A Witch's Grimoire: Create Your Own Book of Shadows [Roughcut]

Judy Ann Nock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

Creating and keeping of a book of shadows is an instrumental step in the study of magick and witchcraft. A Witch's Grimoire helps serious practitioners explore their love of the Craft, deepen their study of magick and walk their personal pathway to the Divine. It is part workbook, part guidebook - an essential reference as well as a personal recording of original spells. The book includes: A brief history of the grimoire Options for the creation of a grimoire Special book blessings Traditional and personal invocations Commonly used gemstones and magickal herbs/herb blends Spells, recipes and rituals for every holiday Writing space for readers to keep their own records A Witch's Grimoire encourages readers to create unique personalized journals that will last for generations to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nock's book itself is just gorgeous-suggesting this is a tome filled with ancient knowledge which...is indeed the case." -- New age Journal

About the Author

Judy Ann Olsen is a Wiccan High Priestess and founder of a goddess spirituality group. She has a degree in creative writing and theatre.

Product Details

• Roughcut: 256 pages
• Publisher: Provenance Press; 2 edition (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593374070
• ISBN-13: 978-1593374075
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book you'll ever need to create your own book of shadows, September 23, 2005

By 

Gabrielle Lichterman (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Witch's Grimoire: Create Your Own Book of Shadows (Roughcut)

Judy Ann Nock, a priestess of the Fellowship of Isis, has written a thoughtful and truly thought-provoking book about creating your own book of shadows to document your personal spiritual evolution. A Witch's Grimoire is a comprehensive guidebook that will appeal to young and old, novice and advanced practitioners alike.

Nock's book opens with a brief and fascinating history of grimoires, the function of the grimoire, and the options for creating the physical book of shadows itself (from purchasing tablets in art stores to recipes for making your own paper, cover and binding at home!). Then, without wasting your time with fluff, Nock embarks on easy-to-understand instruction for creating your own book of shadows.

Each chapter is a thoroughly thought-provoking journey. Nock methodically approaches each “book” or topic that may be included in your book of shadows (for instance, choosing auspicious days for your Book of Days and creating a trance journey for your Book of Transformation). Within those chapters, Nock provides a brief and illuminating Wiccan history of the topic and then carefully poses questions meant to stir your memories and fire up your imagination. There are blank lines after each question where you can write down your thoughts, feelings and responses so you don’t have to worry about keeping the answers in your head or transferring them right away to a notebook or your book of shadows. Nock also includes invocations, rituals, prayers and useful information in each chapter to help you on your self-exploratory journey.

There’s so much more in A Witch's Grimoire -- it's simply chock-full of information and easy recipes for creating ritual tools at home. This truly is the only book you’ll need to create your own book of shadows. Add to that, this book is gorgeous inside and out (kudos to the publisher for the stunning textured cover, rough-hewn pages and attractive page design). Judy Ann Nock’s A Witch’s Grimoire is a perfect addition to any magickal library.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Well., August 1, 2007

By 

Twana Pendygraft - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Witch's Grimoire: Create Your Own Book of Shadows (Roughcut)

When ordering this book I figured, due the topic of the book(writing your own Book of Shadows), that it would focus upon organization, consecration and exploring the depth in which one could experiment with making their own book unique. It mentions this at the very beginning. That is the only place. Soon afterwards, the book begins to retort the redundant information, including chakras, days of power(esbats, Shabbats, what the days of the week mean, ect.), circle casting, the Wiccan rede, which nothing is wrong with this but one point: it does not explain how to include, intertwine and cast your own views on such matter to put into your own Book.
While skimming through the book you see there are lines and you think to yourself that, "Oh, goodie, she is going to ask me topics and tell me how to organize my own responses into the ethics of my book." But, sadly, this doesn't occur. The lines are there that you may respond to activities such as, "How did this creative visualization effect you," or "What kind of spells do you think you will cast for the Wort Moon?" Then it just stops with that. It drops with simple questions, such as those, and leaves you hanging with what to do with them.
If you are looking for a book lending options on how to sculpt your own Book Of Shadows do not look towards this one. It is just another book filled with Magick 101.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book for a beginner to the Craft, November 17, 2005

By 

W. Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Witch's Grimoire: Create Your Own Book of Shadows (Roughcut)

Most Wicca 101 books are more theory than practical application. A Witch's Grimoire breaks out of that mold with room to spare. Judy Ann Nock takes a novice Wiccan through the steps necessary to create a truly marvelous Book of Shadows from the paper to the entries.

Not only is the book written from a unique perspective, it is beautifully designed. A plain forest green cover with golden type and no picture wraps a rough cut edged book. The book's almost square shape makes it easy to hold and carry along with you.

Ms. Nock starts us out in the first chapter with an explanation and the reasoning behind creating your own Book of Shadows.  With the popularity of some TV shows, what a Book of Shadows really is has been glamorized to mythical proportions. Unfortunately, the success of these popular shows has given rise to confusion as to how one gets a Book of Shadows. Once the reader picks up this book, not only is the confusion alleviated but also the reader is given a practical step-by-step guide with lessons, meditations and thought provoking questions. Some of the meditations are so lovely and peaceful that even a more experienced witch will find something useful in the book's pages.

Chapters are divided into "books" that are themed to the lessons and exercises they contain. There are sections devoted to the days of the week, the Sabbats and Esbats, charkas, candle magic and more.

The visual interruption caused by the question and answer sections with a place to write your answer bothered me. I think the book could have been successful without the few lines after each exercise. The areas provided weren't long enough to do more than jot down a few notes. Perhaps if the book were in a larger, workbook type format, the rules would have made better sense. Another area that I disagreed with was the author's use of the words "must" and "should" in describing rituals. That is a personal pet peeve and really doesn't detract from what I feel is a very good book for a new seeker.

W. Lyon Martin Author/Illustrator of "An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child"