Companion for the Apprentice Wizard

289 Pages·2006·10.67 MB·English

by  Oberon Zell-Ravenheart

Readers’ Acclaim for Oberon Zell-Ravenheart’s
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
“GRIMOIREFORTHE APPRENTICE WIZARD is a landmark book. this book for everyone who is interested in growing and
It’s a combination history book, motivational book, self- increasing their knowledge.” —Marina K. Payne, OR
help book and magickal primer all wrapped up in one.
“This is not a fictional Merlin story. The type of wiz- “This is one of the most incredible books I’ve read on
ard described in this book is achievable. The concepts magick. It covers the basics accurately and completely, giv-
taught are the same ones that successful people all over the ing the reader a realistic foundation to work upon. There is
world have used to become captains of industry, company no idealism but hints at fantasy and imagination—traits of a
presidents and good parents. That’s why I purchased cop- true Wizard. This work is perfect for anyone at any level of
ies for my grandchildren. (That way they will keep their magickal study. Cheers to you, Oberon.”
hands off my copy!)” —James Sawyer, FL —OakRaven, MT
“The GRIMOIRE provides a set of tools designed to allow “Pure genius! If you only bought one book on Wiz-
young minds the opportunity to find their own way through ardry, buy this one! If you are looking for a superb book on
the labyrinth of their imagination. I highly ... highly recom- the art and science of becoming a modern day wizard, look
mend this book to both new and old readers alike. It is no further. For in the book as well as the school you have
refreshing to see an author who not only claims the inten- found the lost treasure. It’s a Keepsake!”
tion to provide an open philosophy that still honours its —Terry Mook, PA
history and practice, but who succeeds in doing so.”
—Griffin, CA “I don’t think a day has gone by since that I haven’t
read and studied from this amazing work. It’s not only a
“The GRIMOIRE is so extensive that I highly recommend fascinating read, but for many, this book will open a door
it to anyone on the Magickal Path, of any age—for it con- that previously stood closed: the door to magick and wiz-
tains amazing amounts of reference material and sound ardry as ways of life.
psychism. It is incredibly well illustrated with diagrams, “The GRIMOIRE is also the main text for the Grey School
charts, magickal alphabets, herbal drawings, pictures and of Wizardry, an on-line school of wizardry for children and
accessible depictions of some otherwise abstract concepts adults. The best news of all? A sequel to the book is in
(including modern quantum physics).”—Lady Pythia, OH process!” —Susan “Moonwriter” Pesznecker, OR
“This is a phenomenal book. The author has put forth a “As a member of the magickal community, I purchased
fantastic compilation of knowledge for the aspiring wizard this book solely on the author’s name alone. Oberon Zell-
or avid reader. The text reads easy while at the same time Ravenheart is like saying Dumbledore within Hogwarts.
provides a depth of information and practicing magick can “The book was highly researched, well written, and
be read over and over. I will never part with this compen- easily understandable. It is a unique way to do a book of
dium of magickal knowledge.” —Gabriel Moorhouse this nature. I recommend this book to anyone and every-
one. No matter what religion you are, you will find this
“Author Oberon Zell-Ravenheart clearly knows his book interesting.
stuff, and has a rare gift for sharing his decades of experi- “Also, as a member of The Grey School of Wizardry,
ence with the friendly ease of a true Wizard who knows yes you read that right, Dumbledore—er—ah—I mean
how much to reveal, and where best to direct attention for Headmaster Oberon Zell-Ravenheart creates a warm and
one’s development. inviting environment for all who wish to truly begin their
“This book will be devoured by the questing neophyte. path to becoming a Wizard.” —Myrddin,CT
The best part is how much fun this book is. This book will
be seen on both virtual and actual bookshelves, and I am “Even though the GRIMOIRE was meant for teenagers, it
sure it will crop up on the pages of Gaiman, Moore, and is not written that way. The GRIMOIRE has tons of informa-
yes, even at Hogwarts. I can hardly wait for the trading tion about all different aspects of Wizardry, which any age
cards!!” —Raven Marquez, CA could use. Oberon Zell-Ravenheart wrote the book as if he
was sitting there in front of you giving you the lessons. You
“This book is jammed full of information and interesting can tell he cares about the student and knows what he is
tidbits, and it is laid out masterfully with borders and tables talking about. Very few authors manage to write this way.
and charts. Our kids pick it up and thumb through it all the “I highly recommend the GRIMOIRE and the Grey School.
time, and I have read it cover to cover. Anyplace you open I look forward to Zell-Ravenheart’s next book. Excellent
the book is something really interesting for young and old. work, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart!” —Solaris, NC
Worth every penny and will be around the house for a long,
long time.” —Ann, a writer, Mom, & IT Director “This book on Wizardry is a highly-prized and much
needed book of mentorship, training and fun on the path of
“This is a book of everything you ever wanted to know the young Wizard! This book is the product of a man and
about magick but didn’t know whom to ask. Parents, buy Wizard who is on the edge of Paganism today. For anyone
this book for your son or daughter. Read it along with them wishing to find their way to Hogwarts, this book is the
so you’ll know as much as they do. If enough kids appren- roadmap!
tice themselves to the good Grey Council, we can have “Along with this book comes the added bonus of the
genuine hope for the future of the planet.” Grey School of Wizardry, where Professor Ravenheart is
—Barbara Ardinger currently the Headmaster. See you at Platform 9¾!”
—Oracle, FL
“There really is no better book then this. It is a window
into many time, places and cultures, and lets you build your “If you only bought one magick book, GRIMOIREFORTHE
own practice, with or without spirituality. I recommend APPRENTICE WIZARD would be the one!”—Lilyth Rose, CA
COMPANIONFORTHE APPRENTICE WIZARD
Copyright 2006 by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
COMPANIONFORTHE APPRENTICE WIZARD
EDITEDBY ALLY PELTIERAND ABBY WILLOWROOT
TYPESETANDFORMATTEDBY OBERON ZELL-RAVENHEART
COVERILLUSTRATIONANDDESIGN: JEAN WILLIAM NAUMANN
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon, 1942-
Companion for the apprentice wizard / by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-56414-835-1 (pbk.)
1. Magic. 2. Wizards. I. Title.
BF1611.Z44 2006
133.43’3—dc22
2005057654
Companion
for the
Apprentice Wizard
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
and the Faculty of the
Grey School of Wizardry
NEW PAGE BOOKS
A division of The Career Press, Inc.
Franklin Lakes, NJ
iv Companion for the Apprentice Wizard
Foreword: The Companion and the Grey School
By Jesse Wolf Hardin, The Grey Council of Wizards
My dear friend Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is the Arch Believe it. You are gifted with the mental, spiritual,
Wizard, the leading living elder of a noble magickal physical, and extrasensory potential you need to fulfill
tradition dating back long before the likes of Merlin, your deepest purpose, and to accomplish the
back to those primitive medicine men and women who miraculous. The term “mysteries” derives from the
were the first to enlist power, the first to thirst for the Greek “musterion,” a word that meant not the unknown
taste of the unknown. But ours has always been a so much as “that which is known only by certain
“profession” with few written records, with the initiates and adepts.” As a student of these writings
knowledge of the ages passed on mostly orally from a you can count yourself among the select, the intimates
master to his or her apprentice. With the publication of mysteries and unravelers of secrets…keepers not
of his Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard, we were so much of faith as an insatiable curiosity, the endless
provided with the first credible, contemporary urge to discover.
handbook of wizardry, and the beliefs and practices These days I host a number of students and
that form its very foundation. In this Companion apprentices of all ages here at our wilderness
volume, you have the second in a continuing series of sanctuary, an ancient ceremonial center and true place
supplemental texts provide exercises and assignments of power. But bear in mind that all of our teachings,
to increase your understanding, awareness, and all my five published books including Gaia Eros
responsibility, power, and personal magickal abilities. (New Page, 2004), are the product of forty-some years
You’ll find herein hands-on practices, delightful of devoted exploration and disciplined study. This
challenges, and yet moretools for changing our selves lifetime of training began when I was a young solitaire,
and our realities. In these pages are diagrams for finding that my hyper-awareness and spooky intuition
fascinating magickal objects and ritual items that you had put me on a lonely trail. With no one understanding
can construct yourself, alongside hints on how join in how I felt or being comfortable with my powers, I ended
being a conscious co-creator of an evolving universe! up running away from military school at the tender
The emphasis, more than ever, is not just on learning, age of thirteen. And thus began my unending quest
but on doing. There have always been a considerable for wisdom and purpose. Not that they were
number of people interested in reading about the ways particularly hard on me there, but what I hungered to
of magick, but it’s the most special of you who are know and experience couldn’t be found in any state-
willing to commit to the day to day work of a responsive, approved curriculum. In the days before there was a
magickal life. Grey School of Wizardry, there was simply no place
Most of us grow up and then grow old in societies that taught the awareness, practices, responsibility
where hardly anyone says what they really feel or and magick associated with this calling and art.
does what they say they’re going to do, where we’re I had to sift through the fluff and nonsense of
exposed to untruths, and often find ourselves thousands of so-called “great books” to find in them
surrounded by the artificial...from the imitation leather those rare passages that illuminated what I knew
on our sandals to fake smiles and plastic trees. instinctually to be truths. And without a gathering of
A lot of what you’ll read about Wizardry elsewhere wise elders to turn to, I was forced to spend years
is filled with “fluff-bunny,” feel-good illusions. On the searching them out one at a time, hitchhiking hundreds
other hand, we’re each and every one of us given a of miles to try to meet and talk with the visionaries of
chance in life to be our authentic selves, even if at a my time: the hip Buddhist Alan Watts, radical poet
cost. We’re all born into a miraculous world filled with Gary Snyder, native medicine man Rolling Thunder,
very real things to care about, including ourselves, Taos Indian spiritual leader Teles Goodmorning, and
each other, and the rest of the inspirited living planet, the priests and priestesses of numerous esoteric
Gaia. We’re also presented with opportunities—like traditions. I studied Eastern mysticism, Wicca, primitive
those in this book you now hold in your hands— magick and applied shamanism, with most of what I
whether we find them through diligent research or have know nonetheless coming directly from instructive
them seemingly dropped by the spirits into our very nature and my many encounters with the forces and
laps. There are cartoon wizards and weekend spirits I found there.
“wannabes,” as well as genuine wizards doing amazing While I have no regrets for the difficult path I
things. Your life is your chance, and perhaps even took, you are blessed to have the Grey School,
your calling, to “make it real:”to make real magick, and somewhere you can go for understanding as well as
to better this wondrous world. information, affirmation, advice, training and support.
Companion for the Apprentice Wizard v
And you’re fortunate to have this book—a true Perhaps, like you, he was a bit of an ancient Medicine
“Companion” in your continuing, insistent quest for Man from the day he was born.
vision, sacred purpose, meaningful service, wisdom Join Oberon, myself and the rest of the Grey
and power. In this, you need never feel alone. Council and School in committing to the lifelong effort
As always, some of the words or concepts you to learn, to distinguish ourselves, to be “excellent to
read here may be difficult for you at first. I’m sure each other,” to help Mother Earth, and to be the caring
you’ll find that it’s well worth your effort. Oberon will and courageous wizards we are surely meant to be!
never talk down to you, because he knows you’re Make it so, I say.
able to rise to any challenge. And you have another —Jesse Wolf Hardin
advantage in that he is one of you: a playful and blissful The Earthen Spirituality Project
youth at heart, even now with his flowing white beard. Gila Wildlands, New Mexico
Prologue: The Third Wish
By Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
When I was a kid, I discovered the legend of the In some versions of the story, however, a second
“Three Magic Wishes.” In just about every culture, and deeper lesson is conveyed, as the protagonist
there are stories about a magick wish-bringer that considers more carefully the third and final wish, and
grants three wishes. It may be the genie of the magic finally gets it right: instead of wishing for himself, he
lamp, as in the tale of Aladdin. Or the magic fish in the wishes for others. And that turns the curse of the
Grimm Fairy tale. Often it is a ring—from Solomon’s to three wishes into a blessing.
Tolkein’s. In W.W. Jacobs’ famous short story (1902), The purpose of such stories, of course, is to get
it’s a monkey’s paw. And in a recent movie, it’s a magick us all thinking about our own goals, aspirations, and
wishing powder. the work of our lives by which we each attempt to
Sometimes the offer comes from the gods (as Hera, manifest what we wish for. This is what magick is all
Athena and Aphrodite presented their respective about—manifesting our wishes.
bribes to Paris, resulting in the Trojan War). And in So when I came upon these stories as a kid, I
Christian mythology, the deal is invariably offered by began thinking about that final wish, deciding that it
the Devil—starting with the temptation of Jesus (Mark should be my first rather than last. And what I
1:13; Luke 4:2). The Medieval tale of Dr. Faustus and eventually came up with was a wish of ultimate
Mephistopheles has given rise to modern literary and magickal empowerment: “I wish for the full awakening
movie treatments of this theme, such as “Phantom of of the psychic potential of every person in the
the Paradise,” Terry Pratchett’s “Eric,” and “Bedazzled” world”—not just for myself. I figgered that there were
with Elizabeth Hurley and Brendan Frazer. far more good people than bad people in the world,
In the Bible, Satan offers Jesus first Wealth; then and this would give us the edge.
Power; and finally, Fame. Jesus rejects them all, saying, Now, every magick-user knows that you can’t just
“Get thee behind me, Satan!” But these three objectives make a wish and then go off and forget about it. You
remain the primary obsessions of humanity, and the have to conjure it into manifestation by focusing
basis of most people’s wishes and pursuits (including everything in your life and thoughts to that end; to
those of many preachers and politicians claiming to “Make It So!” I came up with this wish about 50 years
follow Jesus!). ago, and virtually everything I have done in my entire
“Nine rings were given to the race of Men, who life over the past half-century has been wrapped
above all things desire Power.” (Lord of the Rings) In around its manifestation.
at least two film treatments that I’ve seen (“The Man In the early ‘70s, I expanded my original wish into
Who Could Work Miracles” and “Bruce Almighty” a Vision of the awakening of planetary consciousness
with Jim Carey), Godlike powers are temporarily granted —of Gaea Herself. This Sacred Mission Statement
to a mortal man, with humorously devastating results. became “…to evolve a network of information,
Every version of this story is a “wisdom tale,” mythology and experience to awaken the Divine within
and the obvious lesson is always: “Be careful what and to provide a context and stimulus for reawakening
you wish for; you may receive it!” Invariably, the Gaea and reuniting Her children through tribal
protagonist totally screws up the first two wishes (if community dedicated to responsible stewardship and
not the entire set), by wishing for wealth, fame and the evolution of consciousness.”
power—and getting them; but with terrible And I have refined that original wish and a lifetime
consequences. of work into a single word: “Awaken!”
Acknowledgements
First off, I would like to acknowledge my beloved lifemate
Morning Glory, who, after 32 years, continues to be supportive and
encouraging as I work on these books, and with the Grey School of
Wizardry. These projects take an enormous amount of my time, and
she is very generous in sharing me with you!
Secondly, I wish to thank Julie Epona O’Ryan, for her wise
counsel and willingness to pitch in and help out wherever needed
This book would have been impossible without her.
Third, I must express my deepest respect and appreciation to
the brilliant and dedicated Faculty of the Grey School of Wizardry,
many of whom you will meet in these pages through their respective
offerings. First and foremost among these is Elizabeth Barrette, our
Dean of Studies and my “Number One,” whose insightful poems
introduce each Departmental chapter. She has been involved in nearly
every aspect of the Grey School, and her contribution is incalculable.
In addition, among other Faculty members who deserve
special mention for the amount of sheer dedication and wonderful
efforts they have contributed are Susan “Moonwriter” Pesznecker,
John “Apollonius” Opsopaus, and Ash “LeopardDancer” deKirk.
They are Department Deans, Heads of Houses and Lodges, and full
Professors carrying the largest class loads in the School. And they
have contributed major sections to this Companion.
I would also like to recognize and thank my dear friend and
brother, Grey Council member Jesse Wolf Hardin of the Earthen
Spirituality Project. He has written several moving selections for this
book and the Grimoire,and has also contributed some of his unique
magickal art to the illumination of these pages.
Thanks to our many friends who helped us with moving and fund-
raising, as we had to find a new home in the middle of this writing!
And finally, special appreciation must go to our lovely Queen of
the May, Tracy Swangler, and her consort, Joe Butt, who are both
superb tattoo artists. They visited us for several days during the final
crunch, and created dozens of lovely drawings to embellish this book.
Thanks, your Majesties!
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart 11/11/05
Table of Contents
Foreword by Jesse Wolf Hardin...........................iv 10. LIFEWAYS (pink) .......................................151
Prologue: “The 3rd Wish”.................................... v Lifeways 101 • Webweaving for Young Wizards •
Acknowledgements..............................................vi Embracing Our Maleness: Pan and the Green Man •
Boy, Man and Elder: Our Rites of Passage • Rites of
Preface: “Once Upon a Time…”........................viii Passage for the Woman Wizard • Activism for the
Introduction...........................................................x Practicing Wizard • The Rules • Throwing a Wizard-
Themed Party
1. WIZARDRY (indigo).......................................12
Your Magickal Journal • Awareness for Wizards • 11. BEAST MASTERY (brown) ........................166
Perception and Illusions • Make a “Watchbird” • Animal Guides and Totems • Wee Spirits •
Optical Animations • Make Thaumatropes • Make Observation and Collection • The Magick of
Your Own Fantascope • Make a Zoetrope • Magick Tracking • Common North American Mammal
in Animated Movies • The Journey Tracks (chart) • Baby Critter Care • More Fabulous
Beastes • Make 4 Nifty Dragon Models
2. NATURE (silver)..............................................25
Gaia, the Living Earth • Becoming One with Nature 12.COSMOLOGY & METAPHYSICS (violet) ..181
• The Amateur Naturalist • Journaling and Naked-Eye Astronomy • Measurement, Direction,
Collecting • Survival Fire-Making • Outdoor Cookery and the Night Sky • Make a Mariner’s Astrolabe •
• Plant & Animal Guides for the Urban Pagan Seasons, Equinoxes, and Solstices • Make a Pocket
Sundial • The Moon • The Stars • Star Charts and
3. PRACTICE (gold) Planispheres • The Planets • Comets, Meteors, and
(Part 1—Accoutrements)...................................... 40 Satellites • Special Effects • Galaxies and Beyond •
Accoutrements • Regalia • A Portable Altar • Make a model of the Milky Way Galaxy • Time and
Crafting Magick Wands • Make a Light-Up Magick the Mayans • Mystic Pyramids • Build a Pyramid
Wand • Make a Planetary Hour Calculator • Tables
of Correspondences-5 (chart) 13. MATHEMAGICKS(clear) ..........................194
(Part 2—Workings)............................................... 50 Sacred Arithmetic • History of the Number 13 •
Making Your Own Amulets and Talismans • Light Up Moebius Strips • Sacred Geometry • Make models of
Your Life with Candle Magic • Spells for every the 5 Platonic Solids • Sacred Geometry in Nature •
Purpose • The Stone of Power • Unobtrusive Magick How to Measure the Height of a Tree or Tall
for Public Places Building
4. METAPSYCHICS (aqua) .................................67 14.CEREMONIAL MAGICK(white)................209
The Very First Things You Have to Learn • Creating Personal Ceremony • Some Basic Ritual
Meditation • Practical Metapsychics • Creating Your Procedures • Introduction to Theurgy • Lunar
Astral Sanctum • Magick for the Dreaming Mind • Calendar • Drawing Down the Moon • Full Moon
How to Do It • Telepathy Tips Dedication Ritual • Computer Protection spell
5. HEALING (blue) ..............................................82 15. LORE(grey)................................................222
History and Symbols of Healing • Physical Healing • Atlantis, Lemuria & Mu • This Age of Heroes •
Eastern, Western, and Alternative Medicine • Amazons and Warrior Women • More Myths and
Psychic Healing: A Review of Various Techniques • Legends • The Mabinogion • Legendary Artifacts
Foot Reflexology • Healing Yourself • Healing
Others • Magickal First-Aid 16. DARK ARTS (black)...................................237
Wizardry & the Shadow • Monsters • Monsters of
6. WORTCUNNING (green)...............................95 Mystery • Demons • Great Cthulhu & the
What is Wortcunning? • Wortcunning Glossary • Necronomicon • The Evil Eye • Shielding • Mirror
Using Herbs Safely • A Simple Herb Garden • A simple Shield • Shadow-Casting • Weather Magick
Herb Container Garden • Your Edible Garden through
the Seasons • Wild Mushrooms • A Simple Herbology APPENDICES
Work Using Mint • Potions & Lotions Contributors ...............................................250
Notes, Credits & References.......................253
7. DIVINATION (yellow) ...................................108
Index...........................................................259
The Prophet’s Mission • Basic Forms of Divination •
Make a Divination Box • Playing Card Divination •
Reading Tea Leaves • Incense Divination • Dowsing CUT-OUTS(to copy onto card stock and assemble) .265
• Make your own Runes Watchbird Watching You! • Thaumatropes &
Fantascopes • Planetary Hour Calculator •
8. PERFORMANCE MAGICS (orange)............122 Telepathy Cards • Psychokinesis Spinners •
Archetypes of the Magician • Bizarre Magik • The
Magician’s Code • Elemental Magics • Jim’s Magic Jim’s Magic Box • Leonardo da Vinci
Box • Hosting a Bardic Ornithopter • 4 Nifty Dragons • Mariner’s
Astrolabe • Pocket Sundial • The Milky Way
9. ALCHEMY & MAGICKAL SCIENCES (red)..136 Galaxy• The Mystic Pyramid • Golden Mean
Alchemical Imagery • Glossary of Alchemical Calipers• The 5 Platonic Solids • Great
Imagery • Kitchen Alchemy • Color-Changing liquid
• Marvelous Inventions • Technomagick • Glossary Goddess Paper Dolls
viii Companion for the Apprentice Wizard
Preface: “Once upon a time…”
YFAVORITEPAINTINGISANORIGINAL came feared and persecuted for their “unearthly” pow-
piece that hangs on the living ers and abilities. Those who survived learned to hide
room wall in the home of Chaz and their differences, becoming secretive and paranoid.
Debi LeFaye, Headmistress of the The moving stories tell of how various individuals
Academy of Ancient Arts near find each other, generations later…
Lake Tahoe, NorCalifia. The 33” x From their first meeting, Tim and Lance recog-
47” painting is by James C. nized each other as Kindred. Over the following
Christiansen, and titled “Once Upon a Time…” As a months, they came together in many late-night dis-
grey Wizard and storyteller, I obviously identify very cussion sessions, planning how they might find and
much with the central figure. And so, with Chaz and contact others like themselves, and what they might
Debi’s permission, I am reproducing it here. do when they found them. They considered forming a
club, a community, a foundation, a school, an
institute—even a movement, if there were
enough of them.
To learn about how to create such groups,
Tim briefly joined one of the campus fraterni-
ties; and Lance and several other “misfits”
founded an alternative “Animal House” fra-
ternity called Mu Omicron Alpha—MOA(a
Moa was a large flightless bird of New
Zealand—now extinct).
Stranger than Fiction
And then, in October of 1961, a novel called
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A.
Heinlein arrived in Lance’s mailbox as the Sci-
ence Fiction Book Club selection of the month. He
Once upon a time…
finally got around to reading it the following March,
…in September of 1961, actually; two young students and, as he said, “was seized with an ecstatic sense of
met at the beginning of their freshmen year at a small recognition.” Lance turned the book over to Tim on
college in the middle of rural Missouri. Their names April 4, saying that this one book dealt with much of
were Lance Christie and Tim Zell, and each of them what they had been thinking and talking about, and
had grown up in the ‘50s feeling that they must be a had brilliantly articulated many of their own coalesc-
different species from their parents and the people ing thoughts.
around them. Today, we would call them “change- The novel tells the tale of Valentine Michael Smith,
lings,” from an old word meaning a Faerie child who a human born on the planet Mars as the sole survivor
has been somehow slipped into a family of “mortals.” of a crashed first expedition, and raised by the ancient
Each had left home on a quest to seek out others of and wise race of Martians. Upon being brought back
their Kind. to Earth twenty years later by the next expedition,
Both were avid readers of science-fiction novels Michael (and with him, the reader) is able to view all of
and comic books, and had been particularly taken by humanity’s ingrained culture and cherished institu-
the recurrent theme of the emergence of a new stage in tions from the unique perspective of an outsider. And,
human evolution (Homo Novus, or “New Man,” as gathering others around him, he begins to create alter-
this was called in the tales). They thought of them- natives…
selves as mutant forerunners of a new kind of future To foster this fledgling community of awakened
humanity, which would have full use of all the powers souls, Michael establishes the Church of All Worlds,
of mind described in the stories. bringing them under the protection of the First Amend-
One of their favorite such myths were Zenna ment to the U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make
Henderson’s stories of “The People”—orphans of a no law respecting the establishment of religion; nor
destroyed and beloved homeworld whose refugee prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
ancestors had crashed on Earth long ago in lifeboats As Mars is a cold, dry world, water is considered
when their mother ship exploded in orbit. Scattered the most precious substance in the universe; and in
and out of touch with others of their kind, they be- the story, drinking (grokking) and sharing water be-
Companion for the Apprentice Wizard ix
comes a metaphor for the deepest understandings and magickal studies at all were for adults only—operat-
commitments. To share water and become a “water ing at a college level, and not admitting anyone under
brother” with someone is to form a lifelong bond deeper 18. And they were very expensive.
than blood or marriage. And on April 7, 1962, Lance When I get an idea for something I really think
and Tim did just that, pledging to begin living a new should exist, but doesn’t yet, I often take it as a “Mis-
dream, and bringing others into it. They gave the name sion Impossible” assignment to make it so. This was
Atl to the water-brotherhood they founded, as that such an assignment. So I recruited a brilliant Web
was the Aztec word meaning both “water,” and “an- Wizard (Steven Day) and assembled a Faculty of quali-
cient home of our ancestors.” fied and dedicated teachers, and together we created
Right about the same time, Marvel Comics intro- a special “Grey School of Wizardry” website at
duced “The X-Men,” a group of young mutants with www.GreySchool.com.
assorted uncanny powers and abilities who are located The earliest age of admission is 11, and the classes
and brought together by a wise mentor, Professor Charles are designed for junior high and high school level
Xavier, to become students in his “School for Gifted (though we have students of all ages—clear up into
Youngsters.” This idea also became an inspiration to their 70s!). I took on the responsibility of being Head-
those young water-brothers of the ‘60s. Indeed, Tim master, and the Grimoire became the basic founda-
went on to earn a teaching certificate and work for many tional textbook, with many of its lessons being incor-
years in public and private schools—as a teacher and a porated into classes. Like the Grimoire, the Grey
counselor. But it took over forty years for that Vision to School is graduated in seven “year-levels,” culminat-
become fully realized, in an online School of Wizardry. ing in a Certificate of Journeyman Wizard.
In the interim, a real-life Church of All Worlds was Just as writing the Grimoire had taken all of 2003,
created, flourished for four decades, and was eventually creating the Grey School of Wizardry occupied the en-
torn apart through internal conflicts, dissension, and tirety of 2004. And no sooner had we gotten all the sys-
power struggles. Its demise freed up the energies of tems in place than my Publisher commissioned another
those involved for other projects. Tim had long ago book—this one! It is clear now that we have begun
taken on other identities—for a long time as Otter; and something that just won’t quit. After this Companion
much later, as Oberon. Yes, that’s me over there in the book, there’ll have to be a Grimoire for the Journeyman
pointy hat! During this long journey, I had become a Wizard. And it’ll have to have a Companion. And then a
Wizard. Grimoire (and a Companion) for the Master Wizard, and
And now I am also the Headmaster of the Grey the Adept. And the Grey School will have to evolve to
school of Wizardry…the wheel has turned full cycle. develop a college-level program for Journeyman Wiz-
ards to become Masters, and a graduate-school pro-
The Grey School of Wizardry gram for Masters to become Adepts.
Here’s what one of our Grey School students has
So what, I can hear you asking, is the “Grey School of to say about this Vision:
Wizardry”? Well, like everything else in my life as a
Wizard, this too is a story… Just Imagine:
When I began writing the Grimoire, I had no in- Ten years from now. Over a thousand have
tention of starting an actual school of Wizardry. I fig- graduated to Journeymen Wizard, and another
ured that I’d design the Grimoireitself as a course of thousand Apprentices continue in training. The
study, and then simply refer readers to various pendants we wear are no longer merely logos of
websites and online schools of Wizardry where they the school we attend, but the symbol of our Order.
could go for further teachings. Since I’d taken particu- And our symbol is not just recognizable to those
lar pains to design a book that would be accessible to whom we call brother and sister, but to the greater
teenagers (particularly Harry Potter fans), I also world, both Magickal and Mundane. We are re-
wanted to make sure that sites I would be referring my spected as honored and reliable sources of wis-
readers to would be teen-friendly as well. dom, guidance and hope to the communities we
But at the time of that writing, as I soon discov- live in. We are recognized in congress, the military,
ered, there didn’t seem to be any online websites or in covens and conclaves, and through our deeds
chat groups dedicated to serious Wizardry or Magick we are recognized as an organization devoted to
that were suitable for teens, and that weren’t specifi- helping influence the evolution of the world.
callyPagan or Wiccan-oriented. Paganism and Wicca —Stacy “WillowRune” Robinson
arereligious orientations, whereas Magick and Wiz-
ardry are studies and practices that are independent I think I am going to be very busy for quite awhile. The
of any particular religion. And I felt this was an impor- good thing is that I am enjoying wonderful company on this
tant distinction that I wanted to keep. Moreover, all of magickal adventure! So, to paraphrase Bilbo Baggins: “May
the serious websites and on-line schools that offered we all live happily ever after, to the end of our days!”