"Book of Shadows" Must-Haves

[Sanguina Cruenta]

Erise Crewe

But also i see the books in an informational source, and because of that want to take notes out of ..the habit of taking notes when i'm trying to learn something. sweatdrop And then wonder if that would count as a BoS material, since that's what a BoS is supposed to be right eek

No.  

[oOGarrettOo]

I'm guilty of having been practicing for years and not having some kind of BoS sweatdrop I should get on that...  

[Bunny Hermione]

Erise Crewe

Sanguina Cruenta

Why would you have done anything at this point? You've barely discovered witchcraft.

my first thought was 'peer pressure! scream ' I'm j/k it's part of being new xd seems like even complete newbies have started one so i was wondering when to begin sweatdrop

But also i see the books in an informational source, and because of that want to take notes out of ..the habit of taking notes when i'm trying to learn something. sweatdrop And then wonder if that would count as a BoS material, since that's what a BoS is supposed to be right eek

I wouldn't worry about not starting one, no matter how new you are. I've been learning and adapting my path for 8 years and I still don't have a BOS or anything like that. Granted, partially it did come from my parents flat refusing to allow any practice (their right, and I respect it), and then going to a private Christian college where it would be impossible to practice.

I'd just say start it when you want to. smile  

[Esiris]

Bunny Hermione

I wouldn't worry about not starting one, no matter how new you are. I've been learning and adapting my path for 8 years and I still don't have a BOS or anything like that. Granted, partially it did come from my parents flat refusing to allow any practice (their right, and I respect it), and then going to a private Christian college where it would be impossible to practice.

I'd just say start it when you want to. smile

How is it impossible to practice?  

[Bunny Hermione]

Esiris

Bunny Hermione

I wouldn't worry about not starting one, no matter how new you are. I've been learning and adapting my path for 8 years and I still don't have a BOS or anything like that. Granted, partially it did come from my parents flat refusing to allow any practice (their right, and I respect it), and then going to a private Christian college where it would be impossible to practice.

I'd just say start it when you want to. smile

How is it impossible to practice?

I'm not allowed anything that even remotely resembles a pagan ritual tool. Also there's the fact that I'm one of the very few non-Christians at this school. I have a friend who graduated from my university three years ago, the year before I started, and she was pagan. She lived in one of our apartment-like complexes, so she had a room to herself, but a shared common area. She kept all her stuff in her room, no one could see it in the common areas and she still had loads of problems. She had some things go missing too. If I were to live in a regular dorm, that's 2 people in 1 room. That's a whole other issue there, since most people who are Christian around my area are distinctly uncomfortable with anything non-Christian. Given all my prior experiences with that, I don't really see the practicality of my trying to practice until I can live by myself, or in an apartment where I actually do have full privacy.

I am moving into our apartment-complex next year for university, so it's an issue there. Since it's a private university, they have the right to call things taboo, and I knew that when I chose the school. I just do research for now and figure out my beliefs, do little mental thanks or acknowledgements for good things in my life. That's the extent of what I can do, given my living circumstances. I've been living with my grandma, who flat told me that I'm not allowed to practice or having tools in her house. Since my parents also have put that restriction...it is practically impossible for me to practice. The only things I am allowed are my necklace pendants, since jewelry isn't a religious tool or practice.  

[Esiris]

Bunny Hermione

I'm not allowed anything that even remotely resembles a pagan ritual tool.

You could take a kitchen wtich approach- how would they even know that the knife, wooden spoon, trivit and mug were "pagan"? Or you could practice outside of school- like at a park or something.

Quote:

That's a whole other issue there, since most people who are Christian around my area are distinctly uncomfortable with anything non-Christian.

You could either try and network outside of school or you could practice solo.

Quote:

Given all my prior experiences with that, I don't really see the practicality of my trying to practice until I can live by myself, or in an apartment where I actually do have full privacy.

If that's what feels right for you go for it! cat_3nodding
I just think that unless it's unethical to practice for some reason- there are ways to overcome the other problems if you feel a calling.  

[Bunny Hermione]

Esiris

If that's what feels right for you go for it! cat_3nodding
I just think that unless it's unethical to practice for some reason- there are ways to overcome the other problems if you feel a calling.

I may be overly cautious too. I had a pretty bad time of it in high school, so I've always been on the ultra-cautious side in dealing with people who I know will have problems with my beliefs. And it could be that I wouldn't have problems, but no knowing that till I meet the roommates.

At the moment, it's best for me to research. It actually helps, kind of, that I haven't been able to practice. I'm far more comfortable knowing that I'll have a good foundation of knowledge before I ever try to cast a spell. smile  

[Esiris]

Bunny Hermione

Esiris

If that's what feels right for you go for it! cat_3nodding
I just think that unless it's unethical to practice for some reason- there are ways to overcome the other problems if you feel a calling.

I may be overly cautious too. I had a pretty bad time of it in high school, so I've always been on the ultra-cautious side in dealing with people who I know will have problems with my beliefs. And it could be that I wouldn't have problems, but no knowing that till I meet the roommates.

At the moment, it's best for me to research. It actually helps, kind of, that I haven't been able to practice. I'm far more comfortable knowing that I'll have a good foundation of knowledge before I ever try to cast a spell. smile

Are you looking into Wicca specifically or general witchcraft?  

[Bunny Hermione]

Esiris

Are you looking into Wicca specifically or general witchcraft?

Not Wicca. I've got a pretty deep-seated anxiety of being in groups of people. Plus, I've always felt like spirituality is private. I suppose best to say is just general witchcraft.  

[Esiris]

Bunny Hermione

Not Wicca. I've got a pretty deep-seated anxiety of being in groups of people. Plus, I've always felt like spirituality is private. I suppose best to say is just general witchcraft.

Ok- you confused me earlier when you told people you were looking for Wicca.

You don't need any tools to practice other forms of witchcraft- or you could just use household tools instead.  

[Bunny Hermione]

Esiris

Bunny Hermione

Not Wicca. I've got a pretty deep-seated anxiety of being in groups of people. Plus, I've always felt like spirituality is private. I suppose best to say is just general witchcraft.

Ok- you confused me earlier when you told people you were looking for Wicca.

You don't need any tools to practice other forms of witchcraft- or you could just use household tools instead.

Oh. If I put Wicca anywhere that was a mistake. It's been about 6 years since I stopped looking into Wicca itself. Sorry about that.

I should look into that. I hadn't even thought about just using innocuous things. Thanks for the idea. smile  

[Esiris]

Bunny Hermione

Oh. If I put Wicca anywhere that was a mistake. It's been about 6 years since I stopped looking into Wicca itself. Sorry about that.

I should look into that. I hadn't even thought about just using innocuous things. Thanks for the idea. smile

I just misunderstood. cat_sweatdrop

Just to say- even coven rituals have a personal element. Wicca doesn't have dogma, so while you share the experiences and mysteries that you can't access alone, that doesn't mean they tell you how to interpret them.  

[Bunny Hermione]

Esiris

Bunny Hermione

Oh. If I put Wicca anywhere that was a mistake. It's been about 6 years since I stopped looking into Wicca itself. Sorry about that.

I should look into that. I hadn't even thought about just using innocuous things. Thanks for the idea. smile

I just misunderstood. cat_sweatdrop

Just to say- even coven rituals have a personal element. Wicca doesn't have dogma, so while you share the experiences and mysteries that you can't access alone, that doesn't mean they tell you how to interpret them.

All clear. I'd heard that it wasn't dogma, but I forgot about it. Hm...I suppose a coven just probably isn't right for me. I get nervous even thinking about it. Probably it's purely from my anxiety of dealing with people, since covens aren't anything to be nervous about. It is a different perspective though, since the few pagan-witch friends I have are all solitaries, so I don't personally know anyone in a coven.  

[SilvyrRayn]

I love to keep a list of stones that I own as well as their meanings. I also keep print outs of a bunch of different tarot spreads.