Why is it called a book of Shadows?
“Book of Shadows” was a Wiccan term for the magickal journal. I believe it was Gerald Gardner who coined the phrase, being a translation from ‘Liber Umbera’, which means of course Book of Shadows. Before this the witch’s book was known as a ‘grimoire’. It should be understood though that books in the Craft are still a relatively new thing. This is because to be caught with one was certain death and not everyone knew how to read. I have heard of some ‘fluffy’ Wiccans calling their grimoire a ‘Book of Light’. It must be remembered that just because something is dark does not neccessarily mean its evil. Their must be a balance. Do not fear the dark, rather learn to embrace it as well as the light, for we all have a darkside. The ancient mystery schools used to have inscribed above their doors “Know Thyself”. This means the darkside as well as the light. The ‘Book of Shadows’ is one tool that can be used to this end. After you have written in it a while you can go back and read it picking
