June 2021 Grey Matters
The Grey Matters
June 2021
Table of Contents
1.) 2021 Summer Conclave Schedule and Details
2.) Magick Alley Team Update
3.) GSW Ring Order Update
4.) Defensors' Club
5.) Winners of the Obie Award Announced
6.) Candle Side Chat with Provost Nicholas Kingsley
7.) Interview With Dean Ambika Devi
8.) Refer-A-Friend Raffle
9.) In Person Lessons at GSW?
10.) vGSW Midsummer Moot Livestream
Summer 2021 Conclave Schedule and Details
By Provost Nicholas Kingsley
Greetings Esteemed Wizards! It is my pleasure to offer you the Schedule to our 2021 Summer Conclave!
Located at 123 Poultney st, Whitehall New York, our 2021 Conclave begins on Friday, July 9th at 5 PM EDT and ends on Sunday, July 11 at 6 PM EDT.
The Grey School of Wizardry is putting on it's first gathering in years at our physical space in Whitehall NY. If you're currently Enrolled not only do you get to attend this event, but you may do so for free!
The only requirements to attend this year's event are as follows:
1. You are Actively Enrolled at GSW
2.You have RSVPed by clicking the RSVP button on the GSW forums and filled out the following forms.
3. If you are under the age of 18 you are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
And that's it! We want our conclaves to be an opportunity to the Wizards in attendance to not only enjoy interesting and engaging content, but also to socialize and network with their peers. The connections made may well last a wizard years to come and we believe that it should be an opportunity open to as many of our GSW family as possible, not something locked behind some hidden paywall or extra fee outside of enrollment.
Our Conclave grounds are outdoors and largely apart of the natural world around them. As such the terrain is rough and one should not expect smooth paved paths lined with pointed shoes. Those planning to attend are advised to expect moderate hiking and rugged camping conditions...at least this year. That said campers are provided with an 8x8 platform or spot to pitch their tents and take in the beauty upstate NY has to offer which is well worth a spot of hiking.
Regarding fire rings: Apprentices and Magisters in Attendance will have access to fire rings to use for cooking, storytelling, magick or simply staying warm. Speaking of cooking! Those in attendance at our Conclave this year will be provided Breakfast and Dinner with a break in the festivities around lunch time for hungry wizards to venture forth and russell up some grub.
We are also pleased to say that Headmaster Oberon Zell will be in attendance this year and plans to give a most interesting presentation. He looks forward to meeting with those of you who come!
Now you might be wondering to yourself; "With physical conclaves coming back, what does this mean for VGSW and the Moots hosted there?"
Our physical conclaves are an addition to the things we offer here at GSW for our Apprentices and Magisters. Our Conclaves will not be replacing any existing programs or features enjoyed by members of GSW. Our Apprentice Leadership lead VGSW Moots are an important part of our School's traditions and something we all hope to see continue on indefinitely.
With all this said, why should you attend a Conclave, is it worth it?
While it certainly will not be everyone's fancy, we get a great deal of requests from Apprentices to have a physical place to meet and congregate. We believe that these conclaves will provide us all with an opportunity to connect in meaningful ways. Not only this, but Conclaves offer opportunities to host Live workshops, award prizes and trophies, engage in Lodge activities, meet up with clubmates and build some truly great memories with fellow Wizards. I for one look forward to all the pleasant conversations to come, and if I can find my kettle, perhaps even a shared cup of Tea and a story or two!
This Year's events will begin at 5:00 pm Friday July 9th for opening ceremonies and will conclude on Sunday July 11th at 6:00 PM. Do keep in mind that the terrain is rough on the conclave grounds and as said before one should expect moderate hiking conditions. This means that the grounds do not yet accommodate Wheelchairs. While this is a planned upgrade to the grounds, it will not be implemented until some time after 2021. While Apprentices and Magisters will be allotted a Camping Spot on the Conclave grounds, Please note that you will need to bring your own camping gear and Bug Spray! Parking is on a first come first serve basis when in regards to the Manor's parking lot though there is overflow availability around the village.
NOTICE: To Attend this year's Conclave you'll need to be actively Enrolled and have submitted your Conclave RSVP form. You can do this by clicking the Purple Button in the upper Right hand side of the GSW Calendar of Events or our Forums.
Day 1 Events 5:30pm -6:00pm Opening Ceremonies 6:00pm - 6:30pm Free Time/Camp Setup 6:45pm - 7:30pm Wand Workshop (Part 1) 7:45pm - 8:30pm Dinner (Domino's Pizza)
Day 2 Events 10:00 am - 10:30 am Morning Meditation 10:30 am -11:00 am Breakfast (Pancakes with Fruit) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Wand Workshop (Part 2) 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Free Time 2:10 pm - 3:00 pm Headmaster Oberon Zell's Presentation: Common Misconceptions about the Elements 3:25 pm - 4:00 pm Reiki Attunement Workshop 4:10 pm - 5:10 pm Ritual Workshop 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Conclave Ritual 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Formal School Dinner in the Manor's Great Hall* (Sicilian Penne with tossed Zucchini, Mushrooms, & Tomatoes, Breadsticks)
Day 3 Events 10:00 am - 10:30 am Morning Meditation 10:30 am -11:00 am Breakfast (Waffles with Fruit, Eggs, Bacon) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Wand Workshop (Part 3) 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Free Time 2:10 pm - 3:00 pm Provost's Presentation on "A Wizard's Magick" 3:10 pm - 4:00 pm Apprentice Leadership Presentation 4:10 pm - 4:45 pm Models of Magick Workshop 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm Free Time/Camp Pack-up 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Closing Ceremonies
*To Attend the Formal Dinner, you will need to have your School Robes or an Alternative approved by the Provost who can be reached at Provost@GreySchool.com. Only Robes which are similar to the school's regalia will be considered. It is also handy to note that School Robes are Purchasable through Magick Alley online or in person. You can find the Regalia requirements and outlines in your School Handbook under "Apprentice Life."
Magick Alley Team Update
By Magick Alley Team
A Magick Alley Team update:
I have received applications from new recruits and will soon be reaching out to those who have applied regarding the next steps of their initiation - keep an eye on your emails!
If you are interested in joining the Magick Alley Team, or just haven't heard of it, check out team.magickalley.com and sign up today!
The Magick Alley Team is a participant of the 2021 #Wizardry Department #Quest. Wish us luck!
GSW Ring Order Update
By Magick Alley Team
Orders for the GSW rings were submitted recently, and delivery to us is expected within a month or two. Look for further updates later once we have received them and gotten them on their way to you.
Defensors' Club
By Apprentice Malcorr Greyseeker
The Defensors club is looking for those apprentices that are interested in those things that go bump in the night, and how to protect against them!
If you are interested, we are looking for an initial meet-up on 21 June at 5:30PM SL time (8:30 EST). This is our initial meeting, so we will be discussing the club, discovering topics of interest, meeting times and frequency. I will post a poll to see which medium is preferred for this first meet-up.
For more information on this club, the basic goals, and requirements, check it out here: https://www.greyschool.net/.../interest-in-the-defensors...
I look forward to hearing from you all!
Winners of the Obie Award Announced
By Provost Nicholas Kingsley
The Grey School of Wizardry is proud to announce the winners of the Fifth annual Obie Awards!
As a school of Wizardry we like to recognize public figures who have exhibited visionary wisdom in works, who exemplify and portray the ideals of Wizardry as reflected in the lives and legends of those who have been regarded as Wizards throughout myth and history. Wizards who have inspired others to pursue a path of wisdom, and who have advanced the public understanding and acceptance of Wizardry in the modern world. By the same criteria we apply to famous Wizards of the past, we wish to honor selected modern figures for their distinguished service with this ancient title of respect: “Master Wizard.” This is a lifetime achievement award, and is given only once to any individual.
This award of recognition for “Master Wizard” is named in honor of renowned Wizard Oberon Zell, Founder and Headmaster of the Grey School of Wizardry. Oberon is an esteemed Elder in the worldwide magickal community, and he has been instrumental in the coalescence of the modern Earth Religion movement since the early 1960s, founding several significant organizations, alliances and publications. Oberon is the author of Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard (2004), Companion for the Apprentice Wizard (2006), A Wizard’s Bestiary (2006), and other books of myth, magick and Mysterie!
Without further ado, Lets announce our 2021 award winners!
The Grey School of Wizardry is proud to announce the winners of the Fifth annual Obie Awards!
For the Category of Science at the Edge,
the Winner is James Lovelock
(The Gaia Hypothesis)
For the Category of Graphic Novels/Comics,
the Winner is Alan Moore
(Promethea)
For the Category of Television Portrayal—Wizard or Witch,
the Winner is Colin O'Donoghue
(Merlin's Apprentice on Netflix's "Wizards")
For the Category of Film Portrayal—Wizard,
the Winner is Daniel Radcliffe
(Harry Potter in Harry Potter movies—2001-2011)
For the Category of Visionaries,
The Winner is Wim Hof
(Methods have helped him show the world how to push the boundaries of human endurance using the power of breathing techniques and meditation)
For the Category of Visual Arts
the Winner is Sage Lampros
For the Category of Film Portrayal—Witch
The Winner is Helena Bonham Carter
(Bellatrix LaStrange in Harry Potter movies—2007-2011)
For the Category of Magickal Literature,
the Winners are Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman
(Dragonlance)
For the Category of Illusion Magic,
the Winner is Jeff McBride
(World Renowned Magician and teacher)
For the Category of Bardic Arts,
the Winner is Loreena McKennitt
(Canadian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who performs Celtic-inspired folk.)
For the Category of Film Production,
the winner is Chris Columbus
(Harry Potter; Percy Jackson)
Congratulations to all these fine Wizards and we here at GSW look forward to next year's Master Wizard Awards!
Candle Side Chat with Provost Nicholas Kingsley
By Provost Nicholas Kingsley
Make sure to catch the recording of the latest Candle Side Chat, rich with insider information about events at GSW, at https://www.facebook.com/100022108565475/videos/972979186782358/
Interview With Dean Ambika Devi
By Dean Ambika Devi
I was disembodied with EV Escher on the Disembodied podcast talking about sleep, meditation, and Grey School of Wizardry! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for an interview of our Headmaster Oberon Zell-Ravenheart!
Refer-A-Friend Raffle
By Dean Emrhys Starhawk
Hey everyone don't forget about the year long raffle challenge! It's pretty neat and easy to do! Just click the link below to learn more and get your name entered into the hat for a one of a kind walking stick from none other than Provost Kingsley!
https://www.greyschool.net/forum/office-of-the-dos/refer-a-friend-raffle-challenge
In Person Lessons at GSW?
By Provost Nicholas Kingsley
Well met Wizards one and all, I hope that you're having a grand day thus far! I've been enjoying our VGSW interactions a great deal and it's something I hope to see continue on indefinitely! As a Reminder, If you're in my class please keep in mind that you will need to have your assignments in by the time class starts for it not to be counted late.
On a somewhat related note, if you've not yet checked out this post on the forums we'd love your feedback as we figure out pricing and the general feeling around offering in-person lessons at GSW. https://www.greyschool.net/.../physical-location-classes
vGSW Midsummer Moot Livestream
By Apprentice Leadership