spellbook

A spellbook is a book or manuscript that collects spells, incantations, and rituals used for magical practices. In fantasy literature and games, a spellbook is typically a primary source of a spellcaster's powers, containing the spells they know or have learned, sometimes with inscriptions, annotations, and instructions. Historically, the term is closely related to grimoires, a class of medieval and early modern handbooks that claimed access to magical knowledge, often including recipes for summoning, alchemy, astrology, and talismans. Grimoires were circulated in manuscript form and later printed; many claimed to derive from ancient authorities or to be passed down through secret lineages.

Contents commonly found in spellbooks include incantations or spoken formulas, sigils or diagrams, ritual steps, lists of reagents and tools, and notes on correspondences—such as planetary or elemental associations—that guide execution. Some volumes include warnings, warding spells, or protective measures against unsafe or unintended effects. Notable historical examples are drawn from Europe and the Islamic world, though similar traditions existed in many cultures.

In modern times, spellbooks appear in fiction and role-playing games as plot devices or inventory items, and in real-life neopagan and ceremonial magic communities as practical manuals. The form can range from worn, handwritten grimoire-like volumes to modern printed books intended for study or entertainment. Ownership and use are often described as personal or scholarly, sometimes with a belief in experiential learning through practice or study.