Welcome to Gaia! ::

I know what you mean, and I feel the same way. I do think that there are some good things about writing it down, though. It is interesting to look back and see how you've changed since you wrote something down, or evaluate it from a more objective perspective. Part of writing down my thoughts, beliefs, and opinions on things for me is related with wanting to become a better writer or at least be able to express these ideas better. I do think that when we have interesting ideas or those "ah ha!" moments then we should write them down before they become lost in the oceans of our mind, because some of them really could be important. I guess it is like one method of digging deeper into your own self-improvement? It really depends on your mentality about it, I suppose. A BOS, or a diary, or a collection of thoughts and research shouldn't be viewed as the end all, be all, but rather only snippets of the constant and creative process of evolution and personal change.

That being said, putting together a BOS is a fun project to do, especially if you're into crafting, scrap booking, drawing, etc. Right now I'm writing down medicinal/herbal information because honestly I can't retain all of that in my head just by reading it a few times. And it's not like I can pull medicinal information out of my own hat (until I'm more knowledgeable in it and know what to look for). I have to write it down to actually process it and if it's in my own notes I'll refer to it more. Perhaps when we write down our knowledge we feel more empowered? Part of the fossilizing idea is related to the innate desire of wanting our creations or ideas to live on. This could be said for artists, scientists, writers, philosophers, etc...we might admire some of these creations and discoveries but the people who made/found them would probably criticize them now if they saw them and have a differing opinion. That certainly doesn't make them invalid or pointless.

You do bring up a good point, though: Our beliefs are a part of our essence, and should be expressed through action, not just writing or saying. Writing could become part of the process of those actions, though. If we sit back complaining and arguing about things we feel are wrong we need to take the action of changing ourselves and the world around us. How far you're willing to go is up to the individual and how strongly they feel about it. Of course, there is a thin line between spirituality and world views on current events, but they're still related. I'm not talking about forcing your spiritual beliefs on others, but raising awareness on an issue that is important to you. Then, if you want, you can write about it. 3nodding

What do you include content-wise in your Book of Shadows? Alternatively, what have you seen other sources recommend for this?
Spells, rituals, recipes, blessings, divination stuff, poems, and anything I find interesting about the craft ^^
How do you organize your Book of Shadows? Alternatively, how have you seen other sources organize them?
I put spells in a whole different section, while my blessings, rituals, divination stuff and ect. goes in an order in the front of the book in a way that I like. My BOS is a loose-leaf binder, so I can move it all around how i want it, and i write everything in there by hand, so it makes it feel more like it's mine, with all of the edits and such. I use two pieces of sketch paper with holes punche in them and decorated to serve as my dividers.
What are your standards for including material in your book? Do you prefer it to be mostly original or well-researched or do you not mind including source material copied from other practitioners?
If it will come in handy to me personally, I'll add it, and if it's interesting i might put it in as well. I have put some of my own stuff in there but as long as I figure that it harms none and it will be useful I'll put it in my BOS, but i will not claim it as my own.
If it's some combination, what sorts of material do you usually use each standard for?
Lined paper, I'm just more comfortable with it. I use a green sharpie for the Names of the spells ect. so i know what's what, a red or violet/dark purplish sharpie for writing the items needed or the words to a spell, a plain black pen for the info/poems/instructions, and a dark blue pen for the words to blessings/spells.

Mine right now is just like 25 spells or more and some pictures. My BOS is a notebook with Book of Shadows wrote on it with red glitter glue, inside od a binder that says do not read I mean it!

Right now I include the Law and the Rede, color associations, meditation tips, a bit on Clearing the Psyche, only two spells [I need to write in my other one's still. I'm transferring everything.] and my journal. I keep track of meditations and energy workings there.

I have it organized like this:
-Law
-Rede
-Basic Info [Color Associations, etc]
-More in depth info [Meditation, Clearing the Pysche]
-Spells
-Journal

I generally put things in my book of shadows if I know I'll need to refer to it later. I don't care if it's original or from someone else. If it'll be helpful to me in some way, and I can't remember it, I'll put it in. I try to handwrite it, but if it's from the internet and too long, I just print it out. I also include things I like to read over, such as the Rede.

Also, my BOS is a three ring binder. This allows me to keep order because I can take things out or put things in wherever they need to go.

My BOS is so unorganized. gonk But it is pretty new; I plan to redo it at some point or another and add a lot more information. Right now, it only has a few tarot spreads, a couple spells, and some stuff about samhain. 0.o Oh, and I've also written in an elemental prayer and the Rede somewhere on the inside cover.

Well first off, I got myself one of those three-ringed binders and some dividers. I sorted all of the things I had that I felt needed to be in such a book into different topics. For example, a diary section, a ritual section, a studies section, and such forth. It's pretty neat save for the pieces of paper jutting out all over the place and photos falling out every time you pick it up. =]

I am currently working on my “Book of Winds”. It’s not a BoS, simply because I’m not Wiccan. It’s one part “what Rouf believes about the world, the universe and morality”, one part “The Metahpors” (most specifically Zephyr, my kinda-sorta-patron) and one part “(For all intents and purposes) Magic”. It’s a chronological thing, mostly getting filled with rants about this and that, but hopefully something I can organize later on into a true blue explanation of my beliefs.

(Wow. I just found my oooolldie old post in the Library's BoS thread. I've been working on this this fo-eva XD)