Make a Witches Grimoire

If you'd like to make your own grimoire, it is not difficult. To make a physical one, not an online book, simply locate a hard bound journal of the size you like and begin writing. That is all there is to it. There aren't any hidden secrets about writing one. Solitary practitioners may start keeping a grimoire when they begin spellcasting. Initiated practitioners may start one once they have been given their initiator's book to copy.

There are no right or wrong ways to make a grimoire. Think of it as a magical journal, a place where you write down the things that you do when you're practicing your craft.

Grimoire Resources:

• Grand GrimoireInformation about the Grand Grimoire.
• Online Book Of Shadows Wicca Pagan Spellcraft Grimoire-Grandpa\'s General StoreThis Online Book of Shadows, is where you can get some ideas and information to help you on your way to spellcrafting. How to make a spell candle, Wicca 101, Witches Creed, About Smudge, Phases of the Moon, Candles and Color, magical incense recipes,
• Grimoire

Origins of the Witches Grimoire

The witches grimoire is believed to have originated in the Ancient Near East. The origin of the word "grimoire" is French in origin. Translated it means grammar. When the book The Magus was published in the early 1800's, the word grimoire began meaning "a witches book of spells."

Hans Baldung Grien, Circa 1508

It is interesting to note that the word "grimoire" is used to reference other books of prayer and magic, including the Bible, Koran and the Key of Solomon.

A witches grimoire contains spells and recipes used for magick. Witches in days of old from Europe may have had grimoires that contained incantations for raising the dead (Book of Endor), summoning angels as well as demons.  It is important to note, however, that today's witch, more often than not, does not subscribe to this practice. The modern witch, as well as some Wiccans, is more inclined to practice magick that "harms no one" and gives back to mother earth.

The history of witches and witchcraft, especially in North America, helps to perpetuate the mysticism surrounding spellcasting and its links to dark magick. What many people need to understand is that today's witchcraft and grimoire is more likely to contain spells to bind people from hurting one another and to banish spirits from one's home. Conjuring the devil with spells isn't something that white witches or Wiccans have any interest in doing.

If you were to see a modern witches grimoire, you may be a bit confused and perhaps disappointed. The book would include many different spells, information on how the spells turned out, phases of the moon in relation to the spells, dates of special events and perhaps the "witch names" of those who are associated with. A spell on how to summon a demon would be difficult, if not impossible, to locate.

The Witches Grimoire

The witches grimoire is a book that contains a witches spells and other information related to spell casting.  It is sometimes combined with a Book of Shadows, depending upon the needs of a witch.  Solitary practitioners may combine the two books, while witches that belong to covens may keep the two books separately.  A grimoire has information that can be shared with other witches, while a Book of Shadows often contains personal thoughts, much like a journal.

Witches that belong to covens may copy their grimoire from the person who has initiated them.  It is usually hand copied, not something that is printed off from a computer or from the Internet.  However, as with everything in these days of high technology, it is not uncommon for some witches to keep their witch books on a computer.  There are several benefits to doing this:  it can be encrypted, written in Theban and hidden from prying eyes (if you have the know how).

Next Post:  The Origins of the Witches Grimoire

Power of Three and Harm None

Wiccans and witches believe in the power of three. This means that whatever you do, whether for good or bad, will come back to you three-fold. Wicca practitioners believe in Karma- negative actions will cause negative things to happen to you. Positive things will impact your life in a positive way. This is why wiccans strive to "harm none" so that they can live in peace and harmony with the earth and the people around them.

Wiccans and Witches are not Evil

After centuries of propaganda, wiccans and witches have been labeled as evil. This can be traced back to organized religions in which those that do not believe in Christ must be against Christians. Christ is good and those that don't believe must be bad. And as we know, courtesy of the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem witch trials, those that don't embrace the Christian religion will never make it to heaven and should be eradicated.

Oddly enough, those that claim to be athiests suffer considerably less than those who claim to be wiccans or witches. Wiccans and witches do believe in a higher power; they just don't believe in the Christian religion. This makes them no different than many other major religions, including the Jews who also don't believe in Christ.

So in closing, I would like to encourage you, the reader, to explore the wiccan faith, as well as other faiths that are different from your own. Not so that you will convert to a different faith, but rather to learn about other religions and to help dispell some of the misconceptions that are perpetuated by ignorance.

Please check out the links below for information on the wiccan religion and practices.

Blessed be!

• Pagan LoreThe 13 Basic Wiccan Principles
• Wiccan GladeBasic information about the wiccan religion
• Religion FactsLearn the origins of the wiccan religion here
• Wicca.com

Wicca Recognized as a Religion in the United States

Did you know that the wiccan religion is recognized in the United States? Wiccan practitioners are protected under the U.S. Constitution. In 1986 a federal appeals court ruled that it is a legal religion. Because of this many people have found the courage to announce that wicca is their religion of choice. Practitioners may also wear pentagrams in public schools or the workplace and cannot be forced to remove the jewelry for religions reasons.

What are Wiccans

Photo by Loveliestdreams@Dreamstime.com

The Wiccan religion is all about nature and the spiritual world around us. It is based on ancient beliefs similar to paganism. Wiccans are accepting of everyone regardless of their religious background, race, sexual orientation or cultural background. Some wiccans come to this religion because they believe they have unusual or supernatural abilities. Because of these abilities they may not be accepted in the religion they may have grown up with. People come to the wiccan religion because they feel more accepted and embrace the idea of living in harmony with nature.

Not all wiccans are witches, and not all witches are wiccans. Witches can be both male and female; warlocks are witches, either men or women, who are shunned from their wiccan community.

A Good Witch

There is a misconception about witches or wiccans which has, pardon the pun, been brewing for years. The popular media has perpetuated the myth that witches practice black magic, cast evil spells, worship the devil and so on. While I don't dispute that some people, not necessairily wiccans, are satan worshippers, the majority of wiccans you will meet do not do this.

A wiccan practitioner will concentrate on their natural powers to improve their own lives, the lives of those around them, and their family members. It is more about love than hate; wiccans don't like negative energy and work hard to avoid it. Things a witch or wiccan will work towards in their lives include:

• Live a "green" life
• Conserve energy and gas
• Plant trees
• Clean up their community
• Volunteer at many community businesses
• Recycle
• ...and anything that can help improve the earth and environment

The Council of American Witches (which is now defunct), drew up a list of principles that are still followed by most witch and wiccan practitioners today. Of special importance is the following principle:

"We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the devil" as defined by Christian traditions."