For the past several months, I’ve been trying to make myself go to the local Unitarian Universalist church. Every weekend, I’ve had every intention of going, but then I never end up actually making it. I haven’t been to church in about 7 years, so I’m very out of the habit.

Plus, it’s a 30 minute drive, so I have to get up pretty early to make it on time. I’d also be going to a new place, by myself, where I know no one.

This morning was no exception. I should be leaving in about 30 minutes…but there’s no way I can get ready that quickly. It got me to thinking why I even try. Why does going even cross my mind if I know I’m not going to go?

I think it’s a matter of community. I long to associate with like-minded people. I’ve also seen the friendships started at church, and I would like to have those types of friendships.

I think today at a study session, I may ask a friend to go with me, at least the first time. That way I’ll be held accountable.

What’s the difference between a Book of Shadows and a Grimoire?

The classic answer is fairly simple. A grimoire has classically been a book of straight information. Think of it as a textbook of sorts. A Book of Shadows is more personal. It contains a section for your personal experiences with spells and rituals, as well as personal essays about the nature of magic, your personal ethics, etc.

My physical book (the one that sits on my altar), I usually call a grimoire. Why? Well, the answer is very complex…I like the name better. I’m half kidding I want the book that I have to be a reference guide. My personal experiences, for the most part, will be going on this site. There will be some experiences that I would not share, but my musings on ethics and everything else will be going here. Maybe one day I will print them out to put into my book.

I met a witch who called her book a Witch’s Almanac. There’s no set name for your sacred book, even if some are more popular than others. I will be starting a Book of Shadows series of posts in which I’ll be discussing making  your book in more detail.

That is the question.

It’s one that faces all of us, although for some I’m sure it’s a more straightforward answer than it is for others. Witchcraft and paganism are still not considered mainstream paths, and thus those that “come out” of the broom closet are often met with some skepticism, scorn, and sometimes fear.

So how does a pagan decide when, how, or even if, to come out to family and friends as a witch?
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People have told me that they don’t really have any structure for their spiritual practice. They just talk to the gods throughout the day. I personally don’t work that way…I need a set aside time to be something more than mundane. One of the ways I reconnect with my spiritual side is through a daily tarot draw.

There is the classic one card draw, of course, using the one card to get a feel for how the day will go.

My personal favorite is a three card draw. I have several:

Past-Present-Future
Mind-Body-Spirit
Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow

The best is in my opinion Blessings-Challenges-Advice. I’ve had amazing results with this one, and it really gives you a feel for what you might encounter and how to handle it when/if something does occur.

This exercise is from MysticWicks:

Write down your personal principles, beliefs, and/or magical rules that you chose to follow and believe in. These are your values of life and spiritual path. They should be created from scratch each time you begin a new book. This way you’ll be able to review past volumes and see how much you’ve grown.

Ethics:

I believe I should never mess with someone’s free will.
I believe every spell or ritual I do should be for the greater good as best I see it: what will do the most good and the least harm.
I believe I should ask for guidance in my actions from the gods and the universe

Beliefs:

I believe in reincarnation.
I believe in the gods, as a soft polytheist.
I believe in the ability to manipulate energy and change reality, termed magic.
I believe that there is one truth. I do not believe humans should claim to know this truth.

I will add to this as I think of it.