Llewellyn is pleased to bring back into print the book many consider to be the authentic holy book of Wicca, the first Book of Shadows ever published in the United States―Lady Sheba's Book of Shadows. For generations, secret Craft teachings had been handed down by word of mouth to new initiates. When Lady Sheba 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 and reestablish the respectability of this ancient art. The Book of Shadows includes: Secret initiation rites - Laws of the Craft (162 total) - Eight ceremonies for the Sabbats - Consecration rituals - Invocations - Actual chants and dances for calling on the gods Lady Sheba was one of the first people in the United States to officially establish the Craft as a legally recognized religion. She registered "The American Order of the Brotherhood of Wicca" as an religious organization in Michigan on August 13, 1971. She stated that she was a witch "by traditional heritage" and a "Gardnerian Witch by choice." Lady Sheba's was the first published Book of Shadows in the United States. The author brought it to Llewellyn in 1970; it was released in 1971 and reprinted in 1973. The impact was enormous. In many ways, this event was the touchstone for Wicca as a religion for the New Age. Yes, it is the "Old Religion," but it also speaks for the re-emergence of the Goddess as women moved beyond the Piscean patriarchy; it speaks for the re-emergence of the Pagan identification with the world of Nature and respect for the environment; and it speaks for the Awakening of the New Age spiritual experience. Lady Sheba was among the first (perhaps the very first) to register Wicca as a religion (in the State of Michigan) and inspired many others to do the same. With publication of The Book of Shadows bringing Wicca "out of the closet," Lady Sheba became the target of some animosity. She was accused of violating "oaths of secrecy" and of publishing material that wasn't original with her. She answered that the time for secrecy was past, and that she never claimed to be the author, for this was the Book of Shadows as passed on to her. In one instance, the Invocation of the Horned God, we want to acknowledge that much longer poetic version was earlier (1965) published and copyrighted by Doreen Valiente in Pentagram. Following publication of The Grimoire of Lady Sheba (1972), she withdrew from public life and we lost contact with her. With rumors of her death, and with no contact with the family, we were reluctant to reprint the books. However, this year, following her eightieth birthday, we are again in contact with Lady Sheba and her family, and are re-issuing her works. Blessed Be, Carl Llewellyn Weschcke, Publisher Lady Sheba was one of the first people in the United States to officially establish the Craft as a legally recognized religion. She registered "The American Order of the Brotherhood of Wicca" as an religious organization in Michigan on August 13, 1971. She stated that she was a witch "by traditional heritage" and a "Gardnerian Witch by choice." THE RITUALS To Open the Circle Let all be clean before the Gods. Being properly prepared, purify each other with Scourge or Cord: 3, 7, 9, 21 = 40. Give kiss. High Priest lights two white candles and places on Altar. Then place a white candle on each cardinal point of the Magic Circle. Purify water and salt. First place point of Athame in water with right hand. Pronounce: I exorcise Thee, O Creature of water, that though cast out from Thee all the impurities and uncleanlinesses of the Spirits of Phantasm. In the names of Arida and Kernunnos. Touching salt with Athame, pronounce: Blessings be upon Thee, O Creature of salt. Let all malignity and hindrance pass henceforth and let all good enter in (but ever are we mindful that as water purifies the body so the salt purifies the soul). Wherefore do I bless Thee in the names of Arida and Kernunnos, that Thou mayest aid me. Then transfer three measures of salt with tip of Athame into the water and stir in clockwise direction three times. The Athame is now ready and purified. Draw a nine-foot Magic Circle (or smaller or larger) as required with Athame, commencing in the East and ending in the East. The circle must be cut in an unbroken line. Then return to Altar facing North. Take up water with right hand, transfer to left hand. Go to the East and sprinkle (aspurge) with fingers in the East, South, West, and North, finish in the East. Return to Altar. Take up incense and Censer in right hand. Repeat motions, censing Circle as before. Return to Altar. The celebrants then anoint the opposite sex with water and salt in the 1, 2, 3, triangle and censes likewise. Take a bell in right hand. Place in left hand, take Athame in right hand. Go to the East and salute in the following manner: Athame to lips, straight out above eye level