Tarot Journals and Grimoires
When you first start on the path of the craft, one of the first things you’ll need is a notebook. People will give it a fancy name (Book of Shadows, Grimoire, Witch’s Diary) but when it all comes together, it’s a notebook. But why is it even needed in the first place? Didn’t the witches of old just learn through word of mouth and remember everything? That’s why their hair was so big, right? Full of mystic secrets.
Of course, we know this to be false. While the term grimoire is largely European, the earliest written magical incantation we know today comes from ancient Mesopotamia. It’s simple clay tablets dating back to the fourth or fifth century BC. After that, we see the historic Egyptian magic system, known as heka, inscribed on amulets and other such items. We see conflicting opinions on where magick all began throughout ancient Greece and even amongst ancient Jewish people, but one thing is for certain: Spells, incantations, and practices of magic were written and recorded throughout history.
The reason is obvious. Memorization does not last. If things are not left for others to learn, they will be forgotten.
New witches prefer to record their research and experiences as they form their path. Then, we can move onto solidified spells, deeper divinations, and possibly vivid visions. All of this requires something that suits your practice, something you’ll actually use.
The same goes for Tarot. Even before the first Tarot divination manual was published in 1785, readers have been honing and developing their practice. Whether it be for learning the card meanings or building spreads, it’s important to keep documentation on your journey. As Tarot reentered the metaphysical space with New Age spiritualism, so came with it the usual piranhas of consumerism. Look up Tarot journal in Google, and you’ll find yourself drowning in AI-generated (bleh) notebooks that are copy-and-pasted over and over again. The more intentional and soulful journals get buried with the garbage.
This is not to say you can’t or shouldn’t buy your own journal. If you find something that works for you, that supports what you want to support, then that is the perfect journal for you. But no practice is exactly the same as the others. What works for some doesn’t always work for others.
It’s important to find or create the journals and grimoires that will fit your thought and intuition pattern. If you never use it, it’s not the right one. Instead, focus on the way you can connect with the pages. Let ideas flow naturally without any strict planning. Connection and intention will be the biggest guides on your path.