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{"id":456,"date":"2023-04-21T08:41:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T13:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thesouthernlightdiaries\/?p=456"},"modified":"2023-04-21T08:59:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T13:59:04","slug":"so-you-want-to-build-a-grimoire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thesouthernlightdiaries\/2023\/04\/so-you-want-to-build-a-grimoire\/","title":{"rendered":"So you Want to Build a Grimoire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Page from my grimoire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

But where does one begin when creating this book? How does one start? Is a book of shadows the same thing? What if I mess up or my practice changes? Many of us practitioners will buy that big beautiful expensive blank book and be terrified to write in it. So let\u2019s talk about some creative ideas and solutions for building your own grimoire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Page from my grimoire. Photograph by Anastasiya Dobrovolskaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Setting up your Book Base<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

First of all, it\u2019s important to decide in advance what the base of your book will be. <\/span><\/p>\n

Adjustable:<\/span><\/p>\n

-binder<\/span><\/p>\n

-expandable scrapbook <\/span><\/p>\n

Non-adjustable:<\/span><\/p>\n

-journal <\/span><\/p>\n

-notebook<\/span><\/p>\n

-junk journal\/paste over method<\/span><\/p>\n

If you feel as tho you want to have the freedom to add and remove pages, a binder or expandable scrapbook is best because pages can be moved around, page protectors can be used, and you can always add more paper if you run out of space or you need to size up.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want a prebound book, it might be a bit more important to plan out the book contents in advance. <\/span><\/p>\n

Book of Shadows vs Grimoires<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the main community generalities around personal books of magic is the distinction between a Grimoire and a Book of Shadows. A BOS is more of a journal recording your magical journey, your trials and tribulations. A Grimoire is more like a settled book of magic, spirit lists, spells, rituals, and rites. And to be truly honest, what you call your book isn\u2019t as important as what\u2019s in it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Outline your Book<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A wise witch might consider outlining their themes and pages in advance. The most important and frequently used aspects should go in the beginning: opening evocations\/invocations, creation of tools, and base recipes one might need for future workings. After this, more specific recipes and spells might go next. It\u2019s important that if a spell requires moon water or black salt that you put those recipes first so it\u2019s clear how to create any needed ingredients. <\/span><\/p>\n

With a binder or expandable scrapbook, this is less important because you can move things around, add more later, etc, but in a bound book, planning ahead is key. Next, decide if you want your book to be in black and white or color. Do you want to color code certain parts? Ex. Spell instructions in black and incantations in red. Do you want to separate the beneficial and sinistral workings or do you want them all mixed together with the benefic spells in red and baneful spells in black? The choice is yours.<\/span><\/p>\n

And lastly, do you have a collection of spirits you work with? Making a separate section with their names, sigils, and responsible virtues would help in organizing your Grimoire similarly to the Keys of Solomon or The Black Pullet.<\/span><\/p>\n