The Modern Witchcraft Grimoire Read online

  METHODS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR GRIMOIRE

  As I’ve said before, each witch’s priorities, perspective, and practices are unique; therefore, each book of shadows will reflect its author’s individuality. You probably won’t configure your book the same way as someone else does, just as you probably don’t arrange documents in your computer the same way another person does. The following suggestions for organizing your grimoire are just that: suggestions. If one of them suits your purposes, great. If not, feel free to devise your own system. Or you might start with one method, then later switch to another after you’ve got more spellcasting experience under your belt.

  Keep a Daybook

  The easiest way to begin a grimoire is to use a chronological approach, writing in your book on a daily basis, as a sort of journal or daybook of your experiences. This method works well if your book’s binding doesn’t allow you to add or rearrange the pages. It also enables you to chart your personal and spiritual growth day-by-day. Be sure to date your entries.

  Take a Seasonal Approach

  Maybe you’d like to align yourself more closely with nature’s seasons and organize your book of shadows accordingly. You can designate a section for springtime spells, another for summer spells, another for spells to do in autumn, and another for winter magick. Consider pressing seasonal flowers and leaves between the pages to enhance your appreciation of nature’s cycle of growth and decline during the year.

  Follow the Moon

  In Wicca, the moon represents the Great Goddess and the Divine Feminine. Therefore, many witches tap the moon’s energy in spellcraft and time their magickal workings around the moon’s phases. You might like to organize your book of shadows according to the movements of the moon through the heavens. We’ll take a closer look at this in Chapter 9.

  Spell to Protect Your Home

  Because the moon rules the home, the moon’s phase and sign are especially important in spells you do for your home. If possible, cast this spell while the moon is in Cancer, the moon’s sign. Or, perform it 3 days before the new moon.

  TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS

  An image of your totem animal

  Basil leaves (dried or fresh)

  Do you have a totem animal? Totems serve as guardians and helpers—you can call upon them to aid you in times of need. Your totem is an animal, bird, reptile, or insect with which you feel a strong sense of kinship and which, to you, represents protective power. Select an image of your totem animal—a figurine, illustration, or photograph—and place it near your front door.

  Say aloud, to your animal guardian: “Protect this home,

  High to low,

  Fence to fence,

  Door to door,

  Light to dense,

  Roof to floor.”

  Scatter the basil leaves around the outside of your home, making a big circle. Start in the east and move in a clockwise direction until you’ve completed the protective circle.

  If you live in an apartment, you can either scatter the leaves around the entire building or place them in a bowl; set the bowl and your animal image just inside the door to your apartment.

  Separate Everyday Spells from Special Occasion Spells

  Some witches designate certain spells, rituals, and practices for sabbats and special occasions, such as birthdays or handfastings. Other spells may be performed anytime, or on an as-needed basis. These might include ritual baths, cleansing/clearing practices, and protection or healing spells. Perhaps you’d like to organize your book of shadows this way.

  Arrange Your Book by Topic

  Some people find it convenient to organize their spells into categories, according to the topic or purpose of the spells. For example, you might have a section for love spells, another for prosperity spells, and so on. Consider using different colored paper for the various types of spells: pink for love spells, green for money spells, etc. In Chapter 10, we’ll discuss this method more extensively.

  Sort Your Spells by Type

  Maybe you’d prefer to sort your spells into categories according to how you create and use them. For instance, you might devote a section to magick potions, another to healing balms and salves, and another to ritual baths. This method can be useful when you’re collecting the components you need for your spells or shopping for ingredients. It also lets you see what spells you can do on the spur of the moment, based on the materials you have on hand. In Chapter 14, we’ll cover this method in more detail.

  The Drink of Love

  This magick potion should be shared with a romantic partner to improve the relationship. Perform the spell on a Friday night during the waxing moon, or when the moon is in Libra.

  TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS

  The Lovers card from a tarot deck

  Spring water in a clear glass

  A drop of melted honey or a pinch of sugar

  A silver (or silver plate) spoon

  Place the tarot card face-up on a windowsill where the moon will shine on it.

  Set the glass of water on top of the card and leave it overnight. The image of the card will be imprinted into the water.

  In the morning, add the honey or sugar to the glass of water.

  Stir the potion with the silver spoon, using a clockwise motion, to sweeten the water and, symbolically, your relationship.

  Return the tarot card to your deck.

  Drink the water with your partner to strengthen the love between you.

  Organize Spells by Their Components

  Cookbooks often arrange recipes according to their main ingredients—for example, meat, fish, poultry, pasta, vegetables. You can organize your grimoire this way too by setting up sections for herbal spells, gemstone spells, candle spells, and so on. As with sorting your spells by type, this method can simplify things when you’re shopping for ingredients or when you need to perform a spell on the spur of the moment using materials you already have on hand.

  Gemstone Protection Amulet

  This spell provides protection while traveling. Put it in your car’s glove compartment to ensure protection on a daily basis, or carry it in your pocket, purse, or suitcase for safety during a long-distance trip.

  TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS

  1 piece of amber

  1 piece of quartz crystal

  1 piece of jade

  1 piece of turquoise

  1 piece of topaz

  1 piece of agate

  Amber essential oil

  1 white pouch, preferably made of silk (or another natural fabric)

  1 black ribbon

  Saltwater

  Wash the gemstones with mild soap and water, then set them in the sun for a few minutes to remove any unwanted energies.

  Rub a little amber essential oil on each of the stones, then slip them into the pouch.

  Tie the bag closed with the ribbon, making 9 knots.

  Each time you tie a knot, repeat this affirmation: “This amulet keeps me safe and sound at all times and in all situations.”

  When you’ve finished, sprinkle the amulet with a little saltwater to charge it.

  Have these suggestions started you thinking about how you might organize your own grimoire? In Part II, we’ll explore these and other options in greater depth and look at details that can support your journey as a witch and spellworker.

  Chapter 4

  WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR GRIMOIRE

  What does it mean to practice magick? In Wicca, we see “magick” as working harmoniously with the natural forces all around us—in both the material world and beyond—to generate outcomes. A witch uses her attunement and influence to manipulate these forces, in order to elicit a series of controlled coincidences that will achieve a desired result. She seeks to move, bend, or otherwise change the natural flow of energy in the universe to bring about a condition that will benefit herself or someone else, and finally, all other beings as well.

  Because your book of shadows will become your personal collection of spells and rituals—as well as an intimate a
ccount of your magickal journey—it’s important to have a clear idea why you’ve chosen this path and what you hope to achieve by following the Wiccan Way. Take some time to think about why practicing magick is important to you. Begin to define what you believe. Then write your thoughts in your grimoire. Putting your ideas and desires down on paper helps to clarify them.

  What do you consider the dominant aspects of your magickal practice? Are you primarily concerned with affecting your personal life (love, career, money)? Or do you seek to deepen your spiritual connection to the universe and the Divine? Is your magick based in obtaining practical results or enhancing your intuition? Most likely, you will combine all of these, but at various times different motivations will dominate.

  Although magick is as limitless as the imagination, it should always be grounded and based in reality. Grounding and centering, as you may know, play a part in many spells and rituals. Effective spells need a structure, and you can best evaluate your structure by recording it. You can only truly observe the results of your work if you write down your spells from conception to outcome. No matter how good your memory is, you can’t possibly remember everything—nor can you share your knowledge and experiences with others (if you choose to) unless you create a body of information to pass on.

  AT THE BEGINNING

  Before you actually start recording spells, incantations, invocations, rituals, etc. in your grimoire, consider writing down the rules, ethics, and principles you choose to follow. These will guide you as you journey on your spiritual path and as you progress in your magickal work. Many witches abide by what’s known as the “law of three.” This means that whatever intention and energy you send out returns to you like a boomerang, but threefold. As you can see, this serves as a strong deterrent against mischief, manipulation, or other kinds of deceptive practices.

  The Wiccan Rede

  “Bide the Wiccan law ye must

  In perfect love, in perfect trust,

  Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:

  An’ ye harm none, do what ye will.

  What ye send forth comes back to thee,

  So ever mind the Rule of Three.

  Follow this with mind and heart,

  And merry ye meet, and merry ye part.”

  Although your principles may conform to those of a group with which you work or the stated rules of a particular tradition you follow, ultimately they grow out of your individual convictions. Your personal code of ethics may be as simple as “Harm none.” In time and with experience, your early beliefs may change, just as your mundane beliefs have likely changed since childhood. Allow your ideas to evolve, as you follow your own truth and inner guidance.

  “I think the highest purpose of ritual or magickal work is to seek our gods, to commune with the cosmic ‘mirror’ and the spirits of nature in order to learn more of the divinity within ourselves and reach evermore toward personal growth in its highest expression.”

  —Maria Kay Simms, A TIME FOR MAGICK

  Begin with a Blessing

  You might like to bless what you write in your grimoire by starting each entry with a prayer, poem, or inspirational saying. Many witches call upon the Goddess or another divine being before engaging in magick work and request that entity’s protection and guidance. Writing in your grimoire is a magick ritual; therefore, beginning with a blessing makes perfect sense. Use a different blessing for every entry or the same one each time you write. Here’s an example:

  A Celtic Blessing

  “Calm me, Goddess

  as you calmed the storm,

  Still me, Goddess

  keep me from harm.

  Let all tumult within me cease.

  Enfold me, Goddess, in your peace.”

  Date Your Entries

  I recommend dating each entry you make in your grimoire. This enables you to see how much time elapsed between casting a spell and the manifestation of its outcome. It also helps you place your experiences within a context and lets you witness your personal evolution over time.

  RECORD YOUR MAGICKAL WORKINGS

  As soon as possible after completing a spell, ritual, or other magickal working, record it in your grimoire. Include any information you consider relevant, such as the following:

  Describe your purpose (intention) for doing what you did. If you performed a spell for another person, you may want to say so (use initials or a pseudonym if you prefer not to mention the person’s real name).

  Where did you perform the spell or ritual?

  Did anyone else participate? (Use initials or a pseudonym if you prefer.)

  What tools/ingredients/components did you use?

  What did you actually do? Write down the steps you took, in the order you did them: cleansed the space, cast a circle, called upon deities, lit candles, or whatever you did.

  What did you experience? How did you feel during the process? Did you receive any insights, visions, sensations, etc.? Did anything unexpected occur?

  Describe the results of your spell. How long did it take to manifest? Was the outcome what you intended? What went right or wrong?

  Would you do this spell again? What, if anything, would you do differently next time?

  Feel free to adapt this basic list to suit your own needs. Include anything you feel is significant or might be beneficial to your spellworking. You can go back later and add further insights, developments, or information.

  Here’s an example of what an entry in your book of shadows might look like:

  Spell to Get a Raise

  December 1, 2016—sun in Sagittarius, waxing moon in Capricorn

  TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS

  Ballpoint pen

  Gold candle

  Peppermint essential oil

  Candleholder

  $20 bill

  Matches

  Cleared the space with sage incense.

  Cast a circle. (See Chapter 13 for details on how to cast and open circles.)

  With the pen, inscribed “+ wealth” and three $ signs on the candle.

  Dressed the candle with peppermint oil and put it in the candleholder.

  Laid the $20 bill on my altar.

  Set the candleholder on top of the $20 bill.

  Lit the candle.

  Said the following incantation aloud while staring at the flame: “Element of fire,

  Fulfill my desire,

  The raise I seek,

  I receive this week.”

  Let the candle burn for 20 minutes, then snuffed it out.

  Opened the circle.

  Repeated this again on 12/2/16 and 12/3/16, letting the candle burn down completely on the third day. Felt empowered, relaxed, and confident.

  Success! On 12/8/16, received notice of a forthcoming raise after the first of the year. Thank you, Goddess!

  WHAT ELSE GOES IN YOUR GRIMOIRE?

  Let’s use the kitchen analogy again. If you love to cook, you may keep all sorts of special equipment and cool gadgets in your pantry and cabinets. If you entertain regularly, you may consider it important to have beautiful dishes, sterling silverware, crystal glasses, linen tablecloths, and so on. If you live alone or rely heavily on takeout and frozen meals, your needs will be much simpler. The same holds true for your grimoire. The good news is, you get to choose what to include and what to omit—and you can change that at any time.

  When you first begin keeping a grimoire, you may be tempted to put everything you come across within its pages. Over time, however, you’ll probably become more selective. Perhaps you’ll decide to weed out some material, just as you’d weed your garden to showcase what you consider important. William Morris, a nineteenth-century English textile designer, artist, and poet, said, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

  I think the same can be said for your book of shadows. Although it can be useful to look back at early entries to track your journey, don’t be afraid to discard anything you no longer need.

 
Keep Track of Celestial Influences

  As you record your magickal journey, you may find it helpful to keep track of the cosmic conditions that affect you. In addition to dating each entry in your book of shadows, I suggest you also include the moon’s phase, and if you know astrology, note other celestial activity that might be relevant. For instance, Venus’s placement could have an impact on love spells. If you’re doing a spell for career success, the positions of the sun, Jupiter, and Saturn could factor in. You could even cast a chart for the day, print it out, and add it to your grimoire beside what you write for that day. Many online sites—including www.astro.com —offer free charts that you can calculate in a few minutes.

  Track Your Health Cycles

  Your health can also affect your magickal workings. Therefore, you may want to note any physical or emotional conditions you are experiencing at the time you perform a ritual or spell. Did you feel particularly energized? Tired because the baby kept you awake most of the night before? Did you have a cold or headache when you cast the spell? Women may also find it useful to track menstrual cycles, as these often influence your emotions and, consequently, the magick you do. You may discover that you feel more powerful or more intuitive at certain times of the month.