Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard

Course One: Wizardry 47

we pay attention, put on the templates of our special

“3-D sunglasses,” and look out to sea. Because it might

be that This Means Something! Often something Big,

and if we’re paying attention, like a surfer paddling

out there beyond the breakers on his boogie board,

we can see that wave coming, we can position our-

selves to catch it, and when it rises beneath us, we

can use its momentum and power for a wild ride.

This is what we call surfing the synchronicity

wave. The rule here is simple: Pay attention! Stay alert,

and notice everything. You are developing a skill. Just

like a detective in a movie, or a tracker in the wild,

how good you are at this skill depends on how well

you observe every little detail. Fitting the clues to-

gether will point your way towards recognizing the

larger pattern, the synchronicity that is more than just

random, minor, overlapping events.

Abby Willowroot says: “I tend to view Synchro-

nicity as a kind of sacred entrainment with the

Universe and its pulse. When you are ‘in the flow,’

synchronicities happen frequently. The more you

‘push the river,’ the less frequently they happen.

It seems like the difference between making magic

and being magically in tune and allowing magic

to flow through you, as you direct it.”

Lesson 4: Glossary of

Metaphysical Concepts

Just as in the science of physics, the realm of meta-

physics also has its own vocabulary. Here are a few

important terms and concepts you should know:

Metaphysics: “Beyond physics.” The study and phi-

losophy of the relationships between perceived

reality and the deeper, underlying universal real-

ity and principles. The word was originated by

Aristotle to describe his books that came after his

work on physics.

Mundane: “Worldly.” Commonplace, ordinary, non-

magickal. Used to refer to “normal” reality, as op-

posed to altered or enhanced states of perception.

Sacred: Especially imbued with the essence of di-

vinity, or considered to be so imbued.

Profane: The opposite of sacred.

Occult: “Hidden.” This term refers to all the mysteri-

ous and secret arts, studies, knowledge, practices,

and groups—especially those that are not under-

stood, unpopular, and often condemned by

Mundanes. In astronomy, an object is “occulted”

when it disappears behind something else.

Mysteries: Things that can only be known through

experience, and cannot be communicated verbally

or in writing. Such are often conveyed as part of

an Initiation.

Initiation: A ritualized transformational experience

that introduces one to a new reality. A rite of pas-

sage into a mystical society or religion.

Esoteric: Hidden, implicit, experiential, and “inner.”

Exoteric: Obvious, explicit, explainable, and “outer.”

Arcane/Arcana: Secret, mysterious. Another word for

all things esoteric and occult. Arcana are things that

are arcane in nature. Arcana is the plural of arcanum

—Latin neuter form of arcanus: Knowledge usu-

ally considered for Initiates only, as in the Mysteries.

Paranormal: “Alongside the normal.” Outside the

range of the normal. Unusual or “supernatural.”

Not explainable by current scientific principles.

Supernatural: That which apparently goes beyond

experience or existence in the natural world, or

cannot be explained through known natural laws

or forces. Miraculous.

Anomaly/Anomalous: Something unusual, abnor-

mal, inconsistent, contradictory, or improper.

Archetype: The basic pattern, or idea, in the collec-

tive unconscious from which all things in the same

class are representations.

Path: A method, system, or approach to magickal or

mystical knowledge.

Adept: “Arrived” or “attained.” Expert. One who has

studied and achieved much and has become highly

skilled in magick or mysticism. To be adept at

something means you’re “good at it.”

Mystic: One who pursues the philosophical and spiri-

tual side of magick.

Enlightenment: A state of deep and total awareness,

experiencing constant connectedness with all and

everything. Some people experience at times a

united state that gives a hint of what enlighten-

ment is.

Lucidity: A state of enhanced awareness, when an

exceptional understanding of the deep essential

nature of things, people and events and their con-

nectedness is experienced, usually with clairvoy-

ance or telepathic faculties.

Avatar: A deity incarnate in human form, such as

Christ, Buddha, or Krishna. A person regarded as

an exemplary representation of some kind.

Macrocosm: “Big world.” The world without. The

Universe all around us.

Microcosm: “Little world.” Traditionally, the micro-

cosm is the human being seen as a miniature rep-

resentation of the larger Universe.

Aura: “Invisible breath or emanation.” Auras are the

fields of biomagnetic energy that emanate from,

envelop, and interconnect all living things, within

and without

Astral: “Of the stars.” Astral refers to the invisible

universe and fields of living energies, conscious-

ness, and magick. The shadowy realms and alter-

nate realities in which magickal practitioners op-

erate. Astral realms and regions (such as the

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