Witches 'N Wizards

This is the text of the Gardnerian Book of Shadows. In one sense, this is the central sacred text of the Wicca religion. However, it is important to point out that there is no ‘official’ Book of Shadows. Typically each coven has a hand-written copy of a Book of Shadows, sometimes in cypher or code, which reflects its own practices and knowledge. This particular text is derived from a file posted on the Internet in the early 90s, and quotes previously published material which was known to be in use by Gardner and his group.

The Book of Shadows was attributed by Gardner to an ancient, clandestine witch cult, which he claimed to have been initiated into. However, modern researchers have concluded that it was composed by Gardner. The text shows influences from English and Celtic Folk-lore, the Enochian system of John Dee, Thelema, the Golden Dawn, Stregaria, Tantric Yoga, the KJV Bible and even Kipling. This version organizes the material in chronological order and has estimated dates for each section, ranging from 1949 to 1961.

Contents

1. Casting the Circle
2. Drawing Down the Moon
3. The Charge
4. Initiation: First Degree
5. Initiation: Second Degree
6. Initiation: Third Degree
7. Cakes and Wine
8. The Sabbat Rituals: November Eve
9. The Sabbat Rituals: February Eve
10. The Sabbat Rituals: May Eve
11. The Sabbat Rituals: August Eve
12. On Chants
13. To Help the Sick
14. The Scourge and the Kiss
15. The Priestess and the Sword
16. The Warning
17. Of the Ordeal of the Art Magical
18. The Eightfold Way
19. To Gain the Sight
20. Power
21. Properly Prepared
22. The Meeting Dance
23. To Leave the Body
24. The Working Tools
25. Skyclad
26. A Revision of the Casting Procedure
27. The Prose Charge
28. Cakes and Wine
29. The Sabbat Rituals: Spring Equinox
30. The Sabbat Rituals: Summer Solstice
31. The Sabbat Rituals: Autumn Equinox
32. The Sabbat Rituals: Winter Solstice
33. The Eightfold Path or Ways
34. The First-Degree Initiation
35. The Second-Degree Initiation
36. The Third-Degree Initiation
37. The Witches’ Chant or Rune
38. Consecrating Tools
39. The Old Laws
40. The Verse Charge
41. Casting and Charging
42. Forming the Circle