Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

The GOOD: It's well written, it has A LOT of information about magic, lore, and a large etcetera. Very complete, and useful for any person who wants to learn about magic, not only of what magic is, but how to be a magician too (dress like one, think like one...) The things I didn't like much are not about the book itself, but about the intention it was given to it. Everything is written as if a teenager were reading it, it mentions too much harry potter (which I think as a merchandising trick for kids) and.. "you know you have to ask your mom if you want to place an altar on your beedroom!" and so... This book was ment to be read by kids that have to learn a little about life yet, but wanna be harry potter or gandalf the gray. The book itself could be more serious, but that's not Oberon's public though. I bought this book as a may-be wicca-helping source kind of a book... and it ended in the "fantasy and mythology" shelf. I'ts a wonderful book for anyone to explore, it's full, REALLY, full of information about a lot of themes: kinds of magick, divination, wortcunning, healing magic, mathemagicks, lore, bestiary........ It's a wonderful source, not what I was looking for, but something I do appreciate very much, because it's fun to read about magic and so. There are some pagan thoughts in it, that could approach a kid to a pagan religion in the future (that I think as a doble hedge knife), It has information about witchcraft and the keltic wheel of the year, and something I was affraid of finding turn out very good when I found the "dark arts" section to be an explanation of good and bad that turns a kid into the right direction concerning to magickal Ethics... The book is very virtue-oriented, and teaches kids to love and care for nature as well as explore the magic world. As a parent I would buy this book for a 13-17 teenager and explore with him the wonderful world of magic and teach him, along with oberon, what magick is really about. :)This book is not for kids that lack of criticism and an eye for truth. Laura L. (México) PS: it took two weeks to get to Mexico.

Magick, through all its varied forms and traditions, always has at least one component that it shares. Freedom. Freedom from old ideas. Freedom from old religions. A pathway leading the practioner to new depths of themselves, and through that, the world. It is not, and should not, be used as a tool for the crushing of imagination, but its expansion. It is a very delicate line, to separate one's own prejudices and mythology from the craft itself, creating a clear platform that allows, or even more, encourages the reader to find their own truth. To question authority, even the authority of the writer. Oberon Zell's Grimoire For the Apprentice Wizard does just that. Though there are many books on magick, too often they emphasize the writer's particular viewpoint on the craft, providing a kind of blueprint for development in a particular tradition at the expense of the infinite multiverse of alternate perspectives that could, and should exist. In his Grimoire, it is apparent that Oberon's intention is to create a platform that is, as well as he is able, clear. Beginning with a brief history of magick in its various incarnations in the Western world; as well as a fundamental glossary of magickal terms as used by all, he moves into beautifully illustrated and well-intentioned explanation of the various types of magick and process. He includes chapters on healing, herbology, astronomy, mathematics, animal communion (a personal favourite), divination, and many more. Each section illustrates the fundamental principles common to all traditions, allowing the student the space to find their own ideas. Supposedly geared to the adolescent reader, each chapter contains instructions on how to create and manage spells; focusing not only on the process of starting a magick, but the responsible cleanup so often neglected afterwards in making your spells efficient and successful. I was particularly impressed with the various sources and quotations used in the book. Many authors fail to see (or perhaps, respect) the ways in which spiritual, magickal truths have expressed themselves in today's world. In drawing on gems of wisdom hidden in popular culture; from Aristotle to Discworld, Pythagoreas to Spiderman; Oberon's viewpoint shows an open-mind free of the prejudice of the past that sees the Goddesses, and Gods, still alive inside the imagination of the modern world. More than just a set of instructions, the Grimoire provides a set of tools designed to allow young minds the opportunity to find their own way through the labyrinth of their imagination. I highly ... highly recommend this book to both new and old readers alike. It is refreshing to see an author who not only claims the intention to provide an open philosophy that still honours its history and practice, but who succeeds in doing so.

Finally a Book that Makes Magick Appealing and Fun There have been quite a few people who have bashed Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and his whole Grey School but you know as I have been reading one of his required textbooks for the Apprentice Wizard, I am finding his suggestions rather clever and enlightened. He does have a few minor issues in some of the historical factoid back grounding of various topics but his work is geared at the YA crowd and it is easy to overlook what appears to be a gloss over. He provides enough info to whet a newbie's appetite to learn and ferret out the particulars. I have been actively studying magick and the occult for over twenty years and I have an extensive knowledge of a variety of traditions and I have read hundreds of texts within most of the occult genres and subgenres so I consider myself to an authority on the validity of texts in the field. I give this text my seal of approval because it is written in a way that inspires a new student to further their own study. It doesn't tell as much as it shows which is a remarkable achievement with an introductory text to magick and occult studies. I am actually enjoying Ravenheart's textbook and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great primer into the realm of occult literature. The author provides some great practical exercises to further develop one's metaphysical and psychic self. He has been practicing since the 1960s, which is impressive and he does have a wealth of wisdom to share. For those who complained about the Harry Potter references, I really did not find any of these references detracting and the real world of magick is never compared to the fictional world of magick represented in Harry Potter. Any and all works to references of wizardly fictions in this text are to add a bit of spice and are used as a way to connect the material with the reader and it makes the reading fun. You can't go wrong to buy this book and absorb its contents and I am sure you will find yourself enjoying the experience no matter what your level, tradition or back ground. Ravenheart is a joy to read.

Good quality and arrived safely and faster than usual

I've read my way through many of the post-Harry Potter books on real occultism, and this is, imo, by far the best, and most complete. With the right teacher(s), and plenty of additional reading material a student could be guided through the whole process of beginning to learn the magical arts. Oberon has attempted a truly comprehensive introduction to the world of magic and Paganism, and he's done pretty well. I like the boy-scout manual feel of the book, mixing life skills, woodland skills and occult skills. He produces a kind of generalized, cross-tradition version of occult arts that I like well enough, though I think that some greater discussion of where the various ideas come from would have been good. The ideas tend to be presented as though they were simply a 'tradition of wizardry', with no real discussion of the fact that 'wizardry' is being concocted right here and now. Each chapter is a good introduction to the topic presented. Some, such as the basic how-tos, could be implemented just as is, from the book. Other chapters will help to lead students toward wider resources on the topic. My biggest concern is that the book almost entirely avoids a practical approach to religion. 'Wizardry' is presented as having plenty of commerce with the Gods and Goddesses, but there is no instruction at all on how to approach those powers, except in a ritual magic, 'energies to be used' sort of sense. Some instruction is given on the use of shrines, etc, and in the 8-fold year of Pagan worship, and the book does a fine job of avoiding any preference for one religious system over another. I do think a bit more attention could have been given to an introduction to Paganism as worship. The Potter books themselves, of course, strictly avoid any hint of religion, and I think that spirit has carried over into this work. Those who are interested in a religious approach to wizardry will have to supplement the Grimoire, but the book itself provides plenty of resources and places to begin. Any small criticisms aside it's still as good a general intro to modern Pagan magic and 'wizardry' as has been done yet.

I found the "Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard" one day when browsing through the book selections of Amazon.com. Intrigued by the description, I ordered the book. Three days later it was in my hand, and I don't think a day has gone by since that I haven't read and studied from this amazing work. In his "Grimoire," Oberon Zell-Ravenheart-and a hand-selected group of experts-have assembled a wizard's compendium of magickal and arcane lore. In this richly-illustrated book you can learn the basics of magickal practice, mythology, magickal healing, herbology, nature studies, alchemy, and cosmology, to name only a few of the topics included. It's not only a fascinating read, but for many people, this book will open a door that previously stood closed: the door to magick and wizardry as ways of life. The "Grimoire" is also the main student text for the Grey School of Wizardry ([...] an on-line school of wizardry for children (age 11 and up) and adults that features a faculty of experts (including Zell-Ravenheart as Headmaster) and a seven-level program of wizard apprenticeship. The best news of all? A sequel to the book is in process! Buy this book and thrill to its contents. And if your seeking leads you to the Grey School, I'll see you there! Many blessings, Moonwriter

Oberon Zell Ravenheart is indeed a master. He has taken his years of study and experimentation and arranged it in a complete course to offer everyone. His methods are tried and true. He has worked with many people in the magickal community to make this book of instruction possible. He helped design a magickal living community in California where his lessons are put to use in the "real" world. He also raises unicorns as a part of his life. He also sculptures statues that are used in ritual or for decoration. This book is formatted in easy to use and understand lessons. The book describes each color level, out of the 12 listed in the book, and gives lessons to learn in each section. This is the basic level of learning, or the apprentice level, for those interested in pursuing true wizardry at it's finest. This book is geared towards the 11-18 year age group but adults will not be disappointed by what is inside. Some lessons are very basic while others are more advanced which will appeal to the adult. If this book is interesting enough to where you want to learn more, check out the Grey School of Wizardry where these lessons are taught. The lessons here are offered online in each corresponding color and class. The Grey School Faculty expand on some of these classes as well. If interested in this book and the Companion volume, check out the FAQ and other sections at [...] You will not be disappointed in what you find and you may find that the way of the wizard is for you.

The outside cover had some damage and someone had spilled wax on it, but I was able to scrape that off. The pages inside were in good condition, and there was no writing or anything inside. As far as the content of this book, It is excellent. Mr Ravenheart covers the subject in detail while keeping it simple and understandable. So many aspects of the magical craft are covered, and he really left little to nothing to chance as far as instructions for magical practice. It was nice to find a book on this subject written at a relatively elementary level. If there is one complaint about the books content, it's on it's poor editing and/or fact-checking, because it did say that some vegetables had chlorine, where they obviously intended to say choline.