—Amber K, Author: True Magick: A Beginner’s Guide (Llewellyn 1985) …and many more
"Oberon Zell! Who better to write a young Wizard’s Grimoire that this living legend from the magickal and Pagan world?"


—John Sulak, Co-Author: Modern Pagans (RE/Search Publications 2001)
"Oberon is one of the most intelligent and creative people in modern Paganism…gifted storyteller, powerful magician, and young at heart."


—Conrad Bishop & Elizabeth Fuller, Producer/Hosts, “Hitchhiking off the Map” (public radio series)
"To Oberon’s knowledge and achievement in the magickal community, add personal capacity for wonder, curiosity, and effervescent delight in discovery."


—Jesse Wolf Hardin, Author, Kindred Spirits: Sacred Earth Wisdom (Swan•Raven 2001) The Earthen Spirituality Project
"Oberon awakens a fire in every person he comes into contact with, having long lived the life of a Wizard."


—Fiona Horne, Author, Witch: A Magickal Journey (HarperCollins 2000) Star of “Mad, Mad, Mad House” (SciFi Channel 2004)
"Oberon is not only extremely learned in the magickal arts but he communicates that knowledge with wit and charm."


Book Description
Besides the main author, the contributors to this Grimoire read like a "Who’s Who" of modern magickians, and include such notables as Raymond Buckland, Raven Grimassi, Amber K, and Donald Michael Kraig, among others. These varying viewpoints and expertise make for a balanced presentation and, like a good school, for an ability to maintain interest levels by having changes of pace and style. Designed as an Apprentice-level program of studies, this book is aimed at the same folks who find Harry Potter so fascinating – those young (and young at heart) people who want to be more in control of their world. It is broken down into seven separate "Courses" – Wizardry, Nature, Practice, Rites, Spectrum Part 1, Spectrum Part 2, and Lore. It further contains a set of appendices – A History of Magick Time Line, The Wizard’s Library, Credits and References, and an Index. Each of the Courses is further broken down into six or seven "classes" (a total of 45). Be prepared to put in some serious study time and effort if you want to take advantage of the material herein! Like Hogwarts, this book is arranged and scheduled to take seven years to complete. To the younger reader, I must say that there are good reasons for this, not the least being that one needs to become proficient in the basics before moving on. Many youngsters may be put off by the work expected of them in the early going. Where are the charms? Where are the incantations in mystic languages? Where are the rewards? Well, just like having to finish your veggies before getting dessert; just like needing to learn basic math before moving on to algebra; just like laying a foundation before building a home; you need to acquire the basic knowledge of the magickal world before getting into the "good stuff." As you work your way through this book (and make no mistake, you will work your way through it!), you may find yourself longing for the carefree days of school. The concepts contained within are easy to read, simple to absorb, and consuming to understand. If you think "Apprentice" means easy-to-do, think again. You will find yourself being fed a diet of ideas which may well force you to alter your perception of the universe. Oberon covers everything from creating your magickal tools to planting and caring for a garden (Anyone who doesn’t see gardening as a magickal act should consider the transformation of a seed into a plant and on to your table.); from learning to survive in the woods to learning to recognize Elementals. And all of that before he even begins to address the actual practice of magick. Course One, Class One, Lesson Three ("1.I.3: Glossary" to use Oberon’s notation system) is a handy glossary of types of Wizards which covers everything from Bards and Cybermancers to Wiccans and Wizards. If there is a description of a magick worker in the English language, it is in this glossary. Scattered throughout this book are tables of correspondences. There are a number of them, arranged in a variety of formats, and covering a wide range of topics. There are also a large number of illustrations, many of them (almost half, in fact) from the fertile mind and hands of Oberon. When he actually begins to discuss working magick, he takes the time to explain how and why it works. He relates it to things that all teens can relate to, and puts it firmly in the realm of things which are able to be done by anyone willing to put in the time and effort. He explains how to set up altars (both indoors and outdoors), how to construct shrines and henges, and other items as well. He includes basic instructions on a wide variety of healing techniques. He adds constant encouragement, in the form of reassurances that practice is required, and not to get discouraged if you don’t get immediate results. This book is aimed at the total spectrum of Wizardry (like Hogwarts). It does not just cover the Ceremonial aspects of magick. It covers the spectrum from invoking angels and demons to doing simple divination; from creating planetary talismans to simple remedies for acne; and from alchemy to conjury (stage magic). Reading this book will provide a thorough understanding of Wizardry. Completing the work within this book will provide a thorough mastery of the basics of Wizardry. He divides magick into the colors of the rainbow and more: Meditation (aqua); Healing (blue); Wortcunning (green); Divination (yellow); Conjury (orange); Alchemy (red); Beast Mastery (brown); Cosmology (violet); Mathemagicks (clear); Ceremonial Magick (white); Lore Mastery (grey); and the Black Arts (black). Thus, by adopting tabards or robes of the appropriate color Wizards who follow this system will be able to immediately identify the specialty of those they encounter. Mythology is covered extensively, as are world religious views. While some may question their inclusion in a grimoire, it is vital for the apprentice to understand all that may be encountered in the performance of magick. Because of the vast amount of energy devoted to these topics over the millennia, they have a valid existence on other planes, and the magickian must be prepared to deal with them. As with any competent teacher, Oberon not only expects you to complete the assigned exercises, but also assigns outside reading and independent research. He lets you know early on that there will be both theory and practice involved in progressing through this work, and both are equally important. He makes every effort to balance his opinions and beliefs, which he is careful to identify as such, with the opinions and beliefs of others covering a wide spectrum. For those with limited cash available, he lists many websites where information may be found. Even the most cash-strapped individuals can (and SHOULD) obtain a library card and avail themselves of the resources available there, in the form of internet access, books, magazines, etc. Pagan Times (pagantimesedfor@neogenesis.com.au)


From the Publisher
With contributions and additional material from Raymond Buckland, Raven Grimassi, Patricia Telesco, Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, and other illustrious members of The Grey Council, here is the book Merlin would have given a young Arthur...if only it had existed. This essential handbook contains everything an aspiring Wizard needs to know. It is profusely illustrated with original art by Oberon and friends, as well as many woodcuts from medieval and alchemical manuscripts—plus charts, tables, and diagrams. It also contains: Biographies of famous Wizards in history and legend; Descriptions of magickal tools and regalia (with full instructions for making them); spells and workings for a better life; rites and rituals for special occasions; a bestiary of mythical creatures; systems of divination; the Laws of Magick; myths and stories of gods and heroes; lore and legends of the stars and constellations; instructions for performing amazing illusions, special effects,! and many other wonders of the magickal multiverse. To those who study the occult, in particular, Witchcraft, the name of Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is internationally-known and respected. He is a genuine Wizard, and he has written this book for any person wishing to become one. Perhaps, as some have written, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart is the real Albus Dumbledore to aspiring Harry Potters! In addition to his own writings in this collection, he also presents other writers who add some highly thoughtful insights. Such as Raymond Buckland among others. The illustrations and photographs which accompany the text are among the finest found anywhere, and are a helpful boon to those wanting to see what they are reading about. Biographies of many famous Wizards of history and legend appear in the book. Detailed descriptions of magickal tools with information for making them appears in this book. Additional information includes rites and rituals for special occasions, a bestiary of mythical creatures, a detailed and educational discussion on the laws of magick, myths, and lore of the stars and constellations. This book is full of instructions! As a handbook and guide for becoming a Wizard, this is as near perfect and honest a book as one will find today. New Page Books has done a great service to the paranormal and occult community readers by publishing this worthwhile reference book. Oberon Zell-Ravenheart has written a classic on Wizardry. This is his masterpiece. One of the American pioneers of Paganism in the United States, his lifetime of learning and information is shared with readers from all walks of life. He started in 1968 with the publication of his award-winning journal, Green Egg, and is often considered by readers as one of their favorite Pagan writers. The lessons in this fine book are accurate, honest, and entertaining. If you want to become a Wizard, this is the book to start with, and learn from. This Grimoire is must-have reading for readers interested in true magick. The information given on ghosts will hold the reader spellbound, as will all information in this reference book! Highly recommended. Congratulations to the author for writing a classic, and congratulations to the New Page Books for publishing it for readers. —Lee Prosser Ghostvillage.com review Fate Magazine


From the Author
In this age of absent fathers, many boys dream of a mysterious older mentor figure, a special friend who helps one to discover his inner powers and true destiny. This is the role of Merlin, Gandalf, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Albus Dumbledore. Such Wizards inspire boys to find their own power by introducing them to stars and constellations, awesome spells, magickal rituals, mystical lore, astonishing special effects and magic illusions. Most important, Wizards tell inspiring stories that teach profound lessons and bring to life the magic of the natural and supernatural worlds. Wizard is a term deriving from the Anglo-Saxon wysard: "wise one." A Wizard is a lore-master, especially of arcane knowledge. 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. I am a practicing Wizard writing for present and future generations of young men who dream of becoming Wizards. Through entering my daily life, boys will be introduced to a number of people—historical, mythic, and living—who comprise the Grey Council, the secret network of Wizards, Mages and Sages that spans all of history and includes wise and magickal folk of many cultures and traditions. In this book the young Wizard will enter the story of an apprentice Wizard-in-training just as if they were sitting with me in my cluttered study—replete with arcane artifacts, moldy bones, mysterious volumes of forgotten lore, and mystic occult secrets.


From the Inside Flap
Foreword: The Grimoire and the Grey Council By Raymond Buckland A great number of us have been wanting—longing—to board the Hogwarts Express and to travel to an academy that teaches the really exciting things in life. Things such as magick, herbal lore, divination, conjuring, and so on. In a word, we have been wanting to learn WIZARDRY. It’s one thing to read about the experiences of someone else—even such a fascinating person as Harry Potter—but it’s quite another thing to be able to go through the whole magickal educational process yourself. To enter such a school and know that your teachers are the very finest Wizards and Witches in the world would be awe-inspiring. So, how to do this? How to find and attend such a Wizard’s academy? You’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to wait for a special invitation to be delivered, be it by owl mail or otherwise. You don’t even have to be the child of a Wizard or Witch. In fact you can even be a regular Muggle child and still get into this school. (It has been rumored that even some grown-up Muggles have been so attracted to it that they, too, have slipped in!) Where is this school? It’s right here in your hands. The Course in Wizardry—at least the Apprentice Level of the course—is contained in this book. That’s like suddenly discovering that there’s a home study branch of Hogwarts Academy! Here may be found seven major courses, plus an appendix and bibliography, put together by the Grey Council of Wizards for you to study and learn. Members of the Grey Council are living, breathing, famous Wizards and Witches of the present day. They are not "made up," or in any way invented by an author. They are alive and real and have been practicing their various crafts for up to forty or fifty years. When Harry Potter was first taking the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts Academy, he was shown the trading cards of Witches and Wizards that came in the Chocolate Frogs packs. Ron Weasley introduced him to these, showing such famous personalities as Merlin, Paracelsus, Morgana, Circe, Ptolemy, Dumbledore, and Hengist. These were actually a mixture of real Witches and Wizards and those of fiction and legend. But in this book there are only real ones. I have known Oberon Ravenheart for over 30 years. He is one of the pioneers of Paganism in the United States. I can’t think of a better, more qualified person to write a handbook for apprentice Wizards. Oberon is a Wizard (he always has been!). With his many decades of experience he, more than anyone, is uniquely qualified to write this book, having been teaching for the majority of his life. His name is greatly respected in all of the varying fields of Paganism and Witchcraft. He is truly an Elder…of Paganism, Witchcraft, and Magic. This is a grimoire. The word comes from the old French word meaning "grammar." It is, indeed, a grammar of magick. In other words, it explains exactly how magick is performed: how it is planned, prepared for, put together, and very carefully worked. You wouldn’t expect to be able to learn a foreign language without doing some study. You would need to learn new words and how to put them together so that they made sense. You would need to know occasional alternate words that could be used, and the correct way to pronounce them. Well, so it is with magick. By learning the grammar/Grimoire, you will be able to not only make yourself understood (to the elements, the spirits, the animals, trees, plants, and all other aspects of nature—plus, of course, to other Wizards), but you will be able to show that you are fluent in the language—that you are a master of it. This translates into becoming a master Wizard; a magician recognized by his peers (those of equal standing) as competent and knowledgeable. In so many subjects in everyday school, you sometimes find yourself wondering "Why do I have to learn this?" "What use is this to anyone?" You resist doing the work, the study, the homework. But with the Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, all that is changed! You will find yourself eagerly looking forward to the next step, and the one after that, and the one after that! Study will become a joy. You won’t want to stop. Imagine learning such things as Foundations of Magick, Magickal Skills, The Soul of Nature, Tools of Magick, Wizardly Regalia, Spellcraft, Conjury, Magickal Bestiary, and so on and so on. What wonderful titles! What wonderful subjects! Wortcunning; Mathemagicks; Skrying. New words and ancient teachings. This is not just a book about Wizardry; it’s a book of Wizardry! Let this book take you on a journey. It opens on Wizardry, introduces you to ideas and concepts, then leads you along the secret path that wends its way through the sometimes fearsome appearing trees of the forest of ancient knowledge. Along the way you learn that all is not as it seems. What many people take as frightening, or scary, you will learn to be safe, inspiring, and power-enabling. The path through the woods goes on and on, but the deeper it goes, the more interesting you will find it. This is a little like venturing into the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. There will be temptations along the way. There will appear to be some short-cuts. But where do they really lead? The safest route is with your guides. Remember, Hagrid was not afraid of the forest, because he knew it and knew of its inhabitants. So with the Grey Council. We know the safest routes and will guide you safely. Welcome to this unique course of magick, and know that you are setting your foot on the first step along the path that will take you out of the ordinary and into the special world of Wizardry.


About the Author
As a child, Oberon had a natural affinity for the creatures of Nature and spent much of his time alone in the woods. He was an introspective child who loved to read—particularly natural history, mythology, science fiction and fantasy. He later earned college degrees in sociology, anthropology, psychology, education and theology. Inspired by Robert Heinlein’s 1961 visionary novel, Stranger in a Strange Land, Oberon co-founded a Pagan Church in1962. An initiate in several different Magickal traditions, he has created and participated in many interfaith groups and projects, including the Council of Earth Religions, the Pagan Summit, and the Grey Council. Oberon has played a major role in the unity of the magickal community and in reclaiming the spiritual heritage of pre-Christian Europe. In his award-winning magazine, Green Egg (1968-2000), he was the first to use the words "Pagan" and "Neo-Pagan" to describe the newly emerging Nature religions of the 1960s. In 1970, he developed and published the thealogy of "deep ecology" which has become known as "The Gaia Thesis"—the premise that all life on Earth is a single vast living Being, known as Mother Earth, or "Gaia" to the ancient Greeks. Oberon met and fell in love with Morning Glory, his soulmate and wife of 30 years, at the Gnostic Aquarian Festival in 1973, where he was a keynote speaker. From 1977 to 1985 they lived in a 5,600-acre intentional community in the mountains of northern Califia, creating a rural homestead and magickal retreat center. In February of 1979, they created and led a ritual with other Pagan leaders to celebrate the solar eclipse at a full-scale restoration of Stonehenge in Washington State, a transformative event attended by over 3,000 people. Oberon and Morning Glory’s research into arcane lore and ancient legends resulted in the "Living Unicorn" project, begun in 1980 and culminating with the leasing of several of their authentic Unicorns to the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey Circus. The Zells also traveled around North America exhibiting their Unicorns at Renaissance Faires. Continuing to explore fables and mysteries, in 1985 Oberon organized a video diving expedition to Australia and New Guinea to solve the mystery of the Mermaid. Other legendary journeys have taken Oberon to Peru, Hawaii, Alaska, and ancient oracles and archaeological sites throughout Europe and the Aegean. In 1999, he visited England for the final total solar eclipse of the Millennium, which he celebrated with local Pagans at an ancient stone circle in Cornwall. Oberon has published many articles on history, Gaian thealogy, magick, shamanism, mythology, anomalies, archaeology, cosmology, and related topics. His Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard is an essential basic reference work that will continue to serve as a resource throughout the reader’s lifetime. Oberon’s favorite art project is his ongoing sculpture series of Gods, Goddesses, and mythological creatures, presented as "The Mythic Images Collection.

FROM THE PUBLISHER