Hi Readers,
This is the final part of my magickal records series., I will be discussing Grimoires in terms of what they are, along with how to create, organize, and store one. Additionally, I have some final thoughts concerning the different books I have mentioned and how you can consider which book to use If you choose to do so.
To me, a Grimoire is a magickal book or text that contains information pertaining to magick. However, I believe a Grimoire primarily contains specific information concerning laws of magick If necessary, in addition to instructions for different types of spells, rituals, charms, talismans, and amulets. When I think of A grimoire, I think of it like a textbook that has information on how to work magick in different forms like the ones mentioned above. Moreover, I have read the Grimoires contained information pertaining to summoning spirits, demons, angels, in addition to other entities. Furthermore, I think a Grimoire should be free from anything personal. I think it should only have information that will be used and referred to. For example, If I wanted information related to crafting a talisman, I would look for it in my Grimoire rather than looking something up as I have written it all inside the Grimoire. Also, I could look for other spells, or charms I could use when creating the talisman. If I can’t create that for any reason such as If the situation calls for something else, I can find information relating to any other magick I want to do and instructions or references as well.
As far as how to create a Grimoire you could create it in several ways like A Book of Shadows or Book of Mirrors. You could create an actual book from scratch, use a notebook with subjects, a binder with dividers, a file online or on a computer, in addition to using cloud-based storage. I’ve seen some people use scrapbooks, art journals, regular journals, locked diaries, a folder either physical or digital. You could even create a Grimoire in volumes If necessary. For me, I lost my Grimoire in addition to my Book of Mirrors that I had in a digital form, so I am creating a new one. I can not handwrite as I have mentioned so I will most likely create one in a binder like I have with my Book of Shadows. Either that or use a binding machine to create a physical book. I know you could use a flash drive as well like I have, but I would be aware where you store it. In terms of storing physical items you have options you could store in a bag, near your altar, or in a storage container with all your other tools If you have that available. If privacy is a concern, I would use something you know can’t be accessed like a safe or footlocker.
Personally, I think a Grimoire should be consecrated, and blessed like A Book of Shadows as it is a tool like anything else used within magickal practice. Also, I would be sure to purify it before you bless and consecrate it as it will get rid of any energies that may have been attached. Especially, if you have purchased the book, I think this is useful. If you are creating the book yourself from scratch, you will be adding more of your own personal energy to it.
For a Grimoire to be most effective for a Witch in my opinion is should be organized. Organizing your Grimoire allows you to find things easily and efficiently, in addition to keeping things in one place concerning magickal instructions and other information. I believe a Grimoire should not be shared with people but that’s just me. However, I will share basic information such as reference information such as concerning spirits, colors, days of the week, etc. Other than that, I would not share anything else. Even then I would not let anyone look at it. I do not like to hide anything, but it is specifically for me and not other people. Some other ways you could organize your Grimoire are basing information on categories, subjects, alphabetically, creating a table of contents, index, or by purpose. For example, I like to keep information alphabetically, in addition to keeping it by purpose. This might include information concerning talismans under other relevant information by the same letter and the purpose would be for protection or some other purpose like crystals for protection in the crystal section with the purpose of communication.
Although, A Grimoire may seem like both A Book of Shadows, or Book of Mirrors I think it is less personal in that it only has specific instruction, and reference information rather than personal experiences. I would say writing bullet points or condensed information regarding results can help as would information about how you can cast the spell in different ways. If you are concerned with what book to use, I would choose based on your practice, path, and If you do or do not follow a tradition. I would also consider the question of what you would want. If you want a place specific to your thoughts, experiences, and information about why something did or did not go well in addition to how certain moon phases, and seasons affects you then a Book of Mirrors may be useful to you. If you want a permanent record of all the rituals you know will want, spells that work for you regularly, as well as your results, dreams, etc. then A Book of Shadows
would also be helpful. Choosing the right type of record and how you want to keep it will depend on the Witch. Ultimately, I am sharing my thoughts in hopes that they will help you decide what works for you and why. Follow your intuition, experiment with each book and see what works for you. If you only choose one or both that’s fine, if you choose to have it all in one place that is also fine. Your path and choice are up to you.