Grey School Newspaper 11

(1)

(2)

SPRING 2007 WGM STAFF

FACULTY ADVISOR: Professor Moonwriter GSW NEWS DESK:

Editor: FrogsDancing

Writers: JanicaJayne, Silentfaun, Moonwriter

NEWS DESKS:

Editor: Moonwriter

INTERNATIONAL NEWS DESK:

Editor: Xyaida Writers: Moonwriter

OPINIONS DESK:

Editor: Laneth Shadow-Walker

Writers: Xyaida, Areeya, Moonwriter, Jymi X/0

ARTS & CULTURE DESK

Editor: Wingseeker

Writers: FrogsDancing, Silentfaun, Moonwriter

SCIENCE DESK:

Editor: Jymi X/0

Writers: Moonwriter, Tigers Moondiva, Xyaida

FOOD DESK:

Editor: Donella Lyonesse

Writers: Tigers Moondiva, Moonwriter

WIZARDING DESK:

Editor: Laneth Shadow-Walker Writers: Anna Fox, Tyrssen, Jymi X/0

ART DESK:

Editor: Areeya

Artists: Tyrssen, Lady Sigel, Jymi X/0

COVER: Areeya (Joker), Tyrssen (Masthead) &

Jymi X/0 (Flower photo & layout)

PERMISSIONS DESK: FrogsDancing HUMOR DESK:

Writers: An Infinite Number of Monkeys

Editor: The Biggest Monkey in the Room at the Time

COPY EDITOR & LEAD PUBLISHER: Jymi X/0 CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS AND ARTISTS:

Kalla, Quiet Bear, Belenus, Cashew, Garwulf, Aurora Vampira, S. Aaran Sherwood, Filia Chironis,

Elizabeth Barrette

Additional illustrations from the Dover Clip Art Series

Advisor's Column: A Tour of the Newsroom

By Prof. Moonwriter, Advisor, Whispering Grey Matters – Circle of the Standing Stones

Hi everyone! It’s time for another advisor’s column, and I’ve decided to use it to take you behind the scenes of Whispering Grey Matters for a quick tour of the Newsroom. It’s usually cloaked, but I know the password—just stay close so you don’t get lost.

When you enter the WGM Newsroom (having given the secret knock), the first thing you’ll see is my office. It’s not that big, but I have a good desk and solid bookshelves and a window that looks out over the Wortcunning greenhouses. At the far end of the space is a huge fireplace and a common room-sitting area where we hold our weekly staff meetings. On either side of the space are what we call the WGM “Desks,” a newspapery word for “departments” or “sections.” Currently WGM has eight Desks: News, International, Science, Opinion, Wizarding, Arts & Culture, Food, and Grey School. Each Desk has a section editor and a team of writers, each with their own

desks and computers and altar spaces. (Newspapering takes lots of magick!)

Flanking the fireplace are three offices. On one side, two smaller offices belong to our Permissions Wizard—who handles copyrights, plagiarism issues, etc.—and our Art Department. The other side holds our Publisher’s office and workspace; this is where she does paste-up and layout, and puts the paper together. (She gets a little stressed at times, but responds well to pizzas slid under her door.) The Newsroom walls are covered with pieces of art in progress, story outlines, and the occasional ritual schematic. A giant whiteboard next to the Publisher’s office holds our current “Story Board,” a master plan for the issue-in-progress. All story ideas and artwork are listed on the Story Board, allowing the staff to see the paper coming together.

Everything in the WGM Newsroom works by a chain of command—each staffer knows their job, does it well, and works cooperatively with the staffers and positions ‘linked’ to theirs. It’s taken a couple of years of trial and error to reach this point, but it’s been worth it. Our newspaper just keeps getting better, as does the caliber of the student staff. I couldn’t be prouder!

If anyone is interested in joining the WGM staff, please apply by visiting the WGM Newsstand (on the Forums) and dropping us a note. Journalistic blessings!

Illustration by Tyrssen "...And then, PRESTO! Just like that! A brand new WGM issue! Easy!"

(4)

The Dean's List

Any teacher may nominate any student for the Dean's List (DL) in recognition of academic excellence demonstrated in a Class taught by that teacher. Three nominations earn the student DL status for their current year level. This can be from three different teachers, or from the same teacher but regarding different Classes.

Both full-time students and combined faculty-students can be nominated for the Dean’s List.

Dean's List appointments are made as they occur. Once on the Dean's List, the student's name remains posted for six months from the appointment date.

Students who make the Dean's List once will graduate cum laude ("with honor"). Students, who make the Dean's List more than once, but not all 7 Levels, will graduate magna cum laude ("with high honor"). Students who make the Dean's List at all 7 Levels will graduate summa cum laude ("with highest honor").

Now without further ado, I give you the current members of the Deans List: tigersmoondiva, since 3/12/2007 – Winds; L1

Donella Lyonesse, since 3/12/2007 – Winds; L1 Oranstar, since 3/10/2007 – Stones; L1

wikyd angel, since 2/20/2007 – Waters; L1

Sola DragonShadow, since 2/19/2007 – Flames; L1 janicajayne, since 2/13/2007 – Flames; L1

Zenergynus, since 2/12/2007 – Flames; L1 Grey Panther, since 2/12/2007 – Flames; L3 Arzelie, since 2/10/2007 – Stones; L1

Talin, since 1/22/2007 – Winds; L1

Moonwriter, since 1/20/2007 – Stones; L8 Filia Chironis, since 1/9/2007 – Flames; L1 Xyaida, since 12/30/2006 – Flames; L1

Dragons Light, since 12/20/2006 – Flames; L3 dark eagle, since 10/20/2006 – Undines/Waters; L4 Fenrous, since 10/10/2006 – Waters; L1

Kalla, since 9/21/2006 – Stones; L7

The Hat and The Cup

The House Hat goes to the GNOMES! Their score was 5.43. Our 30 Gnomes earned 73 academic credits and 90 merits this term—good work; and Congratulations!

The Lodge Cup goes to THE ORDER OF THE DANCING FLAMES! At 13.92—the highest score ever! Our 128 Flames earned 556 credits, and a whopping 1,226 merits!

Unbelievable! Congratulations, Flames!

The Flames also win notoriety for being the first group to ever break the 1000 merit mark…This kind of spirit is what makes the GSW succeed! They have set a marvelous precedent for our school. It was a truly inspirational performance. Well done!

(5)

The Lumos Awards for the spring-to-fall 2007 equinoctial period go to:

The Flames Lodge! The Stones Lodge!

Both of these groups met or exceeded all seven of the basic requirements. The specifics may be viewed in posts on the Dean of Students forum. Check it out!

For the next six month period, members of our Lumos groups-- the Flames and Stones -- are entitled to use a special Lumos avatar, designed by Xander Gael of the Stones, especially for this award.

Honorable Mention goes to the following groups, who, although they didn't quite complete every requirement, they worked hard to reach towards Lumos and proudly reported their progress in doing so. There is no doubt that they'll make it next time! The Winds, in particular, were a mere heartbeat away. The Gnomes House

The Waters Lodge The Winds Lodge

Congratulations! To All of our Lumos Participants!

What's the Lumos Award all about? It's there to honor and recognize Houses and Lodges who are active in their group and the school, who exemplify everything from academics to spirit, and who are led by a trained and active Head and Prefect. We have credits, merits, and a Dean's list to honor individual achievement. For a House or Lodge to achieve Lumos is a demonstration of their cooperative excellence, and shows that they are taking the steps towards moving beyond an online "message forum" and becoming, instead, a true community.

Faculty Updates

New Faculty

Welcome to our newest faculty member, Hillary “Grey Panther” Fischer, BA, MEd. She will be an instructor in the Ceremonial Magicks Department. Hillary has known she was a Wizard since she was 13 and read ‘The Once and Future King.’ But of course, back then there were no schools like Grey School! She has spent over 40 years walking the Mystical Path, seeking the wisdom of the Ancients. She graduated with a BA in Psychology and History, and a Masters in Education, specializing in Counseling and Guidance. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctorate in Metaphysics.

Hillary has done a bit of everything during her life, including raising dairy goats, running an Armed Security business, building and renovating houses, training dogs, and devoting herself to spiritual pursuits. Today, she walks the Druid Path and regularly dips into Shamanic Practices. She can be found at www.theinnersanctuary.net.

Departments of Interest: Alchemy & Magickal Sciences, Ceremonial Magick, Magickal Practice, Mind Magicks, and Wizardry

Faculty Changes

Professor Stacey Aaran Sherwood has become the Dean of Alchemy. Professor Brighid Delphinos has become the Dean of Healing.

Professor Rainbow Stonetalker has become the Dean of Mind Magicks.

Professor Uta “Rainmaker” Stelson has become the Dean of Magickal Practice.

Professor Dustin “Greycloak” Haas has become the Assistant Dean of Performance Magicks and an Administrative Assistant.

Professor Anna Fox and Professor David Smith have become the new school counselors. Faculty Leavings

(6)

Student Updates

Collected and Edited by FrogsDancing

GROUPS

Seattle Grey School of Wizardry

At the Oregon Conclave 2006, there was a great discovery. It was discovered that quite a few members from the Grey School resided in the Seattle-Metro area. We decided to form a study / support group. The group has grown and shrank and grown again. All told there are 5 official members with the hopes of more yet to come.

We have had many adventures together and have offered each other a lot of encouragement and support over these past few months. Together we have come together for study groups, offered challenges to get essays done as well as trying to get classes finished.

Some of our extra curricular activities have included making candles, getting

together for the Sabbats, going for hikes in the woods, a tour of some of the local magick shops, and trips to Mount Saint Helens visitor center and the Pacific Ocean.

We have currently been working on the planning of the Washington 2007 Conclave, including trips to Lewis and Clark State Park for info finding sessions. We had a couple of planning sessions so far and are looking forward to the fun of the Grey School in an old growth forest this summer.

We came together as a study group, but we became so much more. Over the past few months we have become a family. We are the Seattle Grey School of Wizardry.

BB,

RowanTree

Spire of the Four Winds

CLUBS

Defensor's Club Update!

Greetings! This is Defensor Amplus WillowRune, President of the Defensor's Club. Currently, the club is testing new methods of magickal defense and security. Topics we have covered so far are Witch Jars, Egregores, Shields, Vampires and Verbal Self Defense. A few Defensors are also training up to meet the rigorous needs of holding security at their local Conclave this summer. Let’s give all of our Defensors a round of applause for their effort in becoming better wizards to make our community a safer place!

Yours in Service,

Defensor Amplus WillowRune

The following Clubs did not submit an update for this edition of WGM: The Society for the Study and Care of Beasts Diggers In Real Time (D.I.R.T.) The Healers’ Tea Room The Lore Keepers' Guild The Tower of Babel ‘Camp Grey Roots’ has reportedly disbanded.

COMMITTEES

Unfortunately, the Fundraising and Marketing Committees were also unable to submit updates for this issue of WGM; we are however looking forward to updates for the future editions.

(7)

HOUSES

Gnomes-The Gnomes have been working hard to win the House Cup, but activity on the forums seems to be very rare and when it does come, it's small. Still, we are putting up a hard fight against the Salamanders for the House Cup. In doing this, we are fighting a former Gnome. This is because Kristalbrooke handed over her duty as Housemistress to Professor Sherwood so that she could become the Salamander's Housemistress. Ironic no? Well, now we often have challenges going up to give our Gnomes a chance to earn some more merits. Hopefully activity will boost.

~Wingseeker

Undines-We Undines students are a tricky bunch. Undines-We submerge ourselves and remain very, very still. Our masters foolishly think we are sleeping, but we're not. As we know very well, there is much more hidden beneath the surface (of the water).

This period, our very own Dragonbringer and Darkeagle have "graduated" to the mysteries of adulthood and have joined the Waters' Lodge. Congrats to them from the Undines house! Also, with the passing of time, is responsibility – coming and going. In this light, it should be announced that I, Gero, will be done with my term as prefect of the Undines House and will be taking over as House Captain. In turn, Kelwyn will take over as our next Undines House prefect.

Please join me in giving congrats to everyone, even those not mentioned here, who are involved in or are undergoing change. Blessed be, my friends.

-Gero

Sylphs-The Sylph House is moving along and I think it has been a wonderful session in our history. We have decided on our mascot, who is Piper Stewart’s parrot named Sydney! He will be giving pictures for the Sylph homepage as soon as he can. The contest that we’ve been planning has finally come. The theme was sylph or air-related artwork or poems. I have to admit there were only a few submissions, but still I think it was an enjoyable experience and we might do it again. The Sphinx Lair had been going strong for a while. It was temporarily put aside when I got tied up with the matters of a new prefect. Speaking of that, our prefect-elect as of now is Amalthia! She has just returned to GSW, and was actually a prefect once before. We welcome her back, along with Colubra. Recently Ocean Zephyr has joined the Sylph House. Bremen, Justin 21289, and Tora Wolf have graduated to the Winds Lodge. Congratulations to all those people. And as for the Sylph House, I hope everything keeps getting better as we progress to future years.

~Aurora Vampira~* Sylphs Prefect

WGM did not receive an update from the Salamanders for this edition.

(8)

LODGES

Waters-Well met,

The Coterie of the Flowing Waters does be still this time of year. I am anticipating a thaw in the spring. The Waters are currently working on a Lodge Foundation Legend that shows some promise. There is also a vote underway to decide what name Solaris will don as my right hand within the Lodge. Memsev will be taking the reigns from Darkman, who has served as Prefect for two terms. I am certain that she will be a pebble in the pond =)

Class-work has been excellent however participation is something that I am continuing to work on. There have been signs of improvement. Since I became Lodge master there have been many new additions to the Lodge, including wonderful students like Dark Eagle and Memsev. I am proud of the Waters and encourage them in their endeavors.

-- Greycloak

Stones-The Circle of Standing Stones is starting to roll again, for a while there we were standing still but once you get us moving we are hard to stop. The addition of new members Kerwin, Moira, Myrddin, MysticalDragon, Rosewood Moonhealer, Rain Storm, Tangentslayer, Silentfaun, Flamekeeper, KnightOfCups, and Dvarrikos the Enchanter have added new life into lodge. Also we welcomed EBLO Moon, who turned 18 and moved from the Gnomes House into the Stones Lodge!

We have met the criteria for the Lumos Award and are now adding more classes to the list. From this 5 Stones are now on the Dean's List, Arzelie, Cashew, Kalla, Moonwriter, and Xander.

We are the only House or Lodge in the GSW to have our very own ghost! Lord Richter. Watch for him to materialize on the forums from time to time.

Moonwriter's new book, Gargoyles, is now available and can be purchased from Amazon, Powells, Barnes & Noble, etc. Several Stones members did illustrations or writings for the book.

For Yule we collected greetings and wishes for the Headmaster from our members and compiled them together into a card that was sent to him along with a Spirit of the Wolf clock for his office. The Wolf is our Lodge Totem animal.

We are currently gearing up for The Earth Day Challenge, The Stones Lodge has won this event for two years running and plans to make it a third!

I will be stepping down as Prefect and the end of this term and will begin my term as Vice Lodge Captain. Oranstar will become the new Prefect of the Stones Lodge and will take office in March.

Finally I will be launching my Prefect Project this week on the Stones Lodge and then on the school as a whole a bit later, please watch for it as it should be a lot of fun for both Houses and Lodges.

Cashew

The Winds and the Flames did not submit any updates for this edition of WGM. Tyrssen

(9)

The Captains’ Updates

By: Kalla and Quiet Bear

As I look at the impending end of my Captaincy I

am overwhelmed with how much has happened over the last twelve months. As of February 7th, 2007, the Grey School has 606 active students. Think about that for a moment. In an age of ever decreasing attention spans, we have managed to hold 606 attention spans by having them do work and like it. The community that surrounds this school is an unceasing marvel to me.

We've had our share of growing pains over my Captaincy. In 2006 the site switched to a new server, which caused technological tangles of which I shall not begin to speak. Once the dust had settled we had a new host and some shiny new forums which far outstrip what we had. Utilizing these new capabilities we now have clubs, faculty offices, committees, and chats all in one central place.

Over the last year dozens of new classes have been uploaded. Majors and minors are posted in most departments. I used to look at the list of classes and think, “I can't wait to see what comes next,” I now say, “How can I possibly choose?” Now you can look at the course listings and really see where the school is going. While the classes used to only represent levels 1-3, we now see fourth, fifth, and even sixth year classes. All of the potential the Grey School has is beginning to come into fruition; it is a very exciting time.

It has been an honor to serve as Captain, but my time is up. I leave you in the capable hands of Quiet Bear and Cashew. See y'all around!

Kalla: Stones Lodge Lodge Captain

Sodalis Ordinis Erronum

My time as Vice Captain has gone by fast. Now I'm

hoping to do well as I step up to the Captain position. I share Kalla's amazement at the growth our school has had over the last couple of years. When I first joined, there were less than 60 of us and I'm happy to see 600+ students now. Seeing so many kindred spirits in one place is something I never thought I'd see.

I hope to continue being of service in the next six months. I've found that teaching others is a great way to learn, so I thank all of you who have asked me for help and advice as a Prefect and as Vice Captain. It's been an honor just being asked to fill this position.

Kalla, it's been good working with you. Good luck in your studies.

Quiet Bear

New Captains and Prefects

FrogsDancing

Introducing your Fifth Scabbard of Prefects and Fourth Mast of Captains, for the period between the Spring and Fall Equinoxes of March 2007 – September 2007:

Houses:

House Captain: Gero; L2/11c; Healing Major Gnomes Prefect: Wingseeker; L1/13c; ‘Trained’ Salamanders Prefect: (not filled at press time) Sylphs Prefect: Amalthia; L1/11c

Undines: Kelwyn; L1/6c

Lodges:

Lodge Captain: Quiet Bear; L4/13c; Lore Major; ‘Trained’

Lodge Vice Captain: Cashew; L2/3 c; Major pending Flames: Xyaida; L1;14c; ‘Trained’

Stones: Oranstar; L1/11c Waters: Memsev; L1/9c

Winds: Talin; L2/1c; Lore Major

Your Prefects and Captains have been chosen because of their academic excellence, participation, and attitude. These students devote extra time to study leadership principles and then put their learning into action in helping their respective Houses/Lodges run at the peak of efficiency. It is a position of honor and one of responsibility. Most of all, they're here to help you – so when you have questions of any kind, one of the Prefects or Captains should be the person you go to first.

* 'TRAINED' indicates that the Prefects and Captains have

completed 'Leadership 101' or 'Leadership 201,' respectively.

(10)

New Classes

Anatomy and Physiology for Herbalists 601:

Skin, Muscle and Bone Credits: 3, Year Level: 6+ Department: Wortcunning

Anima Mundi: The Gaia Hypothesis Credits: 3, Year Level: 6+

Department: Nature Studies

Cosmology Internship 101: Introductory Astronomy

Credits: 2, Year Level: 1

Department: Cosmology and Metaphysics Dark Stories 601: Werewolves

Credits: 1, Year Level: 6 Department: Dark Arts

Prerequisites: Children of the Night survey class. Defense Against the Dark Arts 601: How to Save the Day

Credits 3, Year Level: 6 Department: Dark Arts

Prerequisites: Cleansing and Purification and Identifying Psychic Attack

Ethics of Magick 400 Credits: 2, Year Level: 4 Department: Lifeways

Prerequisites: Ethics of Magick 100

Exploring the Sacred/Magickal Landscapes Credits: 2, Year Level: 3

Department: Lore

Five Models of Magick: Magickal Paradigms and Theories of Magickal Causality

Credits: 2, Year Level: 2 Department: Wizardry

Gargoyles 101: Introduction Credits: 2, Year Level: 1

Department: Lore

Healing Charms and Talismans Credits: not listed at this time Year Level: 4

Department: Healing

The Holy Winter Nights Credits: 2, Year Level: 3 Department: Lifeways How Sorcery Works

Credits: not available at this time Year Level: 2

Department: Dark Arts

Introduction to the Great Work Credits: 2, Year Level: 4

Department: Alchemy and Magickal Sciences Prerequisites: Principles of Alchemy

Magick for Job Hunting Credits: 3, Year Level: 6 Department: Lifeways Meet the Indigo Children Credits: 2, Year Level: 4 Department: Mind Magicks The Middle Pillar

Credits: 2, Year Level: 4

Department: Ceremonial Magick

Prerequisites: Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, and it would be useful if the student had worked on the class dedicated to Ceremonial Magick in the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard (pp. 277-283).

Nature’s Fury 403: Fire Credits: 3, Year Level: 4 Department: Nature Studies

Personal Prosperity for Wizards Credits: 2, Year Level: 2

Department: Mathemagicks Signs and Symbols

Credits: 2, Year Level: 3 Department: Magickal Practice

Tales of the Fabulists: Storytelling 401 Credits: 2, Year Level: 4

Department: Lore The Terrestrials

Credits: 2, Year Level: 3 Department: Cosmology

PROF. LEOPARDDANCER: I'm an April Fool's baby so no one can play

tricks on me! 'Course, that in and of itself was a joke on my mother...

I wasn't due until mid-late June.

(11)

2007 Winter Bird Count Wings to a Finish!

By Prof. Moonwriter, Dean of Nature Studies

Congratulation to the Blazing Buzzards, proud members of the Flames Lodge and winners of the 2006 Winter Bird Challenge!

The Buzzards pulled out every stop to win this contest, accomplishing every task to its limits, and then some. When it came to scoring, they had the largest team, the most submitted results, the most photos, and the most passed classes. They secured Audubon donations, represented and publicized the GSW during their Bird Count, and helped the GSW by contributing gourd bird feeders for auction. It was a spectacular effort!

The strongest possible commendation also goes to the Blazing Buzzards for their emphasis on GSW scholarship at the same time they were in the midst of the Challenge. During the same time that they were excelling on their Bird Count activities, Team Buzzard completed 9 classes and earned 2 Dean’s List appointments, and 1 member moved from L1 to L2.

In second place were the Stones’ Bodacious Burrowing Owls of the Stones Lodge. Working with a team of only 3 members, the Owls made a fantastic showing. Their work yielded two unique achievements: First, they brought in their Lodge ghost-- Lord Richter-- as a team member (and wow—can that guy write!). Second, they created a unique "graphic novel" format for their report, which was a first for a GSW challenge. The Owls’ photography was beautiful and their writing was not only fascinating to read but professional in its quality.

In third place: the Winds’ Uncommon Loons, also competing with only 3 flock members. Despite this, they made a great go of the Challenge and did nice work in terms of photography and writing. The Loons deserve special kudos for not giving up when half of their original team went missing—this took real determination, a wonderful trait for apprentice wizards.

All in all, it was another wonderful event. Thanks go to Prof. Barrette for coming up with the idea, and thanks to the teams for making it fabulous challenge. Materials from the 2006 and 2007 Bird Count Challenges are being shaped into a series of Birding classes for GSW students. Watch the Departments of Beast Mastery, Divination, and Nature Studies for the classes to appear!

Photo by Aurora Vampira Buzzards' Avatar by Mykael

(12)

New Award in the Dark Arts

FrogsDancing

The Dark Arts Honor Society has created the Consortium of Shadows.

To enter the First Circle of the Consortium of Shadows, you must first complete one class in each of the three segments of the Major: Defense Against the Dark Arts, Sorcery, and Creatures of the Night. The listings under the Dark Arts Generalist Major and Minor will advise as to what classes belong to each

segment. The cross-listed classes from other Departments will count towards achieving this award. If you are uncertain as to whether a class may be counted or as to what segment it belongs under, please contact the Dean of the Dark Arts Department. Youth students must earn at least an 85% in each class and the adult students must earn at least a 95% in each class.

To complete the award, one must choose one of the following projects to complete according to your preference and skills:

A.) Write a 300 word essay on a Defense topic, such as: Whether hexes or psychic attacks are real The use of shields or wards

Any kind of protective symbol OR...

Create a protective charm or personalized shield Perform a simple protective spell

And then describe the process. You may take and send pictures if appropriate.

B.) Write a 300 word essay on a Creature of the Night, OR create a work of art depicting one and send a photograph of it to the Dean.

C.) Write a 300 word essay on a form (such as candle magick) or style (such as Hoodoo) of sorcery. OR, perform a low magick spell and describe the process and results.

All projects are to be submitted to the Dean of the Department of the Dark Arts. If this cannot be done by email, please contact the Dean to discuss other options for submission.

Other Circles may be added to the Consortium of Shadows in the future. This will allow this award to grow as the student body grows and skill levels advance. This will encourage more sophisticated projects to be submitted in the future.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

...

Class Rings, that is!

Grey School class rings are available! They're beautiful silver creations, with the Penkhaduce on either side, and a stone color of your choice -- show off your major, or maybe the elemental color of your House or Lodge! Even Sauron would be jealous. More information can be found in the "Retail Grey Matters" board in the Social Forums, or just click the "Magic Alley" link at the main school site.

However -- Headmaster Oberon seems to have some extra rings flying around his

study! Here's what he wanted you all to know...

"If you (or anyone) would care to return the ring you got, I'll give you credit on it for the next round. Also, I still have a few that weren't picked up (the people never sent the money). Before we place the next order, I'll see how many of the extra ones can be matched with new orders, and get those off first!

If anyone's interested, here are the extras I have in-hand (unclaimed or wrong sizes); anyone want to pick them up? The price is ($65 + $6.50 s&h = $71.50).

Size Color 5 Yellow 11 Red 11 Silver 8 Blue 10 Blue 10 Grey 10 White

Anyone else want to put a wrong-sized ring up for trade for credit on the next order?"

(13)

Department Focus:

What Is Alchemy?

c 2006 S. Aaran Sherwood Alchemy is the art and science of personal transformation on all levels of being: body, mind and soul. It requires the purest of intent and the ability to apply that intent with singular focus during all phases of the work. It is a meditative and reflective practice that requires extraordinary patience on the part of the practitioner.

It is commonly divided into two components: practical and spiritual. Practical alchemy is the precursor to modern chemistry. It involves working with plants, herbs, minerals and metals in a laboratory setting, often to create tinctures and elixirs. An alchemist who creates such tinctures and elixirs for the purpose of healing is practicing a division of alchemy called spagyrics, which will be the subject of another course. Spiritual alchemy is the science of perfecting the soul. You can perform spiritual alchemy without going into the lab, but you cannot perform practical alchemy without also intentionally performing spiritual alchemy at the same time: for to leave out the spiritual component reduces the alchemical art to mere chemistry and this will not produce the results you are trying to achieve. To the classical alchemist, the lab is the microcosmic representation of the spiritual transformation he/she is working to achieve--like a spell in which you burn something physically to symbolize the Magickal change you wish to effect. Because people are both spiritual and physical beings, it is important to work with both the practical and spiritual forms.

Alchemists believe that all things carry within them the seed of divinity, and that all things automatically, through the natural course of time, evolve toward their own perfection. Alchemy is a process that expedites the achievement of the inherent perfection in physical and spiritual matter. In other words, an alchemist "assists" nature in manifesting the divine core within the matter with which he/she has chosen to work. In the case of coal, an alchemist would work to bring out the diamond. The alchemist's "job" is to sift the chaff from the grain, the profane from the sacred, the worthless from the priceless, and we often do this by working with those things found in the material world first. By carefully studying nature, we learn about ourselves.

We consider gold to be the purest metal, and lead to be the basest. Lead carries within it the potential to become gold. All metals, as all things, are evolving toward perfection. Therefore, when attempting to assist nature in achieving that transformation, rather than trying to garner personal wealth, we are really working to bring about the metal's inherent perfection through a seven-step process of purification; when done in the correct manner, we transform our souls simultaneously. It is this spiritual transformation that is the real goal for those of us involved in the Great Work. It is also this spiritual transformation that ultimately leads to the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.

References

Hauck, Dennis William. Sorcerer's Stone, 2004 Hauck, Dennis William. The Emerald Tablet, 1999 Melville, Francis. The Book of Alchemy, 2002

(14)

April Fools or Bust!

By Areeya, Circle of the Standing Stones

As I walk through another season on the wheel of the year, I feel it is time once again to reflect and adjust to the shift in spirit as well as the shift in seasons. Finding ourselves amidst Spring after a long Winter seems like a good time to put some thought into how and why the Spring is usually heralded by a need of release. Lets take a look at a couple of release choices. It seems to me that most folks, in my neck of the woods, opt for we what in America like to call ‘Spring Break’ to relieve a bad case of "cabin fever". I feel it generally involves, in equal measure, large groups of people, mellowing libations whenever possible and little common sense. Though a bit extreme, its a valid choice none the less, but probably one of the least healthy choices.

In my opinion, I feel conscious reflection and adjustment usually seems the healthier course of action. I like to contemplate my journey through joyous Yule to Imbolc, which is still dark even though we celebrate the rebirth of the light. I feel this time can seem a strange combination of the joy of Light’s slow return, and the bitterness of the grey-seeming time of stillness. The Winter Heart can chill us to the bone, yet can feel comforting and seems as necessary as our dark time in the womb, sheltered and nourished. And so, as we trek through Imbolc, we can spend a lot of time adjusting essential nutrients of spirit for our spring growth.

We gestate in the knowledge gained from the womb-like time of stillness and solitude of Winter’s Heart. Imbolc urges us to transform or release the last vestiges of those unnecessary parts of self and consciously fuel our own flames of creation. A time to stoke the flames of rebirth that generate Spring’s growth, by cleansing ourselves anew in the waxing light of the sun. I find Imbolc is urging in a few, or many, cleansing tears and sometimes things seem extremely off balance. The herald of Spring seems to come with accepting loss and release of the old. I like to light candles and incense, and meditate on the growth of the sun. I also feel its good to construct a sacred space in honor of a new season and the death of the old.

I remind myself that as we journey past Imbolc and through Ostara, that early stages in our growth cycle can be painful amidst the joy of living. In lighting Imbolc candles I recognize and nurture the waxing sun in the self and fear not the darkness which gives us shelter as we look toward spring.

We move onward through Ostara with the early budding of Spring growth. Ostara can give a feel of being discombobulated, as well as hopeful in our new beginnings. Ahh! How the Fool’s energy can help us navigate past uncertainty that sometimes accompanies Spring. The Fool reminds us of the joy in the unknown, and the unconditional love of the universe in which everything is connected. Spring has come and the joy of growth is all around.

Can you feel the warming of the heart (and in some parts of the world the warming of the land)? Now seems the time to fertilize and nurture the ground you wish to walk upon while admiring the early buds of opportunity. We can continue to sow more seeds of our intent so that we and the universes may reap a plentiful harvest for heart and hearth. Can you feel the excitement of Ostara’s new growth and the bubbling of light-hearted laughter as we dance into Spring? Can we also feel the Trickster’s haphazard influence of instability?

Well have no fear, because April Fool’s is almost here. It's time to travel a Fool’s errand in celebration of the joy of chance with a light heart as Eostre leads us in the merry song of Spring. And, like the Fool, shall we revel in the excitement of new adventures, the will to believe in ourselves and our ability to guide our own spirit.

So hop on board the Fool's vehicle of unconditional love and an adventurous spirit: it's April Fool’s or Bust! Of course that's just this writer's opinion. What do you think?

(15)

The World Wide Wizardly Web

Part I

by Silentfaun

Oh what a wonderful web we weave! And what better way to spend a wet, windy day then surfing the world wide web in a wizardly way. What wonders are to be found! Here then, is a list of fun and fascinating web sites I was lucky enough to come across along my journey, one for each of the school departments. These reviews are, of course, only one humble opinion.

There is something for everyone -- a veritable smorgasbord of nifty info...a nibble here, a nibble there...take what you will and leave the rest.

Dept. Of Wizardry:

http://www.karisgarden.com/cunningfolk/home.htm

Here you will find a small but fascinating collection of mini-bios and history regarding some magickal cunningfolk, as well as links for purchasing the books this information was taken from.

Dept. Of Nature Studies:

http://www.pbs.org/americanfieldguide/

An incredibly educational and entertaining site containing rebroadcast nature programs from nearly 30 different PBS stations in both Real Media and Windows Media format.

Dept. Of Magickal Practice:

http://dragonseyecircle.org/magickal_correspondances.htm

Here’s a nifty little find. A simple collection of magickal correspondence tables including planetary hours, incense, elements, colors and more. Not a huge collection, but useful. Dept. Of Mind Magicks:

http://www.meditationcenter.com/

A very helpful guide on various meditation techniques. Clearly written, step-by-step instructions makes this site useful for the experienced, as well as novice meditation practitioner.

Dept. Of Healing:

http://www.naturalbloom.com/

There’s some very good information on a variety of alternative medicines on this site, as well as a large list of practitioners and associations. Just need to remember to scroll down each page. Dept. Of Wortcunning:

http://www.illustratedherbal.com/

I adore this site. A wonderfully organized illustrated herbal encyclopedia with concise, clear information, preparations, a glossary of terms, and more. Lovely.

Dept. Of Divination:

http://www.uponreflection.co.uk/runeworld/index.htm

Both fun and informative, this site contains a lot of information on runes, including history, associations, divination and encryption. An interactive oracle adds to the fun.

Dept. Of Performance Magick : http://www.ultimatemagic.com/

The real treasure of this site is to be found in the library, which has a large amount of conjury techniques listed by type and skill level. I would, however, suggest turning down the volume. Stay tuned for our next issue, when the next 8 departments are covered.

(16)

TIGER'S MOONDIVA: I enjoy AFD in an atmosphere where everyone is playing. When

everyone understands a joke is a joke when all thinks its funny instead of an excuse for picking on someone. (Let's face it, those who just want to pick on someone don't need an excuse - they are going to do it anytime.) This I learned from years of being the butt of the joke for a very long time. Those fools are just as likely to be mean at Christmas. At the end if ALL are laughing though I say enjoy!

Keepsake Painted Eggs

By Aurora Vampira; special to WGM A great way to preserve your memories of this spring is with keepsake painted eggs. They are hollowed-out eggs on which a small springtime scene is painted. These last forever (as long as they aren’t dropped!) and make lovely decorations.

You will need: Raw egg(s)

Large carpet or embroidery needle (a slender ice pick or awl will also work)

Small bowl Paper towels

Carbon paper (optional)

Something suitable as a palette

Water cup for paint (like a clean butter tub) Assorted acrylic craft paints

Assorted fine hairbrushes (size 1 down to 5/0 or smaller) Matte spray finish

First, select an egg that has no bumps or other flaws. Hold it over the

bowl and use the needle to poke a small hole in the narrow end of the egg. Poke a slightly larger hole (about 1⁄4 in. diameter) on the other side. Insert the needle and “scramble” the yolk from the inside so the membranes break and it’s easier to remove. Holding the egg over the bowl, blow into the smaller hole hard to remove the contents. You can also ease the liquid out using the needle. Rinse the inside of the egg so you are sure it’s clean, then set the egg out to dry.

Now it’s time for the creative part! Paint anything with a spring theme: flowers, birds, rabbits, butterflies, faeries, all sorts of things! It can be as simple or as detailed as you want. You can use carbon paper to trace a design from magazines or the Internet. Or you can paint freehand, which is a lot easier to do if you do a pencil outline. Then take out your paints, palette, and water cup and get to work! If necessary, cut down your paintbrush to only a few hairs, to accommodate detail. Thin the paints with water too; mine turned out very thick and rough because I didn’t. Remember to let each design dry completely before moving on to the next one. When your masterpiece is done, use matte spray finish and put the egg on display out of reach from small children.

Other Tips: If you make a mistake and the paint is still wet, take a damp paper towel and carefully wipe off the excess paint. A napkin ring makes a perfect holder for your finished egg.

(17)

Spoof or scam? Hoax or jokes? The fool s on you!

’

By Prof. Moonwriter, April Fool

Which of the following were actual news stories?

In 1998, the Alabama legislature voted to change the common value of the mathematical constant known as ‘pi’ to a more easily understandable and Biblically relevant 3.0.

In 1997, the cartoon “Screwy the Squirrel” held the Cartoon Network at nut-point and ran a daylong television cartoon takeover.

In 1998, Burger King revealed its new left-handed Whopper, designed so that condiments would drip out the right side, instead of the usual left.

Each of these stories appeared in the local news media…. On April Fool’s Day!

That’s right—April first, famous date of pranks, ruses, and misdeeds, hopefully all in good fun.

Alabama’s attempt to redefine pi—led by “New Mexicans for Science and Reason,” played off a vignette from Robert Heinlein’s 1961 sci-fi classic, Stranger in a Strange Land, yielding up a great math hoax and an outstanding pop culture reference in one fell swoop.

The science world traditionally has a lot of fun with April Fools. On April 1, 1976, BBC Radio featured a piece by astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, who told listeners that an upcoming rare planetary alignment would momentarily alter gravity at precisely 9:47 am. At his heeding, dozens of listeners jumped into the air at 9:47 am, then phoned in to explain that they had experienced “strange floating sensations”!

On April 1, 2005, an online piece from NASA purported to show “water on Mars.” Readers who clicked the link were whisked to an image of a Mars candy bar, with a glass of water perched atop. (Of course now there’s evidence of actual water on Mars—but this was still pretty cute.) A recurrent April Fool piece— surfacing in different countries every few years—suggests that our existing timekeeping will be changed to a metric-based system functioning on powers of 10. Six to the second power o’clock, anyone?

The natural world isn’t immune to hoaxology. In 1957, the BBC television program Panorama showed a news clip of the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. Believe it or not, people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to find and grow their own spaghetti trees. This ruse holds up as one of the most successful TV hoaxes of all time.

The US government has taken its own liberties with April Fools Day. On April 1, 1996, a full-page ad in The New York Times carried Taco Bell’s announcement that they’d purchased the Liberty Bell, renaming it the "Taco Liberty Bell." Allegedly the purchase was aimed at ameliorating a bit of national debt, but the public outcry was swift and huge. A

similar rumor said that the Lincoln Memorial had been sold to an automobile maker; via the sponsor relationship, the monument would thereafter be called the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

And just in time to help us deal with global warming: On April 1, 2006, Norwegian media ran a story about "rain drop power,” suggesting that rain could be harvested and used to turn tiny turbines, generating enough power to supplant oil as a primary energy source.

Check your newspaper on April 1…. Who knows what you’ll find?

Source Cited

“April Fool.” Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_fool. March 2007.

(18)

New Classes (Continued)

COSMOTOLOLOGY Department: Wizardry Level: 1 and 3/4 Credits: 2

As all modern wizards know, no one will take your powers seriously unless you look like you have just stepped off a Lord of the Rings set. This class will teach you to "dress the part" -- an array of makeup and hair products will be discussed, with special emphasis on dramatic highlights and advanced beardology. Wardrobe and accessories be covered in the second half of the class. Photos will be required, so you must have access to a digital camera, a props department, and a complete set of theatrical backdrops. Each student will need to furnish 1 bolt of velvet fabric (black or deep purple preferred), glitter, several yards of metallic cording, and either an owl, ferret, or peregrine falcon. Extra credit will be given to those who obtain a pyrotechnician's license while enrolled in the class.

THE DAILY CHALLENGE Department: Lifeways Level: 364

Credits: Merit-based

A wizard never lets his or her guard down, even for a moment, and this includes one's readiness to respond to each and every challenge posted on the GSW forums. This class will help you learn to be ready for any challenge, any time, and in any

dimension. In the

technomagick aspect of the course, you'll learn to design and enable challenge-bots to patrol the forums and keep you informed of every new challenge posting. You'll explore the use of cloaking devices to increase your success by obscuring challenges once you have completed them. Performance-enhancing magicks will also be studied and evaluated. Extra credit will be given to those who perfect advanced techniques such as the "swoop and snipe" and the "swish and swipe."

ELEMENTARINESS

Department: Nature Studies Level: 4.4

Credits: 4

The study of the four elements is a key to all kinds of magickal practice, but the usual sedate approaches quickly become tiresome. In this class, you'll experience the elements under conditions best described as "thrilling" and "ultimate." Imagine creating a dreamcatcher while base-jumping, or working candle magick in the maw of an active volcano, and you'll have an idea of the challenges that await you in this fun little class.

DEFENSIVE BACK-WATCHING Department: Dark Arts

Level: 23 [required] Credits: 5.65

Wizard apprentices always need opportunities to test their defensor skills. In this required class, specially hired Grey School Troll-thugs will test your mettle by stalking you throughout an unannounced 24-hour period, ensuring you're prepared to deal with just about anything. Testing is open-book and takes place in cyber- and realspace. As the test period is unannounced, begin watching your back immediately after registering. It is recommended that a Healing course be taken in conjunction with this class.

JUGGLING

Department: Performance Magicks Level: 13

Credits: 1 per successfully juggled item

Wizards must not only be entertaining, but are required to keep a lot of balls in the air at all times -- literally! Grey School is proud to offer the first text-based juggling class in Internet history. Students begin with small, lightweight beanbags, gradually increasing the number and difficulty of items to be kept aloft. For the final exam, students will need to obtain a flame-retardant smock and at least three chainsaws.

Photo by Filia Chironis The Grey School Sorting Stick

(19)

An Interview with Lord Richter

By: FrogsDancing

FD: Who was Lord Richter?

LR:Sorry, did you say who WAS Lord Richter? I was of the impression that I still exist, albeit in a somewhat less corporeal form…

FD: My sincerest apologies, would you please continue and share your story?

LR:I was born William Edward Richter III on May 8, 1794 in Newcastle, in the county of Durham, England. In life, I was a hewer at the Springwell colliery. I died in a mine explosion the day after my birthday in 1833. I was hewing away at the coal in the B pit, when I saw a glimmer out of the corner of my eye and turned to look, thinking it might be a diamond. Much to my horror, the glimmer I had seen came from the belt buckle of a right foul old gnome who was guarding the mine. I tried to warn the lads in the pit that we should leave, but they were all so hopelessly mundane, not a single one of them saw him or believed me. Normally, gnomes will just chase you out, but this one became quite angry that we refused to leave. He snapped his chubby little fingers, producing the spark that set off the explosion. We were buried alive.

FD: How long have you been at GSW?

LR: I arrived at the Grey School late last October. FD: How did you find out about GSW?

LR: The school was suggested to me by the A.A.A. (Alliance of Academic Apparitions)

FD: What do you envision for GSW’s future? LR: The future of this school lies in the hands of its administration, teachers and students. It will become whatever you make of it.

FD: Why did you choose Yule to announce your presence?

LR: Introducing myself on Samhain would have been far too ordinary. Who doesn't expect to see an apparition when the veil between the worlds is thinnest? I wanted to come in with more of a bang -- rather like the way I went out!

FD: Are you aware of any more GSW ghosts? LR: I believe there might be one or two others who are interested in roaming the school's halls, yes. We can't just show up, you know. The Headmaster and the DADA club have wards set around the school. The Administration makes a thorough examination of our energy before opening the doors to us.

Questions from the Student Body:

Tyrssen of the Winds Lodge wants to know: Do you have any special reason for haunting the GSW? (We are delighted to have you here of course!)

LR: Honestly, the word haunting has such a negative connotation to it. Couldn't we say I'm visiting? Far friendlier, wouldn't you say? But, alas, I digress…I believe I answered this question earlier; the A.A.A. recommended the Grey School to me. I tried visiting Oxford for awhile, but no one there sensed or saw me. I loved the libraries, but the lack of conversation grew tiresome. I decided to inquire with the Alliance about any magickal schools that might welcome a disembodied chap such as myself.

T: Do you have any special news, warnings or messages from beyond that you would like to pass on to the ectoplasmically-challenged folks?

LR: At the moment, nothing you spiffing apprentices couldn't ascertain on your own with but a little effort.

Prof. Moonwriter of the Stones Lodge wants to know:

With 16 different departments to haunt in the GSW, which is you favorite? Why?

LR: I suppose it would be the department of Magickal Practice. It reminds me of all the wonder magick brought into my life when I was alive. Things are more instantaneous on this side of the veil. You don't need spells here. Why, you barely think it and Bob's your uncle! Shame, really. Spells were jolly good fun. I do miss the sense of power I felt casting with a swish and a flick of my wand… MW: Do you have any hobbies? (Other than birding of course!)

LR: My next two favourite activities are taking long strolls with my wife, Margaret, on our estate in the Summerland and chess.

MW: Do ghosts eat?

LR: Yes, but not in the same way people do. As I'm sure you already know, everything in existence is a form of energy--including food. We consume energy that isn't as dense as your food is, and we don't consume it in the same fashion.

(20)

Xyaida of the Flames Lodge wants to know: How did you become a Lord?

LR: I received the title posthumously actually. Springwell's owner, the Right Hon. Lord Ravensworth, felt so guilty about the mysterious explosion and about being unable to give us all a proper burial, that he bequeathed to each of us the title "Lord of the Mine" and granted us part ownership of the pit in which we died. Honorable as his intentions may have been, the gesture certainly wasn't going to do the lot of us any good since we were deceased. Nevertheless, since my life was stripped from me when I was still in my prime, I feel I've earned the title.

X: What is your favorite book?

LR: I am a strong proponent for Shakespeare's work on multiple levels, both literary and magickal. X: Did you practice magick while you were alive?

LR: Indeed, I did.

FD: Thank you, Lord Richter for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. I know that the student body has been very curious about you since you announced your arrival and your participation in the Christmas Bird Count.

Virtual Wizardry (April Fools or the Real Deal?)

By Belenus, the Gold – Society of the Four Winds

A fascinating twist on Wizardly work dawned on me last year. It is funny that I was pondering this early in the day, and happened to pick up a free copy of a Wiccan magazine later that day, which had an article that helped validate my suspicions.

The idea is that for some people, not only does it make sense to tailor magickal rituals and spells to one's individual skills and talents, but that for some, especially at certain times and in certain situations, tools such as athames, wands, and such, that help in rituals and spell working, can be substituted for, using only visualization and energy work or astral manifestation. In other words, the tools, while being very helpful for most Wizards, are not always available or must haves. Wizards can, for example, imagine that they are holding an athame when casting their magick circle.

I have found for myself, that having the tools when convenient, is helpful and fun, but as I once told my friend, when I walk out the front door, I cannot, for example, bring my Wizard's staff with me (unless its Halloween or I'm going hiking). I have found, though, that I can very easily visualize and even feel the presence and power of my staff if I make the effort to. I can take the staff with me virtually. Having worked with the staff in rituals and charged it with my energy, I have a psychic connection with it, and this makes it easier to call upon it when needed.

Finally, I have often had great success with raising magical energy by just "winging it," using my own words and rituals. In this way, I have contributed to the recovery of persons who have asked for healing and even some who didn't know that I worked on their behalf. I find, for myself, a combination of prayer, Wiccan ritual, personal and/or established words and chants of power not only manifest my intentions, but help me psychologically and spiritually. It seems that my magickal work can not only tip the scales outwardly, but is quite cathartic for me at the same time.

PROF: MOONWRITER: I see April Fool’s as a time to stop being serious

and have a little fun—and it certainly doesn’t have to feel “mean.” Ask my

kids about what I used to do to their sack lunches on AFD! Crisco in your

Oreo cookies anyone? Peanut butter and stiff fruit leather sandwiches?

Pancakes made of a circle of white flannel dipped in batter and fried to a

nice golden brown? (hee hee…)

(21)

Fun Facts About April Fool’s Day

By Prof. Moonwriter, Stones Lodge

Although its origins are uncertain, April Fool’s Day (AFD) probably is linked to the vernal equinox, and the revelry and celebration that have always accompanied the return of spring.

American writer Mark Twain once said of April 1st: “This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four."

In the United States, people use AFD as a chance to play jokes and pranks on their friends and family members. Famous examples: the short-sheeted bed, the vaselined toilet seat, or the infamous invisible saran wrap stretched over the drinking glass, edges neatly trimmed away.

In Scotland, AFD is known as "hunting the gowk," (the cuckoo) and victims of jokes are known as "April-gowks,” literally, April cuckoos.

In France, the fool-ee is known as poisson d'avril, literally, “the April fish.” This may be because in April, the sun exits Pisces, the zodiacal sun-sign of the fish. Today’s French people use AFD as a time to play jokes, particularly sneaking a paper fish onto the backs of hapless victims!

The Dutch people mark April 1 for its national history. On 1 April, 1572, while the Netherlands were under Spanish rule, a rebel band known as the Geuzen seized the coastal town of Den Briel, and event that led to a civil war or uprising against the Spanish rulers. According to Wikipedia, “The Duke of Alba, commander of the Spanish army could not prevent the uprising. Bril is the Dutch word for glasses, so … ‘Alba lost his glasses’. Dutch people find this joke hilarious [and] still commemorate the first of April.” (Note from author: This joke is lost on me, but I’m guessing you had to be there.)

Geoffrey Chaucer is known for his Canterbury Tales (c. 1400 ce). One, “The Nun's Priest's Tale,” involves the story of two fools: Chanticleer and the Fox.

On AFD, “hoax-stories” appear in newspapers and on television, Internet, etc. Although these can be quite clever, they have often caused people to disbelieve true stories that happened to fall on April 1, such as the Aleutian tidal wave and tsunami of April 1, 1946 (165 deaths), the 2004 launch of Google’s new ‘Gmail’ service, or the 1976 launch of Apple Computer.

Sources:

(No author) “April Fool’s Day.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_fool. March 1, 2007.

DINDRAINE: Honestly, I've never paid much mind to April Fools' Day. When I was younger, my older brother would pick on me on that day with the excuse of AFD, but like anyone, he just picked on me year round anyway

It just sticks out as a dumb holiday to me, much for the same reason as Korerhi. People do really mean things just for the sake of April Fools' Day. They also tend to do really stupid things. Every year, the fire drill gets pulled at my high school. Every year, there's a stink bomb that goes off and even the person who set it regrets it later because the stench just fills the entire school. And every year, there're people who are picked on and torn to pieces just because "they have the right as a participant on April Fools' Day".

I admit, though, that there can be some lighter details to it. People do tend to be a bit more laid back, and some people know how to have a good time with this day. I just don't take part in it myself.

Aurora Borealis

By Wingseeker As the full moon rises over the tall trees of pine, And the crater rabbit hops across the lunar shine, Lights of blue, red, green, orange, and yellow fly In acrobatic moves throughout the midnight sky. It is colored balls, tossed by jugglers, to and fro With skill and concentration that only masters know. It gives off an energy that ebbs and flows And fills me with excitement that comes and goes. And this beauty of a light show of balas Is known as the Aurora Borealis.

(22)

PantheaCon 2007: One Wild Weekend

by Filia Chironis

What can I say to you all except that you missed one heck of a party! Over President’s Day weekend I was lucky enough to attend one of the largest annual pagan conventions in the country -- and the only one on the West Coast. Although, in my opinion, you never need a reason to visit the San Francisco Bay Area, this convention can certainly give you the time frame to plan your visit! When I wasn’t being dazzled by longsword dances, I was scrying with Enochian Magick. Not only did I meet our esteemed Headmaster, but I also learned that some believe he has a resemblance to Elvis! But I am getting ahead of myself here…

PantheaCon 2007 was hosted by Ancient Ways Books, located in Oakland, California. This year marked the lucky 13th_{anniversary of the convention and the theme was,} appropriately the Magic of 13 and Hecate. PantheaCon had something for everyone- truly! Some of the traditions represented included African Diaspora, Ceremonial, Chaos Magick, Dianic, Egyptian, Feri and Faery, Discordian, Asatru, Hellenic, Wiccan and more Druid and Shamanic groups than you could shake a stick at. There were arts and crafts, family and children centered activities, workshops on divination, healing, gods, goddesses, and history. There were countless rituals and performances as well. In other words, I can’t even begin to convey to you what the event was like. However, I shall shoulder the burden and try.

One of my greatest anxieties about going to PantheaCon was meeting our Headmaster, Oberon. He is a legend among magicians and I was unsure what to expect. Seeing pictures of him has always summoned an image of a man who is a cross between Rowling’s Dumbledore and Tolkien’s Gandalf. Maybe it’s the hat… Well, as is wont to happen in magick, a coincidence quickly stripped me of my anxiety. As I was waiting in line to register for my hotel room, a familiar-looking man caught my eye. He looked like Oberon but he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, so it was hard to tell. Okay, admittedly the t-shirt said Grey School and his nametag said 'Oberon', but one should never jump to conclusions. So I waited until he got directly behind me in line and was greeted by someone else before I introduced myself.

As it turns out, Oberon and Morning Glory (whom I was lucky enough to meet later, at their Mythic Images’ booth) are two of the kindest people you will ever meet. It seemed that everyone knew who they were and wanted to talk with them, share news, and get their opinions on rituals and magickal problems. And I never saw them without a smile. How they summoned all that energy is beyond me! It must have been magick…

Although I have lived in the Bay Area for seven years now, this was my first time at PantheaCon. To be honest, I am more comfortable typing away at my computer than navigating through large groups of people. However, when Professor Felidae posted asking for help with the hospitality suite I figured it sounded like fun and jumped right in. Not only did GSW have an official panel and the hospitality suite, but we also made our

presence known through flyers, an official display, and the sale of all four of our school’s books at the Mythic Images’ booth. On Friday, I was lucky enough to attend the “Basics of Shielding” workshop given by Professor Estara T’shirai and the “My Magic is Not Your Religion” lecture given by Professor Morgan Felidae. On Saturday evening faculty and staff from our school held a panel to talk about the school and answer people’s questions. It was during this presentation when I first met Professor Brighid Delphinos and Brian Ewing, the school’s attorney and a member of our Board of Directors.

As you can imagine, much of what was discussed during the panel was not new to me. However, I did glean some information of interest. Headmaster Oberon discussed in detail his vision of the school and how it had been forming in his mind for many years before the Harry Potter sensation took hold. Rowling’s popularity provided him with the platform necessary to bring his dream to fruition. I also learned a lot about our school’s continuing efforts to be classified as a tax exempt organization. Plus, we recruited four new students!

So, having read all the way to the end of this article, I feel that you deserve a reward for your effort. Oberon and Elvis. Well, apparently someone was overheard saying that Oberon looked like “Elvis Dumbledore”. It was probably just a mistranslation among the chaos of the convention but if you ever meet him, you should be sure to take a good hard look, just in case.

Photo by Filia Chironis Estara T’shirai, Brighid Delphinos, Headmaster Oberon, and

(23)

Robert Anton Wilson Has Left the Building

An elegy for one of the great modern Wizards

By Elizabeth Barrette, Dean of Students, special to Whispering Grey Matters

Robert Anton Wilson was one of the great Wizards of modern time. He wrote dozens of books, both nonfiction and fiction -- most famously the Illuminati novels and the personal-evolution guide, Prometheus Rising. His interests included various types of science and magic, but it all tended to cluster around two things: figuring out how the world works, and how the human mind works. His findings remain tremendously valuable to anyone interested in shaping internal or external realities. He also followed the works of other modern Wizards; he worked with Timothy Leary to promote futurist ideals, and he was a water-brother of Oberon Zell-Ravenheart.

Read more on Robert Anton Wilson's homepage at www.rawilson.com/main.shtml

or at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Anton_Wilson * * *

1932-NEVER

-- in memory of Robert Anton Wilson By Elizabeth Barrette

Once upon a time there was a man who questioned everything.

He liked to bang science and magic together,

The way small boys bang the ends of jumper cables To watch the sparks fly.

He illuminated literature, Triggered the cosmos,

Mixed felines with particle physics, And moved through more reality tunnels Than a spelunker in Mammoth Cave. He explained how the human mind works, And how to reprogram it if you want to. You are not allowed to laugh at the exercises Until you have tried them.

23. 17.

Synchronicity.

Never mind a moment of silence

Raise a glass, steal fire, pester someone important -That's the way to make a proper memorial