Needless to say, I'm kind of new at this whole Wicca business. Now, I've been active in Druidry and what some would call "Traditional Witchcraft." However, it should be noted that field has become somewhat labeled, exclusive, and myopic.

But, now to the point: One of Wicca's tools is affectionately called a "Book of Shadows." Even though I just completed Lesson 5 (tools), I didn't learn why it is called that. Perhaps with more time, I could've hit enough sites to discover why, but the sites I perused didn't have a satisfying answer. That led me to develop some speculation.

The Earth has retained the memory of everything, and everyone since its beginning. All things go back into her in a grand re-cycling program. The roots of all plants and trees, as well as deep springs, can be transmitters of this memory. (That's why trees and plants are so valuable to druids and witches.) The "New Agers" aren't so far off in their affection of crystals, as these ancient silicates have been in the earth since the beginning, thus absorbing this "memory." It dwells under, and entwines with the apparent world - always present, yet seldom accessed. Well, this memory of all things is called "shadow."

Now, even if this isn't the origin of "Book of Shadows," isn't it a wonderfully appropriate name?

Blessings bright and dark

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