text: what exaxtly is the book of shadows and who owns the originail? please answer it is "a" book of shadows not "the" book of shadows.  it is a personal record of your rituals, spells, sacred recipes, chants incantations, etc...   it may also include your study materials for what ever topic you may be researching, ( gems, stones, minerals, herbs, divination, folklore, mythos, etc)  "the" book of shadows usually refers to the gardnerian book of shadows available here  http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/index.htm  good luck seeker