The Book of Shadows is a traditional book of Wicca, containing the core rituals, practices, and wisdom of a Wiccan tradition. It is copied by hand from that of one's initiator (High Priestess or Priest), who copied it from his or her initiator. The traditional material it contains may not be changed; sometimes additions are allowed. Some of the Wicca keep a personal Book of Shadows in addition to that of their tradition. This is typically for individual use and is not always passed on to one's initiates.
The term Book of Shadows is believed to originate with Gerald Gardner, who is said to have taken it from the name of a Sanskrit manual of divination through the length of one's shadow.
In newer "eclectic" forms of Wiccan or neo-pagan practice, the Book of Shadows is more often a journal recording rituals, spells, and their results, as well as other magical information. This can be either an individual or coven text, and is not a document of traditional material that is passed from teacher to student. In many cases, this kind of Book of Shadows is an electronic document (disk or website) instead of a hand-written one. Some Wiccans hold that the Book of Shadows should be a repository strictly for spells and keep a separate book, sometimes called the "Book of Mirrors" to contain their thoughts, feelings and experiences concerning the practice of their faith (Scott Cunningham, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Llewellyn Books, pp. 79-80).
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