June 2025 Grey Matters
- Dean Adservio
- Jun 1
- 14 min read
Grey Matters
June 2025
Table of Contents
1.) GSW Video Library Now Free
2.) New vGSW Scenario Available
3.) Graduation of Journeyman Corey Minatani
4.) GSW Seeking Faculty
5.) Captain's Ascendancy Ritual
6.) Wizardry and the Modern Mind Lecture Recording
7.) Berserker Tournament Resumes
8.) June 2025 Astrological Forecast
9.) The Role of Daily Practice to the White Wizard
10.) Between the Covers: The Mystical Qabalah
11.) GSW Astronomy Crossword
GSW Video Library Now Free
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met Wizards all,
I hope the day finds everyone in good health and high spirits!
Today, we’re proud to share that The Grey School’s official video library is now completely free and open to the public!
This growing archive includes podcasts, lectures, class aids, club recordings, and other materials once reserved for enrolled apprentices. Now, whether you’re simply curious, considering enrollment, or returning to the path after time away. It’s our way of opening the doors a little wider and inviting more minds to explore what real-world wizardry can be.
And truth be told, even now with more than 20 years under our pointy hats, this is just the beginning!
With over 600 classes across 16 departments, a thriving Discord for discussion and mentorship, daily events on our fully realized virtual campus, and an annual Conclave at our physical campus in Whitehall, NY, there’s always something happening at the Grey School. Even now, more is on the way; New videos, lectures, guided classes, and even expeditions to sites of historical and esoteric significance are already in the works.
So whether you're just discovering us or have walked these halls for years, we invite you to take a look, and stay curious!
Wizardly Regards,
Headmaster Kingsley ᛞ
New vGSW Scenario Available
By Headmaster Kingsley Well met, Apprentices and Magisters,
As always I hope that the day finds you in good health and high spirits!
I'm pleased to announce the launch of a new vGSW scenario: “Tarot in the vPark.”
Set in the quiet reading hut on vGSW just outside the info center, this scenario invites you to conduct two full Tarot readings for a proctor seated across from you. While the scripted deck offers its own interpretations for each draw, your task lies in reading the situation, the symbols, and the seeker before you to offer insight that is wholly your own.
Those who successfully complete the scenario will receive 1 academic credit!
To participate, check your course catalog under the scenarios tab. If the course appears as 'Max Enrolled,' don’t worry! New sessions are being created regularly to ensure everyone has a chance to take part, so check back soon!
We look forward to seeing what the cards, and indeed you, reveal!
Wizardly Regards,
Headmaster Kingsley ᛞ
Graduation of Journeyman Corey Minatani
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met followers and friends all!
The Grey School of Wizardry takes immense pride in announcing the graduation of Corey Minatani as he finished his Lore major here at GSW!
Journeyman Corey Minatani the Grey, Wizard in the Second Degree, having passed and mastered the Lore Department's Curriculum, now steps beyond the virtual halls of the Grey School ready to illuminate the shadows of the cave and to stand as a beacon of guidance in His communities.
The ascension of Journeymanship is truly a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the honing of one’s trade. It reflects not only academic achievement but also personal growth and readiness to serve the greater community with wisdom and skill.
Our latest Journeyman has exemplified the virtues and rigor that the Grey School holds dear. He has traversed our curriculum, embodying the core values of the Wizard's trade, and has proven His prowess through practical and theoretical excellence.
The Grey School extends its heartfelt congratulations to our new graduate on this remarkable achievement. We also invite the entire community to join us in celebrating this milestone, which serves as an inspiration to all aspiring Wizards within our ranks. May this success be a harbinger of the great and impactful deeds yet to come!
On behalf of us all here at the Grey School of Wizardry,
Well done!
Wizardly Regards,
~Headmaster Kingsley
GSW Seeking Faculty
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met Friends and Wizards all,
I hope that the day finds everyone in good health and high spirits!
The Grey School is opening a few seats on its faculty roster, five to be exact. These opportunities don’t come around often, and I’d like to take a moment to @highlight this moment to those who might be considering the path.
Teaching here at GSW isn’t about performance, simply putting on a pointy hat and declaring yourself a teacher. No, it’s about presence and purpose and demands that you put your best self forward for your pupils. Our students, whether they study online, walk the grounds of our virtual campus, or live here at Highspire, aren’t simply submitting work for a score. What they're looking for is guidance, thoughtful engagement, and the kind of feedback that shows someone’s actually reading what they're taking the time to write.
If you’ve taught before, you’ll know it’s not enough to grade a few assignments and vanish into the ether. Our apprentices deserve more than silent approval, they deserve conversation, mentorship, and the sense that someone is genuinely walking alongside them. Being on faculty at GSW means being part of the community: answering questions, joining discussions, and helping to shape the rhythm of school life with your presence, be that on vGSW, Discord, or on Campus.
Now, most of our lessons are text-based and asynchronous, which offers a good deal of flexibility, especially for those balancing other commitments. But that freedom only works when paired with consistency. Faculty are expected to keep pace with grading and check in at least every three days. If that rhythm breaks, assignments are reassigned to ensure students continue moving forward in their studies. Every pupil at GSW deserves timely feedback, and we aim to uphold that standard with care.
In fact, that same sense of care and consistency shapes how we support our faculty. Stipends at GSW are tied to engagement, reliability, and the spirit you bring to the school as a whole. If you believe your voice belongs among ours, you’ll find the application here:
What we’re looking for are Wizards who are keen to take part, who have something to contribute, and the heart to see it through.
If that sounds like you, we hope you’ll step forward!
Wizardly Regards,
Headmaster Kingsley ᛞ
Captain's Ascendancy Ritual
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met, Wizards one and all,
I hope the day finds everyone in good health and high spirits!
At the request of our current Apprentice Leadership Captain, I'm pleased to @highlight the return of the Captain’s Ascendancy Ritual this term.
For those unfamiliar, the Ascendancy Ritual is both a symbolic rite and a journey. It begins at the Captain’s home Lodge and unfolds across the virtual grounds of our School, as they visit each Lodge in turn. At every stop, they must face that Lodge’s Patron - embodied by its Prefect - and seek their allegiance for the term ahead. These Patrons may question the Captain’s intent, challenge their merit, or even deny their appeal outright.
Only through wisdom, presence, and purpose can the Captain rally the Lodge Egregores to their cause.
It is not a simple process, and success is never guaranteed. Each Prefect serves as the voice of their Lodge, charged with protecting its values and spirit. Whether they join the Captain or withhold their favor, the choice must be earned.
The Ascendancy Ritual reminds us what leadership at GSW truly requires. It is not granted by title alone. It must be demonstrated, tested, and accepted in turn. In this, the ritual serves both as tradition and as a living expression of the unity we strive for each term.
Join us on June 11th at 8:00 PM EST in vGSW. We’ll gather first in the Commons, just in front of the Dressing House, where expectations for guests and onlookers will be shared. From there, all will be dispersed to their respective Lodges to witness the journey unfold.
We’ll see you there!
Wizardly Regards,
Headmaster Kingsley ᛞ
Wizardry and the Modern Mind Lecture Recording
By Grey Matters Staff
If you happened to miss Headmaster Nicholas Kingsley's recent vGSW lecture - Wizardry and the Modern Mind: Reclaiming the Rational Mystical - then we invite you to enjoy this recording of the event!
This lecture explores how wizardry, when stripped of fantasy offers a compelling framework for engaging with complexity, meaning, and transformation in the modern world. The aim is to frame the trade of wizardry not as an antiquated curiosity or whimsical identity - but as a disciplined, modern way of thinking rooted in the rational pursuit of the esoteric.
Berserker Tournament Resumes
By Headmaster Kingsley
Well met, Apprentices, Magisters, and Wizards All!
The boards have been placed, the pieces polished, and the first match draws near. I’m pleased to announce the return of our termly Berserker Tournament!
If you’ve never played, Berserker is a tactical board game set on a 6x6 grid, where every move might send an opponent flying and where victory belongs to the sharp-eyed and steady-handed. This is no idle pastime. In Berserker, a well-timed bump or clever corner trap can make all the difference.
Beginning May 27th, Lodges will face off in a best-of-three bracket. The regular season runs through July, with playoffs in August and the final bout set for early September. Matches will take place in the Berserker Arena on vGSW, and spectators are, of course, most welcome!
Whether you come to compete or to cheer your Lodgemates on, I expect good sportsmanship, sharp play, and no shortage of spirited taunts!
Let the games begin!!
Wizardly Regards,
Headmaster Kingsley ᛞ
June 2025 Astrological Forecast
By Grey Matters Staff
Get ready for a month that’s less about the hustle and more about the heart. June’s astrological landscape is loaded with deeply personal transits that ask us to return to what truly nourishes us—our homes and the relationships that feel soul-deep, not surface-level.
With potent energy brewing in Cancer and Taurus, the universe is whispering (or maybe shouting) a simple truth: You don’t need to do more. You need to do what matters. And you need to do it in a way that respects your emotional capacity—not your productivity, not someone else’s expectations, just the rhythms that feel right for you.
This month is all about tending to yourself, to your space, to the connections that remind you who you are when you’re not performing. Whether you’re seeking clarity, comfort, or just a cosmic nudge to slow down a bit, there’s something in these skies for you.
Venus Enters Taurus (June 6 – July 4)
When Venus, the planet of love and beauty, moves into her home sign of Taurus, everything sensual gets sharper. The roses smell sweeter, good food feels more decadent, and deep connection matters more than flashy romance.
This transit amplifies our craving for comfort, closeness, and consistency. It’s a time to invest, whether in relationships, creativity, or quality over quantity. But Taurus energy can also stir up possessiveness or scarcity fears. If you find yourself clinging too tightly, ask yourself: Is this love, or is it fear?
Mercury Enters Cancer (June 8 – June 26)
Mercury in Cancer changes the way we communicate. This isn’t about sharp logic or clever comebacks—it’s about emotional truth. Words carry more weight now, infused with nostalgia, intuition, and the stories we’ve held onto for years.
This is a powerful time for journaling, heartfelt conversations, and listening to the wisdom of your own history. But be mindful of emotional defensiveness, as Cancer energy can make us protective. Instead of shutting down, lean into vulnerability. Some of the most profound truths are the ones we’re afraid to say out loud.
Jupiter Enters Cancer (June 9, 2025 – June 30, 2026)
Jupiter, the planet of growth, moves into Cancer for an entire year, bringing a wave of emotional and ancestral healing. This isn’t about chasing big achievements; it’s about deepening your roots. Family, chosen family, home, and personal legacy all take center stage now.
If you’ve been longing to build something lasting—whether that’s an actual home, a creative project, or a stronger emotional foundation—this transit supports slow, sustainable growth. But watch out for comfort-zone traps; Jupiter expands everything, including avoidance patterns. The challenge? Don’t just go big, go deep.
Full Moon in Sagittarius (June 11)
This fiery Full Moon lights up belief systems and personal freedom, bringing a burst of emotional clarity. What truth have you been avoiding? What longing inside you refuses to stay hidden?
Sagittarius energy pushes us to speak honestly, move boldly, and trust our intuition. Just be mindful, since passion can easily turn into bluntness. Let this Moon illuminate, not burn.
Mars Enters Virgo (June 17 – August 6)
If you’ve been craving focus, organization, or a structured plan, Mars in Virgo has your back. This is an excellent transit for refining your routines, improving your health, and pouring energy into meaningful work.
But beware perfectionism. Mars in Virgo loves efficiency, but it can also trigger self-criticism. The secret? Don’t treat discipline as punishment. Let it be a devotion to what truly matters.
Cancer Season Begins (June 20 – July 22)
With the Sun moving into Cancer, softness becomes strength. This season asks us to reflect on how we give and receive care, not just in relationships, but in the way we nurture ourselves.
Cancer energy reminds us that healing is slow, and that safety isn’t always about walls—it’s about belonging. Whether that’s with family, friends, or a space that finally feels like home, this season invites you to rest, reset, and honor your emotional tides.
New Moon in Cancer (June 25)
This is the ultimate reset button—an emotional deep-clean. Set intentions around home, healing, and inner security. Write a letter to your younger self. Start a ritual that comforts you.
This isn’t a loud or dramatic New Moon, but it’s potent. What you start now will grow in quiet, meaningful ways.
Mercury Enters Leo (June 26 – September 2)
Communication takes center stage as Mercury moves into Leo. Words become dramatic, confident, and full of flair. This is a great time to pitch an idea, share a big truth, or express yourself with conviction.
Just remember that confidence is magnetic, but arrogance repels. Mercury in Leo wants to lead, but it also needs to listen.
Major Themes & Cosmic Takeaways
June isn’t about chasing some far-off ideal—it’s about coming back to what matters. With strong Cancer and Taurus energy, the theme is clear: Emotional sustainability over urgency. Depth over distraction. Truth over performance.
If you feel called to simplify your routines, clear your space, reach out to family, or rethink what "home" means to you, follow that instinct.
And most importantly?
You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up.
The Role of Daily Practice to the White Wizard
By Master Meighen
For many aspiring ceremonial magicians, their first real encounter with the actual practice of magick comes after cracking any of the multitudes of books aimed at novices. They likely read some chapters that explain a bit about what ceremonial magick is, it’s history, and probably some ethical guidelines and a smattering of introductory theory. Then, they come to the ubiquitous exhortation of daily practice of some set of daily exercises. The would-be ceremonial magician is, almost universally, told to make a daily habit of practicing certain rituals, meditations, and/or other endeavors. The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram (in either or both its Invoking or Banishing form) is practically unavoidable. The Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram is a close second. The Middle Pillar Ritual is only slightly less so. Some type of meditation is a must, and one can hardly neglect to keep their journals. And, depending on the author, or teacher, or source, there will be more. But why? What is the purpose of it all? This is the cry of frustration of many a student after months of performing the exact same set of rituals over and over again, long having memorized them and reduced the performance to rote and the sheen of novelty is thoroughly rubbed off.
Well, there is a purpose. In fact, there are many. I have often used the analogy of equating learning to be a ceremonial magician to learning to be a musician. Do you think anyone will learn to become a master of their chosen instrument by fiddling around with it once in a while, when the mood strikes them and they aren’t too tired or busy with something else? Or must they sit down, day in and day out, and put in the effort to play their scales, to hone the motions of their hands until they become muscle memory, to train their fingers until they blister? It is obvious, in that analogy, that they must practice, not until they can get it right, but until they can no longer get it wrong. So it is with a ceremonial magician. To give a potentially dramatic example, you don’t want to be fumbling around trying to figure out how to do a proper banishing when your ritual has gone awry and something nasty is loose in your sanctum.
More pragmatically, there are many other reasons as well. Having to juggle notecards or written scripts divides your focus and takes you out of the moment, preventing you from entering into the emotional state that your words and actions, and the sights and smells of a skilled ritual, should be drawing you into. The solution is to know it by heart. This level of familiarity and knowledge breeds confidence and skill in the actual execution of the work. Of equal importance, the discipline of the daily practice of a set of exercises brings you face to face with yourself. Can you keep a commitment, even when it is boring? What excuses will you make for yourself? How and why do you fail? There is a beginning of self-knowledge here. Further, there are transformative goals as well. Ceremonial magick, approached as an evolutionary process that brings you into communion with the innermost Self and unfolds the full potential of who and what you can be, demands consistency. The rituals and practices often prescribed help in this goal and, like exercises done to build muscle in the gym, must be kept up with so that their effects accumulate. There are other reasons and justifications, too, of course. But, for the novice ceremonial magician or White Wizard, these should shed some light on the matter.
So, what kind of rituals or practices should you be doing every day? Well, that will depend on what or who you are learning from. However, a good place to start would be as follows:
• Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP)
• Lesser banishing Ritual of the Hexagram (LBRH)
• Middle Pillar Ritual (MP)
• Meditation
• Journaling
The first two rituals in this list combine the Psychological, Spiritual, and a light dusting of the Resonance Model to bring a level of balance and harmony to your own psyche as well as to the space around you. The third uses the same Models to further promote and enhance your equilibrium across different aspects or levels of your Self. They also hone your comfort with ritual movement and gestures, vocalizations, and visualizations - all basic ritual skills. Meditation, of any kind you choose, promotes self-knowledge and growing insight into yourself and the way you think and act as well as being a useful tool to discursively explore and unpack a concept or topic. Lastly, of course, recording your experiences in your Journal lends them a concreteness that will survive the vagaries of memory and allow you to refer to them later to see what lessons you can draw.
A solid 2 or 3 months of this would create a good foundation to build on with further experiments and practices – if you can stick with it consistently!
To learn more, check out the Ceremonial Magick Department in the class catalog to find classes on the LBRP, LBRH, and Middle Pillar.
Between the Covers: The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune
By Master Meighen
Dion Fortune’s The Mystical Qabalah, first published in 1935, remains one of the most foundational texts for anyone seeking a serious introduction to the Hermetic Qabalah and its vital role in the practice of ceremonial magick. At its core, the Hermetic Qabalah is the philosophical and symbolic framework that underpins much of ceremonial magick. It serves as both a map of the cosmos and a map of the Self, offering the magician a systematic way of understanding and engaging with the Divine, the spiritual hierarchies, and the realms of consciousness.
Without a firm grounding in the Qabalah, the rituals and symbolism of ceremonial magick can easily become hollow or misunderstood. Fortune was among the first to articulate this complex body of knowledge in a way that was accessible to the modern Western reader. At the time of its publication, most material on the Qabalah was either cryptic, reserved for private esoteric orders, or couched in terms inaccessible to newcomers.
Fortune broke that pattern, opening the doors to a wider audience. What distinguishes The Mystical Qabalah is Fortune’s ability to integrate the abstract metaphysics of the Tree of Life with practical psychological insight and magickal purpose. She systematically examines each of the ten Sephiroth and their correspondences. Her synthesis of Christian mysticism, Theosophy, psychology, and Hermetic science reflects the eclectic yet disciplined spirit of Western occultism.
It must be noted, however, that the book reflects the time in which it was written. Certain passages may contain outdated assumptions or culturally biased views that stem from early 20th-century British society. These moments, while infrequent, remind the modern reader to engage with the book with both critical awareness and historical context.
For the aspiring ceremonial magician or White Wizard, The Mystical Qabalah is not just recommended reading; it is essential. It provides the intellectual scaffolding upon which a lifetime of magickal work can be built. Whether you are constructing ritual, working with planetary forces, or striving toward spiritual initiation, the Qabalistic principles outlined in this book will form the backbone of your understanding. And, while there are other excellent books on Qabalah to pursue, Fortune's text still has insights to offer that are not often found repeated elsewhere.
Thus, her contribution to the occult revival of the 20th century cannot be overstated, and in The Mystical Qabalah, her legacy endures.
GSW Astronomy Crossword
By Grey Matters Staff
Complete this month's crossword at:
Or download a PDF:
Last month's solution:
