the garden. Almost anything will work, and work pretty well. Of course, it’s also possible to do this entirely in your mind, which, while quite difficult, is also ferociously good training in concentration.)
Color: (Very briefly: red for passion, pink for friendship, orange for attraction, black for repulsion, gray for dissipation [of energy], yellow for intellectual endeavor, green for growth of any kind, purple for horses, law, or publication, blue for honor, brown for practicality, and white for purity. White is also the go-to color when you don’t have the color you need. Looking to minimalize? Orange, green, gray, black, and white cover all the possibilities.)
Herb/Incense/Essential oil: (Essential oils are wonderful for those among us who can’t tolerate incense smoke, or share a home with someone who dislikes the smell of burning herbs. They can be dripped into the pool of melted wax at the base of a candle flame, rubbed onto the candle itself, diluted with a little olive and dabbed on the pulse points, or used in a diffuser. Do be aware that they always carry the elemental signature of Fire; if you are working to put out a forest fire, for instance, they are not a good choice!)
Planet: (Very briefly: Sun for masculinity, Moon for femininity, Mercury for trade/writing/intellectual pursuits, Venus for affairs of the heart, Mars for war and affairs of the sex organs, Jupiter for expansion of any kind [including necessary weight gain], Saturn for contraction/discipline, Uranus for new ideas/astrology/TV/new technology, Neptune for film/poetry/dance/inspiration/drugs, and Pluto for the kind of can’t-go-back change embodied by nuclear power.) (Big word of caution: it is incredibly difficult to work successfully with the outermost three planets. Don’t try this at home unless you are very sure you know what you are doing.)
Day of week most favorable for Work: (Very briefly: Monday corresponds to the Moon, Tuesday to Mars, Wednesday to Mercury, Thursday to Jupiter, Friday to Venus, Saturday to Saturn, and Sunday to, ta-da!, the Sun.)
Planetary hour most favorable for Work: (There is no “very briefly” for the subject of Planetary Hours. I have downloaded and use a free program called “Chronos XP” which pops up the planetary hour on my desktop every time it changes, and allows me to look at days in the future to see when the hours fall.)
Astrological Conditions at the Time of the Work
Will the Moon be or become void-of-course during the Work? If yes, the Work must be rescheduled to fall after the VOC period. (Very briefly: period. During this time there is insufficient lunar energy to power the Work. There is no work-around. Work done during this time is energy, time, and supplies wasted.)
Will any planet be stationary direct or stationary retrograde over a planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work? (Planets’ stations generate an enormous amount of energy. If I wanted to make a change of career, for instance, I’d hope for Jupiter SD on my Midheaven – money and progress in one fell swoop.)
Will Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto be contacting any planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work? (These outer planets present rare opportunities. Their energies are quite powerful, but, again, quite difficult to harness successfully.)
Will the Moon transiting be through a sign (or house in my natal chart) which rules the goal? (Think of the Moon as a match: in terms of power, it hasn’t much, but it’s just what you need for setting things alight.)
Personal Considerations
Is any element represented in my chart by 4 or more occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?
Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element? (Your personal power is concentrated here; this is the easiest path for you.)
Is any element represented by no or one occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?
Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element? (Lack of representation often gives a clue as to what you will work quite hard at unconsciously.)
Results
Worked immediately: (Yay you)
Didn’t work within 14 days: (Something probably went wrong; can you isolate what it was?)
Worked after _____________ days (Note any changes in Astrological Conditions which occurred, particularly changes of the Moon’s phase.)
Vivienne Grainger recently posted..Where do we go from here
Hi Vivienne, I just found your blog and am so excited with all the info. and wisdom you have and are willing to share. I have my own strengths but as I posted here, organization is not one of them and details to me, make all the difference. I wrote on your blog in a comment, if you would mind me sharing this info. in a post, along with a link to your blog? I really appreciate you taking the time and energy to give me all of this. Can I be you when I grow up? ; ) And definitely let’s talk about how we want to work with the profits so that you and I both can prosper and help others.
Woops. The site ate my HTML tags! So let’s just put it like this: anything you know nothing about (except the Moon’s phases and condition; you’ve really gotta learn that stuff) is dispensable.
How nice to meet you My Dear,
I soooo understand you ~
I enjoy your blog and will be “Following” your journey.
Please do stop by and pay me a visit ~
Ohhh,,,,; Maybe with time, or….. Maybe it IS what it is ment to be ~ ;~)
Angel ~
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Hi Angel,
Welcome to my blog and thank you so much for leaving a comment. I am in LOVE with your blog. I left a comment, it’s like walking into an enchanted garden. The way you write about your garden and life is just so beautiful. It’s like taking a mini vacation when I visit there.
A BOS is really only a recipe book & I treat mine in exactly that way. On a practical level, I try to only write on one side of each page & fit a whole spell/ritual on a single page (but sometimes they’re too long, which is fine!) Quite often, the blank back pages get used for refinements of the spell on the front, or additions to the one on the facing page. Sometimes I scribble something out if I find a better alternative ingredient for a potion or better wording for a spell. Don’t get too hung up on making it look like a beautiful work of art because it isn’t, it’s a working tool… just like a kitchen recipe book gets floury & splashed with sauce, a BOS is likely to suffer in its every day life. Mine’s been out in the rain (which makes some of the ink run, meaning I have to go over it later with a different pen in order for it to be legible) it’s been dropped in the margins of the bonfire (where it got slightly singed on one cover & some of the pages covered in streaks of grey wood ash) on wet grass (ink running again) & on muddy ground (more ink running, muddy streaks, etc) It has several drips of wax on & in it, a couple of glass rings, a few pages that are no longer attached so I have to keep elastic bands round it & puppy teeth marks on one corner (I rescued it before any real harm was done… phew!) Actually, as I sit here looking at it I realise that it’s a total disgrace!
But the point is that it doesn’t matter what it looks like or what anyone else thinks of it. It’s MINE, only to be read by me (just as well really as no one else would be able to make sense of it!) & really does represent most of the useful practical knowledge I’ve gathered over the last 35 years or so. I keep lists of correspondences & other useful info on my computer, so all that gets written in the BOS is spell instructions (recipes) & as long as I can follow them then nothing else is important. I tell myself that one day I’ll copy it all out into a nice new book, with no crossings-out & no dirt, on beautiful hand made paper in perfect handwriting… but I know it’ll never happen! I LIKE my BOS just as it is. I’m not worried about taking it outside, dropping it, spilling things on it. It feels more alive because it has signs of use. Nothing is ever quite so comfortable as the pair of jeans that just wore out.
My better half collects antiquarian books. When he brings home a boxful from an auction & we unpack it sometimes there are ones that look almost brand new despite having sat on someone’s bookshelf for anything up to 200 years. But those are the ones that no one’s ever read. The ones with loose pages & worn out covers are much more likely to be worth reading than the ones that have managed to remain pristine, & have definitely been better loved over the years.
Oh, great advice and tips, Kate. I get into this obsessive frame of mind with thinking it has to be a perfect art project as opposed as you said so wonderfully a working tool. I know that it can still look beautiful and yet maintain the purpose of functionality. I would love to see some of the old books your s.o. has collected…They’re the most magickal and wonderful by far. I can’t even imagine holding a book over 100 years old, much less 200! Hmmm, time to add some more Etsy items to your shop? ; ) Thanks for all your wisdom, Kate.