Everything Under the Moon

Hi, so I've recently started doing this, and thought it would be great to add this here for others to see. I'm pretty sure that most of you(if not all) do this already, but just in case I decided to post it here.

So, most of us are in the "broom closet", so it is difficult to find and gather resources(like books) to keep and use. I have recently started checking out books(and when my mother isn't looking) take them out and write notes on loose-leaf paper. Some are written verbatim from the book so that it seems like I already "have" the book itself, while others are just simple notes that are scattered throughout the book. Of course, I will eventually buy these books once I am freely able to, but for the moment this will have to do. This is also a good idea for those books that do not have an ebook format, or if it does, you are still not able to purchase it.

I originally thought that I would put my research into a binder and end it there, but I thought instead that I should probably make my own physical "book" from binding tutorials found on youtube. That way I can tell what shouldn't be thrown out later on and what I should keep(my mom always moves things around in my room, but doesn't really touch my notebooks/binders unless we have a "cleaning-out day" or something similar).
Just an idea to tell you guys

What other suggestions do you have to include?

Blessed Be,
Erydiel

I think that's a good option. I have been out of the broom closet for 40 years, so I haven't dealt with the need for secrecy in a long time. But I definitely understand snooping mothers. Mine was one. Anything that helps you stay true to your path is worth doing, and sharing ideas is always appreciated.

Snow

Thankfully, I live alone so have no need for secrecy. But you gotta do what you gotta do until you have the ability and resources to do otherwise This is a great idea, and it's fun that you're thinking of making it into a project and binding it.

Is it possible for you have books in pdf format on a mobile phone or something? Would your family find something like that? I know there are some pretty popular titles available in pdf format, that I found on this forum, including Scott Cunningham and Raymond Buckland titles.

That's a great idea for people that have access to libraries or book stores. I live in the definition of the middle of no where, but I still manage. It helps that my aunt is a witch and she lets me borrow books and such, but my parents don't know I'm a witch even though I have been practicing for almost a year. The internet has a big role in helping people out like this and if you don't have internet, well you're lucky you even found out about Wicca or Paganism. I'd just look up things on the internet about Wicca, maybe read a couple of books you can find for free online, and stay cautious of your history if your parents are especially curious about what you're doing at all times. But like I said, great idea and making a book can give you something to do while you wait to have the ability to freely buy any books you want.

-Aesiryth

I think when I was younger, I felt like I couldn't find relevant information anywhere (of course this was awhile ago too and there weren't as many books in print that were readily available). Now I see it everywhere.

Websites can be good sources of information that you don't have to keep a hard copy of. Just make sure you cross-reference as much information as you possibly can, and don't take everything as the all-time rule for everything. Keep your wits about you, and know that a lot of it is going to be made up, will be unverified personal experiences that may not reflect anywhere else, may be fictitious, may be altered or tailored in a way to seek financial or narcissistic gain, etc... Bottom line, read what you can find but keep your head on your shoulders. If it sounds wonky, it probably is, and the more you read the more easily you will recognize the wonky things (like my termonology?).

Libraries. I repeat, Libraries. Some schools also have access to online library databases where you can read the book via your computer, and often those library inventories go beyond a single library.

If you don't feel comfortable, or are unable, to keep photocopies or print-outs of things you want, consider keeping your notes in a word document on a usb key or in an email account folder (I email myself notes from books, just in case my computer crashes or my usb key decides to bite the dust in an untimely manner).

I'm also going to assume that some people have internet access, but your ability to do some of this will depend on your own circumstances to judge accordingly.

There are some links floating around pertaining to free books whose copyright has expired (project gutenberg, for example). There are also a few websites around whose focus is to gather books whose copyright has expired, which deal specifically with witchcraft, fairy tales, meditation, relevant history, etc... that can be read on a computer. Sometimes the files can be saved, sometimes not.

Amazon.com has a free ereader you can download to your computer/phone/ereader/tablet/whatever the kids are using nowadays, and there are oodles of free books on amazon that can be "purchased" pertaining to Wicca, spirituality, new age topics, meditation, taoism, etc... that may be good reading material for the time being and will help you build a foundation in some things you'll find throughout a lot of belief systems (meditation, for example). You can create an account on amazon.com without registering a bank account or credit card. And you can keep wish lists and research books you may like to purchase in the future, and weed out over time those with poor reviews or which you find no longer interest you as time goes on. It can be a good tool.

Many parents are against their children learning about witchcraft and magic, but are fine with them learning about meditation and mindfulness. Depending on your path, there are a ton of other "neutral" type books that may interest you that may be acceptable to parents or others whom you're in the broom closet from.

Plants and gardening, herbalism, crystals and stones (not necessarily the magical properties, but their own geological properties), meditation, mindfulness (yoga?), animal behavior, etc...

The more you know about the natural world in its own right, the better other aspects of your path will make sense (if you're following an earth-based path).

The more you read, the more things will fit together and make sense. So don't limit your reading material.

I could probably write a novel on how to research and different resources, but I'll leave it here for now.

As far as pdf files go, although I can read it off of my phone or computer, I usually prefer a physical copy since my eyes are not too good with staring at a screen all day, unfortunately. Of course, even though I do read ebooks every now and then, a physical copy is just my preference lol
All of you have very nice suggestions-and I didn't even know Amazon had "free" books(ebooks) at all!

I didn't know either, until I got a kindle.

It's just not something you really come across without a reason to look in that place. Anyway, here are a few of the free books to give you an idea.

http://www.amazon.com/Wicca-Ultimate-Be ... 317&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Maxim ... 317&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Healing-B ... 179&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Chakras-Technique ... 181&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Primal-Meditation ... 285&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Candle-Magic-Defi ... 435&sr=1-7