CANTÓN SAMBORONDÒN, PROVINCIA DEL GUAYAS

The Book of Shadows, often called a grimoire or black book, is a personal journal in which modern Witches write their invocations, rituals, and spells. Its name comes to us from the distant past when magickal journals were penned in secrecy, beneath the veil of night, and contained myster- ies of the shadowy Other World. Because it pages were full of secret formulas, and strange incantations, it was believed that if you possessed a Witch’s Book of Shadows, you pos- sessed the key that would unlock the secrets of the universe. A Witch’s Book of Shadows, like any journal, is a collec- tion of personal thoughts and deeds. It will also contain information about drying herbs, observing lunar transitions,

and instructions for casting spells to attract love, money, and good health. For the most part, it is an accumulation of magickal practices the writer has found to be useful, and doesn’t want to forget.

To most Witches, a Book of Shadows is indispensable. It contains all their magickal recipes. In the same way a cook- book helps create a perfect meal, a Book of Shadows helps create the perfect spell. By keeping a written record of their magickal activities, Witches are able to chart their progress and create a lasting tradition that can be passed on to others.

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It is customary to bless or consecrate your Book of Shad- ows before you begin to work with it. This is a simple pro- cess, and will not require anything other than a candle, pen, and a smudge stick (small bundle of dried herbs held together by cord, usually made of lavender, sage, and sweetgrass).

On the night of the full moon, place the book, pen, candle, and smudge stick on your altar or small table. Light the candle, and speak the following invocation over the book.

By force, by will, by potent power, The spirits I summon this ritual hour To charge this book with wisdom well To cast the perfect rite and spell.

Open the book, and on the first page draw a pentagram with the pen. In the center of the pentagram write your name (or magickal name if you have one).

Close the book and light the smudge. When the smudge begins to burn, pass the book through the cleansing smoke, as you say:

All negative thoughts are banished All unwanted vibrations are gone Only the forces and powers I wish Shall be within from this moment on.

Extinguish the candle and smudge. Wrap your book in black silk and store in a safe place. Although you can share ideas, it is unwise to allow others to read or handle your book. When it comes to Witchcraft, it is best to keep your own counsel.

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CANDLE

The history of candle burning is as old as humanity itself. It originates from fire worship. Early man was in awe of fire—it warmed him, protected him, and helped him cook his food. The flame of the hearth was guarded carefully, shielded against the ravages of wind and rain. Over time, fire came to represent strength, power, and the ability to see past the terrors of night.

Symbolically, candlelight represents illumination, the energizing power of the sun, and the spark of life that resides within the human soul. As an agency of the fire ele- ment, candles are quick to respond to magickal incantations and creative visualization. The simple lighting of a candle creates an atmosphere of magick, and as the darkness gives way to the light, desires are brought into reality.

Candles can be used by themselves as a form of magick, or they may be incorporated as part of a spell. In either case, the candle itself becomes the point of focus. The color of the candle and its shape and size all play important roles in the art of candle magick. The color signifies intent, the design or shape represents the objective, and the size is equivalent to the amount of time needed to carry out the spell.

Color is of primary importance in candle magick. There are 12 basic colors, which offer different sensory vibrations. Red is the most physically potent and powerful, and violet is the most passive and spiritually receptive. The primary col- ors of the light spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) emit specific energies, which are symbolic of their intrinsic properties. These colors move energy out- ward and forward, as well as inward and backward.

In addition to the seven primary colors, there are five additional colors used in the art of candle magick. These are black, white, gray, pink, and brown. Black anchors and ab- sorbs; white encourages and supports; gray is seldom used because it is considered to be void, without movement; pink attracts and entices; and brown stabilizes and sustains.

Burning times (that is, how long the candles should burn) are as essential to candle magick as color is. Each color of the spectrum has its own special wavelength or vibrational frequency. This vibrational frequency is the equivalent of motion and energy, which is the amount of time needed to activate a spell. Therefore, a candle that requires a burning time of four hours will take four times longer to work than a candle that requires only one hour to burn. However, the longer it takes a spell to work, and the more energy involved in its formulation, the more enduring its results.

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The first step in candle magick is to choose a candle whose color and shape represent your desire. Next you will have to dress, or energize, the candle. This is done by anoint- ing the entire candle with an appropriate oil. The oil is usu- ally made from a plant or flower that also represents your desire. Place some of the oil on your fingertips. As you con- centrate on your desire, rub the oil onto the candle, starting from the center and rubbing upward. Then rub the oil from