A Grimoire

This is my personal grimoire with personalized spells.

[a-grimoire]

Homebrew spell: For turning a company's attempts to cheat me back on themselves, and easing my worries about the situation

I have a black mirror that I made out of a decorative photo frame by painting the inside of the glass black. The piece of cardboard in the back, which you can remove to put a photo in the frame, can hold another piece of paper.

I drew the logo of the offending company and taped it to the wall.

Then I drew the ansuz rune on one side of another card, sheltering a fehu and a sowilo rune - divine protection over my money and my personal peace.

On the other side of the card, I drew an isaz, tiwaz, and thurisaz rune, calling on Tyr and Thor to intercede for me against my enemies and preserve my peace.

Pointing at the company logo: "[Name of company], Deceit and treachery you have worked, To steal my money and shatter my peace. Your wicked deeds have no power over me And your callous hatred will harm only yourself."

I placed the card inside the back of the mirror, with the thurisaz side pointing forward and the ansuz side pointing back. While doing so:

"This mirror shall reflect your curses, The light shall send them back with three times the power they were first given."

I placed the black mirror facing the logo, and lit an (electric) candle, placing it behind the mirror.

"May the peace and money you have stolen from me be quickly and easily returned May the fear and distress you have caused be reflected hundredfold on those taking advantage of others.

"My monetary worries I return to you And my power, my money, and my peace I take back.

"You have no power to hurt me. Your hatred will destroy no one but yourselves.

Because I really struggle with anxiety about money matters, I added a prayer at the end:

"O Plouton, god of the darkness and the dime, Send darkness into their thoughts. O Plouton, god of reverses and recessions, Protect my finances from all such comers. O Plouton, god of the grave and the golf, Bury my fears and place my feet on the solid ground of the tomb, The soles of my feet on the foundation stone of security and love.

"O Hermes, god of deception and the dime, Play with their feelings as they have played with mine. O Hermes, god of the lie and of the laugh, Weigh down their hearts and make mine light as the feathers of your feet. O Hermes, god of our coming and our going, Help me to find joy in both.

"It will be so."

I finished up with lighting candles and saying prayers to my guides, my matron deity, and my household gods (lares).

[a-grimoire]

Homebrewed spell: for bringing justice on an enemy at work

Sewed together a felt tongue and embroidered the individual's initials on the back. Left the top open.

"This be the tongue of [Name]. Let her feel the tormenting fire of her own words. Let her be consumed by her own wrath."

Fill tongue with hot pepper

"May the state of her employment be commensurate with the amount of her love. May she be valued as she deserves. "

Spit in tongue.

Sew tongue closed: "Let her tongue be tied Let her authority be destroyed Let her baneful influence be crushed."

Walk to the garbage chute. Repeat: "Let the state of her employment be commensurate with the amount of her love. May she be valued as she deserves."

Chuck tongue down garbage chute. "So let it be."

[a-lemon-tree]

You can download the PDF here for free!

[a-grimoire]

Conflict banishing

You may have to wait a couple of days to cool off before trying this spell.

Light a blue candle. Take a breath and speak to the other person’s higher self, apologizing for your role in the conflict, no matter how small. Breathe some love to the image of the person. If the person attacked you or caused unnecessary drama, create an energetic boundary of white light between you and the person.

I block all harm in my direction. I reflect love and healing to you. May I be forgiven for my deeds. I forgive you too.

Repeat the spell for seven days. Spend some time thinking about the situation and your role in it. How much of the conflict was your fault? Be willing to look within and heal. Approach the situation with love in your heart.

[a-grimoire]

Correspondences for traumatic growth

Diamonds (beauty/clarity out of extreme pressure)

Pearls (stress causes one to build up defenses, which can become beautiful) (this is a case where the cheap may be better: “baroque” freshwater pearls, such as the cheap ones one can buy as beads at craft stores, remind us that the imperfect is beautiful)

Mother-of-pearl (part of the shell that creates the pearl by the above process)

Deciduous trees (”All the trees are losing their leaves, and not one of them is worried.” Times of “dying back” are part of growth. One can survive loss.)

Dead leaves, dead pine needles (“The trees are about to show you just how beautiful letting go can be.”)

Sycamore (American plane tree)/London plane tree (The tree sheds its bark when it no longer fits and grows new bark. We let go of the old us to make a new us, but our heart is still there)

Naturally-shed bark (a number of trees shed their bark: sycamore, redbud, silver maple, paperbark maple, shagbark hickory, birch, and lacebark pine. Make sure to only harvest bark that has already been shed naturally: do NOT pull bark off of trees!)

A blade of new spring grass (something new springing up after winter)

Seeds/acorns (the seed must “die” as a seed in order to become something bigger) 

Cherry blossoms (change, growth, spring)

Lotus/water lily (the flower must push up through the mud and murky water to bloom in the sunlight, like we must overcome our past, or grow from difficult beginnings)

Snakes/snakeskin (Like the sycamore, snakes shed their skin when they don’t need that layer any longer)

Ouroboros (we devour the past to learn from it and renew ourselves. Great symbol for processing memories of the past.)

Caterpillar/Butterfly (Caterpillars may appear dead when in the cocoon, but they are completely dissolving before being made up anew as something beautiful)

Phoenix (reborn from the ashes)

Robin (symbol of coming spring)

Barn swallow (symbol of spring)

Goldfinch (symbol of resurrection)

Koi fish (traditional eastern symbol of endurance: koi are admired for their ability to survive, climbing waterfalls and braving strong currents, enduring cold and heat, yet often managing to live long lives--the oldest koi lived 226 years)

Egg (born again; transformation bringing forth new life; resurrection)

Autumn (the death of some things in our lives--and mourning for those things--are part of a cycle which leads us back into life)

Winter (the period of apparent stillness and death in the midst of the process of resurrection. Perfect for that “two steps forward, one step back” part of recovery)

Spring (new life transforming the landscape after the “death” of winter)

Moon (in any phase: constantly “dying” and being reborn. Reminds us of that change is constant)

Sunset/sunrise; dawn/dusk (the sun and the day “die” and are reborn)

1 Cor 15 (resurrection and transformation)

[a-grimoire]

Candle for peace, joy, etc

Carve a symbol into a candle representing the emotion or trait you wish to invoke in yourself (peace, joy, happiness, comfort, enlightenment, wisdom, creativity, etc). Use an appropriate wand to draw a connection between the candle and your heart. Light the candle. sitting a safe distance away, with your eyes closed, imagine and gesture drawing the light up out of the candle. Hold the light in your hand for a moment and imagine it growing and warming. Then press the light into your heart. Repeat as needed.

[a-grimoire]

American Sycamore wands

Compilation of information on American Sycamore wands:

Platanus occidentalis, also known as American sycamore, American planetree, western plane, occidental plane, buttonwood, and water beech, is a species of Platanus [plane tree] native to the eastern and central United States, the mountains of northeastern Mexico, extreme southern Ontario, and possibly extreme southern Quebec. It is usually called sycamore in North America, a name which can refer to other types of tree in other parts of the world.

The North American sycamore is one of our largest hardwood trees and can grow to mammoth proportions. Perhaps it is their strangely colored trunks—which become mottled with stark patches of white, gray and greenish brown when the bark flakes off—that make them seem so mysterious. Their odd appearance earned them the name “Ghosts of the Forest”

North America's largest native broadleaf tree

paleobotanists have dated sycamore trees to be over 100 million years old and some sycamore trees can live for 500-600 years. The bark of the American Sycamore tree shows the process of exfoliation or shedding its bark, more openly than any other tree. The bark doesn’t stretch when the tree grows, so when they outgrow it, they have to shed it and grow new bark.

 Sycamores have both male and female flowers, so every tree bears fruit. Native Americans often used the entire trunk of the sycamore tree to make dugout canoes. Some of their canoes were 65 feet long.

 Masc/Fem- Spirit, Air

In tune with spiritual energies. Strong and hardy. 

Divination, harmony, prosperity, strength and love.

Sycamores are one of the oldest species of tree on earth.  They once made up a large part of the forests of Greenland and Northern Canada during the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods.  They are easily distinguished ​by their 'patchwork' bark.

Harry potter: The sycamore makes a questing wand, eager for new experience and losing brilliance if engaged in mundane activities. 

Spirit element

ancient wisdom, universal unity, contemplation

assistance from deity (prayer wood)

transition/change. letting go of the old to make space for the new. traumatic growth.

longevity, enormous size: great, ever-renewed power

white and holy

water

intersexuality, self-pollinating

extremely fast-growing

[a-grimoire]

Ash wand

A compilation of information about ash wands:

The Ash Tree was often used to make Healing Wands. Its other Properties include: Protection, Purification and it is said to Possess Power over Water

Feminine- Air, Spirit

Helps with various types of healing work. Very intuitive and protective. A strong wood for energy work

ASH is very powerful in the realm of magic and has been used for witches’ and wizards’ wands for hundreds of years. It is a tree most sacred to the Druids and is part of the ‘Fairy Triad’ of Oak, Ash and Thorn. It is said that wherever these three grow together, fairies live. In Norse mythology it is called Ygdrassil or the ‘World Tree’ and from it all of the worlds sprang into being. Wands made of this wood open doorways and assist in traveling between the worlds. They hold great magical potency and are good tools for focusing dreams into reality, for finding balance, spells of protection, transformation, healing and prosperity.

Magical Properties: The Ash wand is an excellent wood for promoting brain power, aids in communication, intelligence, wisdom, and promotes curiosity. Use this wood to remove mental blockages and aid in the promotion of word use and understanding. It is the wood of the writer, poet, and scholar. Promotes spiritual love and health. Protects against unwanted change. Brings balance to the mind. It is said that warts rubbed on the bark will be absorbed into the tree. Use for protection from drowning, magickal effectiveness, sea power, and healing. Ash is also used for protection, finding special roots, horse magick, enhances skills of arts and crafts, justice, weather magick, and for working with the magick of cave and wells.

Ash: Known as the father of trees. Ash draws off the element of water. Requires focus and strength of purpose. Seeks a healing companion. Used for protection. Excellent for absorbing illness and healing spells, aiding in communication and the absorption of knowledge. 

Both Norse mythology and the Abenaki and Penobscot Indian say that humans were created from ash trees. In Norse mythology the first man (Ask) was made from an ash tree and the first woman (Embla) was made from an elm or a vine. In English traditions, ash is a feminine rather than a masculine tree.

On “oak, ash, and thorn”

Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

Justice/legal issues. Ash sees to it that the guilty are brought to justice--so better make sure you’re in the right before you use it!

Physical healing

magical wisdom

protection (makes sure those in the home are protected, but also that they conduct themselves with the highest integrity)

part of the “fairy triad” of oak, ash, and thorn

Yggdrasil was an ash tree. opening doorways between worlds.

balance

Man/humans made from ash trees

word use, intelligence, scholarship, communication, learning

horse magic

arts and crafts

weather magic

caves and wells

protection from drowning

protection from fae interference

Peter Bellamy, singing Rudyard Kipling’s “A Tree Song”/ Oak and Ash and Thorn

Of all the trees that grow so fair Old England to adorn Greater are none beneath the sun Than oak and ash and thorn

Sing oak and ash and thorn good sirs All on a midsummer's morn Surely we sing of no little thing In oak and ash and thorn

Oak of the clay lived many a day Or ever Aeneas began Ash of the loam was a lady at home When Brut was an outlaw man Thorn of the Down saw New Troy Town From which was London born Witness hereby the ancientry Of oak and ash and thorn

Sing oak and ash and thorn good sirs All of a midsummer's morn Surely we sing of no little thing In oak and ash and thorn

Yew that is old in churchyard mould He breedeth a mighty bow Alder for shoes do wise men choose And beech for cups also But when you have killed and your bowl is spilled And your shoes are clean outworn Back ye must speed for all that ye need To oak and ash and thorn

Sing oak and ash and thorn good sirs All of a midsummer's morn Surely we sing of no little thing In oak and ash and thorn

Ellum she hates mankind and waits Till every gust be laid To drop a limb on the head of him Who any way trusts her shade But whether a lad be sober or sad Or mellow with ale from the horn He'll take no wrong when he lieth along 'Neath oak and ash and thorn

Sing oak and ash and thorn good sirs All of a midsummer's morn Surely we sing of no little thing In oak and ash and thorn

Oh do not tell the priest our plight Or he would call it a sin But we've been out in the woods all night A-conjuring summer in And we bring you news by word of mouth Good news for cattle and corn Now is the sun come up from the south with oak and ash and thorn

Sing oak and ash and thorn good sirs All of a midsummer's morn England shall bide till Judgement Tide By oak and ash and thorn

[a-grimoire]

Apple wand

A compilation of information about apple wands:

The Apple Tree is a Symbol of Immortality and Love. Its Properties include: Youth, Beauty and Fertility but above all its Strongest connections are with Love.

Feminine- Earth, Spirit, Water

A grounded but bountiful and abundant energy. Some feel a strong spiritual connection with Apple. Apple woods have primarily feminine attributes to them and possess a long standing history in folklore and mythology that associates Apples in general to Goddesses. Apple wood is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a wood for healing rituals, spiritual or physical. Apple wood will bond with its user and help to form stronger relationships, therefore working well with any bonding magic. A nice wood overall to work with both magically and in the workshop, I hesitate at times using it for longer wands due to its softer characteristic. 

APPLE– Sacred to the Druids, the apple tree was the wood of choice for wands to aid in the development of the arts of high magic. Many a witch and wizard have used applewood wands to enter the realm of Faerie. It provides a stabilizing force when we are seeking visions, when we wish to see ourselves and our world with new eyes of illumination. It is a tree associated with the Goddess Venus/Aphrodite; the wood itself is infused with the energies of love, harmony, beauty and passion. It is the ideal wand for love magic. An applewood wand amplifies peace and can assist us in tuning into the ever-present flow of wellbeing, harmony and beauty in our lives.

Apple Wood

Female energy. The apple wand is symbolic of fertility, peace, plenty and joy. A tree that is sacred to Venus and the Celtic Goddess Rhiannon. Apple is a staple food of the elven and fairie realm.

Magical Properties: This is a powerful wood of choice for the witch when working with the fairie magick. Apple is a good wood for aiding in the propagation of skills, often used in love magick. Apple wood promotes peace and harmony, magick of light and the divine, and promotes visions.

Apple: A feminine wood. Draws off the element of earth and water. This wood seeks a companion of passion and good nature. One seeking to cause harm to others should not choose this wood. It is used for healing, love spells and remedial magic, as the wood itself is used in many medicinal practices. This wood also seeks a wielder of divine conquests and fortune-telling. Excellent for Divination.

Earth element (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

abundance/wealth

beauty and charm

blessings

female power (associated with goddesses)

connecting with self-love

magic wisdom/knowledge, divination

immortality (Isle of apples)

Faerie work

joy

love magic

fertility

rebirth, reincarnation

[a-grimoire]

For insight, self-awareness

To make a big decision, pour a libation of apple juice.

[a-grimoire]

Fertility

Surround the Empress card from the tarot deck with fresh or dried apple slices.

[a-grimoire]

Blood-stopping

To stop bleeding, traditional faith healers of the 19th century would recite Ezekiel 16:6:  And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. (KJV)

“‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!” (NIV)

Another blood-stopping formula:

“Upon Christ’s grave three roses bloom. Stop, blood, stop!”

The effect may be stronger if one walks eastward while reciting it.

[a-grimoire]

Use apple seeds

in protection spells

[a-grimoire]

Apples as food for the dead

Leave them out on Samhain.

[a-grimoire]

Holy Water

Various religions use holy water for cleansing, protection, and blessings. This rite is adapted from the Roman Rite. You will need to create holy salt before you can create holy water, so consecrate the salt (i.e. make it sacred or holy) first. Use pure salt, e.g. Kosher salt or natural rock salt with no added ingredients. The water should be from a natural source if possible: tap water often contains additives such as chlorine or fluorine. However, any water will work. (Don’t drink it if it isn’t clean!) You will want to put the water into a broad container, such as a bowl. The plus sign indicates making the sign of the cross (or the solar cross).

Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

The exorcism of salt: God's creature, salt, I cast out all evil spirits from you by the living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God, by God who ordered you to be thrown into the water-spring by Elisha to heal it of its barrenness. May you be a purified salt, a means of health for those whom you bless, a medicine for body and soul for all who make use of you. May all evil plans of dark spirits, their malice and cunning, be driven afar from the place where you are sprinkled. And let every wicked spirit be repulsed by Him who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and resurrect the world. Amen.

Almighty everlasting God, we humbly appeal to your goodness and generosity to graciously bless + this creature, salt, which you have given for mankind's use. May all who use it find in it a remedy for body and mind. And may everything that it touches or sprinkles be freed from pollution and any influence of evil spirits; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The exorcism of the water: God's creature, water, I cast out all dark spirits from you in the name of God + the Father almighty, in the name of Jesus + Christ, His Son, our Lord, and in the power of the Holy + Spirit. May you be a purified water, empowered to drive afar all evil, to root out and banish wicked spirits and intentions. We ask this through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and resurrect the world. Amen.

O God, who for humans’ welfare established the most wonderful mysteries in the substance of water, hearken to our prayer, and pour forth your blessing + on this element now being prepared with various purifying rites. May this creature of yours serve to cast out dark spirits and to banish disease. May everything that this water sprinkles in the homes and gatherings of the loving be delivered from all that is unclean and hurtful; let no breath of contagion hover there, no taint of corruption; let all the dark intentions and cycles of pain and cruelty come to nothing. By the sprinkling of this water may everything opposed to the safety and peace of the occupants of these homes be banished, so that in calling on your holy name they may know the well-being they desire, and be protected from every peril; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pour or sprinkle the salt into the water in the form of a cross, saying:

May this salt and water be mixed together; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the Lord of Love and Goodness be with us all.

God, source of irresistible might and king of an invisible realm, the ever-glorious protector; who restrain the force of wickedness, silencing the uproar of their rage; in awe and humility we beg you, Lord, to regard with favor this creature thing of salt and water, to let the light of your kindness shine upon it, and to hallow it with the dew of your generosity; so that wherever it is sprinkled and your holy name is invoked, every assault of darkness may be baffled, and all dread of wickedness and suffering be cast out. To us who entreat your grace, grant that the Holy Spirit may be with us wherever we may be; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The holy water can now be used to sprinkle the sick, their homes, fields, vineyards, and the like. It is recommended too that they put it in fonts in the various rooms, so that they may use it to bless themselves daily and frequently.

[a-grimoire]

Warding your home

Modified from: Source

Clean/neaten the space. Get four jars with lids. Choose items for each jar. You can also decorate the jars. Each of the four jars will correspond to the four Watchtowers of the four quarters, thus calling on the elements and their deities/angels to protect the space. The jars are four smaller physical watchtowers.

In each jar, you will need a symbol of:

Heavenly power

Earth

Water

Fire 

Air

Animal

Plant

Ritual:

State your intention: something like, “This home is cleansed of all baneful influences and spirits; I consecrate and ward this home to be a sanctuary of peace, abundance, health, and safety. Only Love may enter in; only Love may emerge, for the Highest Good of all involved, harming none. San na!” Light a black candle to absorb negative energy.

Light a smudge or incense stick. Open the front (or main) door. “I consecrate this home by air and fire!” Draw an octagram in the air with the stick. Visualize all baneful energies, harmful thoughts, words, and deeds being blown out the door. Then, repeating the consecration, carry the stick clockwise around the entire inner perimeter of the home, wafting as you go. Go up and down stairs, always trying to move clockwise. Draw an octagram at every outside window, door, mirror, fireplace, or other opening. Arriving back at the front door, see the space sealed. “This home is sealed by Air and Fire! San na!”

Then do the same with water purified with salt. At the door, draw the octagram on the lintel with the water: “I consecrate this home by Water and Earth!” See all baneful emotional and physical energies nullified and washed out of the home. Go around the house again, sprinkling water on the floor. Draw the octagram over every opening. Seal the front door again. “This home is sealed by Water and Earth! San na!”

Return to the altar and repeat your intention. Light the white candle to fill the home with positive energy.

Now for the jars. Pick up each ingredient in turn. Touch it, connect with it, seek consent of it. Awaken ingredient by name. Blow gently across it and tap thrice. “Awake. Awake, powers of ____. Lent your strength and amplify the protective ward of my home. I thank you.” Drop into jar. When finished, seal the jar: “This jar is my protective ward. May it stand guard in the (direction) quarter of my home, protecting this sanctuary. San na!”

Earth (east)

Water (south)

Fire (west)

Air (north)

When you’ve done all four jars: On the altar, touch each jar in turn (optional: use wand), clockwise, raising a cone of power, then dropping the power into the jars. “The work is done! San na!”

Carry the jars into the corners of the home, as close to the compass directions as you can manage. You could also carry them to the four corners of your land and bury them.

Return to altar, thanking and releasing all helpful powers. Close your ritual. Allow black and white candles to burn out completely.

[a-grimoire]

Enchanting a piece of jewelry

Choose a time of month symbolic for the purpose, and if possible, a piece of jewelry that is also symbolic in shape or materials. A pair of earrings is good for attracting love, friendship, or soulmates. 

 Purify the jewelry with smudging or dumb-show washing if necessary (cleaning with salt or water can damage many kinds of jewelry). Hold piece of jewelry between your hands and say its purpose three times. Ex: “Protection from harm.” Think about what the jewelry is meant to attract to the wearer (talisman) or keep away from them (amulet). Hold one end of the piece of jewelry to your heart and stroke it either away from you (warding) or toward you (attracting) seen times. Repeat again its purpose. Then place it on a windowsill where it can soak up moonlight all night (depending on the purpose, you may choose to let it soak up sunlight instead).