#grimores

[caelyohann]

Do you guys keep #journals, #grimores or #BookofShadows? Sharing the record of my journey on the #Pagan Path for 22 years. :) #Witchcraft #witchesofinstagram #MAgick

[goth-marshmallow]

Witchcraft is writing down a spell in your grimore and then forgetting which of your Books you wrote it in when you need it again.

)O(

[goth-marshmallow]

Preparing to write in my grimore while bundled up in a blanket and sheepskins and waiting for the postman to come - all I’d need is some hot chocolate, but I’m comfy.

)O(

[endothermicmammal]

 From what I’ve noticed, most of these Occultists focused on Western Magic from the past 200 years or so looking down on the Grimoire revival have probably only skimmed these books at most. Otherwise they wouldn’t be arguing for the irrelevance of the old ways of working with spirits or claiming the work is useless/dated, and whining about Christian or other Abrahamic content and themes (the strawmen starts at 36:17). 

 On the other hand, there’s a habit of even seasoned Occultists who published and translate or co-translate works who are sometimes oblivious to the contents of the works themselves when it conveniences them, even to the point of making things up because they’re blinded by their own personal biases. 

 This isn’t too different from problems within academia and the sciences, areas of study all too often only advance one funeral at a time. Truth often only wins out after cultural shifts. This is partly why current dietary guidelines are more or less useless.

 ie, this is why I am hesitant to take sides in these kinds of arguments, and there are worse problems than the subject of current internet flame wars right now.

[low-budget-witches]

Grimores, or Book of Shadows as some people call them, are books that witches use as like a magic journal or diary. It’s not something everyone needs but I like to think of it as like a journal for taking notes, specifically about magic.

But Raven, what can I put in a Grimore?

Anything really! Spells from teachers or yourself, drawings from dreams/meditation/etc., recipes for incense and oils, notes from books and classes, and a lot more. Really it’s more of a personal choice to decide what you want to put in a Grimore. For more examples about it, I’d suggest taking a look at the-darkest-of-lights & the-darkest-essentials. She posts a lot of images from her Grimore/BoS and maybe that can help give you an idea.

How much would it cost and do I need a fancy Grimore?

Now as I’ve said before, you don’t need anything fancy. Most people like buy books that are leather-back and have that nice soft and really hard to erase off of paper. But for others who don’t have that kind of money, normal spiral journals or even note cards can work.

The reason why I don’t suggest leather-back books is because they cost a shit-ton of money and are more prone to accidents (such as the leather wearing out). A normal sized leather-back journal would be $50 or more. The spiral journals you get at Wal-Mart or Target can cost $5 or less.

Hope this helps!

- Raven