Course One: Wizardry 9
students—and, hopefully, Apprentices.
The word mentor comes from the ancient Greek
story of Odysseus (o-DESS-ee-us), as told in The
Odyssey by Homer. Mentor was the name of his loyal
friend and advisor, and the teacher of his son,
Telemachus (tel-EM-a-kus). So a mentor came to
mean a wise and loyal advisor, a teacher and coach.
And it is especially used to mean an older person who
offers the kind of guidance and counsel a boy or girl
needs to make the transition from childhood, through
adolescence, and into the responsibilities of adulthood.
When I was young, I had several mentors who
were very important to me and who helped guide me
during the most important choices and transitions I
had to make. I directed my primary studies towards
psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, archae-
ology, and comparative religions. These were the
fields in which I majored, and they became the basis
for my professional career in the mundane world for
many years. And, along with my continuing explora-
tions of science and natural history, these studies led
me into Wizardry.Being an Apprentice Wizard
And so, in writing this Grimoire, I am taking on
the role and responsibility of mentorship for you, as
it had been given to me in my youth. There is a very
important saying among magickal people: “What goes
around comes around.” When we truly understand
this, we automatically want to pass on the gifts we
have been given, when it comes our turn to do so.
And so it is.
In olden days, Apprentices would often leave
home and go to live with the Master. Like Arthur with
Merlin, or Dick Grayson at Wayne Manor, they might
live in the same house, as a “Ward.” Sometimes they
would live with other apprentices or students in a
Guild Hall, Studio, or (as at Hogwarts) a student dor-
mitory in a special school. You, of course, will be liv-
ing at your own home. But when you are reading this
book, I’d like you to imagine you are sitting right here
with me in my study, or working beside me in my
garden, or joining me in a walk through
the forests, across the fields, along
the seashore. Or maybe we will
just be lying on our backs on a
hillside, looking up at the
stars....
So, now that you have
started your apprenticeship,
what is it we are going to ex-
pect of each other? Well, you
can expect of me that I will pro-
vide you these lessons in an or-
ganized and systematic order.
You can count on me to giveyou the most honest, reliable, and responsible infor-
mation I know. I will be your teacher, and your men-
tor. After all, my greatest hope is that you will carry
on my Work, add to it, and, in your turn, pass the
torch to the next generation....
As for what I expect of you...first of all, I expect
you to pay attention. I expect you to take care of your-
self, and treat others well. I expect you, in fact, to be
excellent to each other! I expect you to study and learn
these Lessons. And write something in your magickal
journal just about every day.Lesson 3: Your Family
(mostly by Patricia Telesco)During this time in your life, it is very important
to get along with your family. Magickal paths may
come and go, but family is forever. Honoring your
parents can be hard and sometimes frustrating, but
it’s worth it and it’s a way of giving back something
to your family that’s very Wizardly—that is, respect!
I’m hoping you will have a good enough relationship
with your own parents that you can talk with them
about all this. Of course, if your parents are like Harry
Potter’s horrible aunt and uncle, that may not be easy!
Few of us are lucky enough to be born into magickal
families. In fact, we even have a name for magickal
children born to Mundy parents: We call them
“Changelings.” I was a Changeling myself. So, if you
also are a Changeling, here are a few tips to help you
communicate with your folks:
Consider your family’s background—find the
things that are similar to Wizardry, and focus on those
in your talks with your parents. There’ll be plenty of
time to hash out the differences later. Whatever you
do, don’t show up for talks with Mom and Dad in a
robe and waving a wand! I suggest one of mom’s fa-
vorite sweaters and your hair combed. If you want
them to take your choice seriously, look like a serious
young adult.
Be likewise respectful of your friends’ families,- Wizardry.p65 9 1/14/2004, 3:23 PM