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The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual
Part guided journaling practice, part interactive magical grimoire, The Magical Writing Grimoire shows you how to incorporate writing as a magical tool to create healing and amplify spell-casting.
Whenever and wherever you are, word magic is with you. During times of chaos or pain, or simply when you need a cosmic boost, writing can help. In fact, healers, therapists, and magical practitioners have long incorporated writing in their practices. From letter writing for creating closure to dream diaries, writing is a powerful process for moving your dreams into manifestation.
The Magical Writing Grimoire approaches writing as a self-actualizing, intentional, and healing act. You will learn how to combine writing with ritual and magic for self-discovery, clarifying intentions, creating and making things happen, and manifestation. You will also be guided in how to create a personal grimoire--a magical book of self rituals, spells, and intentions. Each chapter contains writing prompts that also incorporate magical ritual and tools including working with crystals, spell incantation, or candle alchemy. Other rituals and prompts may be set up for certain moon phases or ask you to bury or burn a piece of paper.
Equal parts practical and inspiring, The Magical Writing Grimoire shows you how to wield your word as your wand.
Whenever and wherever you are, word magic is with you. During times of chaos or pain, or simply when you need a cosmic boost, writing can help. In fact, healers, therapists, and magical practitioners have long incorporated writing in their practices. From letter writing for creating closure to dream diaries, writing is a powerful process for moving your dreams into manifestation.
The Magical Writing Grimoire approaches writing as a self-actualizing, intentional, and healing act. You will learn how to combine writing with ritual and magic for self-discovery, clarifying intentions, creating and making things happen, and manifestation. You will also be guided in how to create a personal grimoire--a magical book of self rituals, spells, and intentions. Each chapter contains writing prompts that also incorporate magical ritual and tools including working with crystals, spell incantation, or candle alchemy. Other rituals and prompts may be set up for certain moon phases or ask you to bury or burn a piece of paper.
Equal parts practical and inspiring, The Magical Writing Grimoire shows you how to wield your word as your wand.
172 pages, ebook
First published April 7, 2020
169 people are currently reading
1580 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Marie Basile
26 books209 followersLisa Marie Basile is an author, poet, and journalist based in Jersey City, NJ and NYC. She holds an MFA in writing from The New School in New York City.
She is the author of a few books of poetry, including SAINT OF (White Stag Publishing, 2025), Nympholespy (Inside the Castle, 2019—which was a finalist in the 2017 Tarpaulin Sky Book Awards), Apocryphal (Noctuary Press, 2014), and Andalucia (The Poetry Society of New York, 2012). She’s also written a few non-fiction books, including Light Magic for Dark Times and others. She is the founding editor of Luna Luna Magazine.
Her essays, interviews, poetry, and other works can be found in The New York Times, Catapult, Narratively, Bust, Entropy, Best American Poetry, and more. Portions of her work were also selected for inclusion in Best Small Fictions (selected by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Olen Butler) and Best American Experimental Writing 2020 (selected by Carmen Maria Machado and Joyelle McSweeney).
Lisa Marie has presented her work at many literary series, including the Annual NYC Poetry Festival, NYC Writers Circle, Memoir Mondays, the Cornelia Street Reading Series, Weird Girls, Must Love Memoir, Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop, McNally Jackson, and the KGB Reading Series, among many others. She has also led workshops or spoken in panel discussions at/for Manhattanville College, Columbia University, Emerson College, Pace University, The Moon Studio, The Author’s Guild, Stanza Books, and more.
She is the author of a few books of poetry, including SAINT OF (White Stag Publishing, 2025), Nympholespy (Inside the Castle, 2019—which was a finalist in the 2017 Tarpaulin Sky Book Awards), Apocryphal (Noctuary Press, 2014), and Andalucia (The Poetry Society of New York, 2012). She’s also written a few non-fiction books, including Light Magic for Dark Times and others. She is the founding editor of Luna Luna Magazine.
Her essays, interviews, poetry, and other works can be found in The New York Times, Catapult, Narratively, Bust, Entropy, Best American Poetry, and more. Portions of her work were also selected for inclusion in Best Small Fictions (selected by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Olen Butler) and Best American Experimental Writing 2020 (selected by Carmen Maria Machado and Joyelle McSweeney).
Lisa Marie has presented her work at many literary series, including the Annual NYC Poetry Festival, NYC Writers Circle, Memoir Mondays, the Cornelia Street Reading Series, Weird Girls, Must Love Memoir, Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop, McNally Jackson, and the KGB Reading Series, among many others. She has also led workshops or spoken in panel discussions at/for Manhattanville College, Columbia University, Emerson College, Pace University, The Moon Studio, The Author’s Guild, Stanza Books, and more.
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September 29, 2021
This book suffers from the same problem found in many books on “the power/magic of writing” — it fails the basic principle of Don’t Just Tell, Show!
In short: It’s fine. But that’s all, just fine.
The author repeatedly refers to writing as powerful and transformational work, and yet the writing in this book is itself mostly mediocre, vague, sometimes gently insightful in a very cautious, friendly sort of way. At other times, it’s downright trite. It mostly fails to demonstrate what powerful, transformative writing actually looks and feels like.
The formatting of the book also works against the author’s stated themes and goals. It seems the book was designed to imitate the aesthetic of Instagram, with thin, double-columns of text in short paragraphs (often only a few sentences long), with lots of eye-catching font changes, pull-quotes and doodles that often serve to disrupt rather than illuminate or clarify the text. The result is a reading experience that feels distracted and disjointed, with few opportunities to settle into the sustained, meditative concentration that reading (and writing) can afford.
This isn’t surprising, since social media sites are specifically designed to create this sort of distracted attention that keeps you refreshing your feed, half-mindlessly scrolling past ads. But as pretty as the aesthetic might be at first glance, it’s an exceptionally poor format for a book, especially one supposedly interested in exploring writing as an opportunity for deepening one’s focus and developing a practice of mindfulness. (Already this review, pecked out on my phone, is longer than many of the book’s chapters.)
I suspect another reason the book feels rather superficial is because the author was aiming for a book that could be read “non-linearly” — that is, you could dip in and out, open to a random page, skip around to what most appeals to you, etc. (Again, much like a social media feed, skipping from post to post, context to context in just a few hundred characters.) The problem, of course, is that this too undermines the author’s stated theme of writing as transformational. For writing to transform, it must take writer and reader alike on a journey, not just meet them where they are at, but bring them some place new (and often challenging). Instead of a trusty guide into the wilderness, this book hangs around in the visitor center handing out glossy single-page brochures with vague directions to the most popular, high-traffic scenic overlooks, and asking you to post selfies of your favorite spots using the branded hashtag.
In other words, there is something naive about this book that leaves me feeling vaguely dissatisfied. Or maybe just vague. I picked it up originally because another reviewer mentioned it was full of prompts for journaling and writing in a magical/ritual context. I’ve actually seen plenty of books that weren’t masterpieces of strong, inspired writing but still turned out to be good resources for prompts and ideas for writing/practicing on your own. (And of course, all magical practice requires you to actually do the work, not just read about it.) Yet somehow, this book doesn’t do much for me on that front, either. Most of the prompts are either super obvious (“write a letter to yourself” has been done to death!), or too vague to be provocative (“write about how you’re feeling” …. well, yeah, duh).
There wasn’t much original or challenging in this book — it was timid where it could have been bold, and too often settled for common ground and common sense when it could have dug deeper, aimed higher, or at least said something new enough to be interesting.
In short: It’s fine. But that’s all, just fine.
The author repeatedly refers to writing as powerful and transformational work, and yet the writing in this book is itself mostly mediocre, vague, sometimes gently insightful in a very cautious, friendly sort of way. At other times, it’s downright trite. It mostly fails to demonstrate what powerful, transformative writing actually looks and feels like.
The formatting of the book also works against the author’s stated themes and goals. It seems the book was designed to imitate the aesthetic of Instagram, with thin, double-columns of text in short paragraphs (often only a few sentences long), with lots of eye-catching font changes, pull-quotes and doodles that often serve to disrupt rather than illuminate or clarify the text. The result is a reading experience that feels distracted and disjointed, with few opportunities to settle into the sustained, meditative concentration that reading (and writing) can afford.
This isn’t surprising, since social media sites are specifically designed to create this sort of distracted attention that keeps you refreshing your feed, half-mindlessly scrolling past ads. But as pretty as the aesthetic might be at first glance, it’s an exceptionally poor format for a book, especially one supposedly interested in exploring writing as an opportunity for deepening one’s focus and developing a practice of mindfulness. (Already this review, pecked out on my phone, is longer than many of the book’s chapters.)
I suspect another reason the book feels rather superficial is because the author was aiming for a book that could be read “non-linearly” — that is, you could dip in and out, open to a random page, skip around to what most appeals to you, etc. (Again, much like a social media feed, skipping from post to post, context to context in just a few hundred characters.) The problem, of course, is that this too undermines the author’s stated theme of writing as transformational. For writing to transform, it must take writer and reader alike on a journey, not just meet them where they are at, but bring them some place new (and often challenging). Instead of a trusty guide into the wilderness, this book hangs around in the visitor center handing out glossy single-page brochures with vague directions to the most popular, high-traffic scenic overlooks, and asking you to post selfies of your favorite spots using the branded hashtag.
In other words, there is something naive about this book that leaves me feeling vaguely dissatisfied. Or maybe just vague. I picked it up originally because another reviewer mentioned it was full of prompts for journaling and writing in a magical/ritual context. I’ve actually seen plenty of books that weren’t masterpieces of strong, inspired writing but still turned out to be good resources for prompts and ideas for writing/practicing on your own. (And of course, all magical practice requires you to actually do the work, not just read about it.) Yet somehow, this book doesn’t do much for me on that front, either. Most of the prompts are either super obvious (“write a letter to yourself” has been done to death!), or too vague to be provocative (“write about how you’re feeling” …. well, yeah, duh).
There wasn’t much original or challenging in this book — it was timid where it could have been bold, and too often settled for common ground and common sense when it could have dug deeper, aimed higher, or at least said something new enough to be interesting.
March 13, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book ito read n exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This book is a beautifully thought out and delivered guide to learning to write for healing purposes as well as containing journalling prompts and ritual informations. This is a great book even if your not a fan of or into magick.
I really enjoyed this book and will be using the prompts to journal with too.
This book is a beautifully thought out and delivered guide to learning to write for healing purposes as well as containing journalling prompts and ritual informations. This is a great book even if your not a fan of or into magick.
I really enjoyed this book and will be using the prompts to journal with too.
May 17, 2020
Ever since I heard Lisa Marie Basile had written The Magical Writing Grimoire, I have been so, so eager to read it. As someone who loves writing, I have for a while not wanted to read something on how I can combine my two passions of writing and witchcraft, and after completly adoring Basile's first non-fic book, Light Magic for Dark Times, I was sure this was going to be right up my street. It wasn't what I was expecting, however, but it's still such an awesome book!
If you're looking for a book that talks you through how to create traditional kinds of spells - prosperity, abundance, healing, love, etc. - through writing, this is not the book for you. That's what I was expecting, a book that talks about how the writing is the spell itself, and while in some ways it does kind of cover that, through poem-spells, it's really not a book about that kind of magic. It's more a book of using magical writing for inner work, work on the self. The book can be summed up, with two quotes from the book: "More and more of us are focusing on self-healing, self-reflection, self-growth, and magical systems of thinking," (p150), and "Our journal entries are a magical act of sacred self-mining," (p149). Once I got past the idea that this wasn't the book I was hoping it would be, and just accepted it and took it for what it was, it was really interesting and insightful.
There's a huge focus on self-healing and shadow work, which was to be expected, as it's a massive part of Basile's own practice as shown through her social media and her last book. While it has it's own chapter, Chapter Three: Healing Magic, shadow work and healing the self is a thread that's woven throughout the enitre book. For those who may not know what shadow work is, as Basile states, "Shadow work, or the process of exploring your 'disowned self,' allows you to make magic from the parts of yourself that you repress or refuse to nourish because, sometimes, it hurts too much." (p18) Shadow work helps because, "When we know the names of our many selves—pain, jealousy, fear—it gives us power over them. Rather than keeping them in the dark, where they fester from within like a poison, we let the light illuminate them. When you can truly see what has been wounding you, it loses some of its ability to haunt you in the dark. You can then take action against it." (p73) I'm not someone who actually spends a great deal of time on shadow work; I do it when I feel it's needed, but I can't spend too much time down in the depths, or I end up forgetting in which direction is the surface. But when I have done shadow work, it is hugely helpful. And Basile has given us so many writing rituals in this book to help us work with and heal our shadows, a number that I'll definitely be turning to when I next need to do some of the work. Rituals like the goodbye letter, where you write a releasing letter to an emotion or idea you want to let go of, naming your shadows, writing a eulogy to the past, and questioning limiting beliefs. There are also chapters on Manifesting Magic and Mindfulness Magic, but, while there are some interesting ideas and things I definitely want to explore, these chapters weren't quite as relevant for me.
What I absolutely loved about this book was how Basile discussed making the act of writing itself a ritual - Chapter Two: Conjuring Your Voice was my favourite chapter. She discusses preparing your space and creating an altar. She talks us through writing our own spells, practices for setting writing goals, creating sigils and automatic-writing, and creating your own alphabet. In Chapter Six: Grimoire Poetica, she discusses other rituals like keeping a dream diary, writing poem-spells, bibliomancy (divination through randomly selecting a page in a book and taking guidance from the words your eyes land on), using horoscopes for self-reflection, and how you can use word craft on social media. These are the aspects of the book that really got my brain working. These aspects were closer to what I was hoping for, and so were helpful in that they inspired other ideas and how I can use word craft and prepare for it. I've already put together a ritual writing tool kit, for example. It's also been really helpful in regards to other aspects of my spirituality, questions that are coming up for me, and how I can use writing to explore those questions and ideas, and see where they take me.
If writing, ritual, self-reflection, and magic are your bag, this is absolutely not a book to miss. While it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Light Magic for Dark Times, it's still a fantastic book, and one I'm sure I'll be revisiting.
If you're looking for a book that talks you through how to create traditional kinds of spells - prosperity, abundance, healing, love, etc. - through writing, this is not the book for you. That's what I was expecting, a book that talks about how the writing is the spell itself, and while in some ways it does kind of cover that, through poem-spells, it's really not a book about that kind of magic. It's more a book of using magical writing for inner work, work on the self. The book can be summed up, with two quotes from the book: "More and more of us are focusing on self-healing, self-reflection, self-growth, and magical systems of thinking," (p150), and "Our journal entries are a magical act of sacred self-mining," (p149). Once I got past the idea that this wasn't the book I was hoping it would be, and just accepted it and took it for what it was, it was really interesting and insightful.
There's a huge focus on self-healing and shadow work, which was to be expected, as it's a massive part of Basile's own practice as shown through her social media and her last book. While it has it's own chapter, Chapter Three: Healing Magic, shadow work and healing the self is a thread that's woven throughout the enitre book. For those who may not know what shadow work is, as Basile states, "Shadow work, or the process of exploring your 'disowned self,' allows you to make magic from the parts of yourself that you repress or refuse to nourish because, sometimes, it hurts too much." (p18) Shadow work helps because, "When we know the names of our many selves—pain, jealousy, fear—it gives us power over them. Rather than keeping them in the dark, where they fester from within like a poison, we let the light illuminate them. When you can truly see what has been wounding you, it loses some of its ability to haunt you in the dark. You can then take action against it." (p73) I'm not someone who actually spends a great deal of time on shadow work; I do it when I feel it's needed, but I can't spend too much time down in the depths, or I end up forgetting in which direction is the surface. But when I have done shadow work, it is hugely helpful. And Basile has given us so many writing rituals in this book to help us work with and heal our shadows, a number that I'll definitely be turning to when I next need to do some of the work. Rituals like the goodbye letter, where you write a releasing letter to an emotion or idea you want to let go of, naming your shadows, writing a eulogy to the past, and questioning limiting beliefs. There are also chapters on Manifesting Magic and Mindfulness Magic, but, while there are some interesting ideas and things I definitely want to explore, these chapters weren't quite as relevant for me.
What I absolutely loved about this book was how Basile discussed making the act of writing itself a ritual - Chapter Two: Conjuring Your Voice was my favourite chapter. She discusses preparing your space and creating an altar. She talks us through writing our own spells, practices for setting writing goals, creating sigils and automatic-writing, and creating your own alphabet. In Chapter Six: Grimoire Poetica, she discusses other rituals like keeping a dream diary, writing poem-spells, bibliomancy (divination through randomly selecting a page in a book and taking guidance from the words your eyes land on), using horoscopes for self-reflection, and how you can use word craft on social media. These are the aspects of the book that really got my brain working. These aspects were closer to what I was hoping for, and so were helpful in that they inspired other ideas and how I can use word craft and prepare for it. I've already put together a ritual writing tool kit, for example. It's also been really helpful in regards to other aspects of my spirituality, questions that are coming up for me, and how I can use writing to explore those questions and ideas, and see where they take me.
If writing, ritual, self-reflection, and magic are your bag, this is absolutely not a book to miss. While it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Light Magic for Dark Times, it's still a fantastic book, and one I'm sure I'll be revisiting.
July 26, 2020
Welcome to my newest review, focused on The Magical Writing Grimoire, by Lisa M. Basile. Writing has always been important to me in a magical sense, but would this book lead me deeper into these practices?
Turns out, the answer is yes. I consider myself a nonfiction writer primarily, but the fiction and poetic exercises in Basile’s work transported me.
One charming aspect of this book? You can read most of it in any order you please! You can read whatever chapter interests you first. The book is written in a way such that each is accessible from first glance.
I was drawn to the chapter about bibliomancy first. It’s something I’d practiced a bit in the past. Basile enriches her take on it with references to history, mythology, and more.
With this and most other chapters, she provides very simple yet powerful exercises, spells, and other rituals.
The author seems to know (and impart) a great deal of information about crystals, astrology, even Tarot. These aren’t the focus of the book, but she ties them all in beautifully with the concept of writing.
Without a doubt, this book will inspire a lot of written soul searches. Many of the workings veer deep into the Shadows, while remaining accessible for someone just starting that sort of work.
The author does a great job of connecting self-focused Shadow work with similar workings involving broader concepts in society. It’s always great when a witchcraft author tackles issues like that.
Basile writes on social issues affecting us in a way that’s temporally-contextualized while also timeless. Her words about justice would be a welcome sentiment in any era, and especially today.
This book pairs well with more conventional (even non-mystical) books about journaling. The chapters which focus on poetry, might even inspire a reader to delve more into the theory and technique of poetry, too.
While this book could be interesting for the beginning willworker, I recommend it mostly to intermediately-experienced practitioners.
Overall, this book gets four of five stars. It could be more detailed, but other than that, it's great. It would've been awesome to cover things like bibliomancy in even more depth!
There are many topics that can be comprehended on multiple levels, but most of this book would be suited to someone with existing knowledge of the topics (especially Shadow work).
I strongly recommend this for other witches who write, either fiction or nonfiction. This book will help you hone both your Craft (of magic) and your craft (of writing)!
Turns out, the answer is yes. I consider myself a nonfiction writer primarily, but the fiction and poetic exercises in Basile’s work transported me.
One charming aspect of this book? You can read most of it in any order you please! You can read whatever chapter interests you first. The book is written in a way such that each is accessible from first glance.
I was drawn to the chapter about bibliomancy first. It’s something I’d practiced a bit in the past. Basile enriches her take on it with references to history, mythology, and more.
With this and most other chapters, she provides very simple yet powerful exercises, spells, and other rituals.
The author seems to know (and impart) a great deal of information about crystals, astrology, even Tarot. These aren’t the focus of the book, but she ties them all in beautifully with the concept of writing.
Without a doubt, this book will inspire a lot of written soul searches. Many of the workings veer deep into the Shadows, while remaining accessible for someone just starting that sort of work.
The author does a great job of connecting self-focused Shadow work with similar workings involving broader concepts in society. It’s always great when a witchcraft author tackles issues like that.
Basile writes on social issues affecting us in a way that’s temporally-contextualized while also timeless. Her words about justice would be a welcome sentiment in any era, and especially today.
This book pairs well with more conventional (even non-mystical) books about journaling. The chapters which focus on poetry, might even inspire a reader to delve more into the theory and technique of poetry, too.
While this book could be interesting for the beginning willworker, I recommend it mostly to intermediately-experienced practitioners.
Overall, this book gets four of five stars. It could be more detailed, but other than that, it's great. It would've been awesome to cover things like bibliomancy in even more depth!
There are many topics that can be comprehended on multiple levels, but most of this book would be suited to someone with existing knowledge of the topics (especially Shadow work).
I strongly recommend this for other witches who write, either fiction or nonfiction. This book will help you hone both your Craft (of magic) and your craft (of writing)!
September 16, 2022
I'm not great at guided practices or guided journaling, so I was slightly nervous going in to Basile's 'The Magical Writing Grimoire'. But I was quickly relieved because I loved what she described as 'word magic'. I'm such a literate person, in the sense that if I don't have words for something there is no way for me to understand something. To consider magic int he same way, to make writing and words elemental to the practice was a really interesting concept to me. For that realization, in and of itself, I'm grateful to Basile.
For me magic is something that is meant to excavate the self, make yourself clearer to yourself and thereby calm the storm. With self-awareness and self-knowledge comes a certain calm that provides a foundation from which to face everything in life. I enjoyed how Basile structured her writing prompts and guidance around this principle. Because of this the book is not just interesting to those with a love for magic but also for those hoping to connect more with themselves.
For me magic is something that is meant to excavate the self, make yourself clearer to yourself and thereby calm the storm. With self-awareness and self-knowledge comes a certain calm that provides a foundation from which to face everything in life. I enjoyed how Basile structured her writing prompts and guidance around this principle. Because of this the book is not just interesting to those with a love for magic but also for those hoping to connect more with themselves.
November 24, 2020
A quick and easy read with some good journaling exercises. The book is a little light and new agey.
June 1, 2020
…. In The Magical Writing Grimoire I wanted to be able to make space for others to write their truth, to invest in their stories, to write for others’…and to turn a writing practice (one that you have or not) into a sacred, healing, magical act where writing is elevated into transformative ritual. Because when we tap into that power, we find, in many ways, freedom, beauty, light. The only way out is through…Lisa Basile
I am an author, ritualist and Witch and love to write and express my magick through the vibration and power of using words. So, I jumped at the opportunity to review The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual by Lisa Marie Basile. It did not disappoint in offering a fresh perspective on the power of words and the engagement of magic inherently held in their issuance.
The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual is separated into six (6) chapters, beginning with an introduction to the power of words and moving through the various ways in which writing can be used to become a “word witch”. Chapter 1: Magical Writing opens with the statement…
… At the intersection of ritual and writing, TMG is an exploration of the inherent magic of language…It encourages you to peek beyond the veil to where your voice lives. It is made for writers and non-writers, witches and non-witches, alike…It was written to help us create better, more magical and empowered lives….
Immediately following this statement is the question, “Is Magical Writing For You?”. As the author takes the reader through a litany of experiences, self-identifiers and more, it becomes apparent that the magical writing that Lisa speaks of reaches a broad and far reaching expanse of use and users beyond what our first conception may be. We are reminded that when we write for magical intention we become the embodiment and expression of that magic.
Chapter 2: Conjuring Your Voice guides the reader through the process of creating spells and establishing a writing practice that becomes as sacred as any ritual act. We begin by exploring the why’s of ritual and the potency of their energy in both spiritual and academic setting….
… A review in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that ritual helps us…” contain intense emotions and compartmentalize the review of the trauma (and) provide symbolic enactments of transformation..”
I appreciated the addition of this consideration for ritual affirmation as we often tend to avoid the underpinnings of why a particular ritual may or may not trigger the memories and emotions of past experience, both negative and positive. The author also reminds us that as we begin to write rituals, we are tapping into our personal energy and reserves of reference, making that ritual all the more relevant and transformative in its use. This chapter focuses on “learning how to integrate writing rituals into your life and why they are important”. This chapter is very comprehensive in its discussion of spell writing, creating sigils, automatic writing for information and a brief section on graphology as a tool to decode what deeper information about your inner state is displayed in what is being written.
Chapter 3: Healing Magic explores the use of magical writing for Shadow work and trauma recovery. There is a beautiful Waning Moon practice included in this chapter that encourages the reader to use that phase of release and involves the writing of a “Goodbye Letter”. This is only one of several rituals that have goal of healing, self-awareness and transformation employing writing and ritual as companions for efficacy of the work. I especially liked this chapter largely because it covered such an expanse of day-to-day experiences that limit or incorrectly define us. Those experiences for which we seek reconciliation and understanding and the power of giving words to these in a non-judgmental way and its effect in creating wholeness.
Chapter 4: Manifestation Magic flows beautifully following the intensity of the previous chapter. After all what use is becoming self-aware if we do not then take the next steps towards bringing it into the reality of manifestation. This chapter interweaves several of the core disciplines of magical working such as tarot, the cycle of the seasons and the alchemical elements with a magical writing practice. The manifest products of this self-work are then brought into the scope of drawing and sharing those gifts you have crafted into the larger community. This was definitely a lovely way to conclude writings of manifestation.
Chapter 5:Mindfulness Magic explores the use of ritual for being more present and receptive to what is intuitively moving through you. Writing prompts for this chapter are directed towards cultivating stillness and awareness at a level of deepening the state of “knowingness”.
The Magical Writing Grimoire concludes with Chapter 6: Grimoire Poetica. This chapter brings together all of the practices the reader has developed in previous chapters and now offers the means of empowering and enlivening these as sustainable and diverse tools of word witchery…
… These exercises may be stored in your grimoire, or grimoire poetica, as I call it. It’s a creative, poetic, less structured collection of your magical workings and creative writings, part magical-recipe collection, part literary exploration of you: It’s the sacred book of self…
I don’t want to provide the spoiler for this book and chapter so I will leave it to say, that what emerges from its reading, and of course-writing, will set you on the path of never looking at magic, or writing in the same way.
Would I recommend?
I feel that I cannot remain unbiased in my opinion of The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual. Having been a word witch for most of my life and understanding the power of writing as a synthesis of magic and manifestation, I am thrilled to see this topic given such loving attention and care. Lisa has also managed to pull the ideas and templates of what a magical writing practice could be into an organic and authentic flow of building idea upon idea and thus gently opening the reader to a deeper level of what is possible. Each chapter makes sense in its design and leads the reader through the steps of claiming his/her power in a way that seems neither controlling nor rigid in what “could be”. The Resources section provides the reader with more to explore, and I appreciated the Index for quick reference. This title will definitely be a recommended read.
From the Author-Lisa Marie Basile:
What Inspired Me To Write This Book:
This is going to get dark (but I promise there’s a silver lining!), so brace yourselves. It was the summer of 2014 — I remember because I was blasting Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence — when I started writing about my personal experiences with family addiction, separation & my eventual move into foster care. It’s wild to think, but before then, I managed to write poetry and essays that rarely if ever touched on it, which meant my voice and my self and my expression was always half-real, half-honest, untouched by the very thing that made me. That trauma was such a big part of my foundation and the lens through which I saw the world.
So one day in 2014 I wrote a piece about how foster kids belonged to no one & everyone, how we existed in a liminal space legally and physically. The thought of sharing this essay made me shook me to my core. Because then the world would know my past. It would reveal me as the traumatized thing I was before I wore a new era over my wounds. Yes, this essay said, I came from somewhere very real.
After finishing it, it was as though a spell were cast. I felt like the weight of a hundred galaxies came off my back. Because some of what I wrote were words I’d never even uttered to myself. And when I did write it, the words fell out of me like rain.
The ability to write is a privilege for many of us, but it’s also a free tool that can help save us. I’ve seen writing help women in domestic shelters, college students move through self-esteem issues, and incarcerated individuals tell their story. It is something sacred in itself because with our words we are taking nothing and making it into something. So I wanted to design a gentle but effective book that people — especially any marginalized community — could use to tap into their truth and self, in a way that felt right for them. It’s guided, but it allows space for reinterpretation and individuality so that anyone can tap in.”
My Ideas On Writing As Magic:
In a recent chat with The Witchhassle Podcast, I discussed how writing is itself a magical act. This book isn’t *solely* a look at magical or occult practices that will encourage creativity (although of course it explores that); it is a book that places the act of writing firmly in the center of the magic itself. When you write, you are already engaged in ritual and conversation with your deeper self. With the divine. With nature. We write to make magic. When we write, we are casting a spell. We are making change. And so, your words (whether you plan on sharing your poetry with the world or keeping a box of journals under your bed!) are your power -Your wand!
-Review by Robin Fennelly of PaganPages.org
https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2020...
I am an author, ritualist and Witch and love to write and express my magick through the vibration and power of using words. So, I jumped at the opportunity to review The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual by Lisa Marie Basile. It did not disappoint in offering a fresh perspective on the power of words and the engagement of magic inherently held in their issuance.
The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual is separated into six (6) chapters, beginning with an introduction to the power of words and moving through the various ways in which writing can be used to become a “word witch”. Chapter 1: Magical Writing opens with the statement…
… At the intersection of ritual and writing, TMG is an exploration of the inherent magic of language…It encourages you to peek beyond the veil to where your voice lives. It is made for writers and non-writers, witches and non-witches, alike…It was written to help us create better, more magical and empowered lives….
Immediately following this statement is the question, “Is Magical Writing For You?”. As the author takes the reader through a litany of experiences, self-identifiers and more, it becomes apparent that the magical writing that Lisa speaks of reaches a broad and far reaching expanse of use and users beyond what our first conception may be. We are reminded that when we write for magical intention we become the embodiment and expression of that magic.
Chapter 2: Conjuring Your Voice guides the reader through the process of creating spells and establishing a writing practice that becomes as sacred as any ritual act. We begin by exploring the why’s of ritual and the potency of their energy in both spiritual and academic setting….
… A review in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that ritual helps us…” contain intense emotions and compartmentalize the review of the trauma (and) provide symbolic enactments of transformation..”
I appreciated the addition of this consideration for ritual affirmation as we often tend to avoid the underpinnings of why a particular ritual may or may not trigger the memories and emotions of past experience, both negative and positive. The author also reminds us that as we begin to write rituals, we are tapping into our personal energy and reserves of reference, making that ritual all the more relevant and transformative in its use. This chapter focuses on “learning how to integrate writing rituals into your life and why they are important”. This chapter is very comprehensive in its discussion of spell writing, creating sigils, automatic writing for information and a brief section on graphology as a tool to decode what deeper information about your inner state is displayed in what is being written.
Chapter 3: Healing Magic explores the use of magical writing for Shadow work and trauma recovery. There is a beautiful Waning Moon practice included in this chapter that encourages the reader to use that phase of release and involves the writing of a “Goodbye Letter”. This is only one of several rituals that have goal of healing, self-awareness and transformation employing writing and ritual as companions for efficacy of the work. I especially liked this chapter largely because it covered such an expanse of day-to-day experiences that limit or incorrectly define us. Those experiences for which we seek reconciliation and understanding and the power of giving words to these in a non-judgmental way and its effect in creating wholeness.
Chapter 4: Manifestation Magic flows beautifully following the intensity of the previous chapter. After all what use is becoming self-aware if we do not then take the next steps towards bringing it into the reality of manifestation. This chapter interweaves several of the core disciplines of magical working such as tarot, the cycle of the seasons and the alchemical elements with a magical writing practice. The manifest products of this self-work are then brought into the scope of drawing and sharing those gifts you have crafted into the larger community. This was definitely a lovely way to conclude writings of manifestation.
Chapter 5:Mindfulness Magic explores the use of ritual for being more present and receptive to what is intuitively moving through you. Writing prompts for this chapter are directed towards cultivating stillness and awareness at a level of deepening the state of “knowingness”.
The Magical Writing Grimoire concludes with Chapter 6: Grimoire Poetica. This chapter brings together all of the practices the reader has developed in previous chapters and now offers the means of empowering and enlivening these as sustainable and diverse tools of word witchery…
… These exercises may be stored in your grimoire, or grimoire poetica, as I call it. It’s a creative, poetic, less structured collection of your magical workings and creative writings, part magical-recipe collection, part literary exploration of you: It’s the sacred book of self…
I don’t want to provide the spoiler for this book and chapter so I will leave it to say, that what emerges from its reading, and of course-writing, will set you on the path of never looking at magic, or writing in the same way.
Would I recommend?
I feel that I cannot remain unbiased in my opinion of The Magical Writing Grimoire: Use the Word as Your Wand for Magic, Manifestation & Ritual. Having been a word witch for most of my life and understanding the power of writing as a synthesis of magic and manifestation, I am thrilled to see this topic given such loving attention and care. Lisa has also managed to pull the ideas and templates of what a magical writing practice could be into an organic and authentic flow of building idea upon idea and thus gently opening the reader to a deeper level of what is possible. Each chapter makes sense in its design and leads the reader through the steps of claiming his/her power in a way that seems neither controlling nor rigid in what “could be”. The Resources section provides the reader with more to explore, and I appreciated the Index for quick reference. This title will definitely be a recommended read.
From the Author-Lisa Marie Basile:
What Inspired Me To Write This Book:
This is going to get dark (but I promise there’s a silver lining!), so brace yourselves. It was the summer of 2014 — I remember because I was blasting Lana Del Rey’s Ultraviolence — when I started writing about my personal experiences with family addiction, separation & my eventual move into foster care. It’s wild to think, but before then, I managed to write poetry and essays that rarely if ever touched on it, which meant my voice and my self and my expression was always half-real, half-honest, untouched by the very thing that made me. That trauma was such a big part of my foundation and the lens through which I saw the world.
So one day in 2014 I wrote a piece about how foster kids belonged to no one & everyone, how we existed in a liminal space legally and physically. The thought of sharing this essay made me shook me to my core. Because then the world would know my past. It would reveal me as the traumatized thing I was before I wore a new era over my wounds. Yes, this essay said, I came from somewhere very real.
After finishing it, it was as though a spell were cast. I felt like the weight of a hundred galaxies came off my back. Because some of what I wrote were words I’d never even uttered to myself. And when I did write it, the words fell out of me like rain.
The ability to write is a privilege for many of us, but it’s also a free tool that can help save us. I’ve seen writing help women in domestic shelters, college students move through self-esteem issues, and incarcerated individuals tell their story. It is something sacred in itself because with our words we are taking nothing and making it into something. So I wanted to design a gentle but effective book that people — especially any marginalized community — could use to tap into their truth and self, in a way that felt right for them. It’s guided, but it allows space for reinterpretation and individuality so that anyone can tap in.”
My Ideas On Writing As Magic:
In a recent chat with The Witchhassle Podcast, I discussed how writing is itself a magical act. This book isn’t *solely* a look at magical or occult practices that will encourage creativity (although of course it explores that); it is a book that places the act of writing firmly in the center of the magic itself. When you write, you are already engaged in ritual and conversation with your deeper self. With the divine. With nature. We write to make magic. When we write, we are casting a spell. We are making change. And so, your words (whether you plan on sharing your poetry with the world or keeping a box of journals under your bed!) are your power -Your wand!
-Review by Robin Fennelly of PaganPages.org
https://paganpages.org/emagazine/2020...
November 14, 2023
One of the most potent tools a witch has are his or her words. Writing and more in particuar poetry or journaling can help one take control of their narrative and life. It lets you own your lifestory. The journal can be your quiet place , your respite from a crazy world. Most witches would want to use writing in order to help with manifestation but it is also helpful in healing from trauma and it can be helpful in moving through a difficult period in our life. It can help us acheive mindfulness. Writers use slogan, mantras and affirmations all the time as do witches but magical workers use sigils as well. The tools for the word witch are simple, your pen and paper, other tools are optional.afterall not all witches have access to expensive tools and that should never be a requirement.
What exactly are sigils? They were first popularized by Austin Osman Spare. One could write out there intention for example "It is my well to become more productive" Every repeating letter is crossed out. The remaining letters are fashioned into a design and the design could be burned or destroyed. It could also be turned into artwork an worn to attract more energy. Writing is also used to achieve mindfulness. This mindfulness is like being aware of everything that is happening in the moment. When your thought rise up your just going to recognize a thought and let them run their course. This enriches living and makes one more effective and more productive. Writing can also be used to help the disenfrachised. Especially with the internet an onlne forums our words can have a real strong impact and we can use that impact to create a loving environment or a bitter hateful one. We can support business of the under represented by not only frequenting their shop but also by writing very positive reviews fo the business.
Dream journaling is another effective use of writing. Constantly our dreams are trying to deliver us messages. Writing them down or making poems out of them can help us get the message an understand the meaning. Hypnos is the lord o dreams. He dwells with the poppies in the underworld. He can pull us into dreams aas they are liminal, between life and death. Things that are holy to hypnos are amethyst crystal, Valerian root, mugwort an stuff like stars an the moon. One can also write down a dream intention of what they want to dream about. There are other methods of divination.
Dreams and tarot card are not the only forms of divination out there. Bibliomancy is another form. This means consulting a book and asking a question. You open the book to the age and line an your answer is right there. Of course you may need a little creativity. You can also put the book on it's spine and let it fall open to a given page. Another method I like is to place a card randomly in a book and se what comes up.
Writing can be used to craft your own rituals, poems to the gods etc. Writing can help release us from pain and abusive situations in the past. It helps us to let go. If you are an intuitive magic worker who is free spirited then this book is for you. Word smithing is a manifestation of free spirit as is dancing. Dancing puts us into ecstacy and connection with the gods. Use this book in good health.
What exactly are sigils? They were first popularized by Austin Osman Spare. One could write out there intention for example "It is my well to become more productive" Every repeating letter is crossed out. The remaining letters are fashioned into a design and the design could be burned or destroyed. It could also be turned into artwork an worn to attract more energy. Writing is also used to achieve mindfulness. This mindfulness is like being aware of everything that is happening in the moment. When your thought rise up your just going to recognize a thought and let them run their course. This enriches living and makes one more effective and more productive. Writing can also be used to help the disenfrachised. Especially with the internet an onlne forums our words can have a real strong impact and we can use that impact to create a loving environment or a bitter hateful one. We can support business of the under represented by not only frequenting their shop but also by writing very positive reviews fo the business.
Dream journaling is another effective use of writing. Constantly our dreams are trying to deliver us messages. Writing them down or making poems out of them can help us get the message an understand the meaning. Hypnos is the lord o dreams. He dwells with the poppies in the underworld. He can pull us into dreams aas they are liminal, between life and death. Things that are holy to hypnos are amethyst crystal, Valerian root, mugwort an stuff like stars an the moon. One can also write down a dream intention of what they want to dream about. There are other methods of divination.
Dreams and tarot card are not the only forms of divination out there. Bibliomancy is another form. This means consulting a book and asking a question. You open the book to the age and line an your answer is right there. Of course you may need a little creativity. You can also put the book on it's spine and let it fall open to a given page. Another method I like is to place a card randomly in a book and se what comes up.
Writing can be used to craft your own rituals, poems to the gods etc. Writing can help release us from pain and abusive situations in the past. It helps us to let go. If you are an intuitive magic worker who is free spirited then this book is for you. Word smithing is a manifestation of free spirit as is dancing. Dancing puts us into ecstacy and connection with the gods. Use this book in good health.
February 27, 2020
Clearly and thoroughly explained.
The author guides you to learn how to acknowledge and accept your emotions and deepest feelings through writing. Each chapter contains tips and rituals on how to use your writing as a way of channeling those emotions.
I think that it doesn’t matter if you’re not related to magick, you can still follow the tips and adapt them to the way it suits you better.
Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds Press and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. And thanks to the author, Lisa Marie Basile, for sharing her most personal thoughts and experiences in order to help others to overcome their fears, sadness and trauma, and to embrace their shadows.
The author guides you to learn how to acknowledge and accept your emotions and deepest feelings through writing. Each chapter contains tips and rituals on how to use your writing as a way of channeling those emotions.
I think that it doesn’t matter if you’re not related to magick, you can still follow the tips and adapt them to the way it suits you better.
Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds Press and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. And thanks to the author, Lisa Marie Basile, for sharing her most personal thoughts and experiences in order to help others to overcome their fears, sadness and trauma, and to embrace their shadows.
October 22, 2021
"Find what resonates with you and write it. Write it into being. Write your name and your demands. Write your vision and yo0ur story. Rewrite your story and be born again. Write what's dead and burn it. Cast it. Cast it out. Conjure it. Within you, there exists a mirror for truth, a salve for the wound, a lantern in the fog."
The Magical Writing Grimoire is a lovely, holistic journey through the practice of writing down the sacred of your own life and learning to be whole with it. Even less "woo-woo" inclined readers will find themes of empathy, compassion, and thought provoking journaling prompts to connect with. The test is also enriched by the author's own wide and varied readings and quotations.
"The Shadow is not a bad thing. It's a dark thing. There's a difference."
The Magical Writing Grimoire is a lovely, holistic journey through the practice of writing down the sacred of your own life and learning to be whole with it. Even less "woo-woo" inclined readers will find themes of empathy, compassion, and thought provoking journaling prompts to connect with. The test is also enriched by the author's own wide and varied readings and quotations.
"The Shadow is not a bad thing. It's a dark thing. There's a difference."
February 17, 2020
The Magical Writing Grimoire is an interesting written journey illuminated by guided meditations, journaling prompts, and accessible ritual
The book teaches you how to write your own spells while teaching you to learn to write for healing. It's a self-help book encompassing all that is essential - rituals for healing, ways to write love and support for others, moon phases, etc. It stresses the importance of mental preparation and creating a sacred space where you can work.
It's a very detailed instructional book that is easy to follow. I did not however care too much for the graphics in the book itself. One area I did find interesting was the Tarot Writing Ritual to bring about understanding our vision and the drive behind it.
Definitely recommend it.
The book teaches you how to write your own spells while teaching you to learn to write for healing. It's a self-help book encompassing all that is essential - rituals for healing, ways to write love and support for others, moon phases, etc. It stresses the importance of mental preparation and creating a sacred space where you can work.
It's a very detailed instructional book that is easy to follow. I did not however care too much for the graphics in the book itself. One area I did find interesting was the Tarot Writing Ritual to bring about understanding our vision and the drive behind it.
Definitely recommend it.
May 18, 2020
This book is full of very helpful information & inspiration. I'm a lightweight, casual writer but this book & the information provided encourages me to dive deeper. The author provides a lot of rituals, prompts, examples, etc. into writing. Its very eye opening into how mindful writing can be applied to so many facets of life. I also love how the author provided some personal info to see into her background. This is a great book that I would recommend to anyone.
April 14, 2020
This writing grimoire teaches you how to embrace yourself, your pain, and your past by writing it down. Each chapter contains tips and rituals on how to use writing to channel your intentions and be a wordwitch. The author also discusses creating your own sigils, magical alphabet, poetry, spells, and astrology, which can all be used to enhance your journaling experience.
“Writing ourselves and our narratives and our dreams - with all of the shadows and beauty that comes with it - is a form of reclamation. Our words give us autonomy and direction. Our words are our wands.”
As someone who has never had a journal but has always wanted to try this book was very helpful. The writing was clear, easy to understand, and actually made me want to write. This book was a great resource for a beginner writing, even if you aren’t a witch. I highly recommend this book if you want to try journaling.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
__________________________
O.W.L.s Magical Readathon - Herbology
“Writing ourselves and our narratives and our dreams - with all of the shadows and beauty that comes with it - is a form of reclamation. Our words give us autonomy and direction. Our words are our wands.”
As someone who has never had a journal but has always wanted to try this book was very helpful. The writing was clear, easy to understand, and actually made me want to write. This book was a great resource for a beginner writing, even if you aren’t a witch. I highly recommend this book if you want to try journaling.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*
This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
__________________________
O.W.L.s Magical Readathon - Herbology
June 30, 2020
This book is pure magic and a complete delight. I'll be returning to it again & again.
July 23, 2020
This guide is so very helpful if you are looking for a witchy approach to self reflection. The book itself is absolutely gorgeous too!
May 15, 2021
Such lovely journaling prompts and ideas for how to ritualize your writing practice, both personally and professionally.
March 25, 2020
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a language and magic lover this is the perfect book for me since I've been a wordcraft practitioner for a quite while. This book is a whole experience. Helps you connect with your inner self and get to know yourself a little bit more since it leads you into a journey of self-discovery. Helps heal. I worked on those rituals an a little bit everyday. I did whatever I felt like doing at a time so I didn't necessarily follow the book's order when it came to the rituals. I also feel like I'll redo some rituals at some point to see the outcome. I specially loved creating my own alphabet it was a very fun and entertaining experience. I'd highly recommend it if you're into writing and witchcraft.
As a language and magic lover this is the perfect book for me since I've been a wordcraft practitioner for a quite while. This book is a whole experience. Helps you connect with your inner self and get to know yourself a little bit more since it leads you into a journey of self-discovery. Helps heal. I worked on those rituals an a little bit everyday. I did whatever I felt like doing at a time so I didn't necessarily follow the book's order when it came to the rituals. I also feel like I'll redo some rituals at some point to see the outcome. I specially loved creating my own alphabet it was a very fun and entertaining experience. I'd highly recommend it if you're into writing and witchcraft.
July 15, 2020
Intuitive. Sensitive. Mystical. Poignant.
I will return to these pages and form new rituals around the practices Lisa has included in this universal grimoire. Everything about this book feels soothing and grounding. I also really love the artwork and color choices.
I will return to these pages and form new rituals around the practices Lisa has included in this universal grimoire. Everything about this book feels soothing and grounding. I also really love the artwork and color choices.
October 22, 2020
Lisa is so thoughtful about how we use magic to empower ourselves in a world which tries to consistently strip our power from us. I found this grimoire inspiring and very useful. Well worth it.
March 18, 2020
The arcetype of the witch anchors this book. The witch is a symbol of power: the feral, the sexual, the unapologetic. The witch is the being within us who blooms outside the constraints of social order, who seeks agency, resistance, progress, personal change, and healing.
I'm very very new on my witchy journey. I am taking very small, tentative steps towards a spirituality that I feel pulled to but religion has not been kind to me in the past and so it is scary.
I'm glad that this book was the first book I chose to read on this journey. It was warm and inviting. Basile is kind and careful as she enourages the reader and holds their hand on a path to healing.
I am yet to put any of the book in practice but, I am excited to. Like I said, I am taking small and tentative steps here.
One thing that really stood out to me was just how inclusive The Magical Wiritng Girmoire is. As a fat, queer, chronically ill woman who doesn't have a lot of resources, financial or otherwise, this was a huge relief for me.
I felt welcome and encouraged. I felt like I was on the right path. And for someone who has felt on the wrong path my entire life, that is the most valuable thing this book could give me.
Magical self-exploration isn’t linear. It’s fluid and messy and wierd. You may write something once and revisit it. You might revisit it ten times.
—
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
___
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April 18, 2020
The Magical Writing Grimoire is a sweet and accessible guide to using writing as both a healing and a magical practice. As well as providing a good starting point for understanding and writing your own rituals, the author offers exercises around unpacking your emotions and self-healing. This book is beautifully presented and encourages keeping a journal as a method of self-reflection and personal growth.
Despite the title and focus of the book, I feel this could be used by witches and non-witches alike, as the content would be applicable to anyone wanting to manifest a healthier emotional state, anyone interested in starting or continuing a journaling practice, or anyone fascinated by the power of words. Quotes and inspiration are sprinkled throughout this book and writers and poets in particular will enjoy prompts.
While this book invites exploration and creation of your own rituals for writing and witchery, it also provides a safe place for you to look towards processing and healing anything that is troubling you. It would be a gentle yet profound companion on a healing journey, empowering and encouraging in equal measure.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Fair Winds Press, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Despite the title and focus of the book, I feel this could be used by witches and non-witches alike, as the content would be applicable to anyone wanting to manifest a healthier emotional state, anyone interested in starting or continuing a journaling practice, or anyone fascinated by the power of words. Quotes and inspiration are sprinkled throughout this book and writers and poets in particular will enjoy prompts.
While this book invites exploration and creation of your own rituals for writing and witchery, it also provides a safe place for you to look towards processing and healing anything that is troubling you. It would be a gentle yet profound companion on a healing journey, empowering and encouraging in equal measure.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Fair Winds Press, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2020
I had high hopes for this book having read & love Light Magic for Dark Times, it’s predecessor. This book surpassed my expectations, it’s such a beautiful book, with gorgeous end papers & illustrations.
The writing is informed, inclusive and compassionate. It’s a beautiful companion on a spiritual or wellness journey.
I was very impressed with the depth and quality of the exercises within the book, I can see the author’s years of study & psychological understanding underpinning the approachable but powerful exercises.
As a therapist, I would be happy recommending this book to folx who wanted to explore a journalling or writing practice, especially those with a spiritual or metaphysical outlook. Although the book calls on the archetype of the witch, I believe it’s inclusive of those of any faith.
It’s a beautiful book and has found a home alongside my own journalling practice. The sections dealing with difficulty are especially welcome at these painful times.
Highly recommended.
The writing is informed, inclusive and compassionate. It’s a beautiful companion on a spiritual or wellness journey.
I was very impressed with the depth and quality of the exercises within the book, I can see the author’s years of study & psychological understanding underpinning the approachable but powerful exercises.
As a therapist, I would be happy recommending this book to folx who wanted to explore a journalling or writing practice, especially those with a spiritual or metaphysical outlook. Although the book calls on the archetype of the witch, I believe it’s inclusive of those of any faith.
It’s a beautiful book and has found a home alongside my own journalling practice. The sections dealing with difficulty are especially welcome at these painful times.
Highly recommended.
March 7, 2021
The Magical Writing Grimoire sits on my bedside table... or my coffee table... or my writing desk... no matter where I sit down with my journal and poetry, this book is always nearby. The physical book is lovely; it’s a pleasure to read and absorb. The Magical Writing Grimoire has helped me develop the writing practice I’ve wanted for years and have not been able to achieve. The rituals Lisa Marie Basile suggests resonate strongly with me, and there are certain pre-writing rituals, especially those related to the phases of the Moon, which have become part of my daily practice. I’m so grateful for this beautiful book.
February 20, 2020
'The Magical Writing Grimoire' is a guide on how to use the art of writing to magick healing and self-care into your life. There are many rituals and ideas included in this book which can help you to release emotions and conjure catharsis whether that’s via journaling, poetry, spell casting, incantations, or any other written means. Those familiar with Lisa Marie Basile will know that she is something of a spiritual scribe herself, who has infused the written with the witchy through her various publications and most obviously with Luna Luna Magazine (which she founded). What I most appreciate about Basile’s work is that she has used writing as a form of self-empowerment so that it takes on a more ritualized form to express one’s light and shadows. Writing is personal, but it can be life changing when it has intention and purpose- the core of what magic is all about.
This book is best appreciated when actually used. Try the rituals. Make your own. Write down the contents of your head. Transcribe your heart.
'The Magical Writing Grimoire' is unique and inspirational. It’s witchy (which is really just about embracing the entirety of who you are) without being kitschy. It’s smart and creative and will hopefully encourage you to put pen to paper or finger to screen...it certainly has for me.
This book is best appreciated when actually used. Try the rituals. Make your own. Write down the contents of your head. Transcribe your heart.
'The Magical Writing Grimoire' is unique and inspirational. It’s witchy (which is really just about embracing the entirety of who you are) without being kitschy. It’s smart and creative and will hopefully encourage you to put pen to paper or finger to screen...it certainly has for me.
April 15, 2020
I like that there is a lot of ressources and citations, it feels very educated and you can look into those deeper if you want to go further into the subject. I am thankful for discovering Word Magic, it's very interesting.
I like that the book insists on you appropriate yourself the practice and mentions eclectic witchcraft ! I also think it's beginer frendly, though even though it is made for everyone, even non-witch people, I think that isn't really true. The reason is the author uses some lingo without explaining it or defining it very vaguely, like shadow work for instance. Maybe they cna relate in chapter 3 when the author explains she was doing magic without knowing it by journaling and visualizing a better situation ? Basically I think it doesn't introduce how a non witch can relate and use this book enough before diving right into the witchy terminology and practices, I feel like they would be lost and maybe scared of ?
I'm very bummed that it doesn't really explain how to write a spell, I was looking forward to it so much ! It just tells you what the spell must be composed of... And the rest is also kind of vague and not clear.
The intro was sooo long ! (15 pages out of 90 in my e-book format !)
So, the book was full of promises for me but didn't meet my expectations by not fullfilling them.
I like that the book insists on you appropriate yourself the practice and mentions eclectic witchcraft ! I also think it's beginer frendly, though even though it is made for everyone, even non-witch people, I think that isn't really true. The reason is the author uses some lingo without explaining it or defining it very vaguely, like shadow work for instance. Maybe they cna relate in chapter 3 when the author explains she was doing magic without knowing it by journaling and visualizing a better situation ? Basically I think it doesn't introduce how a non witch can relate and use this book enough before diving right into the witchy terminology and practices, I feel like they would be lost and maybe scared of ?
I'm very bummed that it doesn't really explain how to write a spell, I was looking forward to it so much ! It just tells you what the spell must be composed of... And the rest is also kind of vague and not clear.
The intro was sooo long ! (15 pages out of 90 in my e-book format !)
So, the book was full of promises for me but didn't meet my expectations by not fullfilling them.
January 6, 2021
This is a beautiful collection of notes and spells of encouragement, motivation, introspection, and pure magic, all about folding writing into your spiritual practice. As a writer, and a witch, I feel like I am 100% this book's target audience.
Basile writes with a calm presence that is so soothing I didn't want my first read of this book to end. When 2020 was at its worst, I had this little book to turn to, to read a few pages here and there, stretching out the experience as long as I could.
The exercises and spells within are insightful, and while I haven't done all of them, every one feels like it pulses with heartfelt magic. There's a gentle and inexorable push toward accountability, in your own shadow work, but also in activism in our communities. And Basile is very clearly in touch and in balance with Nature, as only someone truly connected could write these spells.
I'd recommend this to any witch writers, and to any writers who might not be witches, but who are looking to infuse their writing practice with a bit more magic. The spirituality focus of this book can only benefit your writing, believe me. Any witches who aren't writers will likely love this book as well, for the unique and inspired approach it takes to what we can consider a new brand of magic. You might very well be a word witch, and just not know it yet.
Basile writes with a calm presence that is so soothing I didn't want my first read of this book to end. When 2020 was at its worst, I had this little book to turn to, to read a few pages here and there, stretching out the experience as long as I could.
The exercises and spells within are insightful, and while I haven't done all of them, every one feels like it pulses with heartfelt magic. There's a gentle and inexorable push toward accountability, in your own shadow work, but also in activism in our communities. And Basile is very clearly in touch and in balance with Nature, as only someone truly connected could write these spells.
I'd recommend this to any witch writers, and to any writers who might not be witches, but who are looking to infuse their writing practice with a bit more magic. The spirituality focus of this book can only benefit your writing, believe me. Any witches who aren't writers will likely love this book as well, for the unique and inspired approach it takes to what we can consider a new brand of magic. You might very well be a word witch, and just not know it yet.
March 7, 2021
If you can remember, I recently downloaded an excerpt of this one and ended up buying the print copy before finishing said excerpt. Even though I only wanted to buy the e-copy.
And I’m very happy that I went and got the hardcover even though I don’t love The Magical Writing Grimoire as much as I thought I would. I still love it but there are a few minor things that I’m “bothered” by. Mostly it’s how little there is written per page and how that makes the book appear longer that it actually is. There are a lot of filler pages too where there is some sort of artwork and a prompt and that’s it.
The book also seemed to get a little bit more rushed the more the end came near?
But.
I love how inclusive it is, which might be due to Lisa Marie Basile being ownvoices and and a huge advocate about it, but it was a very enjoying read that way.
I’m also hugely inspired by it and I’m simply loving the word wordcraft for that kinda practice. I’ve also already set up a grimoire poetica like it’s called in the book to explore wordcraft more. And bought a new fountain pen that I had my eye on for about a year.
There’s a lot of shadow work prompts and some ideas on spells you could create along with examples by the author so no wonder I’m a fan.
Now I just need to decide whether I’ll buy Lisa Marie Basile’s other witchcraft works in print too or if ebooks would be enough.
And I’m very happy that I went and got the hardcover even though I don’t love The Magical Writing Grimoire as much as I thought I would. I still love it but there are a few minor things that I’m “bothered” by. Mostly it’s how little there is written per page and how that makes the book appear longer that it actually is. There are a lot of filler pages too where there is some sort of artwork and a prompt and that’s it.
The book also seemed to get a little bit more rushed the more the end came near?
But.
I love how inclusive it is, which might be due to Lisa Marie Basile being ownvoices and and a huge advocate about it, but it was a very enjoying read that way.
I’m also hugely inspired by it and I’m simply loving the word wordcraft for that kinda practice. I’ve also already set up a grimoire poetica like it’s called in the book to explore wordcraft more. And bought a new fountain pen that I had my eye on for about a year.
There’s a lot of shadow work prompts and some ideas on spells you could create along with examples by the author so no wonder I’m a fan.
Now I just need to decide whether I’ll buy Lisa Marie Basile’s other witchcraft works in print too or if ebooks would be enough.
April 26, 2022
Yet another post-new age mysticore book that's heavy on smoke and mirrors and light on substance. It's borderline offensive how people who are trying to write about witchcraft don't even believe in it lately, but these are the times we live in. In attempting to appeal to the widest audience, the author has created a shallow work that's best left on the sand of people looking for something serious to dive into. The formatting was strange, although not difficult to read. On average, every two sentences were grouped together in a new paragraph. Although this is helpful for people with shorter attention spans, this gave the entire book a feeling of being comprised of soundbites. If the book had been formatted normally, I have no doubt it would have been at least half if not a third of the published size.
My gripes aside, this book isn't awful. It doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is, which is a glorified journal prompt workbook. Nothing in here is particularly groundbreaking or memorable. As such, it is a safe gift to young writers, and teens who are starting to dabble in witchcraft and mysticism. If you're an aspiring writer, or someone experimenting with spirituality, this is a good read. If you need something with a bit more substance, move along.
My gripes aside, this book isn't awful. It doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is, which is a glorified journal prompt workbook. Nothing in here is particularly groundbreaking or memorable. As such, it is a safe gift to young writers, and teens who are starting to dabble in witchcraft and mysticism. If you're an aspiring writer, or someone experimenting with spirituality, this is a good read. If you need something with a bit more substance, move along.
June 22, 2022
I found this book to be quite a disappointment. I like the idea of "wordcraft" and exploring the magic of writing, but this book focused more on self-care accessible to anyone, not just witches and those aspiring to learn more about witchcraft. The inclusion of magick felt a bit gimmicky here, and there wasn't very much depth in the topics being discussed. Basile does clarify that anyone can work with this book, but it's misleading for those who are wishing to explore more witchcraft.
Also, I found Basile's writing style to be heavily irritating. For someone who brags a lot about being a writer, she does a lot of telling with not enough showing. It sort of feels like she is talking to her readers as though they are idiots, with her over-explanations of how to use this book. She also struck me as very pretentious. The only reasons I gave the book two stars are because 1) some of the prompts were interesting and 2) the cover and the insides are beautifully crafted and designed.
Also, I found Basile's writing style to be heavily irritating. For someone who brags a lot about being a writer, she does a lot of telling with not enough showing. It sort of feels like she is talking to her readers as though they are idiots, with her over-explanations of how to use this book. She also struck me as very pretentious. The only reasons I gave the book two stars are because 1) some of the prompts were interesting and 2) the cover and the insides are beautifully crafted and designed.
March 22, 2024
As a writer, there's nothing more frustrating than going through a period of creative constipation and not allowing your fingers to viciously tap on the keys while your mind takes over to the page. Now that I got that little introspective thought out of the way I have to say that this book is not only motivational but it also solves a problem. This book will help you connect to your writing in a spiritual way that transforms you into a true master of your craft- the craft of writing.
I highly recommend this book for writers from all spiritual paths, but obviously it's tailored to those witches out there with wild imaginations and tales to tell. A great read that actually left me wanting more. It's been quite a while since a book has caught my attention this way, and I thank the author for sharing their insights and instilling a creative kick in the butt that I so greatly needed. Both tangibly with my writing and metaphysically with my Spirit.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I highly recommend this book for writers from all spiritual paths, but obviously it's tailored to those witches out there with wild imaginations and tales to tell. A great read that actually left me wanting more. It's been quite a while since a book has caught my attention this way, and I thank the author for sharing their insights and instilling a creative kick in the butt that I so greatly needed. Both tangibly with my writing and metaphysically with my Spirit.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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