The Grimoire
Grimoires are books which act as collections of spells, and archives of spirit sigils and conjurations.
They are a compilation of the rituals and ceremonies of those who study the Arts, a written record of the works that they perform. The Grimoire acts as a book of psalms, or prayers; filled with evocations to the spirit. Those books which have no description of why the individual does the things they do, eliminating personal commentary. This is what a Grimoire is. Rituals, spells, evocations, herbal formulae, conjurations, exorcisms – all of these ceremonies, and those which are not listed, when compiled become a grimoire. This is the living work of the individual who writes them. Each work written in the life of a mage takes not only the personal connotations of the mage, but also inexorably binds that work to their essence thus allowing them to develop, learning and growing from their experiences.
The Grimoire has been confused with the Book of Shadows in modern paganism. This is a fallacy, and should be avoided. There is a large difference between the book of ceremonies and the shadows of an individual. The Book of Shadows is a written record of the events surrounding the spells, and the development which comes from their observations. Going hand in hand with the rituals which are in the Grimoire, the Shadows help the mage develop their character, their strengths, and examine their weakness. Works and spells can be included in the Book of Shadows, but the Grimoire does not contain personal reflection in a written sense. It contains the seals which are required, the methods used, and the planetary correspondences which made the work what it was. The Grimoire can be studied, shared and allowed to develop beyond a single personal act of development into something with which others can develop themselves.
The Shadows remain thusly Shadows because one's perceptions of any given event are one's own. They should only be examined and shared with those who would assist in one's development, allowing for the personal growth and attempts at mastery of the individual. Whereas the Grimoire stands of its own accord, and can be put into service by anyone who would seek to understand the mechanics of the works within.
What is provided in the following pages are works of the Art which are for the development of the individual's knowledge of correspondences and symbolism, drawing out of their subconscious the means by which they can actively change the world around them. True Thaumaturgy doesn't need spells and conjurations, formula and evocations. These are just means of study to gain the needed understandings of the mechanics so the grand works of the Art can manifest with precision, ensuring the desired effects.