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The Grey School of Wizardry is a school specializing in occult magic, operating primarily on-line and as a non-profit educational institution in the State of California. It is the world's first Wizard academy[1] and is recognized as an academic institution.[2] It is a secular institution, not a religious one. Over 200 classes are offered in 16 magickal Departments. Graduates are certified as “Journeyman Wizards.”

History

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The Grey School of Wizardry first opened on the Pagan holiday of Lughnasadh on August 1st, 2004. In 2011 it reported 735 students.[1] The school's motto is: Omnia vivunt, omnia inter se conexa (“Everything is alive; everything is interconnected” — Cicero). It is a nonprofit educational institute for children over 11 years of age, and adults.[3] The name of the school may derive from the colors associated with the wizards in the J. R. Tolkien classic, Lord of the Rings and, in particular, with the appendix to the name of the protagonist Gandalf (the Grey).[4] It was incorporated as a non-profit educational institution in California on 14 March, 2004,[5] and received a 501(c)(3) tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service on September 27, 2007.[6]

The Grey School was created by the Grey Council, a group of experts in magick, some of whom serve on or contribute to the Grey School of Wizardry's faculty. The Grey Council continues to serve as an advisory board for the school. It includes such notable members as Raymond Buckland, Raven Grimassi, Donald Michael Kraig, Nicki Scully, Robert Lee "Skip" Ellison, Patricia Telesco, Jesse Wolf Hardin, Ellen Evert Hopman, Jeff McBride and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart.[7][8]

Curriculum

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The school's seven-year curriculum includes the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard (New Page, 2004) and its sequel, Companion for the Apprentice Wizard (New Page 2006). Both were written and compiled by the current headmaster of the school, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart.[9] Wizardry literally means, “wisdom”. The curriculum begins with simple lessons, and increases in complexities as students progress.

Seventeen subjects are offered at the Grey School which provide basic, classical education in history, mythology, geography, mathematics, literature, natural history, astronomy, chemistry, physics, zoology, botany, healing, divination, cosmology and Latin, as well as performance arts/magics such as poetry, music, theater, and illusion.[10] Although some classes address mythology and comparative religion, the school's Grimoire (textbook of magic)[10], Companion for the Apprentice Wizard, and the school's philosophy focus on magic rather than spirituality.[11]

The program mirrors that of the fictitious "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" from the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling[12] and, like Hogwarts, the Grey School hosts four houses: Salamanders, Undines, Sylphs, and Gnomes, that are associated with the Elements Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. However, it is "an entirely serious project". It is an accredited educational institution with offerings for children raised in Pagan households, as well as ongoing educational opportunities for adults.[13] The virtual school was founded primarily to provide an education stream for modern Pagans and their children that is Pagan-focused.[14]

According to Isaac Bonewits[15], "The Grimoire collects in one book a library of wisdom about ceremonial native and Earth-centered magic, Paleo- and Neopagan religions, the obligations of the wise to protect the defenseless, great wizards and witches of the past and present, and more."[16] Bonewits also asserts that the school presented an opportunity for males whose need to study Paganism and Magic may not have necessarily been met by the offerings of the Wicca movement at the time. [17]

References

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  1. ^ a b (6 March, 2011) "World's First Wizard School Opened," Star of Mysore, India.
  2. ^ Myash, Jeff, (March 2, 2011), "This spells trouble! Real-life Dumbledore opens world's first wizard school", MailOnline, Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  3. ^ Fleischmann, Tom (Winter, 2009), "On Alticorns," Indiana Review, 31(2).
  4. ^ Cusack, Carole M. (2010) Invented Religions: Imagination, Fiction and Faith (Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate), 73-79.
  5. ^ Cusack, Carole M (2009) "Science Fiction as Scripture: Robert A. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land and the Church of All Worlds," Literature and Aesthetics: The Journal of the Sydney Society of Literature and Aesthetics, 19(2).
  6. ^ Knowles, George (29 November, 2009), "Oberon & Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart," "Controverscial.com", Retrieved 16 November, 2013.
  7. ^ Cusack, Carole M. (2010) “The Church of All Worlds and Pagan Ecotheology: Uncertain Boundaries and Unlimited Possibilities,” DISKUS, Vol 11.
  8. ^ Grey School of Wizardry: Grey Council Membership
  9. ^ "About the School: The Grey School of Wizardry", accessed 20 February 2013.
  10. ^ a b Guiley, Rosemary Ellen (2006). "grimoire". The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 1-4381-3000-7.
  11. ^ "About the School: The Grey School of Wizardry", accessed 20 February 2013.
  12. ^ Bonewits, Isaac (2005) The Pagan Man: Priests, Warriors, Hunters, and Drummers (Citadel) ISBN 0-8065-2697-1, ISBN 978-0-8065-2697-3, p. 84
  13. ^ Cusack, Carole M. (2010) Invented Religions: Imagination, Fiction and Faith (Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate), 75.
  14. ^ Possamai, Adam (2012) Handbook of Hyper-Real Religions, (Boston: Brill).
  15. ^ Aloi, Peg (August 12, 2010). "Isaac Bonewits (1949 - 2010) : A Tribute". Witchvox. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  16. ^ Bonewits, Isaac (2005) The Pagan Man: Priests, Warriors, Hunters, and Drummers (Citadel) ISBN 0-8065-2697-1, ISBN 978-0-8065-2697-3, p. 84
  17. ^ Bonewits, Isaac (2005) The Pagan Man: Priests, Warriors, Hunters, and Drummers (Citadel) ISBN 0-8065-2697-1, ISBN 978-0-8065-2697-3, p. 84

Further reading

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Books

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  • Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon - Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard (New Page Books, 2004)
  • Bonewits, Isaac - The Pagan Man (Kensington Citadel Press, 2005) p. 84
  • Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon - Companion for the Apprentice Wizard (New Page Books, 2006)
  • Adler, Margot - Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, (1979; revised and expanded 3rd edition Penguin Books, 2006) pp. 330, 334
  • Ash “LeopardDancer”, DeKirk - Dragonlore (New Page, 2006)
  • Pesznecker, Susan “Moonwriter” - Gargoyles (New Page, 2006)
  • Guiley, Rosemary - Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft (Facts on File, 3rd edition 2008)
  • Moonoak, Luke - Radiant Circles (The Solantis Institute, 2010)
  • Cusack, Carole - Invented Religions (Ashgate, 2010)

Magazines

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  • Prosser, Lee - Ghostvillage.com review Fate Magazine (March 19, 2004)
  • Seth, Shalini - The Grey School of Wizardry Emirates Today in the UAE (Nov. 18, 2005).
  • Night Sky, Michael & Anne Newkirk Niven - Oberon Zell: A Wizard’s Vision (PanGaia Magazine #47) (Autumn 2007) pp. 22-28

Academic Papers

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  • Cusack, Carole M., Associate Professor, BA (Hons), MEd, PhD, Editor, Journal of Religious History - The Church of All Worlds and Pagan Ecotheology: Uncertain Boundaries and Unlimited Possibilities Studies in Religion A20, University of Sydney NSW 2006

Online Publications

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  • Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon - Esoteric Education: Restoring the Wonder [1]
  • Beattie, Bill - Interview with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart Witchcraft Magazine (Australia) (May 18, 2005) [2]
  • O’Gaea, Ashleen - Interview with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart Tapestry (Litha and Lammas issues, 2005) [3]
  • Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon - The Grey School of Wizardry’s 1st Birthday Five Feathers Magazine (Sept. 2005) [4]
  • Elson, Rebecca - Ten Questions with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart The Magical Buffet (issue 16) [5]
  • Shadowlands, Harlequin - Interview with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart The Witches Codex, [6]
  • Badb, Jillbe - Interview with a Living Pagan Icon The Druid’s Egg (Imbolg 2007) (Contributing Editor) [7]
  • Pesznecker, Susan “Moonwriter” - Profile: The Grey School of Wizardry The Magical Buffet, March 2007. [8]
  • Online Wizardry Recognized with a 501(c)(3) - Alternative Approaches.com (October 29, 2007) [9]
  • Wind, Mabyn An Interview with Oberon Zell-Ravenheart - Penton (Dec. 2007) [10]
  • Sffarlenn, Laneth - Wizards of Old and New, the Grey School is Calling For You! The Witches’ Voice (February 11th. 2008) [11]
  • Zaman, Natalie - We’re Off to Meet a Wizard: The Wonderful Oberon Zell! Broomstix (Beltane 2008) [12]
  • White, Peter M. - Oberon Zell-Ravenheart Interview The Witches’ Codex (Oct. 31, 2008) [13]
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