Please note: Classes that are required are listed with a red title and asterisk.
Mathemagicks 101: Magick And Number Credits: 1 Level: 1 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:(See Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, pp. 270-276)
Mathematics underlies the structure of creation, and by understanding numbers and how they relate to magick the young wizard can go a long way towards mastering their world. Sacred geometry, numerology, the skills of visualization and all manner of Mysteries are opened through the gateway mathematics. This class introduces the fundamentals of numbers and mathematics and how to apply numbers to magick.
Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard Estimated Completion Time: Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Mathemagicks 151 (was 152): Basic Refresher Class Credits: 3 Level: 1 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:This class will provide a quick and easy
overview of basic math operations for those who have not taken math in a while.
The class includes lessons on long addition and subtractions, multiplication,
division, fractions, decimals, percents, and the order of operations. You will
also learn or re-learn the specific vocabulary used in math. The assignments
will be heavy on light math.
Required Materials:A scanner or digital camera to digitally
reproduce your work. Estimated Completion Time: 6 - 8 weeks Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
So You Want to be a Clear Wizard? Credits: 3 Level: 1 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
This is the first in the series of required classes for students with a Mathemagics major or minor. This class serves as a bridge between the exploratory, intuitive Mathemagics and the more disciplined mathematics classes, and prepares students for the artistic, magical and scientific study of Number.
Required Materials:The Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard Estimated Completion Time: 4-6 weeks Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
So You Want to be a Clear Wizard? vGSW Credits: 1 Level: 1 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
This is the first in the series of required classes for students with a Mathemagicks major or minor. This class serves as a bridge between the exploratory, intuitive Mathemagicks and the more disciplined mathematics classes, and prepares students for the artistic, magical and scientific study of number.
This class meets on the vGSW campus in Second Life for real-time learning and interaction. Assignments are primarily verbal and visual, perfect for the 'essay' challenged student. Classes are set up in four 1 hour per week sessions, with a date available for a make-up as needed. Times and Dates may vary.
**If taken for Major/Minor requirements, this class replaces the class of the same name**
Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard Estimated Completion Time: 4 weeks - 1 hour each Prerequisites:
Class: vGSW Orientation
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
History of Mathematics 201 Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Dean Kayser" Class Description:
Are you the student who
always dreaded math class in school and who cursed the ancient Greek
philosophers to have brought such difficulties as the Pythagorean Theorem into
your student life? Or are you the student who thrived in math class, as there
was finally a subject where the answers were either right or wrong with none of
the impreciseness of language involved? Whether or not we like math or
don’t, we use it all the time … and so did our forebears because, quite simply,
they found a need for it. Going back to the most ancient times of human
history, people felt a need to count things out. It may have been out of need
to distribute possessions evenly among tribe members, or to calculate the
phases of the moon, but man needed numbers, and needed to be able to calculate
with them. In this class, you will learn how this development took place.
Required Materials:
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. Digital camera or scanner (using a local
office supply store’s services for scanning is perfectly fine!)
Introduction to Probability Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Dean Stefanowicz" Class Description: Class Description: Introduction to Probability and its uses
among wizards. We will be exploring how probability can assist us in seeing the
magick is real in the magickal world of spells and divination. We will be
looking at probability with cards, dice and even a video game.
Mathemagicks 251 (was 151): Introduction to Vedic Math Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
I'll give you three seconds (and NO calculator): What is 9997 times 9993? … You're still working this out? … Still? … Maybe you should learn how to do this more quickly! Use Vedic Math!
Vedic Math is sometime claimed to be based on one of the sacred texts of ancient India, the Vedas. "Veda" is the Sanskrit word for knowledge or wisdom, and thus the Vedas are regarded to contain all spiritual knowledge pertaining to all aspects of life. While the Vedas remained well-known, their application to the subject of mathematics was lost over time. Between 1911 and 1918, Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960) claimed to have rediscovered this meaning in 16 sutras or formulas. The sutras are intended to be easily memorable short sentences that will instruct you how to approach a math problem. The sutras we will use in this class are "all from 9 and the last from 10," and "vertically and crosswise." The beauty of Vedic Math is that it breaks the mental math down into manageable pieces, so that even difficult calculations can be performed mentally. With the use of this method, anyone can become a Math Wiz!
Required Materials:
None.
Estimated Completion Time: 4 weeks Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
Mathemagicks 252 (was 251): Arithmetic Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
If you love mysterious symbols, puzzle-solving, and ancient rituals, Mathemagicks is for you. So is mathematics. This class covers the basic behavior of numbers, otherwise known as Arithmetic: the operations and concepts behind the magic. For those planning to continue studying Mathemagics, this class will provide a good foundation as an introduction or a refresher.
Required Materials:
None
Estimated Completion Time: 4-6 weeks Prerequisites:
Basic proficiency in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division. Extra help is available for those who need it.
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Mathemagicks 253 (was 252): Charts and Graphs Credits: 2 Level: 2 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
The class will cover one
area of math that is often problematic for students as it can be used in many
different ways and for many different purposes, ranging from simply identifying
information to calculating simple statistical information such as mean and
median. In this class, you will learn about the most commonly used charts and
graphs, and how they can be used to make mathematical information visually
accessible, and how to perform many different calculations with the information
they contain.
Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. Estimated Completion Time: 4 weeks Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
Measurement 201 (was 101): Introduction to the Metric System Credits: 3 Level: 2 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
The class provides an introduction to the metric
system. While the entire scientific community as well as most other countries,
including our northern and southern neighbors, use the metric system, Americans
continue to favor the old English (also known as Imperial) system of
measurements. In this class, you will learn how easy the metric system really
is, and how useful it can be in your magickal practice.
Required Materials:
Digital
camera or scanner (using a local office supply store’s services for scanning is
perfectly fine!)
Metric
ruler, yardstick, or measuring tape
Optional:
metric scale and/or metric volume measuring cup
Personal Prosperity for Wizards Credits: 2 Level: 2 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:
The class teaches how to identify where your available money comes from and goes to, and what you should be doing with it in-between. You will learn whether you will need a checking account, a savings account, or other account types, and will learn to correctly fill out frequently used documents, such as checks and deposit slips. You will learn about the necessity of building and maintaining good credit and forming and maintaining good money management habits. You will also learn some money spells and other magickal ways to keep afloat financially.
Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
You will also be required to perform at least three hours of community service for those who are less fortunate than you are.
Estimated Completion Time: about one month for youth students, about six weeks for adult students Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
Personal Prosperity for Wizards vGSW - This class is not accepting students at this time. Credits: 2 Level: 2 Instructor: Class Description:
The class teaches how to identify where your available money comes from and goes to, and what you should be doing with it in-between. You will learn whether you will need a checking account, a savings account, or other account types, and will learn to correctly fill out frequently used documents, such as checks and deposit slips. You will learn about the necessity of building and maintaining good credit and forming and maintaining good money management habits. You will also learn some money spells and other magickal ways to keep afloat financially.
This class meets on the vGSW campus in Second Life for real-time learning and interaction. Assignments are primarily verbal and visual, perfect for the 'essay' challenged student. Classes are set up in four 1 hour per week sessions, with a date available for a make-up as needed. Times and Dates may vary.
**If taken for Major/Minor requirements, this class replaces the class of the same name**
Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard Estimated Completion Time: 4 weeks - 1 hour each week Prerequisites:
Class: vGSW Orientation
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
The Pythagorean Mysteries Credits: 2 Level: 2 Instructor: "Professor Opsopaus" Class Description:
In Nature, we find geometrical patterns, designs and structures from the tiniest
particles to the greater Cosmos. These principles of interconnectedness, inseparability and unity provide us with a blueprint for the sacred foundation
of all things, and a continuous reminder of our own relationship to the whole
Universe. This Class is largely based on the material presented in the Grimoire
for the Apprentice Wizard, (pp. 270-276), but extra material and exercises have
been added, so please do not skip Lessons!
Required Materials:
Grimoire
for the Apprentice Wizard
Companion to the Grimoire
for the Apprentice Wizard
Geometry 351: Triangles and Quadrilaterals Credits: 2 Level: 3 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:
The
class describes the characteristics of the various forms triangles and
quadrilaterals can take on, and teaches how to calculate area, perimeter, and
internal angles of such shapes. It also covers the Pythagorean Theorem.
Required Materials:
A camera to render digital images (can be a
standard camera, as long as you get the pictures developed in digital format)
and/or a scanner to scan in your work.
Labyrinths: Mathemagicks and Mystery Credits: 3 Level: 3 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:In this class, students
will learn the lore of the labyrinth, its existence as a mathemagickal
construct, and the differences between labyrinths, mazes, and meanders. They
will study some of the traditions of the labyrinth and then will practice
creating labyrinthine forms of their own. They’ll also come to understand the
magickal uses and relevance of labyrinths, for within each labyrinth is a
sacred purpose. Required Materials:
1. Grimoire for the
Apprentice Wizard and Companion for
the Apprentice Wizard;
2. Graph paper
(make your own at http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/);
3. Materials for laying out a “full-scale” walking labyrinth
(with at least three turns); your materials will vary depending on plan; you
might use pebbles, sidewalk chalk, powdered chalk, cornmeal, flour, or other
outdoor temporary marking materials; you also might choose more solid,
permanent items.
4. Materials for creating the final project, which will
involve using a labyrinth of any size in one’s own magickal practices; your
materials will vary depending on plans;
5. A camera for photographing your projects;
6. The ability to either scan or photograph for inclusion in
written assignments; you’ll also need to be able to embed images into your
essay assignment. Instructions for doing this are in the GSW Handbook and are
also available on the forums.
7. Basic tools: contractor’s tape measure, work gloves,
rope, shovel, stakes, etc.
Estimated Completion Time: 6-8 weeks, depending on projects Prerequisites:
None
Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Math isn’t all abstract, and megalithic math is concrete as it gets! This class covers the history of stone circles, the magical aspects of their geometry, and equations useful for creating stone circles. Your final project will involve creating a stone circle of your own, either small-scale in your yard (for which you’ll need outdoor tools like shovels and ropes) or miniature-scale on a tabletop (for which you’ll need craft tools like glue and paintbrushes). You may not use a calculator; expect to use such math tools as pencils, paper, protractor, mathematical compass, magnetic compass, ruler, string, and wooden stakes. A digital camera (or film camera and scanner) is required so you can submit photos of your work.
Required Materials:
The primary textbook for this class is Stone Circles by Rob Roy. The secondary one is Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard.
Estimated Completion Time: Prerequisites:
“Mathemagicks 101: Magick and Number” and "Naked Eye Astronomy”
Safety Precautions: Included Lessons:
Pythagorean Numerology 401 Credits: 3 Level: 4 Instructor: "Professor Opsopaus" Class Description:
Pythagorean Numerology is the metaphysical study of numbers based on the system that was developed by Pythagoras, the Father of Numerology. This system uses the numbers 1 through 9 and the master number 11, 22 and 33. A book on numerology might be helpful for this class but is not required. Links are given within the class for additional information that may be helpful in completing assignments.
Required Materials:
This class does not require a book but if you wish to purchase
a numerology book, for this class or just for reference, I recommend
one of the following:Numerology: The Complete Guide (Volume 1) by Matthew O. Goodwin Numerology: Key to Your Inner Self (Paperback) by Hans Decoz.
Statistics 401: Description to Regression Credits: 2 Level: 4 Instructor: "Instructor Ferraz" Class Description:
Mark Twain was reputed to have compared statisticians to a cursed classification of liars.Indeed, statistics has been misunderstood and misused for generations.In an attempt to shed light upon this murky discipline, this class takes the student through an exploration of the first steps of basic statistics.Beginning with simple descriptive statistics, we move through the z distribution and into Pearson’s point-biserial correlation.This class is intended to be Part I in a two-part course in basic statistics.Successful completion of this class involves four assignments and a twenty-question multiple choice final exam.
Class Lessons: 1. Syllabus and Introduction
2.Being Descriptive Without Being Mean.
3.Since When is it Standard to be Deviant?
4.If This is Normal, Then What is Standard?
5.Correlation Does Not Imply Causation
6.Conclusion:Liars and Statisticians
7.References
Required Materials:
Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics by Neil Salkind, ISBN: 0-7619-1622-9.
A calculator that can do squares and square roots
Estimated Completion Time: 3 to 4 Weeks Prerequisites:None Safety Precautions:
None
Included Lessons:
Magickal Applications of the Binary System Credits: 3 Level: 5 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:The class provides an overview over the history
of the development of the binary system and its applications in modern
computing environments. The class also explains how to use the system to
compute decimal number problems. In addition to learning how to write and
calculate with the system, students will learn how the I Ching divination
system is based on the binary system, and will make some performance magick
cards allowing them to “divine” any number within a certain range based solely
on the set of the magick cards a person picks. Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard.
Digital camera or scanner (using a local office supply store’s services for
scanning is perfectly fine!) Estimated Completion Time: 6 weeks Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
Sacred Geometry Exercises 501 - This class is not accepting students at this time. Credits: 3 Level: 5 Instructor: "Professor Opsopaus" Class Description:
Sacred Geometry studies the esoteric relations among the Archetypal Forms of the World Mind as they manifest in the forms and processes of Nature, and applies these relations in art, architecture, and magick. In this class these Archetypal Forms are imprinted on the Wizard’s mind by means of practical exercises in geometrical construction.
Required Materials:
This class requires you to have basic geometry equipment including unlined paper, an ordinary school compass, and a straightedge or ruler. You will also be required to mail me copies of your constructions or to email me scanned files of them.
Estimated Completion Time: 4 weeks Prerequisites:
None.
Safety Precautions:
Be careful with the sharp parts of the tools.
Included Lessons:
Mathemagicks of Sacred Architecture Credits: 3 Level: 6 Instructor: "Professor Opsopaus" Class Description:
Humankind has erected
many sacred sites, such as pyramids, temples, cathedrals, churches, synagogues,
mosques, mounds, observatories, mausoleums, and medicine wheels. Many of these
sites have lasted for hundreds or even thousands of years, and were built using
nothing more than human labor and simple machines. The calculations conducted
by the architects were sophisticated without the use of computers, and the
precision of the execution of those calculations is astounding. Did you know,
for example, that the blocks forming the Great Pyramid at Giza form such a
tight fit that a postcard can barely be squeezed into the cracks?
Required Materials:
Protractor,
compass (the one you use to draw circles), compass (the one you use to
determine cardinal directions), graph paper (quad ruled paper), Golden Mean
Calipers (p. 285 of the Companion for the
Apprentice Wizard)
Mathmagicks of the Birth Chart - This class is not accepting students at this time. Credits: 2 Level: 6 Instructor: "Dean Meighen" Class Description:
Before computers and scientific calculators, before Voyager space missions and the lunar landing, before disposable ink pens and slide rules, there was astrology. The ancient astrologers had tools that allowed them to calculate the movement of the planets and the stars. This class takes a look at what tools they had, and how they used them. There is a lot of math needed in this class. There is a lot of writing and calculating. But, if you follow the lessons and do the assignments, by the end of the class you will know how to construct a birth chart with nothing more than the basic tools.
This class is copyright 2008 by Rainbow Stonetalker and permission is given for GSW to use only on GSW's site.
Required Materials:
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, ISBN 1564147118
* Soft lead pencil
* Large eraser
* Plain white paper
* Graph paper marked into 1/4 squares or larger
* Ruler or Straight Edge
* Protractor
* Mathematicians' Drawing Compass
* Basic Calculator
* World Atlas
* Astrologers' Table of Houses
Estimated Completion Time: approximately 6 weeks Prerequisites:Western Astrology 101: Introduction Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
The class
describes some of the mathemagickal exploits of ancient and modern mathematicians,
such as perfect, Weird, and Vampire numbers, prime numbers, specific sequences,
such as Pi, Phi, Fibonacci sequence, and Pascal’s triangle, etc.
Required Materials:
Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard,
Companion for the Apprentice Wizard, materials of choice for making a talisman (as described in the last
lesson), a way to take a digital image of your talisman
The Mathemagics Practicum Lecture Class, along with the Mathemagics Practicum Lab Class, will be your final step toward completing your Major in Mathemagics. Here, you will synthesize all of the knowledge attained while studying to be a Clear Wizard, and you will prepare to embark on your Journeyman adventure. While taking the class, you will interact one-on-one with your Professor, and explore how to move from classroom knowledge to real-life application in your chosen field of interest.
Note: You must enroll in both sections at the same time: The Practicum Lecture 799a, and the Practicum Lab 799b. This class does not accept magister students, as it is the culmination of the course of studies of the Apprentice Program.
Required Materials:Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard and Companion for the Apprentice Wizard, by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart.
Estimated Completion Time: 12-16 Weeks Prerequisites:
You must be at Level 7 of your studies and have completed all required classes for the Wizardry Major before enrolling in this class. Magister students will not be accepted.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
This Mathemagics Practicum Lab Class, along with the Mathemagics Practicum Lecture Class, will be your final step toward your Major in Mathemagics. Here, you will synthesize all of the knowledge attained while studying to be a Clear Wizard, and you will prepare to embark on your Journeyman adventure. While taking the class, you will interact one-on-one with your Professor, and you will plan and execute a unique project in your chosen field of interest.
Note: You must enroll in both sections at the same time: The Practicum Lecture 799a, and the Practicum Lab 799b. This class does not accept magister students, as it is the culmination of the course of studies of the Apprentice Program.
Required Materials: Estimated Completion Time: 12-16 Weeks Prerequisites:
You must be at Level 7 of your studies and have completed all required classes for the Wizardry Major before enrolling in this class. Magister students will not be accepted.
Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
The Elephant from Denmark and Other Mathemagickal Performance Tricks - This class is not accepting students at this time. Credits: 3 Level: 7 Instructor: "Instructor Barry" Class Description:
Think of a whole number between 1 and 9. Multiply
this number by 9. Now cross-add the digits of the product. If your addition
comes out to a single digit, go to the next step. If it comes out to a double
digit number, cross-add the digits again until you have a single digit.
Subtract 5 from this number. Now convert the resulting number according to this
chart:
1
= A
2
= B
3
= C
4
= D
5
= E
6
= F
7
= G
8
= H
9
= I
Now think of a European country that starts with
that letter. Take the second letter of that country and think of a mammal that
starts with that letter. … I bet you thought of Denmark and an elephant.
In this class you will learn how this and other
mathemagickal performance tricks work, as well as how to design a few tricks of
your own.
Required Materials:A
deck of cards. Estimated Completion Time: 4 weeks Prerequisites:Ethical
Secrecy in the Performing Arts Safety Precautions:
None.
Included Lessons:
perfect