Book Review – Your Book of Shadows

Title: “Your Book of Shadows: Make your own magical habit tracker”
Author: Gerridwen Greenleaf
Publisher: CICO Books
Date: April 9, 2024
Pages: 144 

The table of contents in “Your Book of Shadows” gives readers a structure for organizing their personal Book of Shadows rather than buying one written by someone else.

Author Gerridwen Greenleaf begins with a history of the Book of Shadows that includes a gratitude ritual for the witches who have come before. In the second chapter she guides readers through choosing the right book as well as how to inscribe, adorn and protect this magical tool. Chapter 3 offers directions to make a consecration charm and a shrine for your book, as well as an ordered list of what to include.

There are chapters about the effects of the moon on spells, the sabbats, and astrological influences. They contain information, incantations, charms, correspondences for specific intentions, rituals, and recipes. 

Correspondences for trees, flowers, herbs, colors, crystals, animals, planets, and more are presented in the last chapter. The lists serve as a starting point for readers entering that useful information in their own books to document their personal practice, preferences, and progress.

Additional resources and an index each have two pages in the back of the book. 

For those who are looking to keep a personal diary of their magic, “Your Book of Shadows” is a helpful guide that emphasizes there are no hard and fast rules. For those, like me, who started their book years ago, got overwhelmed, and stopped, it offers some inspiration to take it out of hiding and continue compiling the valuable tool.

About the Author:
Cerridwen Greenleaf lives in the San Francisco Bay area. She is the author of several books including “Magic for Change,” “The Book of Norse Magic,” “5-Minute Magic for Modern Wiccans,” and “The Book of Kitchen Witchery.” She blogs at yourmagicalhome.blogspot.com.

About the Reviewer:
All my life I have known magic was real. As an eclectic solitary practitioner, I travel the country in a converted school bus and share magick with those I meet. Find me at https://thewitchonwheels.com/ and on Facebook.