The Beginnings of a Grimoire

I have finally started working on my grimoire. I took an old book with religious, medieval poetry and imagery and I'm repurposing it. The perfectionist in me was just not able to use a blank journal. Plus, this book reached out to me (I literally bumped into it and knocked it off the shelf) and I knew I needed to use it.

So far, I have finished my front and back cover, my inner cover pages, and my Beltane page with my prayer to Freya. The group of witches that I meet up with almost weekly have started working on their grimoires as well, so its a nice meeting of witches participating in their own path-making but also collectively pouring our energies into what we are doing. Its been very theraputic for me, both emotionally and physically, and I know it has for the others. We share our ideas for our grimoires, our supplies, and our emotions with each other in a safe space.

I have a list of things I want to include in my grimoire that I will share here:

• Book blessing page, as well as a "divert your eyes" curse for those who do not have permission to take or look at my grimoire.
• Depression Sigil w/ text & Anxiety Sigil w/text page.
• Moon Window page (will include all phases of the moon as well as correspondences for those phases.
• Full Moon calendar page.
• Daily Correspondences.
• Goddesses Pages.
• Nine Noble Truths.
• Altar Page.
• Runes.
• Pet/Familiar Protection Pages for Smaug and Eriana.
• Sex Magick Pages.
• Handfast Page w/ blood ritual.
• Tea Recipes page.
• Incense pages.
• Calming spell.
• Organization spell.
• Motivational page.
• Calling the Corners.
• Candle Magic.
• Tarot information pages w/pocket for tarot spreads.
• Wheel of the Year page.
• Sabbaths pages (Starting with Imbolc and ending with Yule).

These are my current ideas but they will change and expand as I continue working. I'm not artsy, and typically I don't ever feel like I'm good at something (hobby-wise) but for me, this has been something I've been pouring my heart into as I slowly work and research.

Got a grimoire? Book of Shadows? Book of Intentions? Want to share it? Feel free to comment below!

As always, blessed be with love and light;

~ The Nerdy Witch.

NSFW - Not Safe for Witches; Staying Safe in Your Magick.

A lot of this may seem like common sense, but it needs to be repeated. Stay safe, friends.

Don’t leave candles burning unattended. Do you want to burn your house down? That’s how you burn your house down. Get a candle snuffer if you’re uncomfortable blowing out your candles or you can use LED candles instead.

If you get a strange reaction to your incense, oils, or herbs, please talk to your doctor. There’s a lot of stuff that you might not realize you’re allergic to. Some people refuse to admit when they have an adverse reaction to their supplies. Don’t be silly. You can swap out any of your supplies for something else that won’t affect your health.

Speaking of doctors, don't stop listening to your doctor. While natural herbs, meditation, and essential oils are great, please don't stop taking your medication because you think magick is going to cure you of all ailments.

If you practice blood magick, always sanitize your instruments and wounds, or wait to use the blood from accidental wounds. Study first aid until it’s as fluent as a strongly studied second language if you practice blood magick. Stay safe medically, the same goes for sex magick.

Are you foraging for things to use in your craft at a local park or beach? Buy a field guide from your local book shop or borrow one from your local library. It’ll help you discern what’s safe to touch, take, and use from what could potentially result in hives, illness, or worse. I have heard of other witches photocopying or drawing images of what they see to add to their Book of Shadows/Grimoire later on for reference. 

Don’t burn anything you have not fully researched. If you’re not sure if that leaf you found could cause your dog to have a seizure or cause you to go blind, find out what it is first. Research is a witch’s best friend.

Pet-safe your practice. If you have pets that may wander into your space, make sure that nothing you’re using can make them sick. This applies to small pets like hamsters and the like who may be restricted to cages and can’t be away from your space while you’re practicing as well. Some incense can be incredibly strong for animals. To add to this point, babies aren't pets but also baby-proof your practice as well.

Watch where you go. If you’re going to practice outside, make sure you’re not trespassing on anyone’s property. Safety includes keeping yourself safe from the law too.

Use common sense and intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. As witches, all of our magick is based off intuition and intention; so be careful.

Have some safety witch tips? Share below in the comments!

Timing Correspondences.

Cursing - Tuesday/Saturday, Waning/Dark Moon
Protection - Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, Waxing/Full Moon
Cleansing - Monday/Saturday, Waning Moon/Blue Moon
Banishing - Saturday, Waning Moon/Dark Moon
Binding - Tuesday/Saturday, Waning Moon/Full Moon
Healing - Monday/Thursday/Sunday, Full Moon/Blue Moon
Enhanced Psychic Power - Monday, Full Moon/Blue Moon
Love/Friendship - Friday, New Moon/Waxing Moon
Manifestation/Power - Monday/Tuesday, Full Moon/Black Moon
Success - Thursday/Sunday, Waxing Moon/Blue Moon
Luck - Wednesday, Waxing Moon/Blue Moon
Wealth - Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday, Waxing Moon
Peace - Monday, Waning/New Moon
Courage/Strength - Tuesday, Waxing/Full Moon
Intelligence/Wisdom - Monday/Wednesday, Waxing/Full Moon

As someone who prefers to work with the Moon and considers themselves a Nocturnal witch, I found these correspondences to work well with my preference and intention.

Witchcraft & Depression; You Are Still Magical.

I realize this is a topic I’ve seen, but not covered in a way that gives you any consolation or usefulness when you’re depressed. I see “little rituals” and “how to do more with less energy” but rarely addressed is the “how to do anything with nothing” that comes with deep depression. 

So, when you’re in your depression, with offerings rotting in your ceremony bowls, candles burned down to nubs, your tarot deck missing, your supplies in disarray and decay, I want to tell you, you’re still magical.

Magic comes from different sources, the world around you, the deities you follow and deep within you. When you’re in a depression, the magic within you often feels like it is deep beneath the bottom of dried up well. It may seem like your Gods and Goddesses have forsaken you and you just can’t feel the hum of magic in the world around you. However, don't fret, it has not gone away. The sun might shine just right one day, or you’ll feel an easing in your soul after a good cry, or one little thing goes just right, your Gods and Goddesses might be giving you a sign. You are still magical. Like a dry river bed before a week of rain, you are full of potential. It might take a long time, and you might ache in your soul for your magic to return; it will, in due time. Magic likes to rest, and Gods may go to sleep. Even the natural world lies dormant once in a while. Take this time to allow yourself self-care. Take this time to dedicate to yourself.

Your magic is not gone. Your deities have not abandoned you. Your magic has not left this world. Even when you cannot do anything but exist, You Are Still Magical.