HOW AND HOW NOT TO USE THIS GRIMOIRE

HOW TO USE

This book was created in the spirit of helping folks reconnect with the old ways and apply it in a modern way that makes sense for them, their lifestyle, their personal beliefs, and their ancestral culture. Witchcraft is not a religion and is ever evolving as the world around us does. It is my goal to teach the foundations of how it works, what it looks like throughout history, how to develop your own practice, apply your personal beliefs, and foster an appreciation for spiritual diversity so that all schools of thought, old and new, can appreciate the same journey we all take.

Modern witchcraft has become a new culture and community on its own as well, and I aim to be critical about the pros and cons of participating in it. Regardless, whether you want to participate in the community, or keep your practice private it's important to know how you are perceived in the world among other communities that do not believe in witchcraft . Communities that villainize us, and for your own safety you must be knowledgeable. This book is intended to be a launching point for those who need structure on figuring out how to build their own practice and deconstruct from the social systems that have oppressed us all. 

I will do my best to call out when I am sharing personal biases, opinions or beliefs, or when there are other schools of thought that may be similar to or counter what I am saying to help you pivot your research in a direction that feels more aligned with you. I will also do my best to cite scientific research that supports various aspects of witchcraft. However, there is one glaring personal bias that is present in this book. I have Native American Ancestry and the most valuable philosophy that has stayed within my practice is the importance of Oral Tradition. 

In white supremacy culture one of the characteristics is defined as “the worship of the written word." Because of colonization, the bible is used as a weapon to harm and oppress others. While many deconstruct from Abrahamic-religions, reconstruct the original spirit it was created, or do not believe in the church or bible, western industrial cultures still put heavy value on the written word to validate or discredit others. Systems that were built to prop up a specific demographic of people. Something you must remember is that many people throughout history were not permitted to learn to read or write, their beliefs were criminalized, artifacts did not stand the test of time, or if there was a book it was destroyed or stolen by the church. (Really, the Vatican has a library that they only open to the public once every 25 years to invited scholars) The only way we could pass down knowledge is through word of mouth, so some of the knowledge shared in this book is based on things I've learned through oral tradition and couldn’t cite its source if I wanted to, or by word of mouth from people with various beliefs and religious backgrounds that I've met over the years. If you are a scientist, anthropologist, or scholar, just change your mindset and enjoy the information at face value. It's story telling! Oral traditions allow knowledge to be passed down, and with each re-telling that person’s personal wisdom adds to the story allowing that knowledge to evolve with time that makes sense for their current time. It is up to you to use discernment, keep what resonates, let go of what doesn't and use this book as a launch point for your own research. I do not claim to know everything, nor do I claim to be right about everything. Our best understanding of the truth is usually somewhere in the middle of all our perspectives.

HOW NOT TO USE

It is not intended to be used as a way to invalidate other’s practices, religions, or beliefs. 

If you are reading this with the intention of harming others, or anyone who plagiarizes or steals from this book for financial gain, be aware that you will be cursed. (You can thank Jesus for that idea, I got it from him in the Apocryphon of John) 

I believe that all beliefs and faiths are looking at the same natural phenomenon that science has yet (but is getting there) to prove. It is simply looking at it through a lens of personal bias, culture, and environment.

Being respectful to others costs you nothing if you know your own truth.