The Invisible College

The Invisible College does not have a permanent building but provides a wide variety of Courses, often led by Marian Green, or through one of the associated organisations, in many parts of Britain and in the Netherlands.

The aim of The Invisible College has always been to provide practical and hands-on training in many aspects of the Western Mystery Tradition, including Ritual, Magic, Witchcraft, the Arts of Divination and the Celtic/Arthurian Myths including the search for the Holy Grail. Most of the tutors in the associated organisations have had at least twenty years practical experience of their subjects and most have had a number of books published.

Courses are held at a variety of venues, from private houses to dedicated Conference Centres, hotels and Community Centres. Classes are always small in number, seldom exceeding thirty students and everyone is encouraged to participate fully. We feel that simply sitting still and listening to a speaker, no matter how great their worth, does not instil in students real skills, unless they are able to try them out. Just hearing lectures can equally easily be done on cassette or the radio! We have always tried to teach practical skills of the mind; for example, the arts of meditation, Inner Journeying and Concentration, which are essential to all effective magical techniques. We teach ritual by showing how the pattern of actions is built up, together with an understanding of what each means, rather than giving students a script to follow with no explanations. This allows students who wish, to design and work effective rites on their own.

In the last twenty years we have offered Courses on Village Witchcraft, focusing on the many techniques of hand and mind that give old fashioned witches their power to heal, foretell and assist those who seek their help. We have looked at the uses of wild plants, how to spin and dye and make potions, how to speak with the Goddess and Gods of the Natural World, celebrate their sacred seasons, and ask their help in all the acts of old magic. This is not quite the same as more modern coven witchcraft, which is normally taught to initiates directly by the High Priestess and High Priest of their coven, within the magical circle at the esbats.

We have also examined the power of the Holy Grail in its Pagan and Christian contexts, how it relates to Arthurian legend, and why it is as important a symbol now as it was in the middle ages. This shows the importance of what has become a study of Celtic Myth, and its practical applications.

Another popular Course is called 'Exploring Inner Worlds' which assists students to enter the deep state of relaxation of effective meditation, and later share the experience of discovering aspects of previous lives, if they feel ready for it. We also deal with Advances in Aquarian Magic; Dion Fortune and the Golden Dawn Tradition; and a variety of approaches to recent developments in magical arts and ritual. Prcatical Divination has shown not only how to interpret runes and the Tarotbut the philosophy and angelic powers behind these systems of divination. The techniques of Dowsing with rods or a pendulum are also explianed.

Most of the tutors in the Invisible College and its associated organisations give lectures at Conferences, or hold One or Two Day Workshops on a variety of magical subjects. Always the emphasis is on doing, sharing, discovering rather than just hearing a subject spoken about.

As groups are small each student has the chance to ask questions, share their own experiences and try out new techniques with expert guidance on hand. Giving useful knowledge in a variety of topics helps newcomers to develop self-confidence and personal responsibility, as the ethical aspects of healing and spell craft are always stressed.

Where ever possible we encourage students to attend Residential Courses, as these permit everyone to relax in secluded country retreats, get to know their fellow seekers, and reach deeper insights and levels of personal awareness. Sharing meals and free time with others on the path can go a long way to overcoming the feeling of loneliness and weirdness that some people feel, once their interest in magical matters is awakened.

We do require all students to apply in writing for details of the current courses, this is to comply with our applications policy as numbers are limited.

We also run two Correspondence Courses which allow students to master the basics of magic and witchcraft through distance learning.

Apply to The Secretary, I.C. BCM - SCL Quest, London WC1N 3XX, UK"