Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard

Course One: Wizardry

Class I: Concerning Wizards

A wizard can turn fear into joy, frustration to fulfillment.

A wizard can turn the time-bound into the timeless.

A wizard can carry you beyond limitations into the boundless.

—Deepak Chopra (The Way of the Wizard)

1. Introduction: What is a Wizard?

In the 16th and 17th centuries—the height of popularity of the village magician—it applied to a high magician but also to various popular magicians, who were known by other names as well: cunning men, cunning women, charmers, blessers, sorcerers, conjurers and witches. After 1825, Wizard became almost exclusively synonymous with Witch, but this usage died out during the 20th century. Modern Witches do not use the term.

—Rosemary Guiley (Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 389)

Here is how the word Wizard is defined in the dictionary:

IZARD—FROM ANGLO-SAXON WYSARD (m.), wise one. A usually solitary practitioner of magick and repository of arcane knowledge. A lore-master. 1. a sage. 2. a magician; conjurer; sorcerer. 3. a person exceptionally gifted or clever at a specified activity (as in computer wizard). Usually—but not necessarily—a specifically masculine term. Wizards have also been referred to as Natural Philosophers.

In traditional tribal cultures we find shamans, or medicine men and women, who are both gifted and learned in talents and skills of augury (foretelling the future), herbalism, hypnosis, psychic work, and sorcery. They are the village teachers, magicians, spirit guides, healers, and midwives. Among some of the Celtic tribes of Western Europe, such shamans were known as Wicce—an Anglo-Saxon word meaning shaper—from which comes our present term Witch. In Renaissance days, men practicing witchcraft were more often called Wizards. The term Wizard first appeared in the 15th century, and was used for both wise men and wise women. In the 20th century, most people only knew of Wizards from stories and fairy-tales. The most famous of these were J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, featuring Gandalf the Wizard, and Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave (and other books), about Merlin. Indeed, during those years, many people forgot that Wizards had ever really existed at all! But a few of us still remained, although largely in remote areas hidden from public view.

In the ways that Guiley noted, Wizards in recent centuries seem to have served pretty much as male counterparts of the village Witch as she is commonly described by modern practitioners of the Craft: A magickal shaper of reality; a Shaman of pre-Christian European tradition. In Medieval and Renaissance times, Witches specialized in herbalism and midwifery, and were mostly women. Modern Witches may be both men and women, and their workings today are directed primarily towards healing, both of people and the Earth.

Virtually every village or town in Britain and Europe had at least one wizard, who usually was respected and feared by the local folk. The wizard specialized in a variety of magical services, such as fortune-telling; finding missing persons and objects; finding hidden treasure; curing illnesses in people and animals; interpreting dreams; detecting theft; exorcising ghosts and fairies; casting spells; breaking the spells of witches and fairies; making amulets (charms); and making love philtres (potions). Because he was deemed the diviner of the guilty in crimes, the word of the wizard often carried great weight in a village or town.

—Guiley, p. 389

Lesson 2: My Life as a Wizard

Now, I have lived about as rurally as it’s possible to get, having spent eight years (1977–85) living in a 5,600-acre homesteading community in the Misty Mountains of Northern California. My lifemate, Morning Glory, and I moved into a completely undeveloped wilderness, where we built our own houses and barns, developed our springs, planted gardens and orchards, dug a pond, raised livestock—all without electricity, telephones, television, or even radio.

During that time, I served my community in the traditional capacity of rural Wizard, pretty much as Rosemary Guiley described above. I created and conducted rituals of all kinds, from individual divinations (readings), initiations, handfastings (marriages), baby blessings, healings, house-blessings, protections and exorcisms—to large seasonal rituals for the entire community of about a hundred families, and even larger public events in the nearby town of Ukiah. I also taught in the little community school, and mentored a number of the kids as they grew up.

Medieval Wizard drawn by Gillot, engraved by Toullain

But our real Work from 1979-‘84 was raising unicorns. And when we traveled around the country exhibiting our living unicorns, our natural scene was Renaissance Faires, where my appropriately costumed persona (character) was that of Wizard (as Morning Glory was an Enchantress). When we did interviews for TV, magazines, and newspapers that were not associated with the Faires, we presented ourselves as Naturalists, which seemed pretty much the mundane equivalent.

What was it that drew me to Wizardry as a way of life, and encouraged me to choose a title that hardly anyone used in these modern times? Simply put, it’s the mythology of it all! My favorite mythological references come from fantasy and science fiction literature, as well as classical mythology. Such authors as J.R.R. Tolkien, Mary Stewart, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Ursula leGuin, Peter Beagle, and T.H. White have deeply infused my concept of what a Wizard is with their depictions of the likes of Merlin and Gandalf, with whom I immediately identified upon reading those tales.

But for me, the greatest appeal of both the historical and mythological Wizards with whom I identify, is that they were engaged in shaping the greater paradigm (model) of the society around them. Wizards, let’s face it, are natural-born meddlers! Alchemists, inventors, king-makers, prophets, seers, spell-casters, loremasters, teachers, initiators, magicians, visionaries—Wizards are perpetually engaged in world-transformation, trying to make the world a better place for everyone. This is the Great Work. Wizards do not think small! And Wizards know that the best way to predict the future is to create it. So, in the tradition of all the Wizards who have gone before me, my wizardly Great Work has been that of transforming and guiding the society in which I find myself into a new phase of social, cultural, and conceptual evolution. Virtually everything I have done in my life has been towards this end—including this Grimoire.

Lesson 3: Between the Worlds of Magick and Mundane

Wizards have also impressed with their intense belief in several levels of reality—that of the ordinary world, the extraordinary world of fairies, elves and other spirit entities, the hierarchy of the angels, and the realm of the higher being. Many Wizards have attempted to rise above Earthly concerns and focus on the spiritual worlds, forging links between the world of the living and that of the dead. Angels and the fairy folk are also believed to be the allies of various Wizards. Communication with beings from other dimensions has been taken seriously, and studied in depth.

—Anton & Mina Adams (The World of Wizards, p. 7)

One of the most basic understandings of Wizardry is that we live not just in a Universe, but in a Multiverse of many worlds. Now, a world is not merely the same thing as a planet (though planets are also referred to as worlds—especially those that may be inhabited). A world can be any realm or state of existence that we may inhabit or even imagine. We may speak geographically of the Old World (usually meaning Europe) or the New World (the Americas). Or we may divide societies into those of the Western World (Western Europe, North America, and Australia) or the Eastern World (Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia). Politically, nations today are seen as belonging to the Free World, the Communist World (which used to be much bigger, during the Cold War), or the Third World. We may even talk historically of the Ancient World, or the Modern World—or even the World of Tomorrow!

But there is also the World of Music, the World of Art, and the Wide World of Sports. There is the World of Science, the World of Computers, and the Animal World. There are literary worlds—such as the World of Middle-Earth, or the World of Harry Potter. And there are the Worlds of the Imagination, the Worlds of Myth, the Worlds of Dreams, the Worlds of Magick... It is these worlds in particular that are frequented and inhabited by Wizards, Witches, magicians, and other magickal folk—as well as elves, dragons, unicorns, faeries, gods, and spirits. This Grimoire you are holding will be your guidebook to the Worlds of Magick.

The wonderful Harry Potter books of J.K. Rowling present a mythos (that is, a foundation story) that says: Beyond the borders of the mundane (Muggle, as she calls it) world, there is another world—a world full of magick, and magickal people. This is a world of very different rules and principles, where Imagination, Hope, Dreams, and Love have real power to change and transform. And the thing is—as everyone who reads these books secretly hopes and suspects—this is true! This is my world; and if you wish to make it so, it can be yours.

I used the word mundane just now, to distinguish the ordinary, everyday, so-called normal world from the World of Magick. We call that world Mundania—and the people who live only in that world and know no other, we sometimes call mundanes or mundys. These words are not intended to be taken as insults, nor should they be used in that way. It is only a way of acknowledging that there are, indeed, different worlds.

There is no single name for the World of Magick. It has been called many names by many peoples. Mostly, magickal folk just refer to specific places—such as a particular magickal gathering-place, sanctuary, retreat center, forest, mountain, canyon, stone circle, and so on. Such places are often said to be between the worlds. Therefore, magickal folks—such as Wizards, Witches, and Shamans—are also known as Walkers Between the Worlds. For we are at home in any world, and frequently travel between them in the pursuit of our Work and Mission.

Our universe is embedded in an infinitely larger and more complex structure called the multiverse, which as a good approximation can be regarded as an ever-multiplying mass of parallel universes. Every time there is an event at the quantum level—a radioactive atom decaying, for example, or a particle of light impinging on your retina—the universe is supposed to split or differentiate into different universes.

—Roger Highfield

(The Science of Harry Potter, pp. 18–19)

3. Glossary: Wizards and Witches and Mages—oh my!

Now would probably be a good time to explain some of the different kinds of magickal folks. These terms can be confusing to the unfamiliar, so here is a brief little Glossary. (Also, one essential companion to this Grimoire must be a good dictionary!) An important thing to understand here is that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and any given individual may embody a number of them...indeed, a capable Wizard may be known by most of these terms! The primary distinction between Wizards and Sorcerers is around the issue of service: Wizards desire above all else to be of service; Sorcerers desire above all else to be served. Wizards (like Gandalf) bend all their efforts and magick towards making the world a better place—for everyone, and for all future generations. Sorcerers (like Sauron and Saruman) bend all their efforts and magick towards the singular goal of ruling the world—conquering, subduing, controlling and even enslaving everyone else.

Obviously, these desires and goals are diametrically opposed. Fortunately for all of us, the very nature of these distinctions supports the ultimate good, as Wizards cooperate and work with others, while Sorcerers are in ultimate competition (especially with each other), cannot trust anyone, cannot be trusted by anyone, and in general do not play well with others. As Gandalf said to Saruman, There is only one Lord of the Rings, and he does not share power!

Wizard: This is from the Anglo-Saxon wysard: wise one. A Wizard is a lore-master, especially of arcane (that is, lost or secret) knowledge (hence popular usage such as computer wizard). A Wizard is also a magickal practitioner; however, the word is rarely used today to describe a practitioner of Wicca (or Witchcraft)—or a member of any particular faith. Indeed, most (but not all) Wizards tend to be solitary, though they may belong to a Wizardly Council or Order. The most famous Wizard of history was Merlin. While the vast majority of Wizards throughout history have been men, there have been a few women Wizards as well—such as Mary the Jewess and Hypatia of Alexandria.

Vizier: This title comes from Arabic, meaning, bearer of burdens, and was given to the chief minister and adviser under the King. The most famous Vizier of ancient Egypt was Imhotep (yes, the Mummy), who was the Vizier of Pharaoh Djoser, and the world’s first known Wizard. The title often became synonymous with Court Wizard, especially when a Vizier was also renowned for his Wizardry—such as Imhotep or Merlin.

MMage: This term is often used as a synonym for Wizard, especially in a complimentary sense. A Mage may also be called a Magus, which means a master of the magickal arts. The ancient Magi (like the Three Wise Men in the Bible) were Zoroastrian Priests originating in Media and Persia (now Iran). The Persian word magu is the root of the word magic. This term became magos in Greek, and later magus in Latin; eventually coming to be used for wise and powerful magicians of any sort.

Sage: A Sage is an elderly person of sound judgment, who has achieved wisdom through reflection and experience. The term is used for a savant, an expert, a scholar, and a learned philosopher or teacher, such as Lao-Tzu or Socrates. Sagacity means wisdom, and wise counsel is called sage advice. Although Sages are usually considered to be men, Saga was a common Latin term for a Sorceress in the Middle Ages, and some wise women today identify themselves as Sages.

Mystic: A Mystic (from Greek mystai, meaning someone who has been initiated into secret Mysteries) is a person whose profound spiritual or otherworldly experiences have given them a deep intuitive comprehension or vision of hidden truths and awareness. Such experiences are usually indescribable, and therefore beyond rational human understanding and explanation.

Druid: The Druids were the priest class, the highly trained, intellectual elite of the Celtic tribes. They included both men and women.

Bard: In ancient Celtic tradition, Bards were part of the Orders that were headed by the Druids. Bards were the poets, musicians, and singers of the epic songs and tales that conveyed the history and lore of the people. At a time when very little was written down, a Bard was expected to memorize enormous amounts of poetry, songs, and stories.

Magician: Simply, any practitioner of the magickal arts. There are performance Magicians who create seemingly impossible illusions and feats with sleight-of-hand (prestidigitation) and special effects. And there are Ceremonial Magicians who create elaborate rituals designed to alter and transform the consciousness of themselves and others.

Alchemist: Alchemy was the forerunner of modern chemistry, blending Egyptian metallurgy was with Greek philosophy and Middle Eastern mysticism. The goals of Alchemists were the discovery of the Philosopher’s Stone that would transform base metals into gold; and the Elixir of Life that would heal all ills and allow one to live forever.

Sorcerer/Sorceress: Sorcery implies some sort of supernatural power over people and their affairs. People who wield such magickal charm or influence are called Sorcerers (or Sorceresses in the case of women). This term has a generally negative connotation, implying evil or black magick. The most famous Sorceress of legend was Circe (SUR-see). In Homer’s Odyssey, she turned Odysseus’ men into pigs.

Enchantress/Enchanter: Unlike sorcery, enchantment has very positive connotations. Enchantresses are bewitching, fascinating, charming, sexy women whose magick brings delight and pleasure to others. The word is often used as a compliment for particularly attractive and charismatic Witches and Gypsies. A man who embodies those characteristics may be known as an Enchanter, though this term is rarely used for men.

Soothsayer: Literally, truth sayer. An old word for prophets, visionaries, seers, and fortunetellers. The word could be used for anyone who predicts the future. Another word meaning the same thing is Mantis (Diviner), as in the insect known as the Praying Mantis. The many techniques of divination are called The Mantic Arts, and practitioners are called -mancers.

Seer: This term dates from the 14th century and means one who sees. A Seer is a person credited with extraordinary moral and spiritual insight, who predicts events or developments. The term may be used for anyone who practices divination (magickal techniques for finding lost information or predicting the future) especially by concentrating on a glass or crystal globe (scrying). Other words for Seer are Sibyl and Oracle.

Necromancer: Someone who conjures up the spirits of the dead to speak with them and learn hidden knowledge and secret information, and to foretell the future. Today people who do this are usually called Mediums or Channels. Necromancy is a form of divination.

Scott Fray

Cybermancer: This word refers to Computer Wizards—particularly hackers and those who specialize in seeking out and obtaining obscure information through sophisticated Internet search techniques. Another name for this is Technomage, from the science-fiction TV series Babylon 5.

Prophet: Prophets are usually divinely inspired preachers, who often speak on behalf of the Gods and Goddesses themselves. They are great teachers, known for compelling religious visions and revelations—often completely transforming their societies. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed are considered the great Prophets of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Philosopher: From the earliest beginnings in ancient Greece, Philosophers have sought to understand the underlying principles and nature of life, the universe, and everything. They seek to apply wisdom, knowledge, and reason to every aspect of life and society, and they are particularly known for being great teachers. Since philosophy includes metaphysics (the nature of reality and the origins of everything), Wizards are often also referred to as Natural Philosophers.

Shaman: The spiritual leaders in traditional tribal cultures are the Shamans, or medicine men and women, who are both gifted and learned in talents and skills of divination, herbalism, hypnosis, psychic work, and sorcery. In some places these may be called Witch Doctors. They are the village teachers, magicians, spirit guides, healers, and midwives. In particular, the Shaman uses altered states of consciousness (often aided by certain sacred medicine plants) to control psychic phenomena and travel to and from the spirit realm. The term originates with Siberian shamans, and specifically refers to Tibetan, Siberian, Mongolian, Inuit, and others.

Cunning Man/Woman: Cunning comes from the Old Norse cunna (to know) and the Old English kenning (wise). This term has been applied to the resident magicians and healers of small English towns and villages ever since the late Middle Ages. They were also called wise man or woman, Wizard, conjurer, sorcerer, charmer, blesser, peller (expeller), white Witch and recently, hedge Witch. Like traditional tribal Shamans, these country White Witches possess magickal healing powers and provide cures, remedies, charms, spells, and divination—usually for a modest fee. Most were old people, who claimed their title by heredity or through supernatural encounters.

Tungusik (Siberian) Shaman

Witch: In Medieval Europe and Britain, Cunning Women were often called Wicce—an Anglo-Saxon word meaning shaper—from which we get our term Witch. This word, in turn, comes from Middle High German wicken (to conjure). Modern Witches include both men and women, and much of their magick is directed towards healing, of people and the Earth. Many Witches also practice divination and magickal techniques for the evolution of consciousness.

Cunning Man

Wicca: Wicca is a modern subset of traditional Witchcraft emphasizing its aspect as a Pagan mystery religion. Wiccan rites—held at the full (and sometimes dark) Moons and the Solstices, Equinoxes and Cross Quarters—celebrate an annual God and perennial (ever-living) Goddess through the phases of the Moon and the cycle of the seasons. Wiccan ethical principles temper personal freedom with personal responsibility. The Wiccan Rede (counsel) states: As it harm none, do as you will.

Pagan: Paganism (meaning of the country) is a collection of diverse spiritual paths which are rooted in or inspired by indigenous (native) and Classical (ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, etc.) traditions worldwide. Paganism is often referred to as The Old Religion—meaning pre-Christian. Pagans believe in the interconnectedness of all life, animism (everything is alive), pantheism (everything is Divine), polytheism (there are many gods and spirits), and immanent divinity (divinity is within everyone—expressed by some as Thou art God/dess). Pagans value diversity, good works, living lightly on the Earth, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and equality between men and women. Many (but not all) magickal folk identify their spiritual practice as Pagan.

Priest/Priestess: A man or woman dedicated to the service of the Gods—often concentrating on a single manifestation or aspect (such as a Priest of Apollo, or a Priestess of Aphrodite). They may also serve a community of worshippers. Priestly tasks can include maintenance of temples and altars, administering of sacraments, conducting and presiding over rites and rituals, pastoral counseling, etc. They may also serve as a direct channel for the spirit and voice of their chosen Deities.

Warlock: I left this one for last, as it is a word very rarely used in the Magickal community. This old term of insult comes from Old English waer-loga: traitor or liar. It once described a Witch who betrayed others to the Witch hunters, and it is often used erroneously by Mundanes to refer to male Witches. Today, some Wiccans may use the term for an initiated Witch who turns against the Craft.

Lesson 4. Rules of Wizardry

(The following comes mostly from Julie Epona)

With every new thing you have learned in Life there has been a set of Rules. In Kindergarten you learned to share and not to push. In soccer or baseball you learned the rules of the game; the boundaries and how to keep score. In math you have learned how to manipulate numbers and in your language classes you have learned the rules of spelling and punctuation.

In Magick and Wizardry there are also Rules. Some will be quite obvious, like the result of successfully crossing home-plate. Other rules will be more difficult to understand and apply, like the rules of commas and i before e. Rest assured that with experience will come greater understanding.

One final note before we begin discussing these rules. You must clearly understand the difference between real Magick and Illusion. Illusion is a craft of the entertainer, like dance or music. The Illusionist can make elephants dance or tigers disappear. Magick is the art and science of manipulating probability. The Wizard controls his life and changes his destiny through interaction with the Universe within all of its dimensions.

Here is a list of rules for Magick and Wizardry:

• Magick is real.

• Magick is both an art and an experimental science.

• Intention controls Results.

• Don’t invoke what you can’t banish.

• Always consider the options.

• Know yourself.

• Be watchful of what you do and say.

• Question authority.

• The best way to predict the future is to create it.

• Keep silent regarding a Magickal work for 24 hours, lest your analysis create doubt, thereby weakening the Intention that binds your spell.

• The job isn’t done until you’ve put away the tools and cleaned up the mess.

Write these down in your journal and commit them to memory. These rules need to become as integral to your life as knowing which hand you use to hold your fork. Now, we will discuss each rule in turn.

Magick is real. The things you accomplish with your spells, incantations, and invocations will affect your future. The beings that you call forth within your Magick Circle exist within the Spirit Realm. Magick is real; it is not a metaphor. The symbols and correspondences you will learn are tools to enable you to control your Reality.

Know yourself. Socrates once told his students that an unexamined life is not worth living. As you travel the path of the Apprentice, you will maintain your Magickal Journal. Your notes and observations will enable you to learn who you truly are and what you truly want. Through meditation and focus you will learn why you respond to events and things in specific ways. As you learn more about yourself, you will gain the knowledge you need to change and become the Wizard you want to be.

The best way to predict the future is to create it. It is human nature to want to know what is about to happen. Many people throughout history and in our current time have turned to psychics and forms of divination to learn what lies ahead. The Wizard has the power to create the future he wants. To manifest what you desire will enable you to predict your future.

Question authority. Why is a very powerful word. As an Apprentice you must question why something is done, and why it is done in a certain way. Understanding why leads to a clearer understanding of how. Your ability to question why something is being asked of you or expected of you will protect you. Questioning can and must be done with respect for the teacher. However, you must always be willing to stand up and say no when someone gives you an instruction that goes against what you know to be your best interest. Your ability to question will protect you from others who wish to manipulate you.

Be certain you understand why before you act. Respect those who have come this way before, and learn from them. But if they say, It can’t be done, chances are it can be done or there is another way of achieving the same goal. I say, if it works for you, use it. If it doesn’t, don’t use it.

Magick is both an Art and an experimental science. Some people, like some artists, are naturally good at magick. However, with practice, someone who is not as good as others can easily become better than those who put no effort into the work. Remember that authors, writers, and lecturers try to share magick the best way they can. But that doesn’t mean it will work perfectly for you. Experiment and use what others say as a guide, not as a law.

Intention controls results. A Wizard’s most powerful tool is his intention, his will to manifest what he desires. If the desire is for knowledge, then an intention of becoming a diligent student will enable you to obtain the desire. However, if your intention is to ace the test without the necessary study, your results will probably be disappointing. With Magick it is extremely important to be very clear on your intention before you start the Working.

Be watchful of what you do and say. Magick happens all the time, not just when you are in a ritual.

Don’t invoke what you can’t banish. We have already established that Magick is real. The Elementals, Deities, and Spirits do exist and will be present when called. Some are friendlier than others; all have their own agendas, which may not be the same as yours. It is very important that you can send your visitors back to their realm, before you invite them into yours.

Always consider the options. There are always options, various ways to act or not to act. Since Magick operates within the greater laws of the universe, it remains true that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Your analysis of the options to any given situation must include an understanding of the consequences, to the best of your ability. Sometimes, a third or fourth option is better than the either/or selection people think are their only choices. The corollary is to always think before you act.

The job isn’t done until you’ve put away the tools and cleaned up the mess. This is true whether you’re doing your math homework, building a model, or casting a spell. Your task is not complete until you have put everything in its place and returned your space to its neutral state. A Magick Circle left in disarray will drain the focus from your working and undo what you have worked to create.

Keep silent regarding a magickal work for 24-hours, lest your analysis create doubt, thereby weakening the Intention that binds your spell. As we have discussed, your intention will control your results. Once your working is complete and the space has been returned to its proper state, then you need to keep silent about what you have done. Analysis can lead to doubt that will degrade your intention and focus, thereby reducing the positive energy flowing into your spell. You should immediately record what you did and how you felt in your Journal. Wait 24 hours, then discuss your working with those you trust. After this waiting period you can begin to explore what results you can observe and analyze how you accomplished the working, with an eye toward making the working stronger the next time.

As you travel the path of the Apprentice these Rules will strengthen and protect you. Learn them well.

Task: Your Magickal Journal

Here is your first task in your studies as a Wizard’s Apprentice: Acquire a blank Journal or diary to write in. You will be able to find blank notebooks or diaries with distinctive covers—sometimes even little padlocks—in many gift stores, especially metaphysical ones. Try to purchase one with a hard cover, so that it will hold up well over time. Don’t put anything special on the outside cover to indicate what your magickal journal is, but on the inside, copy this book-plate design and glue it to the first page, filling in your magical name (see Class II) in the blank space, as well as the date you begin using it

In your magickal journal, I want you to write something just about every day. Just like a Captain’s Log, start each entry with the date, and the time of day. Mention how the weather is, and where you are. Later, you will be able to look back and perhaps connect mood with weather, or begin to note synchronicities between events in the natural world and your inner world. Including location and parts of your environment will sharpen your powers of observation, and activate envisioning skills later. You might also note differences between day and night musings.

Write what’s happening in your life, and how you feel about it. Write down your dreams when you wake up (although later we’ll talk about having a special Dream Journal just for dreams). Write about your discoveries and insights. Write about your friends and family. Record your adventures, family trips, summer vacations. Write what makes you happy, and what makes you sad. Write poetry and draw pictures. Write down your magickal spells and experiments, and later on, note the results. When you fill up one volume, note the final date on the bookplate, put it away in a safe place, and get another.

6. Recreational Reading (Fiction)

As you study these lessons, you might also enjoy some recreational reading about Wizards and Wizardry. The following fantasy stories and series are favorites among members of the Grey Council, and they contain much authentic wizardly wisdom:

Diane Duane—Young Wizards series: So You Want to be a Wizard (1996); Deep Wizardry (1996); High Wizardry (1997); A Wizard Abroad (1999); The Wizard’s Dilemma (2002); A Wizard Alone (2002); The Wizard’s Holiday (2003); Wizards at War (2007)

Lyndon Hardy—Master of the Five Magics (1984); Secret of the Sixth Magic (1988); Riddle of the Seven Realms (1988)

Tamora Pierce—Circle of Magic: Sandry’s Book (1997); Tris’s Book (1998); Daja’s Book (1998; Briar’s Book (1999);—The Circle Opens: Magic Steps (2000); Street Magic (2001); Cold Fire (2002); Shatterglass (2003)

Terry Pratchett—Tiffany Aching series: Wee Free Men (2004); A Hatful of Sky (2005); Winterking (2007)

T.H. White—The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Class II: Becoming a Wizard

You’re a Wizard, Harry—and a thumpin’ good one, I’d wager!—once you train up a little. Didja ever make anything happen? Anything you couldn’t explain—when you were angry, or scared?

—Hagrid (from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—the movie)

1. Introduction: What a Wizard Needs to Know

ASKED SOME MEMBERS OF THE GREY Council to make a list of what they thought a Wizard ought to know and be able to do. Here are some of the answers. These things are true of all the Wizards I know. To learn all this is a lifelong quest, but for you it will begin here, with your Apprenticeship.

A Wizard should...

Be a constant student of life;

See the Divine in Nature and Nature in the Divine;

Not say a word and be clearly heard;

Lead without force and teach without pride;

Take the most mundane things and surroundings, sense their inner magick and be able to open that window for others;

Stare into the dark infinity of the night sky and feel it as an awesome source;

Love the beauty of paradox and always be able to see the cosmic humor in the darkest times;

Be a shapeshifter to blend in or be invisible if needed... and make those around feel safe, and heard;

Maintain his calm center and clear mind when all about him is chaos;

Open his inner eyes and really see;

Say I don’t know... and realize that is great wisdom, that is okay;

Have compassion for all beings, and know when to be a healer and when to be a witness;

Know that the secrets of magick are bestowed upon the open-hearted;

Speak to the Gods and know he is heard;

Cast a sphere of protection and light;

Make up his own mind, walk his own path and never follow another blindly;

Know the courage and power of nonviolence and the swift strength of a keen mind;

Conjure a tale or myth that the moment requires to be understood;

Know the plants and creatures of the wild enough to call them friends and allies;

See the God and Goddess within all and everyone; Have a spirit that glows in the dark.

—Katlyn Breene

A Wizard should be able to master self control, share freely, keep their environment clean, design their lives, create sacred space, respect the beliefs and truths of others, take care of their own basic needs, work effectively with and without magical tools, face challenges with confidence, create music, create art, walk responsibly on the Earth, listen as well as speak, exercise good judgment, take responsibility, grant kindness, design a ritual, write a poem, balance accounts, build a wall, help the vulnerable, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, shun ego reactions, act alone, cooperate in a group, solve dilemmas, analyze a new problem, do menial tasks cheerfully, program a computer, cook a healthy meal, fight efficiently, avoid Witch wars, cultivate a generous spirit, live courageously and die gallantly. Elitism is for the insecure.

—Abby Willowroot

Above all else, a Wizard knows himself—what drives him, and his weaknesses, for without this knowledge, he is not a Wizard at all.

—Rev. Pete Pathfinder Davis

Lesson 2: Your Apprenticeship; my Mentorship

It is a common magickal saying that When the Student is ready, the Teacher will appear. But, like all Great Truths, the opposite is also true: When the Teacher is ready, the Student will appear. Long before there were ever schools, and still today in many fields, people learned their crafts by becoming Apprentices to Masters. For one who has spent a lifetime learning and mastering an art, a craft, a trade, or a profession, the time comes when he or she begins looking for a protégé (PRO-te-zhay), or successor who will wish to carry on the Work into the next generation. At that point, a Master turns towards teaching, and accepts students—and, hopefully, Apprentices.

The word mentor comes from the ancient Greek story of Odysseus (o-DESS-ee-us), as told in The Odyssey by Homer. Mentor was the name of his loyal friend and advisor, and the teacher of his son, Telemachus (tel-EM-a-kus). So a mentor came to mean a wise and loyal advisor, a teacher and coach. And it is especially used to mean an older person who offers the kind of guidance and counsel a boy or girl needs to make the transition from childhood, through adolescence, and into the responsibilities of adulthood.

When I was young, I had several mentors who were very important to me, and who helped guide me during the most important choices and transitions I had to make. I directed my primary studies towards psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, archaeology, and comparative religions. These were the fields in which I majored, and they became the basis for my professional career in the mundane world for many years. And, along with my continuing explorations of science and natural history, these studies led me into Wizardry.

Being an Apprentice Wizard

And so, in writing this Grimoire, I am taking on the role and responsibility of mentorship for you, as it had been given to me in my youth. There is a very important saying among magickal people: What goes around comes around. When we truly understand this, we automatically want to pass on the gifts we have been given, when it comes our turn to do so. And so it is.

In olden days, Apprentices would often leave home and go to live with the Master. Like Arthur with Merlin, or Dick Grayson at Wayne Manor, they might live in the same house, as a Ward. Sometimes they would live with other apprentices or students in a Guild Hall, Studio, or (as at Hogwarts) a student dormitory in a special school. You, of course, will be living at your own home. But when you are reading this book, I’d like you to imagine you are sitting right here with me in my study, or working beside me in my garden, or joining me in a walk through the forests, across the fields, along the seashore. Or maybe we will just be lying on our backs on a hillside, looking up at the stars...

So, now that you have started your apprenticeship, what is it we are going to expect of each other? Well, you can expect of me that I will provide you these lessons in an organized and systematic order. You can count on me to give you the most honest, reliable and responsible information I know. I will be your teacher, and your mentor. After all, my greatest hope is that you will carry on my Work, add to it, and, in your turn, pass the torch to the next generation...

As for what I expect of you...First of all, I expect you to pay attention. I expect you to take care of yourself, and treat others well. I expect you, in fact, to be excellent to each other! I expect you to study and learn these Lessons. And write something in your magickal journal just about every day.

Lesson 3. Your Family

—mostly by Patricia Telesco

During this time in your life, it is very important to get along with your family. Magickal paths may come and go, but family is forever. Honoring your parents can be hard and sometimes frustrating, but it’s worth it and it’s a way of giving back something to your family that’s very Wizardly—that is, respect! I’m hoping you will have a good enough relationship with your own parents that you can talk with them about all this. Of course, if your parents are like Harry Potter’s horrible aunt and uncle, that may not be easy! Few of us are lucky enough to be born into magickal families. In fact, we even have a name for magickal children born to Mundy parents: we call them Changelings. I was a Changeling myself. So, if you also are a Changeling, here are a few tips to help you communicate with your folks:

Consider your family’s background—find the things that are similar to Wizardry, and focus on those in your talks with your parents. There’ll be plenty of time to hash out the differences later. Whatever you do, don’t show up for talks with Mom and Dad in a robe and waving a wand! I suggest one of mom’s favorite sweaters and your hair combed. If you want them to take your choice seriously, look like a serious young adult.

Be likewise respectful of your friend’s families, knowing that your choice to be a Wizard is a private and personal one. It’s one with which not everyone is going to be comfortable, and sometimes no matter how excited you may be, it’s best to keep mentions about that part of your life for appropriate times and places.

If the worst thing happens and your parents say no to this book and to your magickal interests, know that being a Wizard begins in your mind, heart, and spirit. No one can change what you are. They might delay your studies a bit, but that’s all. In your home, your parents are still #1 and accepting their decision with maturity will usually impress them. Try revisiting the idea in six months or a year. Even Rome wasn’t built in a day, and allaying parental misgivings can take time, but persistence can pay off.

But if you can keep your grades up at school (I know you’re smart!), and you can manage to stay out of too much trouble (well, that may be a bit harder, of course), hopefully your folks will let you hang out with your magickal friends. You’ll have this book, and they’ll probably have some others, and these books will give you all kinds of ideas for things to do together.

Lesson 4: Your Magickal Names

As a Wizard, you will acquire several names at different phases of your life. Your first name is the one your parents gave you when you were born. If you were born into a magickal family, it may even have been given to you in a special naming ceremony, or saining (baby blessing). This is your birth-name, and the one by which your parents and close family will always know you. In all tribal societies, and in the magickal community, a second name is given at the first Rite of Passage, from childhood into adolescence (traditionally on or between your 11th and 13th birthdays). There are many variations of such rites, but they commonly include an ordeal, or challenge.

On the day the boy was thirteen years old, the Wizard Ogion returned to the village, and the ceremony of Passage was held. The Witch took from the boy the name his mother had given him as a baby. Nameless and naked he walked into the cold springs of the river Ar where it rises among rocks under the high cliffs. He crossed to the far bank, shuddering with cold but walking slow and erect as he should through that icy, living water. As he came to the bank Ogion, waiting, reached out his hand and clasping the boy’s arm whispered to him his true name.

Thus was he given his name by one very wise in the uses of power.

— Ursula LeGuin (A Wizard of Earthsea, pp. 14)

The name you receive upon this Rite of Passage is your first magickal name, or, as it is sometimes called, your circle name. It is the name by which you will be known among other magickal folk, but not among Mundanes. If it is given to you ritually by a mage, it may also be your soul-name or true name. Usually around the same time you will also acquire a use-name, or nickname, by which you will be known to your friends. Later, as you go forward through life on a magickal path, you will acquire other names among other circles of people. If you receive Initiation into various magickal Orders, Circles, or Traditions, you may be given a new circle name each time, to be used only among those people. Since most people in the magickal community also move in the mundane world (going to school, having jobs, etc.), many have a common magickal use-name that serves them in both communities—such as Star, Dragon, or Wolf.

The magickal name chosen by members of the original Order of the Golden Dawn was often just their family motto. Today, however, most magickal people pick a name that is deeply meaningful to them personally, and to their spiritual direction. The search to find such a name can be time-consuming, involving, and powerful to those who do it.

Until you actually undergo a Rite of Passage or magickal Initiation, you cannot receive a true magickal name from me or anyone else. Later on, I will offer you a Quest to find a True Name for yourself. This will be a deep journey of discovery into your own essential identity and destiny, and may take awhile to fulfill. But right now, at this beginning of your apprenticeship, I recommend that you consider taking a magickal use-name, with which you will personally identify, and be known by among your closest friends.

Quest: Choose your Magickal Use-Name

Many people in the magickal community choose use-names based upon things of Nature. Especially popular are totems—that is, those animals with which they feel the closest kinship. For many years (1979-‘94) my use-name was Otter. In the Bestiaries in 6.I and 7.III of this Grimoire, you can find lists of both natural and magickal creatures, and their attributes. If you feel a greater kinship with plants than with animals, you might wish to take a green name, such as a tree, herb, or flower. There are also minerals, places, stories, and so on that you can draw from. This chart gives a few examples out of countless possibilities.

Colors: You can also add a color to any name—like Greywolf, Silverflame, or Whiteoak. See 1.III.7: The Colors of Magick for color attributions.

Combining: Any of these names (or others you may come up with) can be combined into one name, like author Starhawk, or used as two or even three, like the late actor River Phoenix; or author Silver Ravenwolf. You can get names like Snowcat, Seawolf, Stardancer, or Skywise (from Elfquest). Use your imagination!

Animals:

Badger

Bear

Buffalo

Cougar

Crow

Dragon

Eagle

Fox

Gryphon

Hawk

Horse

Moose

Otter

Phoenix

Raven

Robin

Spider

Tiger

Wolf

Plants:

Ash

Aspen

Branch

Bud

Cypress

Fir

Forest

Herb

Leaf

Oak

Root

Rowan

Seed

Thorn

Minerals:

Amber

Crystal

Jade

Jasper

Rock

Stone

Attributes:

Binder

Bringer

Cutter

Dancer

Finder

Flyer

Healer

Lover

Jumper

Mender

Runner

Singer

Walker

Weaver

Wise

Others:

Dark

Fire

Flame

Heart

Light

Lore

Moon

Ocean

Rain

River

Sea

Snow

Sky

Spark

Star

Storm

Sun

Tempest

Way

Numerology: Another consideration is your magickal number. This is taken by adding up all the numbers in your birthdate (including all four digits in the year), and then adding them again, until you get a final single-digit number. This is your birth number. Many magickal folks believe that your name should have the same number. See Class VIII: Mathemagickal Numbers & Forms; Quest: Your Lucky Number.

A Naming Ceremony

When you have finally chosen a magickal name for yourself, you should write it into the following spell (and in your Magickal Journal). Then stand in front of a mirror, look yourself in the eye, and say:

I name myself _______________________.

__________________________ do I know.

I am now __________________________.

And what I say three times is so!

By all the powers of land and sea,

By all the might of Moon and Sun,

As I do will, so mote it be;

Seal the spell and be it done!

Lesson 5: The School of Magick & Wizardry

Much of your life right now probably revolves around going to school. Unfortunately, your school probably isn’t very much like Hogwarts! But it can be, for you—a lot more so than you might think. After all, school means studying, and you now have this Grimoire to study, right along with your regular textbooks. And school means having teachers. I’m betting that you probably have at least one really good teacher in your school—and through this Grimoire, you also have me, and the other Wizards of the Grey Council.

Get to know your favorite teachers; stay after class and talk to them. You may be surprised at how cool some of them can be when you get to know them... I know, because I have taught in public school myself (and have also worked as a school counselor), and I know many magickal folks who work as teachers in schools all over the world. They never make a point of revealing themselves, but they’re out there—and you can find them, if you just look carefully.

And best of all, school means having friends. It used to be that kids like you (and me) were the weirdos in school. The really cool kids were the jocks and cheerleaders—they were in, and we were out. They had the best parties, and we were never invited. But all this has changed. There are many, many people now in the worldwide magickal community—and many of us have kids. They’re known as Magikids, and they go to school, just like you do. I’m betting that there’s at least one right in your own class. They won’t be too hard to find—just look for the magickal jewelry (especially pentacles). And if you wear a pentacle too, they’ll find you. And now that you are my Apprentice, you have an in. If they’re part of the magickal community, their parents may already know me or have read some of my writings. If you become friends with them, you will form the nucleus of your own magickal circle.

At the time of this writing, there is no residential School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like Hogwarts where you can go. It is one of my fondest hopes to change that... There are, however, currently a number of online courses available—especially in Witchcraft. There are even a few special Summer Camps for Magikids run by real Witches and Wizards. And you should certainly check out our own online Grey School of Wizardry at: www.GreySchool.com.

Regarding Harry Potter

—by Susan Morris, aka Chasmodai

I’ve read some very nasty fundamentalist articles calling the Harry Potter series a Satanic threat, claiming it was written to steal the souls of children or lure them away from mainstream religions. To teach them that Witches are good (this usually includes a diatribe on the evil of Witches,) so they are more likely to become Witches. Such writers demonstrate their own ignorance and bigotry, which says far more against them than against Harry Potter or Witches.

While the Harry Potter books are considered by most Witches and Wizards to be very positive and fun, they really don’t present any religious concepts at all, and should not be associated with the religion of Wicca or Paganism. The stories do present some of the myths about Witches and Wizards in a positive way; but they still present the stereotypes instead of the truth. Most people know that real Witches and Wizards don’t really fly on broomsticks, of course. But many Witches are concerned that impressionable children might confuse the fantasy of Harry Potter with real Magick and Witchcraft.

Of course, general values that true Witches and Wizards hold are presented—Harry Potter is a good kid who eventually wins out. But the Harry Potter stories should not be considered as anything more than delightful works of fiction.

Lesson 6: Being a Magikid in the Public School

Studies: The foundation of Wizardry is rooted in knowledge of many things, and one of the most obvious characteristics of any Wizard is an intense curiosity about almost everything. Being in school gives you a great opportunity to discover and explore some of these fields. History and the natural sciences are especially important, as are geography and literature also. And if you can find it offered, of course world mythology will surely be one of your favorites!

Drama and Performance: There are several places in the public schools where Magikids like you can find a perfect fit. The very best is the drama department. Long, long ago, clear back in the Stone Age, everything happened around the campfire. Making music and telling stories (and acting them out) around the fire eventually turned into both theatre and ritual. And so the Theatre has always been the heart of magick. Try out for every school play.

If you don’t get an acting part, join the stage crew. Work on props, costumes, makeup, sets—anything to become part of the theater. Did you ever notice, when they roll the credits at the end of a movie, the list of actors is fairly short, but the list of all the rest of the crew and people it took to produce that movie goes on and on and on. There’s a whole World there, and it’s full of magick! In fact, that’s probably the place where you’ll find most of the other Magikids also...

In this Grimoire, you’ll be learning a bit of performance magic (called conjury) along with all the rest. You can put on your own little magic shows, and create your own magical persona (character), and everyone will be delighted. You can even learn a string of jokes, and do a stand-up comedy routine (my first Apprentice and stepson, Zack, has made quite a career out of this!). I also recommend very highly learning to juggle! Juggling is such an important wizardly skill that many old writings do not even distinguish between jugglers and magicians. In fact, the Magician card of the tarot is also called The Juggler.

Art: If you have any artistic abilities, take all the art classes you can. Learn drawing, painting, sculpture, woodcarving, pottery, weaving, sewing, jewelry making. Make your own sigils, amulets, pentacles, wands, chalices, robes, altar figures. Offer your artistic services for school posters, playbills, drawings for the school paper, etc. Artists are highly appreciated in the magickal community—as well as in the theater. There is always a demand for magazine and book illustrations, jewelry, posters, T-shirts, figurines, and other things like that. In fact, being an artist (creating jewelry and sculptures of Gods and Goddesses) is the main way I support my family!

Music: Music has always been a very important part of magick. Bardcraft was regarded as the foundation of all Druidry, and the power of the ancient singers, bards, and minstrels could topple tyrannical kings. If you have any musical abilities whatsoever (which I, regrettably, have not), then by all means work to develop these. Learn to play a musical instrument (especially the guitar). Join the school band, or sing in a chorus or choir. Learn traditional songs—especially ballads. Write your own poetry, and set it to music. You can find lots of wonderful inspiration from currently available recordings.

On Science and Magick: Being a Wizard means that you will work with forces and effects that have not, thus far, been validated by mainstream science. That doesn’t mean that you should automatically believe in anything that sounds cool and strange, nor does it mean that you should dismiss science as the limited view of narrow minds. Science is a very powerful systematic use of our minds to learn things. It is, however—and this is the part that is generally not taught or admitted in our schools—a limited set of tools.

Science works very well for studying phenomena that lend themselves to experimentation. That is, the kinds of things where you can carefully control the conditions under which the experiment happens and where you have access to all the information about what happens to the thing you are studying. But science doesn’t work very well for studying complex, chaotic systems, or phenomena that are very rare and only appear under unusual conditions that can’t be created in a laboratory. The history of science is filled with examples of real things (like meteorites, ball lightning, continental drift, unicorns, or giant squids) that were declared by the leaders of mainstream science not to exist, because these leaders had never seen them and couldn’t figure out an explanation for how they could exist. Once evidence to explain these phenomena was discovered, they were finally admitted to be real by scientists who had denied their reality for years.

In the early 20th century, a mathematician named Gödel actually proved that it is mathematically inevitable that the Universe will contain things that are true but cannot be proven. Wizards work with such forces and phenomena. So be a critical thinker and be interested in learning about how the world works, and also keep an open mind about things that seem to be true even though we don’t understand how...yet.

Task: Create Your Personal Altar

To begin any kind of magickal practice, you will need to create a personal altar in your room. This will be a place to display your magickal tools, and it will be the center of much of your magickal practice. Personal altars are as varied and as individual as the people who have them. There is no really wrong way to make one. Any flat horizontal surface can be made into an altar. Many magickal folk use a small table (square, round, or rectangular), a bureau, dresser or cabinet, the top of a TV, or even one shelf of a bookcase (mine is like that—though our large Ravenheart Family Altar is on the mantle over our fireplace). If you have very little space, a particularly convenient way to make a personal altar is a triangular shelf attached to the walls in a corner of your room. An altar can be any size you find convenient, but I recommend one at least two feet wide and a foot deep. Once you have a suitable altar space, you will need an altar cloth. A decorated silk scarf or large handkerchief is ideal, but any piece of pretty material you like will do. If you check your local metaphysical store, you will probably find some lovely altar cloths with magickal designs printed on them. For color-coded magick, you will want to have appropriately colored altar cloths.

There are a few things that go on almost every altar. First, you should have something to represent each of the Elements (Earth, Air, Fire, and Water). Earth may be represented by a crystal, a geode, a little cup of salt, a pentacle, bread, fruit, or even a small potted plant. Air might be represented by a feather, a thurible (incense burner), a bell, a flute, or a dried butterfly. Water is usually contained in a cup, or chalice—but a seashell, starfish, or piece of coral also makes a lovely representation of this Element. Water in your chalice should never be allowed to get stale, but should be refreshed regularly—especially before any working. Fire is universally represented by a red votive candle in a red jar, but