The Family Bible as Grimoire

I spent so much time with my grandparents as a child that I might as well have been raised by them. I remember the rhythm of it—church every Sunday morning and most Wednesday nights.

And every time, my grandfather would bring his old Bible.

It was not a decoration. It was a tool. It was worn, the leather cover cracked like dried river mud, the spine a deep valley of creases. But the inside was the most telling. So very many of the pages were full of notes, written in the margins from the top to the bottom.

My grandfather didn't just read his Bible; he wrestled with it. I remember him getting into debates about scripture with others in the congregation—even the preacher himself—pointing to a verse he had underlined three times to prove his point.

His Bible wasn't pristine because he had poured himself into it. His words were on nearly every page.

That is a goal we should all share.

This practice is not for people who are worried about their Bibles staying pristine. Our lives are not pristine.

In the practice of Christian Witchcraft, a pristine Bible is untapped potential. We do not view scripture merely as a text to be studied; we view it as a source of power that can be tapped. But to tap it, you must engage with it. You must claim it. You must put your own ink on the page.

To turn a standard Bible into a working Grimoire, you must leave behind the idea of perfection. You must learn not just to read the word, but to claim it.

The Philosophy of Claiming

Many believers are terrified to write in their Bibles. They have been taught that writing in it defiles it.

This is a misunderstanding of the covenant.

In the Southern Baptist tradition, we talk about "claiming the promises." When you find a verse that promises healing or protection, it isn't just a nice thought—it is a right given to you by God. But a right must be exercised to be real.

Marking your Bible is the physical act of exercising that right and claiming God’s promise.

Step 1: The System of Colors

Chaos is the enemy of spellwork. If you open your Bible and see a mess of random scribbles, your intent will be scattered. You need a system to keep order.

I use and recommend a simple, three-color code system. This allows you to flip through the pages and instantly recognize the "frequency" of the power available to you.

Red Ink (The Blood): Protection & Warfare. Use red for verses that speak of shielding, walls, stopping enemies, and physical safety. When you need to "plead the blood" over your home or stop gossip in its tracks, you look for the Red. (Key Verses: Psalm 91, Isaiah 54:17, Luke 10:19)

Blue Ink (The Spirit): Wisdom & Revelation. Use blue for verses that promise clarity, peace, and sight. When you are confused, at a crossroads, or seeking an answer from the Holy Ghost, you look for the Blue. (Key Verses: James 1:5, Daniel 2:22, Psalm 119)

Black Ink (The Foundation): Providence & Growth. Use black for verses regarding resources, health, harvest, and stability. When the bills are due or the body is sick, you claim the Black. This is your grounding color—the foundation of daily life. (Key Verses: Psalm 23, Malachi 3:10, 3 John 1:2)

Step 2: The Binding Technique

Underlining the verse is only the first half of the work. The underline highlights the source of the power you’re claiming. Now you must direct it to the target.

This is done in the margins. We call this "The Binding."

The Method:

When you do this, you are no longer just reading. You are binding that specific holy protection to that specific child. The ink on the page becomes the physical anchor of your faith.

Step 3: The "Living" Index

Over time, your Bible will fill with ink, just like my grandfather's was. It will become a map of your life's battles and victories. To make sure it remains a functional tool for your witchcraft, you must build an index.

Use the blank pages in the back of your Bible for this. Create a section called "The Armory."

List your workings by intent, not by book:

This turns your Bible into a rapid-response manual. When a crisis hits, you do not fumble. You check the Armory, flip to the page, and read the claim you already established.

Your Bible becomes a map of your life's battles and victories. Years from now, you'll flip to the back and see the entry: "For rent money, Page 890, claimed March 2025." And you'll remember the crisis. You'll remember the fear. And you'll remember that it worked.

That's not just a record. That's proof.

The Starter Arsenal: 7 Verses to Claim Today

Your Armory is only as useful as its contents. You do not wait until the house is on fire to install the smoke alarm. You do not need to wait for a crisis to begin building up your Armory.

If you are unsure where to start, here are seven foundational scriptures that every Christian Witch should mark, claim, and index immediately.

1. The Master Key (For Manifestation)

Verse: Job 22:28 "Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways."

The Work: This is the cornerstone of our practice. It validates that your words have the power to create reality. When you decree something—speak it with intention—it doesn't just echo in the air. It becomes established. This is why spoken petitions matter. This is why you say it out loud. Mark this in Blue or Black.

2. The Road Opener (For Removing Obstacles)

Verse: Isaiah 45:2 "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron."

The Work: When you feel stuck, blocked, or held back by bureaucracy, bad luck, or forces you can't name—this is your battering ram. It doesn't ask permission. It breaks through. Claim this when doors won't open, when the system is rigged against you, when you need a path where there isn't one. Mark this in Red (for force) or Black (for results).

3. The Generator (For Financial Prosperity)

Verse: Deuteronomy 8:18 "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth..."

The Work: Note that it does not say He gives you money; it says He gives you the power to get wealth. This is an active spell for business owners, workers, and anyone needing to generate resources. It's not about waiting for a windfall. It's about claiming the ability to create it yourself. Mark this in Black.

4. The Mending (For Physical Health)

Verse: Jeremiah 30:17 "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord..."

The Work: Restoration isn't just about healing the body—it's about reclaiming what was stolen by time, sickness, or exhaustion. When you write a name next to this verse, you're not asking for healing. You're declaring the body whole again. Use this when the body is broken, tired, or fighting sickness. Mark this in Black.

5. The Silencer (For Legal Issues & Arguments)

Verse: Exodus 14:14 "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."

The Work: This is a spell for silence. When you are tempted to argue, fight back, or defend yourself—stop. Claim this verse instead. Let the Power handle the conflict while you stay calm. This is especially potent in legal battles, workplace disputes, or family arguments where your words could be used against you. Mark this in Red.

6. The Restoration (For Lost Time & Regret)

Verse: Joel 2:25 "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten..."

The Work: Many of us come to this path late, feeling we have wasted time. This promise is for the reclamation of lost years, lost money, and lost joy. It doesn't erase what happened—it rebuilds what was destroyed. It is a powerful claim for new beginnings. Mark this in Black.

7. The Iron Wall (For Total Protection)

Verse: Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn."

The Work: This is the ultimate shield. It covers physical threats ("weapons") and social threats ("tongues/gossip"). It doesn't just say the weapon won't work—it says it won't prosper. It might be formed, but it will fail. This is the first verse I teach anyone to memorize. Mark this in Red.

A Note on Reverence

Some will say this is disrespectful. They are wrong.

There is no greater reverence you can show a tool than to use it until it breaks. A pristine Bible is neglected. A marked, worn, battered Bible with a broken spine and ink-stained pages is a testament to a strong relationship.

Open your Bible. Uncap your pen. The power is waiting for you to claim it.

The Workbench: Recommended Tools

My grandfather's Bible was leather-bound because leather lasts. He used a pen that wouldn't fade because he knew his grandchildren would read his notes one day.

If you're going to claim your inheritance, use tools that will outlive you.

1. The Vessel: NRSVue Holy Bible with Apocrypha, Journal Edition You need wide margins—real workspace. This edition gives you room to write your petitions, draw your binding lines, and build your claims without crowding. The NRSVue translation is readable and accurate, and the inclusion of the Apocrypha gives you access to texts the modern church tried to hide. The leathersoft cover will age like my grandfather's did—creased, worn, and honest. [Link to Amazon]

2. The Ink: Zebra F-301 Pens (4-Pack with Black, Blue, Red) These are the pens I use. They're comfortable in the hand for long sessions, refillable so you're not throwing tools away, and high-quality enough that the ink won't bleed through the page or fade over time. The 4-pack comes with black, blue, and red—everything you need for the three-color system. A tool that lasts is a tool that matters. [Amazon Link]

3. The Navigation: RETTACY Bible Tabs In a ritual setting, speed matters. You cannot be flipping pages while the candle burns low. These tabs cover all 66 books of the Old and New Testament, plus 18 additional tabs for the Apocrypha. They turn your Bible into a control panel—instant access to any book, any claim, any working. [Amazon Link]

A Note on the Tools I Recommend:

The links to the Bible, pens, and tabs in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

I don't recommend cheap tools. My grandfather's Bible lasted because he chose leather that aged well and ink that didn't fade. The products I link to are the ones I use in my own practice—tools built to age with you, not fall apart in a year.

If you're going to claim your inheritance, use tools worthy of it.