Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

248 Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

will want to pick one up. Sometimes you can even find

perfectly good ones at places like Goodwill and flea

markets. The best are those with a built-in light, and

several lenses that can rotate into place. You will prob-

ably need to buy a batch of slides separately, but these

are available at science and education stores. And

even if you can’t get hold of a microscope, a good

magnifying glass can still reveal many wonders of the

invisible world all around you!

Distiller—Perhaps the most important component

of medieval alchemy labs was the steam distilling ap-

paratus. A distiller evaporates all the liquid out of a

mix, turning it into vapor, and then condenses it back

into pure water, alcohol, or oil, leaving all solids and

impurities behind.

Lesson 5: Wise Wizards

and Safety

(by Abby Willowroot)

“Alchemy has never interested me. It’s alto-

gether too...too...”

“Dangerous,” said the Archchancellor

firmly. “Lot of damn mixin’ things up and saying,

hey, what’ll happen if we add a drop of the yellow

stuff, and then goin’ around without yer eyebrows

for a fortnight.”

—Terry Pratchett (Moving Pictures, p. 10)

CAUTION: Always be alert and careful. Even

something as simple as causing a flare-up in a camp-

fire by tossing in chemicals could be a problem for

someone standing too close to the flames. Mixing fire

and chemicals can equal Danger if you do not take

proper precautions. Fire is not a toy—it is a living,

breathing power that can quickly spring out of control

if proper care is not taken. Firemen consider fire a

living beast. So be careful around fire. Keep a pail of

water, sand, and a fire extinguisher handy if you

are working with any type of fire. Always be ready

to tame the beast!

CONSIDER: Your health and the health of those

around you can be adversely impacted by fire, smoke,

or chemicals. Those with asthma or other health con-

ditions (and their medications) can be negatively af-

fected by substances that may be harmless to others.

Wizardly awareness is an important skill to develop.

CHEMICALS can be harmful when mixed with

other chemicals. Do not experiment on your own; stick

to tried and tested formulas. Even if the chemicals you

use are safe, as described here, they may not be safe if

used with other chemicals. If you want to experiment

with chemicals, do it in a chemistry class with teacher

supervision, not around a campfire or in your living

room. Always be sure to have baking soda handy

to dilute and neutralize acidic chemicals.

CARE: The Wizard’s ways are the ways of aware-

ness, wisdom, and mastery. Taking proper precautions

to ensure safety is an important early lesson that all

Wizards must master before they can grow in their

power. Wizards that are prepared for any eventuality

and have taken proper safety precautions are more

relaxed and confident. They have given due respect to

the powers of elements and potions. If you want to

shine, polish up your safety awareness.

Lesson 6: Alchemistry Magick

NOTE: Some of the chemicals required for these

effects can be obtained from your pharmacy, but

you will have to get others from a chemistry set,

your school chemistry lab, or a chemical supply

house. Check your Yellow Pages. If you feel drawn

to study and practice Red Magick, then take chem-

istry classes in school!

Salt Sculptures

Place a small piece of metal junk in a shallow bowl

of salt water, add a bit of food coloring, and let it dry

out in the sun. The evaporation process will deposit

the salt on the object to create an interesting art piece.

Invisible Inks

Writing done with certain juices is invisible until

it is developed by warming or treating it with a chemi-

cal reagent. Such “invisible inks” have frequently been

used by spies, as well as conjurers. Lemon juice, grape-

fruit juice, vinegar, onion juice, milk—all of these can

be used in the same way. You will have to use an old-

fashioned nib pen to write with them. Write your mes-

sage and then let the “ink” dry to invisibility. To make

it reappear, heat the paper with a hair dryer.

Elastic Bones and Rubber Eggs

Save a few chicken bones, clean them thoroughly,

and soak them in strong vinegar for 24 hours. At the

end of that time, they will be so elastic that you can tie

knots in them without breaking them.

You can do the same thing with a shelled egg, mak-

ing the shell like rubber. But be careful not to break it!

Magic Handkerchief

Moisten a small white handkerchief with cobalt

chloride solution. Dry it with a hair dryer, and you

will find that it is blue when dry and warm. Cool it a

bit by blowing on it or sticking it in the refrigerator,

however, and it will turn white.

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