A Grimoire is a magical book or manual containing instructions, rituals, spells, symbols, and knowledge used for spiritual or occult practices. It serves as both a personal journal of magical workings and a repository of esoteric wisdom.
The term grimoire originates from the Old French word grammaire, meaning “book of grammar” or “book of knowledge.” 1
Historically, grimoires emerged as instructional texts for practitioners of magic, often blending mystical, religious, and practical teachings.
Famous examples include:
The Key of Solomon: A medieval text detailing ceremonial magic.
The Picatrix: A compendium of astrological magic.
The Book of Abramelin: A guide to invoking spiritual entities.
[Andre's Book of Shadows: A Guide through the “Worlds” of Andre Norton.]
Grimoires were often written in coded language to protect their contents from misuse or persecution, especially during times when magical practices were condemned.
In occult traditions, a grimoire is more than a book—it is a sacred tool that reflects the practitioner’s spiritual journey and serves as a connection to the divine or universal forces.
Key aspects include:
Magical Knowledge: Containing instructions for rituals, sigils, and invocations.
Sacred Symbols: Acting as a repository for glyphs, seals, and diagrams.
Personalization: Many practitioners create their own grimoires, infusing them with their unique insights and experiences.
Grimoires are often viewed as living documents, evolving alongside the practitioner’s growth and understanding.
Andre’s “Book of Knowledge” was massive and was made up of 13 Parts or Grimoires. The entire collection was called The Book of Shadows.
# 1 Borrowed from French grimoire, a variant of grammaire, from Old French gramaire (“grammar; grimoire; conjurer, magician”), from Latin grammatica (“grammar; philology”), from grammaticus (“relating to grammar, grammatical”), from Ancient Greek γρᾰμμᾰτῐκός (grămmătĭkós, “knowing one's letters; concerned with textual criticism”), from γράμμα (grámma, “that which is drawn or written; letter; book, writing”) + -ῐκός (-ĭkós, suffix added to noun stems to form adjectives). γράμμα is derived from γρᾰ́φω (grắphō, “to cut into, scratch; to draw, paint; to write”, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gerbʰ- (“to carve”)) + -μᾰ (-mă, suffix added to verbal stems forming neuter nouns denoting the result of a particular instance of, or the object of an action). The English word is a doublet of glamour, glamoury, gramarye and grammar.
Unfortunately, during the last years of Andre’s time in this plane of existence her Book of Shadows was dismantled and scattered to the winds. And the worst part of that was the group of Evil Apprentices who made her watch. That is a story, best never told. Over the past 20 plus years of being a Scribe for what remains of Andre’s Covenant I have scoured the Earth looking for the 13 Parts of Andre’s Book of Shadows. I have found 12 and have gathered them here for other Sorceresses and Sorcerers to learn from. I say that I found 12, but the fact is, that while the Book of Shadows was being ripped apart several Parts were burned and have had to be painstakingly rewritten by other Sorceresses and Sorcerers and then they graciously submitted their writings to me the lonely Scribe to be put together on this medium.
I seriously doubt that I will accomplish finding Grimoire XIII for if I do and then assemble it with what I have, Andre Norton will return to this plane of existence. I know that throughout history no other Sorceresses or Sorcerers have ever been returned no matter how hard others have tried to make it happen. Oh, there’s been some that claim they have but they are always exposed as fakes. I know where a few pages of Grimoire XIII are, but access to them has never been granted, even when sanctioned by the Head Mistress of Andre’s covenant. What I don’t know about Grimoire XIII is what it covers or how many pages it is. So, the hunt goes on.
Below is a picture of Grimoire II Andre's first scrapbook. It will grant you access to the index of the Book of Shadows with links and descriptions of the 13 Grimoires.
Grimoire I is so large that it took me 20 plus years to assemble it, and it now has its own website. It contains massive amounts of information on every single one of the 364 published works by Andre Norton. It also has reviews, cover-art and publishing information from around the world on each title and includes hundreds of articles about Andre Norton and her work, interviews with Andre and many other interesting things that have been published about Andre Norton. One of the greatest Sorceresses to ever live!
~~ To Gain Access ~~
Put your Cursor on the Book,
Say out load "Andre Norton Will Live Again"
Click the Book ~ It Will Open for You.
