Introducing ACS's online Book of Shadows: Leabhar na Scáthanna or LNS for short. LNS is divided into three core ritual sections; an Opening Ritual (Section 1), the Esbat or Sabbat Ritual (Section 2) and finally the Closing Ritual (Section 3).


Section 1: is sub-divided into the Altar (Section 1.1) it's color and decoration, the Opening ritual (Section 1.2) used by both Coven and Solitary practice for Esbats and Sabbat rituals. Section 1.3 is usually performed by a Coven for a Sabbat ritual but can be included in an Esbat.


Section 2: is sub-divided into Esbat (Section 2.1) and Sabbat (Section 2.2) ritual formats.


Section 3: is sub-divided into a closing ritual for both Esbat (Section 3.1) and Sabbats (Section 3.2).

The division of sections was designed (believe it or not!) to simplify and help with ritual design, all rituals should have preparation (Section 1), the ritual (Section 2) and a closing or 'grounding' (Section 3). Spells, Sabbat celebrations, daily prayers and devotionals can be written quickly with this format.

Esbats are regular full-moon meetings (which rarely occur exactly on the full moon, usually the weekend close to it) or rituals of life such as marriages, baby-namings and initiations. Sabbats are the traditional eight-festivals of the year; the 'greater' Sabbats: Samhain, Imbolc, Bealteine, Lughnasadh, and the 'lesser' Sabbats: the Solstices; (approx.) June 21st and December 21st, the Equinoxes March 21st and September 21st. The closing for an Esbat (Section 3.1) and a Sabbat (Section 3.2) differ slightly.

The PDF version of LNS can be downloaded by clicking the .pdf links below.