Why every witchpreneur should keep a business book of shadows, grimoire, or journal

I can't over emphasize the necessity of pen and paper when it comes to processing thoughts, ideation, creation, and just plain confrontation with one's self. Writing by hand forces you to slow down, process, and digest your thoughts and is an act of magic reinforced by modern science. There's a correlation, for me, of when I stopped journaling on paper and when my life and business started floundering.

As I returned to, and have maintained, a steady personal journaling practice this year, I'm realizing that my business needs its own journaling space once again. While I am a solopreneur, and my business is fully intertwined with my personal life as a mother of two, wife, and witch, I want some place fresh to write about just my business. One place for my goals, my ideas, my values, my struggles, my joys as a business owner, and more. One place to write and reflect. A place where my business and its history can live and come to life. (That's not digital.)

Consider for yourself: where are you now? Where were you a year ago? Do you have something concrete to look back on? How would your business be different if you had a resource to look back on that you had hand written in real time?

For this lunar cycle (about a month) I'm challenging myself to dedicate time and space to journal just about my business–to put pen back to paper and build, in essence, a book of shadows for The Fiery Well. I'm challenging you to do the same.

What is the difference between a book of shadows, a grimoire, or a journal?

It depends on who you ask, but I see them as such:

• A journal is a mundane place to put your personal thoughts and feelings.
• A book of shadows is a magically mundane place to informally put your magical practice, spells, thoughts, ideas, dreams, etc.
• A grimoire is magical, sacred place where you formally build a book of references, correspondences, ceremonial magics, and more.

I see this project as a blend of the three.

Some pages will be pure thoughts and feelings (my why, north star, dreams, values, etc.), some pages will be magically inclined (tarot spreads and readings), and some pages will be formal (business launches and transits).

It's yours... call it what you want and do with it what you want. But as a practitioner of magic, or a witch, consider that your business journal needs its own physical space. Not your Notion, not your Google Drive, and not your Notes App. But a physical place–a bound journal or three-ring binder–to put all your thoughts, notes, and feelings business related.

What goes into a business book of shadows?

Whatever you want. But I do suggest you start small.

Start with journaling and add things in as you go. Trying to jump into the most perfectly designed witchy book of shadows–à la Charmed–from the start may only slow you down or stall you out. The idea is simply to keep record.

Write about your services and products and why you created them. Rant and rave about your clients (or lack thereof) and notice patterns. Deep dive into why you started the business and discover the values you hold dear–financial freedom? Leaving a legacy? Making your mark?

For me the act of journaling is, quite literally, a painful chore some days. Between my arthritis and preference to be able to type 90 words per minute (depending on the length of my nails), I find it easier to type rather than write. But easier isn't always better.

The more I force myself to return to paper, even a sentence at a time, I am reminded why it was one of the best investments in myself and business all those years ago. It's why I'm returning to this practice and encouraging you to give it a try.

As you build your book of shadows, you can add things in:

• Tarot spreads and readings for your business
• Dates, times and transits for launches
• New and Full Moon notes and rituals for your business
• Client rants, raves, and wins
• Paste in testimonials and wins
• Your brand mission, values, and vocation
• Your North Star
• Doodles, ideas, sigils
• Goals and ways to track them
• Spells you have done for your business–what worked, what didn't

Why start a business book of shadows now?

Why not? It's almost too perfect of a time to do this with Chiron in Taurus, a full moon in Capricorn, Mercury retrograding thru Cancer, Mars squaring the lunar nodes, and Jupiter entering Leo. It's a hot time to get real with yourself and your business.

Some questions that arise for this time that are ideal for journaling on:

• What am I learning about sustainability in my own life and business? What does it mean? What does it look like?
• What do need to better tend about my health when it comes to business? Mental? Physical? Financial?
• What is my new definition of success? What old definitions can I release?
• How do I express vulnerability in my business without being too personal?
• What boundaries do I need in my business? What boundaries do I need to revisit?
• How can I take up more space in and with my business?
• What does my anger tell me about my values?
• How do I want to celebrate my business? My goals? My achievements?
• What are the lessons from when I failed?

Get out the pen and paper. Pick a question and write your answer.

If you don't know what to write, write that down. Start a conversation with yourself. Make it a ritual, if it helps. Have a cup of tea or coffee. Light a candle. Pull a card. Jot down the date, the time, any transits that stand out to you, and let the feelings come.

See what words start to follow.