Study Vacation Courses

Currently Magicka School is offering three vacation courses -one for Wicca students and two for those interested in the Tarot. All are a week long. Below we provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.

The Courses

When do the courses run?

Courses run throughout the summer months from June to September. The weather is usually great ensuring a wonderful surrounding for your study vacation.

How long are the courses?

Each course is a week long. Typically you would arrive at the school on a Monday and leave on the following Saturday morning.

Who are the courses aimed at?

The courses have been carefully designed to meet the needs of those who wish to extend their practice of Wicca or Tarot. The following notes will help you make up your mind which course is suitable for you:

Wicca Course

The Wicca course is for those who are currently on the Wicca Revealed Course. It is designed to complement the on-line lesson materials in that it gives students practical hands-on experience of the things that they have been learning through the Magicka School site.

Intermediate Tarot Course

Our Intermediate Tarot Course is for those that have either completed Magicka School's free online course or who already know the Tarot basics. By this we mean that before you start you would have some idea of the history of the Tarot, be familiar with the Rider Waite deck and the meaning of a number of its symbols, be aware of a few of the links between the Kabbalah, astrology and the Tarot, have experience of at least one divinatory spread and used a variety of meditative techniques.

Advanced Tarot Course

Our Advanced Course is for those at an intermediate level who wish to become advanced practitioners. By this we mean that before you start the course we would expect you to have an idea about the variety of Tarot decks available, know about the last 250 years of the Tarot's history in detail, be familiar with the symbolism of the cards to a high level, know about the links of the Major Arcana to the Kabbalah and Astrology, and have experience of a variety of divinatory spreads.

See directly below for detailed information on the content of both courses.

Wicca Course

What does the course teach?

The Wicca Course focuses on practical aspects of Wicca that compliment the on-line course. Over the week there are fifteen hours of lessons that are interspersed with trips to picturesque fishing villages, hill top towns and local magical sites. Most of the course is practical and hands on. As the weather is good lessons are usually outside, either underneath our garden vines or in the local woods and forests. The course falls into five broad areas of study:

1.Magic and spell weaving

This unit furthers student’s studies of the various ways to make magic and how to prepare and execute effective spells. 

2. The circle and rituals

This unit explores how solitary and coven members alike can develop their practice of ritual within a friendly and supportive setting. Students carry out this work in lush pine forests a short distance from the school. Please note that we do not perform skyclad rituals out of respect for the local population.

3. Healing arts, herbal preparations, working with energy

In this section of the course students explore a variety of healing practices. They look at balancing energies using chakras and reki techniques, the importance of meditation, and a variety of safe herbal preparations, which students are invited to make for themselves.  

4. Tarot Divination

Students explore the use of the Tarot as a divinatory and spiritual tool using the Rider/Waite (Waite/Smith) Tarot deck.

5. Tools

Students learn to make and decorate their own wand and athames from a variety of local materials.

Intermediate Tarot Course

What does the course teach?

The Intermediate Course focuses on the Rider/Waite or Waite/Smith Tarot. However reference is also made to other well-known Tarots such as the Crowley Thoth and Paul Foster Cases BOTA deck. Over the course of the week there are fifteen hours of lessons and these are interspersed with trips to picturesque fishing villages and hill top towns. Briefly, the course falls into five broad areas of study:

1. The History of the Tarot

Students will examine the last two hundred and fifty years of the history of Tarot in detail. This includes studying notable key personalities in detail such as Etteilla, Marie-Anne Le Normand, Eliphas Levi, Oswald Wirth, S.L. Macgregor Mathers, Moina Mathers, A. E. Waite, Pamela Colman Smith, Aleister Crowley, Frieda Harris, Paul Foster Case and Israel Regardie as well as The Golden Dawn and some of its offshoot organisations.

2. The Tarot, Kabbalah and Astrology

This section comprises an exploration of what the Kabbalah and astrology set out to achieve and how the Tarot embodies the philosophies and systems of both. This is at an introductory level and includes information on the Sephiroth and the paths of the Tree of Life, as well as the astrological links to the Major Arcana.

3. The symbolism of the Waite/Smith Tarot

This unit considers what symbols are from the point of view of Jungian psychology, as well as how to go about utilising them in a variety of ways. The course explores in detail the symbols of the Waite/Smith Tarot and provides a complete breakdown of the Major Arcana as well as a more general overview of the symbols of the Minor Arcana. This section draws on the knowledge of the Kabbalah and astrology from the previous unit.

4. Using the Tarot as a means of spiritual and self development

Students explore the theory behind meditation as well as theories of self improvement. They are shown a variety of simple meditative techniques based on the cards of the Major Arcana and learn how to embed their beneficial messages into their daily lives.

 5. Divination

The course looks at the meaning of the Major and Minor Arcana as well as a variety of simple and more complex divinatory spreads. The course also considers how to go about setting up a practice for those that wish to use divination professionally.

Advanced Tarot Course

The Advanced Course focuses on the Rider/Waite or Waite/Smith and Crowley Thoth decks. Throughout the course comparisons are constantly made between these two Tarots. However, reference is also made to other well known Tarots in the Golden Dawn tradition such as Paul Foster Case’s BOTA (Builders of the Adytum) deck, Robert Wang’s Golden Dawn Tarot and Sandra Tabatha Cicero's Magical Golden Dawn Tarot.

During the week there are fifteen hours of lessons as well as a number of trips to local beauty spots.

Briefly the course falls into four broad areas of study:

1. The Tarot and Kabbalah

In this unit the students study how the Major and Minor Arcana are linked to the Kabbalah in terms of the Hebrew alphabet, the paths and Sephiroth of the Tree of Life, and the Four Kabbalistic worlds. An exploration of Kabbalistic symbolism in the Waite/Smith and Thoth Tarot decks is also undertaken by the students. Although this is a very detailed unit, those with a limited prior knowledge of the Kabbalah will not be under any disadvantage as the course caters for their needs.

2. The Tarot and Astrology

Students explore how the Tarot is linked to the zodiac signs, planets and houses. They look at the Major Arcana in detail exploring how the nature of the cards encapsulates astrological elements and from there explore the Golden Dawn card titles for the small cards and how these are linked to their astrological attributes. Again, although this is a detailed unit, the lessons cater for those who have a limited knowledge of astrology.

3. The Tarot and Alchemy

This unit recognises that students may have a limited knowledge of alchemy. Students explore what alchemy is as well as learning about its history. Examples of alchemical art are looked at in detail and comparisons  drawn between these and the cards of the Major Arcana.

4. Divination

The subject is considered in detail from the points of view of exploring the theory behind divination and improving one's practice. The course also considers how to go about setting up and/or improving a professional practice. Finally students are taught the Golden Dawn divination method known as the Opening of the Key.

Other subjects

The course touches on a wide range of other subjects such as the history of the Tarot, the Renaissance, Jungian psychology and Golden Dawn magic.

The Where, How and What

Where are the courses taught?

Wicca courses are taught either in our Tower House garden beneath shady vine leaves or in the local countryside as much as possible. In the unlikely event of bad weather courses are run inside.

Tarot courses are mainly taught in the garden or lecture hall. The hall is well equipped and spacious providing an ideal learning environment. Its original Renaissance trifor window is one of the outstanding features of the village.

How are the courses taught?

The courses are interactive and in a workshop style. Most lessons start with visual presentations and all lessons incorporate practical hands-on exercises to develop students’ knowledge and skills. Students are actively encouraged to discuss their views and ask questions through regular feedback sessions. There will never be more than 10 people in any class, ensuring that each student has access to help and advice at all times.

What materials do I have to bring?

You actually don't have to bring anything other than a notepad and a pen (witches should bring their Book of Shadows). All materials you will be using are provided including sets of Tarot cards.

The vacation isn’t all study is it?

Certainly not. You will spend approximately 15 hours studying. The rest of the time there is a full programme of trips and visits to surrounding beauty spots. For more information on what you'll be enjoying check out our school timetables and take the local area tour.

Accommodation and Food

Where will I be staying?

Magicka School uses a range of local apartments and hotels within easy reach of the school, either by foot or by car. In the case of the latter we provide transport to and from your lessons. We take care of all booking arrangements for you. All rooms are ensuite.

So what's the food and drink like?

Breakfast is served at your hotel. Lunch and dinner are provided for at the Tower House where you will be dining outside in ambient surroundings. In the unlikely event of rain, meals are taken within the Tower. There is a daily menu and there is a range of dishes to suit everyone's tastes, including vegetarian options. If you are vegan please contact us and we will arrange a special diet. See our meal timetable here.

Aside from meals there are regular tea and coffee breaks including a range of traditional Tuscan snacks, biscuits and cakes.

Getting Here, Costs and Booking

How do I get to the school?

The nearest airport is Pisa, just 60 minutes away from the school. We provide transfers to and from the airport.

Do you arrange flights to Pisa?

Not at the moment. Choice of flights and their cost are student's responsibility. We will coordinate an arrival time frame between you and the other students to facilitate a smooth transfer to the school on Monday morning. Ryan Air usually provides the most economical flights from the UK.

What do the courses cost?

Costs vary depending on the time of year. Payments cover the cost of your course, accommodation, meals at the school and hotel, as well as transport to and from the airport in the school's vehicle. It does not cover the cost of flights, travel insurance and any food, drink or meals taken on trips. Click here to go to our "Vacation Costs" page to learn more details.

OK, I'm convinced. Where do I book?

Click here to go to our “Contact” page and we will discuss booking details with you either by phone or email.

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