Introduction
people who dream of becoming Wizards.
Through entering my daily life, you, as my
Apprentice, 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 people of many cultures and
traditions. This Grimoire includes many
contributions from other members of the Grey
Council, as we pass on to you what we think
you will need to know.Grimoires
Grimoires, or “Black Books” as they were
commonly called, came into wide circulation and
usage in Europe in the Middle Ages and
Renaissance times—over 500 years ago. Ideally,
they were supposed to have been hand-copied
from generation to generation from even older
books. Every Wizard and Magician had his
collection of favorite grimoires, and so did many
doctors and noblemen. In fact, these were some of
the first books to be printed when the printing press
was invented. Many of these are beautifully illustrated
with old woodcuts. Much of the material in those
grimoires dates from around 100-400 CE, and comes
from Hebrew and Latin texts of Hermetic lore (Hermes
is the Greek god of magick).
Grimoires (from the Old French word for
“grammar”) are basically magickal handbooks—you
might even say “cookbooks”—giving precise
instructions for various spells and rituals, including
what to wear, what tools to use, and what charms and
incantations to say at certain astrological times and
hours. They contain recipes for oils, incenses and
potions, and descriptions for making magickal tools,
talismans, amulets and sigils (I’ll explain all these
later). They instruct the magician in how to prepareThe scientists of today may well
have been regarded as Wizards
in centuries past. In essence,
the best Wizards have been
those who have had keen
minds, and have been able
to free their thoughts from
everyday struggles and
ponder on the bigger
issues of life. This ability
was prized in the old
world of villages and other small
communities, as it was recognized as making
the community better able to survive various
calamities and ills.
—Anton & Mina Adams,
The World of Wizards, p. 6, OBERON RAVENHEART, AM A
practicing Wizard. In my long and
interesting life, I have been (and
am) many things: counselor,
teacher, writer, lecturer, artist,
priest, magician, ritualist... I have
been trained and initiated into
several different traditions of magick and Witchcraft,
and am considered an Elder throughout the magickal
community. But the title with which I most identify,
and the one which those who know me most readily
use in describing me, is “Wizard.”
A Wizard is not a Priest or representative of any
church or religion, but an adept (“expert”) in the realms
of Magick, arcane (“secret”) lore, mysticism,
philosophy, and knowledge in a wide variety of areas.
Wizards were the first scientists—science means
“knowledge, and wizardry means “wisdom.” Some of
the most prominent scientists (like Thomas Edison)
are referred as “Wizards” in their biographies. In fact,
the main difference between a Wizard and a scientist
even today is that most Wizards don’t work in institu-
tional laboratories, and don’t get paid by government
or corporate grants!
“Wizard” is a profession, like teacher, doctor or
lawyer. And just like a scientist or a teacher, a Wizard
can be whatever religion he chooses (or none at all!).
Throughout history, Wizards have existed and
functioned perfectly well within whatever religious
structure was around at the time. There have been
(and are) very renowned Jewish Wizards (King
Solomon was said to be the greatest of all!), Christian
Wizards, Moslem Wizards, Buddhist Wizards, Hindu
Wizards, Taoist Wizards... well, you get the idea.
I am writing and compiling this book—this
Grimoire—for you and future generations of youngCorrected pages 3rd printing.1.p65 5 6/10/2004, 2:59 PM