#because i write in a parchment notebook then edit as i type

[apheliaholmes]

(j'avais posté ça sur Instagram, mais pourquoi ne pas le partager ici ?)

🇫🇷 - Mes derniers achats de livres.

J'ai toujours été une grande fan de la plume de Thomas Hardy, et à chaque fois que je vois un recueil de poèmes (que je n'ai pas encore), je craque et je l'achète. Cela fait quelque temps que je voulais aussi acheter un livre d'Edgar Allan Poe (The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket), (j’ai d'ailleurs découvert qu'il était de Boston, moi qui croyais toujours qu'il était anglais et avait étudié à Oxford). J’ai aussi - encore - acheter un livre de Stephen King (The Tommyknockers). Et j'ai craqué pour un petit cahier Paperblanks.

Ce compte n'est pas activement entretenu et cela ne changera pas à l'avenir. Je publierai de temps en temps, quand le cœur m'en dira. J'ai envie de construire une communauté, telle une petite île dans Animal Crossing. Mais je n'ai pas envie de me donner du mal pour attirer des gens grâce à mon écriture, à mes poèmes ou en me creusant la tête pour des photos esthétiques et extrêmement bien retouchées. Les personnes qui viendront et s'abonneront seront les bienvenues, et c'est tout.

Ce compte était avant tout destiné à me créer une petite vitrine en tant qu'auteur et à essayer de vendre mes romans, ma plume et l'auteur que je suis du coup. Mais soyons honnêtes, je m'en fiche un peu de vendre mes livres ou d'avoir dix mille abonnés sur Insta. À la fin de la journée, ça ne changera rien pour moi. J'aimerais vivre de ma plume, c'est vrai, alors autant me concentrer sur l'écriture et non sur la vente d'un esthétisme lié à cette vie imaginaire qu'est celle des écrivains. Je veux dire, ce n'est pas parce qu'on écrit sur un parchemin que les mots sont plus percutants que ce que l'on tape sur un clavier d'ordinateur. Et ce n'est pas parce qu'un auteur a un million d'abonnés que ses romans sont forcément bons. D'ailleurs, qu'est-ce qu'un bon roman au final ?

Bref, j'ai acheté de nouveaux livres. *

🇬🇧 - My recent book purchases.

I've always been a big fan of Thomas Hardy's writing, and every time I come across a collection of poems (that I don't already have), I can't resist and end up buying it. I've been meaning to get a book by Edgar Allan Poe for a while now (I recently discovered he's from Boston, contrary to my previous belief that he was English and studied at Oxford). I also, once again, bought a book by Stephen King. And I couldn't resist picking up a small notebook from Paperblanks.

This account is not actively maintained, and that won't change in the future. I'll post occasionally, whenever I feel like it. I want to build a community, like a little island in Animal Crossing. But I don't want to make an effort to attract people with my writing, poems, or by brainstorming for aesthetically pleasing and heavily edited photos. Those who come and subscribe are welcome, and that's it.

This account was initially meant to serve as a showcase for me as an author and an attempt to sell my novels, my writing, and the author that I am. But let's be honest, I don't really care about selling my books or having ten thousand followers on Insta. At the end of the day, it won't change anything for me. Sure, I'd like to make a living from my writing, so I might as well focus on the writing itself rather than selling an aesthetic tied to this imaginary life of writers. I mean, just because we write on parchment doesn't make the words more impactful than what we type on a computer keyboard. And having a million followers doesn't necessarily make an author's novels good. By the way, what really defines a good book?

Anyway, I bought some new books.

#bookblr #new books #bookshaul #literature #booksbooksbooks #french tumblr

[thesilverwitch]

HOW TO: BOOK OF SHADOWS

WHAT IT IS

Your Book of Shadows (BOS), is a very sacred, personal tool used to store valuable information you'll need in your tradition, whatever it may be. You will come across a lot of knowledge on your journey and so it’s a great idea to start a journal of sorts to keep it all organized for reference in ritual, spellwork, and any other spiritual work. In this post you will find a basic method to help you get started in making your own BOS. Don't let anyone tell you there's only one way to make your BOS - use what works best for you!

SOME HISTORY

Gerald Gardner claimed to have produced the first Book of Shadows and is believed to have coined the term. Of course, many belief systems and individuals have been recording magical and spiritual experience far before his time. 

His first draft was initially known as “Ye Bok of ye Art Magical” (renamed The Book of Shadows in 1949) It was believed that there existed a Sanskrit book of divination which explained how to foretell things based upon the length of a person's shadow. This is believed to be where Gerald Gardner came up with the name “Book of Shadows”.

Gardner told his early students in the Brickett Wood coven that the Book of Shadows was a personal cookbook of spells that have worked for him personally, and that they were welcome to copy from it, and to add or remove material as they saw fit. 

Traditionally, the Book of Shadows was always hand-written by the individual, and a common custom for new initiates into a coven was to hand-copy the teacher’s Book of Shadows exactly as it appeared, and then later to add their own material as they progressed in the craft. Some Wiccans keep two Books of Shadows: one book of core rituals which does not change, and from which new initiates copy; and another coven book for ritual use, which is different from group to group and may contain much added material, some of it traded between covens. Today, however, with the advantages of technology, they are often typed and photocopied, or even computerized onto discs or websites.

In modern Eclectic Wiccan terminology, a Book of Shadows is more of a personal magical journal rather than a traditional text, and it exists to record rituals, spells and their results, and other magical information of an individual or coven, and is not normally passed from teacher to student.

METHODS OF CREATION

1. TRADITIONAL: To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank notebook. A popular method is to use a three-ring binder so items can be added and rearranged as needed. If you use this style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is great for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings from getting on the pages! You can also utilize the sheet protectors by leaving page numbers blank on your paper pages and using a dry erase marker on the sheet protector to write down the page numbers on both content and the table of contents to easily keep things organized and rearrangeable. 

2. DIGITAL: Keep in mind that as our technology is constantly changing, the way we use it does too - there are people who keep their BOS completely digitally on a flash drive, their laptop, or even stored virtually to be accessed by their favorite mobile device. A BOS pulled up on a smartphone is no less valid than one copied by by hand in ink onto parchment. We're all on the go pretty much constantly, and if you're someone who prefers to have your BOS immediately accessible - and editable - at any time, you might want to consider a digital BOS. If you choose to go this route, there are a number of different apps you can use that will make organization easier. If you've got access to a tablet, laptop, or phone, you can absolutely make a digital Book of Shadows!

3. DIGITAL + TRADITIONAL: You can also design your pages digitally, print them off, and organize them in a handbound journal or three-ring binder. This is my preferred method because it’s quick and pretty.  If you aren’t artistically inclined, there are premade BOS pages available for print-off on Pinterest. 

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BOOK OF SHADOWS

When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections that are nearly universally included. 

1. Your Title Page

Your title page should include your name (or magical name, if you see fit). Make it fancy or simple, depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a magical object and should be treated accordingly. Many witches simply write, “The Book of Shadows of [your name]” on the front page. 

2. Laws of Your Coven or Tradition (Beliefs)

Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group, it’s a really good idea to keep them at the front of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what doesn’t. If you’re part of an eclectic tradition that doesn’t have written rules, or if you’re a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what you think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you don’t set yourself some guidelines, how will you know when you’ve crossed over them?

This may include a variation on the Wiccan Rede, or some similar concept.

3. A Dedication

If you’ve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Wiccans dedicate themselves to a God or Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is a good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to, and why. This can be a lengthy essay, or it can be as simple as saying, “I, [your name], dedicate myself to [insert deity] today, [insert date].”

4. Gods and Goddesses

Depending on what pantheon or tradition you follow, you may have a single God and Goddess, or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to keep legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If your practice is an eclectic blend of different spiritual paths, it’s a good idea to include that here.

5. Correspondence Tables

When it comes to spellcasting, correspondence tables are some of your most important tools. Phases of the moon, herbs, stones and crystals, colors – all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will be at the ready when you really need it. If you have access to a good almanac, it’s not a bad idea to record a year's’ worth of moon phases by date in your BOS.

6. Sabbats, Esbats, and Other Rituals

The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays for most Wiccans and Pagans, although some traditions do not celebrate all of them. Your BOS can include rituals for each of the Sabbats. For example, for Samhain you may wish to create a rite that honors your ancestors and celebrates the end of the harvest, while for Yule you may want to write down a celebration of the winter Solstice. A Sabbat celebration can be as simple or complex as you wish.

If you’ll be celebrating each full moon, you’ll want to include an Esbat rite in your BOS. You can use the same one each month, or create several different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also wish to include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing Down the Moon, a rite that celebrates the invoking of the Goddess at the time of the full moon. If you’ll be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be sure to include them here.

7. Divination

If you’re learning about Tarot, scrying, astrology, or any other form of divination, keep information in here. When you experiment with new methods of divination, keep a record of what you do and results you see in your Book of Shadows.

8. Sacred Texts

While it’s fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes it’s just as nice to have information that’s a little more established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you, such as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an archaic language, or a particular chant that moves you, include it in your Book of Shadows.

9. Magical Recipes

There’s a lot to be said for “kitchen witchery,” because for many people, the kitchen is the center of hearth and home. As you collect recipes for oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You may even want to include a section of food recipes for Sabbat celebrations.

10. Spell Crafting

Some people prefer to keep their spells in a separate book called a grimoire, but you can also keep them in your Book of Shadows. It’s easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity, protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include - particularly if you write your own rather than using someone else's ideas - make sure you also leave room to include information on when the working was performed and what the outcome was.

11. Other Ideas

Check this link for other ideas on the subject matter to incorporate into your BOS (or a premade one you can purchase.) 

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

Many Pagans feel a BOS should be handwritten, but as technology progresses, some use their computer to store information as well. Don't let anyone tell you there's only one way to make your BOS - use what works best for you!

Bear in mind that a BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item of power that should be consecrated with all of your other magical tools.

If you’re going the traditional route, make sure you write legibly enough that you’ll be able to read your notes during a ritual!

Please keep in mind that one does not have to practice magic or even be Pagan in order to create a BOS. One can simply record their spiritual journey and experiences. 

You can also call it something else if the ‘Book of Shadows’ term makes you uncomfortable. 

What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical alphabets. Unless you’re fluent enough in one of these systems that you can read it without having to check notes or a chart, stick with your native language. 

The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to keep it organized. You can use tabbed dividers, create an index at the back, or if you’re really super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more, you’ll have more information to include – this is why the three-ring binder is such a practical idea. Some people choose instead to use a simple bound notebook, and just add to the back of it as they discover new items.

If you find a rite, spell or piece of information somewhere else, be sure to note down the source. It will help you keep organized, and you'll start to recognize patterns in authors' works. You may also want to add a section that includes books you've read, as well as what you thought of them. This way, when you get a chance to share information with others, you'll remember what you've read.

#book of shadows #bos #pagan #wicca #wiccan #witchcraft #witches of Tumblr #witch #magick #spell #easy spell #the craft #paganism #amethyst #moon #full moon #eclipse #nature #neo wiccan #neo pagan #OTP #gif #LOL #fashion #art #DIY #food #landscape #vintage #design

[proverbesdamour-blog]

This daily habit will help reduce stress and strengthen immunity – according to science

A practice that enhances your vitality!

Keeping a diary is one of those habits that for most people seems to be weakness at best and senseless digging at worst. After all, a simple description of your life cannot somehow change it, can it?

It turns out maybe. No matter how strange it sounds.

Keeping a diary is a long tradition of mankind. For many years, people trusted papyrus, parchment and paper that they would not trust anyone else. They recorded their life circumstances and experiences without embellishment, leaving as a result many important historical documents and amazing personal stories for us.

But if you think that only future historians can benefit from our diaries, you are mistaken. Modern scholars argue that this hobby with a respectable history can bring tangible health benefits.

Over the past decade, researchers have proven the undeniable advantages of regular diaries, especially in the form of so-called “emotional writing,” in which events are recorded that are particularly emotional or traumatic. An example of such events may be job loss, illness of loved ones or important life conflicts.

According to scientists, keeping a diary can lead to a significant improvement in mental and physical health. Among other things, it gives you the following benefits:

Lowering blood pressure

Improving lung function

Improving liver function

Relief of a symptom of asthma, irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis

Improving the functioning of the immune system (increasing the number of T-lymphocytes in the body)

Improving short-term and long-term memory.

This may surprise you, but keeping a diary even contributes to faster healing of wounds. A study in New Zealand in 2013 showed that in adults who described their experiences in diaries and frustrated their events for at least 20 minutes a day for 3 days, wounds healed 75% faster than the control group that did not keep diaries.

Additional studies also show that “emotional writing” leads to faster employment after job loss and higher student learning scores.

Think about it for a few minutes: people who spend only 20 minutes a day on keeping a diary heal more quickly from wounds, improve their intellectual parameters and learning outcomes, and do so without any side effects. If there was a pill doing all this, it would be swept off the shelves.

So why does keeping a diary have such an amazing healing effect? Unfortunately, a clear answer to this question does not exist, but it seems that this is due to the stimulation of the production of certain antibodies and hormones by the body that help it cope with stress.

Pennebaker, a psychologist and researcher in the field of “emotional writing,” says the following about this: “When you make notes about emotionally saturated and / or traumatic situations, it helps to present the situation in a different perspective, as if from the outside, structure it, organize and clearly formulate it thoughts that disturb you, which ultimately can help you overcome it … It also helps to sleep better, gives clarity of thoughts and feelings, and also contributes to a more saturated social life. All this, in turn, strengthens the immune system and health, and also improves the general condition of the body. “

Does that sound convincing? Then here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to start keeping a diary:

1. Do it by hand

Keeping a diary on paper and by hand activates a region of the brain called the reticular activating system (RAS), and science has proven that regular use of the RAS helps increase concentration. Handwriting also improves motor skills and stimulates memory, while typing on a computer does not. All in all, it keeps your mind in good shape.

2. Do not edit the written, and do not share it with anyone

Write down what you think quickly, without thinking over each word – because your thoughts and feelings are important, not value judgments. Do not share what you’ve written with anyone and don’t particularly worry about syntax and spelling. The meaning of the diary is primarily in self-knowledge and a description of your experiences, and not in the correct spelling.

3. Keep a diary the way you like

You will inevitably spend a lot of time keeping and re-reading the diary, so do it the way you like. Find a beautiful picture or a motivating quote that will cheer up every time you see them, and let it flaunt on the cover – on the Internet or bookstores you will find a lot of options.

Professional advice: take notebooks or notebooks with a hard cover and a spine connected by a spiral – so you will have much less problems with clearly spelling words and moving to a new page.

4. Write 15 to 20 minutes each day

As in the case of meditation, you will get the maximum benefit from keeping a diary if you do this consistently and over a long period. Personally, I prefer to keep a diary in the mornings, as it helps me to start the day in a fit and toned way. Some people choose evening for this, because they can write down everything that happened to them during the day. Find the time of the day that is right for you, and stick to it for maximum effectiveness.

***

If you decide to start a diary, remember that it makes you stronger and increases vitality. You do this to improve your physical, emotional, and possibly even spiritual health … And it will make your future life much happier.

“I never travel without my diary. I should always have something emotional with me to read on the train, ” Oscar Wilde.

The post This daily habit will help reduce stress and strengthen immunity – according to science appeared first on proverbesdamour.

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