Gardnerian book of shadows Gardnerian Book of Shadows 1/52 Gardnerian book of shadows Obsah Casting the Circle................................................................................................................................. 4 Drawing Down the Moon.....................................................................................................................5 The Charge: "Lift Up the Veil".............................................................................................................6 The Initiation........................................................................................................................................ 7 First Degree.................................................................................................................................7 Initiation: Second Degree............................................................................................................9 Initiation: Third Degree.............................................................................................................10 Cakes and Wine..................................................................................................................................12 The Sabbat Rituals..............................................................................................................................13 November Eve...........................................................................................................................13 February Eve............................................................................................................................. 13 May Eve.................................................................................................................................... 14 August Eve................................................................................................................................14 On Chants........................................................................................................................................... 16 To Help the Sick.................................................................................................................................17 The Scourge and the Kiss................................................................................................................... 19 The Priestess and the Sword...............................................................................................................20 The Warning.......................................................................................................................................21 Of the Ordeal of the Art Magical........................................................................................................22 The Eightfold Way............................................................................................................................. 23 To Gain the Sight................................................................................................................................24 Power..................................................................................................................................................26 Properly Prepared............................................................................................................................... 27 The Meeting Dance............................................................................................................................ 28 To Leave the Body..............................................................................................................................28 The Working Tools.............................................................................................................................28 Skyclad............................................................................................................................................... 29 A Revision of the Casting Procedure................................................................................................. 30 The Prose Charge................................................................................................................................32 CAKES AND WINE..........................................................................................................................33 The Sabbat Rituals..............................................................................................................................34 Spring equinox.......................................................................................................................... 34 Summer Solstice....................................................................................................................... 34 Autumn Equinox.......................................................................................................................35 Winter Solstice..........................................................................................................................35 The Eightfold Path or Ways............................................................................................................... 37 The First-Degree Initiation................................................................................................................. 38 The Second-Degree Initiation.............................................................................................................40 The Third-Degree Initiation................................................................................................................42 The Witches' Chant or Rune...............................................................................................................44 Consecrating Tools.............................................................................................................................44 The Old Laws..................................................................................................................................... 45 Footnotes...................................................................................................................................49 The Verse Charge............................................................................................................................... 50 2/52 Gardnerian book of shadows Casting and Charging......................................................................................................................... 50 Forming the Circle..............................................................................................................................51 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. Because the Book of Shadows was never formally copyrighted or even attributed to an author, its copyright status is dubious. This version was compiled by Aidan A. Kelly and was originally posted on the Internet in the mid-90s as part of the Internet Book of Shadows material. Text in square brackets is Kelly's commentary. 3/52 Gardnerian book of shadows Casting the Circle (1949) It is most convenient to mark the circle with chalk, paint or otherwise, to show where it is; but marks on the carpet may be utilized. Furniture may be placed to indicate the bounds. The only circle that matters is the one drawn before every ceremony with either a duly consecrated Magic Sword or an Athame. The circle is usually nine feet in diameter, unless made for some very special purpose. There are two outer circles, each six inches apart, so the third circle has a diameter of eleven feet. [1] Having chosen a place proper, take the sickle or scimitar of Art or a Witch's Athame, if thou mayest obtain it, and stick it into the center, then take a cord, and 'twere well to use the Cable Tow for this, and loop it over the Instrument, four and one half feet, and so trace out the circumference of the circle, which must be traced either with the Sword, or the knife with the black hilt, or it be of little avail, but ever leave open a door towards the North. Make in all 3 circles, one within the other , and write names of power between these. [2] First draw circle with Magic Sword or Athame. [3] Consecrate Salt and Water: Touch water with Athame, saying, "I exorcise thee, O creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the impurities and uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so they may harm me not, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos." [4] Touching Salt with Athame, say, "The Blessings of Aradia