The Mystic Gryphon School of Witchcraft is the dream of The Temple of Divine Mysteries. This dream is to open and operate a "Metaphysical" School in the Southeastern United States. Currently, the "school" offers one course - an intensive introduction and exploration of witchcraft, magick, paganism and Wicca. (We are slowly designing the curriculum and the content of each offered course.) The class is a series of lessons taught by the owner and operator of The Mystic Gryphon, Michelle Griffin, which is designed to provide a broad general knowledge base about Wicca, Witchcraft, the Craft, magick, history, divination, and many other subjects. The course allows a student to learn about the various aspects and forms of magick in a structured environment, guided by an experienced practioner. The course is a "hands-on" course where students learn by actually doing. The course lasts for one year (24 meetings). Upon completion of the course, the student has been introduced to magick, the various forms, the different types, the different "disciplines", as well as having experienced magick first hand.
The course has been developed by Michelle Griffin over the past 10 years and has been taken by many people. The course was designed to teach others about the craft, dispell false knowledge, and stress the basic principles of Witchcraft and Wicca. Initially, the course was taught using "Buckland's Complete Guide to Witchcraft" as a basic text. While this is a very good textbook, Michelle and many students found it to be lacking in certain areas. To compensate, Michelle began drawing up a series of lecture notes which she would give to her students. Over the years, the notes grew, were revised and have turned into a book. The new book will prove to be the new teaching standard for the next age.
A structured course provides many benefits to the student and teacher. For the student, it allows for a controlled environment, a support system, extensive reference materials, 24/7 help in case problems arise, access to other people with similar interests, a place to learn and practice safely, a chance to practice magick in both a solitary and group environment. This course also provides the information to allow an individual to examine and possibly restructure their ethical beliefs to a system which will allow further growth. A teacher also learns a great deal from the course and the student, the course itself is improved with each class, the instructor is kept "on her toes" by curious students. Frequently new methods and ideas will be formed by a collaborative group effort.
Two of the most favored aspects of class are the "hands-on" experience and the New Moon study groups. The New Moon study groups are open to all people who wish to experience Wiccan group workings but students taking Michelle's class are particularly encouraged to attend. The New Moon groups gather in a group ritual environment. We experience and perform various aspects of magick, teach the general public about Witchcraft. The New Moon groups give the student a chance to apply "book learning" in an actual setting and yes, even show off a bit. The Public Events and Holidays section provides more information on the New Moon group.
The classes are scheduled during the course of a year. During the year, one or two groups of students will go through classes. As word of the classes spread the demand increases. The next class will begin on:
Saturday, November 15, 1997 at 3:00 pm
Listed below are the classes and the general subject.
To find out more information about a particular class, just click on the description.
Click here to find what past students say
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Click here to go to the text of lesson 1
Click here to go to the text of lesson 2