Customer Reviews

Your Book Of Shadows: How to Write Your Own Magickal Spells

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am pretty new to the craft (almost 2 years) and out of all the Wicca 101 books that I have read the most overwhelming chapter has always been on how to create your BOS. I made one out of a folder but soon learned that just one book wasn't enough to hold everything. Then I started having so much trouble with getting organized. Sometimes, it seemed the same information belonged in many sections, and sometimes I couldn't find a section where certain information belonged. When I saw the title of this book I decided to try it because, well, I was desperate for some help. The information in the book is shallow but that is very nice for someone just starting out because it helps you organize the information when it is still manageable and allows you to do farther research later. Another nice thing about this book are all the "crafts" ideas, creative things, that you can undertake if you have time such as creating your own paper and ink. And, finally, you end up with a BOS that you can actually use. The down side to this book is that if you have a few years under your belt, you might find this book boring and the information too shallow for your liking. That is why I gave it 4 stars. I think that this is a great book for some who has only read a few books and the Craft and is a beginner. I would highly recommend over some of the other books out there. But for someone who has had years of experiance I would suggest to find something else (or at least check the book out at the book store before spending money on it).

Most books dealing with magickal Books of Shadows give you very specific information, including spells, to basically copy into a handwritten journal of your own. NOT THIS BOOK! Finally, a comprihensive guide on what to include in your BoS, how to construct it, and how to organize it. Also included are hints to doing your intial research, suggestions to personalizing your BoS (including sending the pages to a book binder), and making your own paper for a special touch that corresponds with each section of your BoS. Great book, highly recommended.

I've been practicing for a few years and started off really well with my BOS, but have gotten myself in some sort of rut lately combined with the fact that I too have post-it notes and napkins and binder paper with my magickal scribblings and stuff written down and scattered everywhere! I needed this book and the other reviews were just what I needed to hear. It's great for giving direction, ideas and inspiration, correspondences and different things related to one's personal BOS. VERY valuable no matter if you are new to the Craft or been practicing for years, truly. I think everyone will find something they can use and then some in this book. Not another one like it that I have seen and just as good if not better than Ms. Telesco's other books. I seem to have many by her so there must be a reason! :-)

I was having a major problem teaching students how to create a Book of Shadows of their own...you know how you do some things yourself, but you can't quite describe how to do them? Trish Telesco does NOT have this problem! This is a WONDERFUL resource for starting your BOS...she gives you tips throughout the book as to where to put the information she is providing into your own book, which is very helpful!! Get this book if you're having problems trying to sort out all of your magickal notes!

Whether you are just starting out or have been doing this a while, I consider this book an invaluable resource. I tend to be one of those information pack-rats with notes and bits of knowledge scattered all over the place. I never could come up with a good organizational system for my Book of Shadows until now. Ms. Telesco wrote a straight forward, easy to read book that covers every step from how to create the paper for your book up to what sections to consider including. In addition she has included information from her own Book of Shadows for each section that makes this a valuable reference book as well. I definitely consider this book to be one of the "must-haves" in my library.

I'm surprised the reader below found nothing of interest here - recipes for ink and paper, great ideas for organization, and starter material besides, this book is a mini book of shadows within a book that describes how to make one for yourself!. The author shares personal excerpts and those from friends in a very user friendly format. I am an experienced practitioner but needed something to give me a fresh approach to my BOS - this was wonderful (including cyber spellbooks)

This book has a lot of good ideas on how to make your own book of shadows as well basic information you may want to include on things like crystals, element corresponds, charms, meditations, spells, rituals and divination. It is a good book of ideas to help you get started and I would buy it again. At the same time, I really feel the need to point out some of the books flaws that no one else mentioned.

To start, I was very unhappy with her crafts section. She says she is not crafty, and that she writes this for beginners. However, any non-crafty person would become easily frustrated with many of her techniques. There are also no diagrams or pictures help with these. If you think you want to any of the crafts she mentions, borrow a book (or several) on those topics from the library.

For example, her instructions for papermaking were bizarre. I have made paper and have many books on it. Yet, I have never heard of the method she describes. She says to make a papermaking screen with wire and nylons. She mentions that with her method, you can only make one piece of paper at a time and mush let it sit in the screen for a day or two to dry. She also states if you want more than one sheet, you will have to go through the tedious process of making more flimsy screens. You can buy inexpensive kits with screens and couching sheets - felt sheets that you put the paper between to dry so you can make more than one sheet at a time. Some papermaking books even tell you how you can make your own, much sturdier, papermaking screen.

She also tries to teach candle making. The method describes does not give enough information and could actually get you injured. Yet, another craft she mentions is bookbinding. The instructions are too basic. Actual bookbinding books should be helpful in sparking ideas as well as give good instruction. While I have not tried it yet, the only craft that seemed reasonably described was making your own wax seal with soapstone.

The author mentions using various scents on papers for your book. This is fine, but for some unknown reason she never though to warn you if you do this and you have several different scented sheets that do not blend well, your book will reek. If you want to do this, just do it on one sheet or choose compatible scents and realize scents on one page may transfer onto other pages in the book.

I also found that her descriptions of various spells / rituals were sometimes too vague. I absolutely loved the idea of a portable scared space. I was very disappointed to discover that her description left me with unanswered questions and so I can't use it.

This book was incredibly helpful! Not only is it full of great information about the craft, but it encourages the reader to use her own passion and creativity to learn and grow spiritually. It is especially useful for the solitary pracitioner of magickal arts. Every witch needs one of these on her bookshelf!

If you're uncertain about what a BoS is, or what to put in it, this is a must have!! I'm halfway done with the book, and I love it!! It's really interesting, I feel like I'm sitting there with the author, not just reading. I feel as though she is really talking to me. I have found so many great tips in this book, and I have so many wonderful ideas about what to put in my BoS! I would recommend this book to ANYONE that is interested in making a BoS and has no clue where to start. I had no clue, but once I started reading this book, I know so much now!!! Its a must have for any person, even if you are a pro at this stuff....I'm sure theres a few things that you could learn in this bok! It's amazing, it's a BoS and a map on how to make your own! It even tells you how to meditate, Well you should definately buy this book!!!! It's amazing!! Thats all I can say about it !! AMAZNING!! :)

I think this is a great book for beginners just learning the craft on how to put their book of shadows together. Too many times new Witches have asked me how to write their BOS, and now I tell them about this book along with my own thoughts. I especially love the chapter that included how to make your own paper. Its a delightful book from a very good author.