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Designed as an Apprentice-level program of studies, this book is aimed at the same folks who find Harry Potter so fascinating – those young (and young at heart) people who want to be more in control of their world.

It is broken down into seven separate "Courses" – Wizardry, Nature, Practice, Rites, Spectrum Part 1, Spectrum Part 2, and Lore. It further contains a set of appendices – A History of Magick Time Line, The Wizard’s Library, Credits and References, and an Index. Each of the Courses is further broken down into six or seven "classes" (a total of 45). Be prepared to put in some serious study time and effort if you want to take advantage of the material herein!

Like Hogwarts, this book is arranged and scheduled to take seven years to complete. To the younger reader, I must say that there are good reasons for this, not the least being that one needs to become proficient in the basics before moving on.

Many youngsters may be put off by the work expected of them in the early going. Where are the charms? Where are the incantations in mystic languages? Where are the rewards? Well, just like having to finish your veggies before getting dessert; just like needing to learn basic math before moving on to algebra; just like laying a foundation before building a home; you need to acquire the basic knowledge of the magickal world before getting into the "good stuff."

As you work your way through this book (and make no mistake, you will work your way through it!), you may find yourself longing for the carefree days of school. The concepts contained within are easy to read, simple to absorb, and consuming to understand. If you think "Apprentice" means easy-to-do, think again. You will find yourself being fed a diet of ideas which may well force you to alter your perception of the universe.

Oberon covers everything from creating your magickal tools to planting and caring for a garden (Anyone who doesn’t see gardening as a magickal act should consider the transformation of a seed into a plant and on to your table.); from learning to survive in the woods to learning to recognize Elementals. And all of that before he even begins to address the actual practice of magick.

Course One, Class One, Lesson Three ("1.I.3: Glossary" to use Oberon’s notation system) is a handy glossary of types of Wizards which covers everything from Bards and Cybermancers to Wiccans and Wizards. If there is a description of a magick worker in the English language, it is in this glossary.

Scattered throughout this book are tables of correspondences. There are a number of them, arranged in a variety of formats, and covering a wide range of topics. There are also a large number of illustrations, many of them (almost half, in fact) from the fertile mind and hands of Oberon.

When he actually begins to discuss working magick, he takes the time to explain how and why it works. He relates it to things that all teens can relate to, and puts it firmly in the realm of things which are able to be done by anyone willing to put in the time and effort.

He explains how to set up altars (both indoors and outdoors), how to construct shrines and henges, and other items as well. He includes basic instructions on a wide variety of healing techniques. He adds constant encouragement, in the form of reassurances that practice is required, and not to get discouraged if you don’t get immediate results.

This book is aimed at the total spectrum of Wizardry (like Hogwarts). It does not just cover the Ceremonial aspects of magick. It covers the spectrum from invoking angels and demons to doing simple divination; from creating planetary talismans to simple remedies for acne; and from alchemy to conjury (stage magic). Reading this book will provide a thorough understanding of Wizardry. Completing the work within this book will provide a thorough mastery of the basics of Wizardry.

He divides magick into the colors of the rainbow and more: Meditation (aqua); Healing (blue); Wortcunning (green); Divination (yellow); Conjury (orange); Alchemy (red); Beast Mastery (brown); Cosmology (violet); Mathemagicks (clear); Ceremonial Magick (white); Lore Mastery (grey); and the Black Arts (black). Thus, by adopting tabards or robes of the appropriate color Wizards who follow this system will be able to immediately identify the specialty of those they encounter.

Mythology is covered extensively, as are world religious views. While some may question their inclusion in a grimoire, it is vital for the apprentice to understand all that may be encountered in the performance of magick. Because of the vast amount of energy devoted to these topics over the millennia, they have a valid existence on other planes, and the magickian must be prepared to deal with them.

As with any competent teacher, Oberon not only expects you to complete the assigned exercises, but also assigns outside reading and independent research. He lets you know early on that there will be both theory and practice involved in progressing through this work, and both are equally important. He makes every effort to balance his opinions and beliefs, which he is careful to identify as such, with the opinions and beliefs of others covering a wide spectrum.

For those with limited cash available, he lists many websites where information may be found. Even the most cash-strapped individuals can (and SHOULD) obtain a library card and avail themselves of the resources available there, in the form of internet access, books, magazines, etc.

Pagan Times (pagantimesedfor@neogenesis.com.au)

Average Customer Rating:

Great for all ages!	Customer Rating:
Ostensibly written for young adults, this tome of arcane knowledge is a fantastic resource for all aspiring wizards and mages. I recommend it highly to any novice beginning their spiritual path, and even those more advanced; as it is extremely well organized with a fantastic appendix. I am so glad I picked it up.

Beginners best

Customer Rating:

I am enjoying this book more than I had intended. I bought it for my son but it turns out I've been doing all of the reading! It's the book I wish I had found fifteen years ago when I was first introduced to this sort of thing. The tone is playful without being irreverent. Zell's approach is appealing because he takes it seriously, but knows how to have fun. That makes it a great barometer for how much he loves what he does. And he makes it a point very early on that this isn't the type of wizardry you read about in fiction, a distinction I am glad to see. I would prescribe this book (and it's companion) for, at the youngest, kids in their tweens and also anyone new or curious about wizardry.

Well...

Customer Rating:

I recently bought the Grimmoire along with the Companion of the apprentice wizard and i must say i was dissapointed,this reveiw is for both of them, its a very nicely written book with a lot of nice info but thats it. Most of the book covers subjects that are, in my opinion, irrelevant to the art of magick or are just cheap conjuring tricks for entertainment..couple of hours after I started reading them i thought i was reading a field guide book. Sure its very useful to know how to start a fire without a lighter, or to be able to find North East West and South just ny looking at the stars, but lets face it, i will never need it! It wont enhance my magickal abilities either so, it useless. After all if i did want to learn how to do a ll the above things i would buy the SAS field survival guide! Now dont get me wrong , I believe Oberon is a great wizard and a passionate for his trade man, but he could do better than this. These books are both for people who have never before encountered spells, rituals, and believe witchcraft is what Harry Potter films show.

An EXCELLENT Compendium

Customer Rating:

Stand-alone, this book is an exceelent reference, coupled with its companion, its exceeds my expectations, and when placed in a triumverant with its online school, The Grey School of Wizardry [...], then it rises to to the category of an epic piece of writing. Essential knowledge to have for both the experienced practioner and the newcomers is found at every turn of the page. Whether its an overview look at magical times and clanedars, a quick reference on languages, or a semi boy scout handbook on nature (and beyond!) its all here. I reccomned using this with the companion and the school for maximum effectiveness, but this alone will get many started in the right direction.

An absolute must, for the new Wizard or Witch.	Customer Rating:
This book is not only thorough it is well written. The references are extensive and well thoughtout and it would serve as an excellent introductory book for any young Witch or Wizard. The age range I would recommend would be between fourteen and up, although I am sure that some individauls that are younger would definately find it useful, it can be a little complex and insightful.