As I've read Wicca is both Feminine and masculine religion, But every time I hear about The Book of Shadows I hear two things.
1. That it is an important tool for all Wiccans to have, and
2. They always refer to it as her or she. never he or his.
So I've been keeping a journal type thing and just not calling it anything, my question again is: Do men keep a Book of Shadows or not?
thank you, Anatketani and Nyjh, you have both been quite helpful,I hope you see this Because I dint know how to tell you this on yahoo.
Yes, you'll find male Wiccans with their own Book of Shadows. Keep in mind though that the far majority of Wiccans are females, so many books are going to reflect that bias, especially if they're from Llewelyn publishing.
And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. And the people were a stiff necked people, hard to understand.
23 And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destruct ions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things?stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. And after this manner do I write concerning them.
Absolutely they do. Sometimes they refer to it as a Book of Shadows, but more often it's just a grimier or journal of different spells or herb lore, Goddess and God information, etc etc. The best thing about it is that it's YOURS, which means you can call it whatever you'd like, and put whatever you'd like inside it.
Blessings!
Yes Wiccan Males keep a Book of Shadows. I myself have a physical one as well as a virtual one on my computer. The computer one has files that I can easily print out for ritual use so it works great. The physical one I use for reference only and rarely bring it into ritual.
I have never heard of the book of shadows being described as having a gender. It is gender neutral...just as the religion is. Anyone of any sex or age may create and own a book of shadows.
A BoS is a journal which is neither male nor female, though it has feminine connotations or aspects. Yes, it is kept by both men and women. Even my students have one (I currently have 2 male students.)... You keep track of your journey in Wicca and (if you are also studying magic) your thoughts and observations of magic as well.
Again, terribly curious what you've been reading. Books do not have gender, including the BoS. Gender equality is central within Wicca. Men do all the same things women do. Wicca was, after all, founded by a man.
I recently read an excellent book that used the term "Witch" interchangeably with "Wiccan" and also referred to all Wiccans as she/her. Despite the excellent information in that book, it is nevertheless an example of the over-fermentation of this religion (and the misconception that witches and Wiccans are all the same thing). Lots of Wiccans find the religion attractive because of the equality between the sexes or the emphasis on the feminine (depending on the tradition). More and more, however, Wicca is becoming egalitarian with a more equal focus on masculine gender and energy along with feminine gender and energy.
If you want to call it a Book of Shadows, do so. If you'd rather call it something completely different (perhaps less conspicuous depending on your living situation), that's fine too.
Do men keep a BoS in wicca?
