Open Your Book of Shadows
Room 1 of 13 · Level I · Novice · 6 min
Every witch's path begins with a book of her own. In this room you set up your altar, open the circle and consecrate your grimoire.
What you practise
Consecrating a Book of Shadows by the four elements, as in modern Wicca, where it is now usual for every witch to keep her own copy.
The four steps, in text
- 1. Place the four elements and the book on the altar. Feather → East · Candle → South · Bowl of water → West · Dish of salt → North · Your notebook → Centre
- 2. Light the four quarter candles in order. Yellow candle · East → Red candle · South → Blue candle · West → Green candle · North
- 3. Trace the circle around the altar with your finger. A full circle that starts on the right (east) and runs clockwise until it closes.
- 4. Choose the moon to consecrate your book. New moon, Waxing crescent, First quarter, Waxing gibbous, Full moon, Waning gibbous, Last quarter, Waning crescent
Safety
- Real candle: never leave it alone; put it on a ceramic or metal plate, away from curtains, paper, children and pets. Snuff it out before leaving the room. An LED candle works just as well.
- Do not swallow the salt, the ritual water, plants or oils. Nothing in this room goes on your skin.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or allergies: avoid essential oils and herbs on the skin or in smoke, and check with a health professional first.
- Your intention is about you. Nothing to harm, control or bind another person.
🕯️ Candle out · complete a mission to light it
The streak candle is only an on-screen element. If a room suggests a real candle, follow its safety rules.
Fun fact
"Grimoire" comes from the French "grammaire"; by around 1165 "gramaire" already meant "book of magic".