I know pretty much everyone has heard of a Book of Shadows or a Grimoire. But, what about a magical Lab Notebook? I saw this concept on social media a number of years ago, so I cannot take credit for it. However, I can introduce the idea to others. 

What is it?

A lab notebook for magic is essentially a messy collection of anything that is currently ‘in progress’ or that you are saving for later. This is a good place to put divination spreads that you haven’t tried out, yet. Or, a place to take notes that haven’t completely taken form into something that you would be comfortable setting down in any definitive shape. Mine has an old meditation tracker from before I got totally burned out for non-magic reasons. I like to write down spells that I haven’t completely confirmed work for me, but that I would like to attempt a few times. This also includes recipes that I haven’t either tried or that I think need further work. 

In case you haven’t realized, education is messy. It is very rare that someone only uses one draft, and that it’s perfect from the first line that’s written. Magic is the exact same way. I know that a lot of us get caught up in whether or not our magic books are up to standard for what is posted on social media. But, this book is specifically useful for people to be completely messy in. 

I also use this when I’m working out various drafts for my sigils or anything I craft. 

What isn’t it?

A lab notebook is not supposed to be ~aesthetic~ or look nice. I’m not saying that it’s illegal to do this. I’m certainly not the Wizard Cops. But, the idea of this type of book is to take the pressure off of each magician to make everything look very nice. Sometimes I do make little doodles inside, or take the time to make things look nice. But, for the most part, I use my lab notebook as a place where I have permission to use awful handwriting and incomplete sentences. 

This isn’t a beautiful heirloom. It’s the equivalent of a collection of WIPs and a process recording space. So mine can tend to be a little…less than tidy. More than anything, this isn’t something that needs to be seen by other people—but not because it’s necessarily full of secrets. It’s more that this has no reason to go on display. 

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Ideas

Instead of writing a lovely narrative here, I’m just going to make a list of some possibilities that could be included in a lab notebook. 

1. Perfume / Incense Recipes
2. Untried Craft Tutorials / Recipes
3. Spell Ideas
4. Books you want to read
5. A wish list for decks
6. Untried divination spreads
7. Notes on any current Clow Card Quests
8. Results from divination attempts (I have notes from a few failed types)
9. Color studies / layout ideas for art witches
10. Dream Diary Notes
11. Half-formed ideas whispered to you by spirits while you slept
12. Schedule for activities 
13. Ward Ideas
14. Personal correspondences 
15. Plants you want to grow
16. Short deck reviews
17. Gift lists for your familiar 
18. Deep lore ideas for your Chuunibyo Persona 
19. Reactions you got from certain offerings
20. Art ideas for devotions / gifts to your ancestors
21. Ideas for personal symbols or sigils
22. A map of your area with supernatural spots marked
23. Ink or paint tests

There is no end to what you could put in there. What would you add into your lab notebook?