December 2020 Grey Matters
The Grey Matters
December 2020
Table of Contents
The Three Rules of Wizardry
Creating an Athame
New Alchemy Classes
Yule Recipes
Seasonal Poems
The Magick of Holly
December Candle-Side Chat
The Magick of Stories
The Dean's List
Magick Alley Sale
The Three Rules of Wizardry: Foundations of Wizardly Growth
By Apprentice Truston
In any profession or sphere of existence, there are social constructs in place that govern accepted behavior. Occasionally, specific professions or social situations require the codification of those constructs to provide a frame of reference for judging ones own behavior, and the behavior of our peers. Lawyers, in every state and jurisdiction the world over, have established a set of rules and guidelines for their professional conduct and ethical code. Doctors do the same. These guidelines exist in part because of the nature of these professions. Lawyers and Doctors have an influence over the people they advise, and because of the nature of their professions they have more of a responsibility to the people they serve than the average person. This additional responsibility requires rules that govern what could otherwise be considered legal behavior in the eyes of the law. A doctor, for example, may legally be able to offer only one course of treatment for a patient, but ethically they are required to present all of the options and possible outcomes and allow a patient to make their own decision. Without standardized guidelines, a doctor who does not honor this ethical rule may cause undue harm to their patients physically or mentally. Similarly, Wizards operate with a certain amount of influence over the people and communities who seek their advice and assistance. This influence necessitates a set of rules that govern a Wizards behavior so that undue harm is not felt at a Wizards hands and thus the Three Rules of Wizardry are born.
The first Rule of Wizardry states: A Wizard takes responsibility and credit for their actions and deeds. This rule requires the Wizard to examine their actions to determine the results of their work. A Wizard cannot just cast a spell or offer advice and let what may be, be. They must follow up on their casting or their advice and determine the courses of action that sprung as a result of their work and the outcomes of those actions. Additionally, the Wizard must be honest in their analysis and take credit and responsibility for any outcomes that may be a result of their work. A Wizard may not always be able to determine the level to which their work played into the results of their work, but they must always take responsibility for their potential part in the outcome. Furthermore, a Wizard must be willing to accept that their work may result in a negative or undesired outcome. This rule sets the foundation for the proper functioning of the other two Rules of Wizardry.
The second Rule of Wizardry states: Reputation is power. This is a simple rule that reminds the Wizard that their reputation directly influences their power. As a Wizard, it is through our reputation that we are sought for council and advice. With a strong positive reputation within our communities we will be sought for council more frequently and for issues of a greater nature than otherwise. Similarly, a negative reputation will see a Wizard with little ability to influence their community, as those within it will seek advice and council elsewhere. The second Rule of Wizardry is a reminder to the Wizard of their potential to have great effects on the world around them.
The third Rule of Wizardry states: With great responsibility comes great power, and with great power comes great responsibility. The third and final Rule of Wizardry reminds the wizard that they have the ability to influence events and decisions that shape the world around them and that is not something to be taken lightly. As a Wizard grows their experience, and as a result their sphere of influence, so too will the impact of their actions be felt more strongly and by further people. At its most basic, the third Rule of Wizardry serves as the building that rests on the foundation of the first and second Rules of Wizardry. As our reputation grows through acknowledgement and ownership of our actions, we see our responsibility and power rise.
These three rules work together intrinsically to influence a Wizards decisions and behavior. When a Wizard adheres to the first Rule of Wizardry, they are owning their actions and deeds, and taking responsibility for their outcome. The implication of the first rule is that the Wizard will not only take responsibility, but furthermore, examine the results of th