Your own spellbook?

[Theweirdtophat]

Have any of you made your own spellbook, whether you're a druid, wiccan, Christian, jew, ect.? If so do you make your own spells or just copy from other sources?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I somewhat have a spell book/journal. I tried to create books just for witchcraft and it didn't feel right. I create my own spells and prayers. I don't have many spells because they are embedded in rituals such as communication, giving offerings, and finding ways to incorporate these things into my daily routine/to my life.

You can put anything in a spell book, though. I copied the history of the pentagram and the many uses for the Star. I copied its many myths about it as well. I guess you can say my "spell book" is my alter. I have pictures of my grandmas there. The Orisha Yemaya.. mother of life. Quotes and sayings that get me by in the morning. I write in my journal as well.

You can create your own symbols for your spells or prayers. I use symbols in coordination with a ritual/spell I'll do.. say a symbol of blessings for asking for blessings from a family member or from the Earth.

I guess a Christian and Jew might have spell books; however, it is highly unlikely they would refer it as that. They probably have little books that have biblical quotes in it or use their Bibles with notes etc that help them in prayers and family customs.

Have any of you made your own spellbook, whether you're a druid, wiccan, Christian, jew, ect.? If so do you make your own spells or just copy from other sources?

 

[Theweirdtophat]

I somewhat have a spell book/journal. I tried to create books just for witchcraft and it didn't feel right. I create my own spells and prayers. I don't have many spells because they are embedded in rituals such as communication, giving offerings, and finding ways to incorporate these things into my daily routine/to my life.

You can put anything in a spell book, though. I copied the history of the pentagram and the many uses for the Star. I copied its many myths about it as well. I guess you can say my "spell book" is my alter. I have pictures of my grandmas there. The Orisha Yemaya.. mother of life. Quotes and sayings that get me by in the morning. I write in my journal as well.

You can create your own symbols for your spells or prayers. I use symbols in coordination with a ritual/spell I'll do.. say a symbol of blessings for asking for blessings from a family member or from the Earth.

I guess a Christian and Jew might have spell books; however, it is highly unlikely they would refer it as that. They probably have little books that have biblical quotes in it or use their Bibles with notes etc that help them in prayers and family customs.

They might, but even though it's not normally practiced, just about every religion has practiced magic in some way shape or form. I know Christian and Jewish mystics that look to the Kaballah or Christian Cabala and practice ceremonial magic.

But out of curiosity, how do you make your own spells? I know some I can do from looking at others but how do you really make your own magic spells? I'd like to learn. You can upload links if you'd like.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

They might, but even though it's not normally practiced, just about every religion has practiced magic in some way shape or form. I know Christian and Jewish mystics that look to the Kaballah or Christian Cabala and practice ceremonial magic.

That is true. For example, the consecration of the Eucharist is magic; however, a Catholic would never call it that, only consecration or blessing at the least. Many religions have "magic" according to today's definition. Before, according to Chrisitanity at lest, sense they were running the show, magic was doing supernatural things which source came from Satan or demon. (My friend even feels that way about witchcraft. She's not aware that there are different types. She calls American "witchcraft" if it's called that, watered downed)

But out of curiosity, how do you make your own spells? I know some I can do from looking at others but how do you really make your own magic spells? I'd like to learn. You can upload links if you'd like.

I set myself up to that question, didn't I. Let me see, mind you spells to me are rituals.

Definition of a spell:

"A spell is a set of actions and prayers that you do and say in order to ask for divine help [protection; guidance from family; and more] with some particular aspect of your life." ~Mnemosyne's Realm (Religious Tolerance)​

Using natural things for spells connects what you are doing, the tools, and prayer to the Earth and to the Divine (or deity you may believe in. Since I don't believe in deities, these won't be directed towards any [but you can shape it as you will] )

Protection:

Protection spells are one of the most historically common spells used in all religions. My grandmother, a hard stone Christian, threw salt over her shoulder when she entered our home. We had spirits in my childhood home, so my grandma also put upside down horse shoes above each entry of the doors. Although it sounds like a myth, for some reason I think she has some truth to the salt spell. I'm not aware of the horse shoe purpose though.

1. So, instead of throwing it over my should I have little votive glass holders with salt in each. I place it in each room for protection. Salt preserves food. It is a good natural cleaner for example, you can use it to disinfect sinks (combination with baking soda or vinegar).

2. I was cleaning my apartment the other day and tried using all natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Lemons and baking soda can actually clean bathtub rings. Baking soda is good for cleaning sinks, etc (instead of comet).

The spell: I just put a dash of sea salt in the mix even though the instructions doesn't call for it. It adds to the protection as well as make your house smell nice. Here is the book. http://www.amazon.com/Salt-Lemons-Vinegar-Baking-Soda/dp/B002NLNFJ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422726498&sr=8-1&keywords=salt,+lemons,+vinegar,+and+baking+soda

3. Charms and Amulets

"An amulet is any object (usually small in size) intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner, or any object believed to hold magical properties that can protect against bad luck, illness and evil."​

I usually have different rocks for different purposes. I'm learning more about the Orishas. I don't know if I'm ready to serve them yet; but, I'm called the Orisha Yemaja who is the Mother of all creation. Her color is blue and white; so, The Spell: I wear a blue stone around my neck. She helps me think pure thoughts (sometimes it works), and things like that. I offer her water since she is the "spirit" of the water and her ashe or spirit comes into those who, traditionally, have her as their Orisha. (Santeria religion).

What else; what else?

Guidance and asking advice

There are many ways you can ask out loud, to the divine, and/or to your deities for help in situations. For me, I'm making more of a relationship with my ancestors through my grandmas who passed... one in November last year the other in 96.

Setting up an altar for any ritual or spell purpose is good. Here is a site I like: Five Ways to Honor Your Ancestors It gives many methods of how one can honor our loved ones. You can also replace the ancestors to honoring your deities.

--Spell I use is basic prayer. Talking with my family members. Writing in my journal. I'll ask for advice and guidance through my dreams... I've been having a lot of them lately, but don't know how to translate them. By the way, dreams are good ways to do divination spells.

Any kind of divination is a spell in itself. Creating your own divination method (which I am trying to do) will make your answers more personal. Here is a site about different divination methods: Methods of Divination for Magical Practice

Giving gratitude

Religion or how one calls it is the practice of being thankful for your life. Whether if it is someone else that is keeping you alive or you are finding methods for yourself.

Some ways to be thankful is a simple bow. Many people bow for different reasons. Normally, in a Catholic Church you'd genuflect towards Jesus in respect. One lady, via her culture, prostrated herself instead. Either one towards your altar, deity, or whom/whatever can be a spell in itself.

I like to wear white sometimes when doing rituals. It keeps me in a "pure state of mind." The clothing you wear or just a white (in my case white or blue) scarf over your head can make the difference in how you pray.

Candles are universal in all spells. Candles or incense can be used before meals as a prayer to thank whom/whatever for your food and bless it before you eat. Spell I have a bowl, hard to explain, with incense sticks pushed in sand. So when I do my rituals, I have the bowl in the middle of the room and pray or dance that way.

Using instruments can enlighten a spell. Offerings are universal as well.
--
I hope this helped you out some. Let me know we can still talk.. .I love talking about this subject.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

Very true. I guess whether they call their magic "blessings" or "miracles" it's still energy being used to cause an effect. I always found it strange when people act like Wicca is the only religion that practices spells when just about every religion has practiced spells in some form.

I usually like to work with nature, and plants in particular and thought of ways of communicating with them more. Like wearing or using moss agate, which is used to connect with yourself through nature, and plants in particular and by using quartz, which is an amplifier, it would amplify the communication. I've thought of using a wand similar to that.

I like white but I always like to wear green due to my connection with nature. I've thought of using a combination of stones and crystals here and there and wondered which artifacts would be best. I worship Danu, Brigid, Ogma and many others from the Irish pantheon. I always thought a good way to show gratitude was to write a poem and write in Ogham, the language that Ogma made just to make it more special as I heard deities tend to be more willing to help you if you take the time to show your appreciation for them.

Have you used wands before? If so, how did you use them? I never really used candles but I should see if I can get some, especially since Brighid is a goddess of fire. I'm always up for chatting about this sort of thing and always wanted to write my own spell book.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I usually like to work with nature, and plants in particular and thought of ways of communicating with them more. Like wearing or using moss agate,

That's beautiful. How do you wear moss agate? Is that a type of color?

I always thought a good way to show gratitude was to write a poem and write in Ogham, the language that Ogma made just to make it more special as I heard deities tend to be more willing to help you if you take the time to show your appreciation for them.

You can actually put those poems in your spell book. Also, you can use the same language for incantation to your deities and refer back to them when you are praying or doing a spell.

Have you used wands before? If so, how did you use them? I never really used candles but I should see if I can get some, especially since Brighid is a goddess of fire. I'm always up for chatting about this sort of thing and always wanted to write my own spell book.

Naw. I haven't used wand before. I never really saw the use in them in a spiritual sense. I read that wands direct your energy where you want it to go. For me, if I'm directing my energy to the earth, I'll lay on the ground itself. I use my body as a wand, if that makes sense?

As for your idea, I think that would work out well. Go for it.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

That's beautiful. How do you wear moss agate? Is that a type of color?

You can actually put those poems in your spell book. Also, you can use the same language for incantation to your deities and refer back to them when you are praying or doing a spell.

Naw. I haven't used wand before. I never really saw the use in them in a spiritual sense. I read that wands direct your energy where you want it to go. For me, if I'm directing my energy to the earth, I'll lay on the ground itself. I use my body as a wand, if that makes sense?

As for your idea, I think that would work out well. Go for it.

Thanks. Oh Moss Agate is a type of stone, a nice green stone. Can somewhat look like Malachite but Malachite is really used for healing and transmutation while Moss Agate is sued for fertility and communing with nature.

I poems and incantations written in ogham would be nice. I always liked the language and they can make nice amulets, too, depending on what you write on it.

Wands are nice to use. I can understand you're reason for sure. I just think wands tend to make it easier for me to direct the energy I'm putting out.

 

[Treks]

When I was a Pagan I had a notebook where I would copy out things I found. Towards the end I started writing my own stuff in. It's also overflowing with loose leaf pages I found, printed, copied, etc. and shoved in there. It's great fun to look back over now.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Silly me, when you said "wear" Moss Agate, I thought it was a color. Stone correspondences are good.

With spells, I usually take in the structure of what other people do--even the corny ones--and figure how it relates to my reverence to the Earth and ancestors. Is there a structure from it that will help me make my relationship more personal? Should I take out the frogs, gizzards and cauldrons and broom sticks from the 'Net Spells and still get the point no matter how silly the spell may be? Stuff like that.

Thanks. Oh Moss Agate is a type of stone, a nice green stone. Can somewhat look like Malachite but Malachite is really used for healing and transmutation while Moss Agate is sued for fertility and communing with nature.

I poems and incantations written in ogham would be nice. I always liked the language and they can make nice amulets, too, depending on what you write on it.

Wands are nice to use. I can understand you're reason for sure. I just think wands tend to make it easier for me to direct the energy I'm putting out.

 

[Quintessence]

Somehow I missed this thread from before. It happens.

No, I don't have a grimoire as I don't feel a need for one. What I do is build up a theoretical and philosophical foundation for my Craft, which are in my Book of Shadows. From there, when I do ritual or spellcraft, I construct things spontaneously or on-the-fly based on the grounding I have in theory. In other words, I don't write out some spell or ritual I'm going to do in advance of doing it. If it is something I do frequently enough to be worthy of a write-up (and that's a short list), it goes in the Book of Shadows. Your typical spell is a one-time thing, customized for a specific circumstance. I just prefer to do it spontaneously than bog myself down with a lot of bookkeeping.

 

[1137]

I don't have a "spellbook" so much as a book of philosophies, myths, and inspiration.

 

[Mindmaster]

I don't keep a spell book, but I guess I'd keep what you would call a magickal diary of sorts. If you don't have this you are really not going to be able to keep score so it is a necessary evil. =)