BOOK OF SHADOWS

Book of shadows

My ten year old daughter asked me a few weeks ago, what a witch really is? She was still under the perception that a witch worships Satan and flies around on a broomstick. In fact, witches to her, were downright scary. I couldn't answer her as well as I would have liked to. I told her that if she truly wanted to know the answer to that question, then I would take her to talk to a friend of mine who practices wicca. My daughter declined at first, fearing the entire concept, but in the long run curiosity won. I called my friend and asked her if we could come over, explaining why. She was more than happy to answer my daughter's questions and rid of her misconceptions.

My daughter was hesitant to enter her house, now that she knew she practiced wicca. But, she soon settled down with a mug of hot cocoa in the comfy living room recliner. My friend had brought out some items that she wanted to use to show my daughter in her explanations. Once my daughter was ready to listen, my friend began to talk.

She explained that wicca wasn't anything evil or devil worshipping. They simply worship more of the nature and cycles of the world than most others do. She produced a large book and laid it in front of my daughter. She said that it was her book of shadows. Of course, she needed to explain what that meant as well. She said that every witch has their own book of shadows that is only meant for them. Just like a journal would be. They write down any thoughts or quotes, recipes or information about herbs, even poems, spells or stories. Their book of shadows was something that they hold sacred - not to be shared or opened by anyone else unless given permission. My friend told my daughter to open up her book of shadows and look through it. She did, and the pages were decorated with not only words but items that were of interest to my friend. She had herbs taped inside for reference, photos and spells that she had photocopied from various places. Her book of shadows was definitely personalized. I had never even known that my friend had anything called a book of shadows. I never even knew that they existed.

My friend explained that her book of shadows had many writings about her journeys and practices that she needed to write down in order to make more sense of things. She could learn what things meant by journaling in her book of shadows. My daughter seemed intrigued and I had to admit, I was too. I think that I had a new understanding and appreciation for my friend after that day - her book of shadows too.