Practical Witchcraft: Dirt Poor Witchcraft - Do you really need a Book of Shadows?

Dear Reader,

I am dipping a toe into some interesting waters with this post. Many occultists and witches are of the opinion that a Book of Shadows (referred hence forth as BoS) is a vital part of the practice. There are conflicting historical records about the use of a BoS during the period known colloquially as the Burning Times. In my efforts to pin down something accurately reflecting what a witch had to work with in that time period, the closest thing that one would have to what in modern times is considered a BoS is a cookbook. And that would be if the witch in question was lucky enough to own a book and have the ability to read. Many of the people persecuted for witchcraft during the Burning Times were either political targets or impoverished people who had some eccentric traits that their neighbors decided were signs of the "Devil". *

Based upon this finding, and let me tell you it took years of research with the assistance of others to come to this conclusion, you do not need a BoS. If you wish to keep a record of your workings, research, and rituals, a BoS is handy but it does not need to be some great leather bound tome with sigils burned into the cover as portrayed by theater and the entertainment industry. It can be a plain notebook that you write in with your favorite pen, for it is like a journal of sorts. Or, you can have a digital document that you keep your records in. If that doesn't work for you, it is easy enough with today's technology to make an audio recording. (Harken thee back to ye old 1990s for the ancient cassette tape, it's still on the market and super cheap.)

Some figures in history come down to us with fancy BoS called Grimoires. These were wealthy people of high status and usually some form of high society patronage. As the middle class grew, the "secret arts" became more accessible because they could afford to consult these individuals. This was mostly after the Burning Times. Today, a casual search on the internet can find you information that these historical figures like John Dee and such had in their libraries.

Returning to the topic of the storied BoS, you only need one if it helps you keep your information organized. If all you need is a pile of index cards, go for it. There are no rules on how to keep a BoS. 

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* Regarding the Burning Times, I'll be doing a post soon about my research and my findings.