Grimoire: 6 Fascinating Facts About Historical Magic Books A grimoire is a historical book or manuscript of magical instruction. It may contain prayers, invocations, symbols, astrological timing, charms, or directions for preparing ritual objects—but it is best understood as a cultural and historical text, not proof that its supernatural claims work. Start With Context The word grimoire is commonly used today as a broad label for magical manuals. That label can be helpful, but it should not make readers assume that every text belongs to one stable tradition or follows the same practices. Many texts now grouped under this term were copied, translated, rearranged, and expanded over long periods. Some…