The Book of Shadows by Lady Sheba

The Book of Shadows by Lady Sheba was originally published in 1971, and it started rumblings through the Wiccan Community that basically never stopped. There was talk about material that was stolen from so and so, oath breaking with such and such a tradition, who wrote what, who was telling the truth, who wasn't... and so on and so on. This book created quite a splash in it's day. First editions of this book are known to go for $400 to $500 at auction. Llewellyn has re-released this book, and though it does not stir the controversy it created in 1971 (so I thought when I wrote this review, but it seems it's still "shakin'" the community), it serves a much greater purpose today. It is a "snapshot" of what Wicca was all about in 1971 and before, and we can gauge how far we have come by how much we still have in common with the material printed in this book. If you look at the printed material of Doreen Valiente and Patricia Crowther and then compare it to Lady Sheba's (Jessie Wicker Bell) material, you can see the roots of the path known as Wicca and how it evolved into what it was in the 1970's. Taking a look forward, especially in the Laws section as well as the Rituals sections, we see how we have moved forward, keeping those things which touched the Sacred yet seeing how we have moved beyond those things that became superficial. I have talked to some members of traditions which are "similar" to the Gardnerian, and much of this material is still remembered from initiations, or in the old practice of hand writing Books of Shadows. Though not all the material was adopted by all traditions, the basics are there. So the book does have merit as being accurate to an extent. Not being of the Gardnerian tradition myself, nor a Wiccan, I found it interesting to look at the roots of this Spiritual Path and see where it came from. This is a fine addition to anyone's library interested in the History of Wicca, or those who are just starting on the path of Wicca and are looking at what the basics were and still are today. I found it to be an interesting road sign in the evolution our religion.

Despite what Matt has tried to pass off to you all, the consumer, this book was *not* handed down to Sheba by her Grandmother nor a rehash of Alexandrian Witchcraft! This book is what many consider to be the authentic holy book of Wicca...much older than Alexandrian Wicca, by the way! Lady Sheba's "Book Of Shadows" was the very forst book of shadows ever published in the United States around the 60s or 70s. During the time of the persecutions, this holy book was handed down by word of mouth to new initiates. When Lady Sheba (one of the 1st. people in the U.S. to officially establish The Craft as a legally recognized religion) was initiated into her first coven, she hand copied The Book of Shadows. It was her wish that publication would bring to light the authentic beliefs of Witchcraft & restablish the respectability of this ancient art. Included within the pages of this boiok are: Secret Initiation Rites, Laws of The Craft (162 total...unlike the other 1 star review that quoted 152 in an effort to call this work "a rehash of Alexandrian Witchraft"), 8 ceremonies for The Sabbats, Concecration Rituals, Invocations, & actual Chants and Dances for calling upon The Gods. By the way, don't go running to Crowley!!! The reason we have sadistic individuals such as him are because they believe that magick is a right...rather than a privilege. But, it's the other way around! Magick is a privilidge...not a right!!!

I understand how people who feel the need for book learning would put this one down. It isn't RavenWolf! There's no New Age WitchCrap in it! I, on the other hand, love it. It is the book upon which the American Celtic Tradition is built, it is not British Traditional (get the Fararrs book for that); and don't get me wrong I'm not too fond of Llewellyn. Give me Paul Husson anyday!

Lady Sheba's material served as my introduction to Wicca many years ago. She has successfully compiled information that touches on many different aspects of the Old Religion. While most of her writings can certainly be found elsewhere, this book nonetheless will provide beginners with a feel for what Wicca is about and contains a great deal of material that predates the Gardnerian era. This book is a treasure!