Excerpt from the Witches College of Holyoak Fall 2013 Course Catalog

Note: Because of the nature of our school, every Neophyte will be expected to take the following classes their first semester regardless of prior experience.

LIS 101: Listening for Neophyte Witches

• Listening is the foundation of every aspect of witchcraft, and the most successful witches are able to actively Listen to the world without and within. In this course, neophytes will practice meditation and focusing techniques which will allow them to truly open their senses for the first time. Concurrently, they will learn the history of witchcraft and its place in the world at large.
• Taught by Melissa Vega, C.W., Ph.D.  

CAS 101: The Basics of Casting

• In this course, students will learn the basics of spellcasting. They will create and maintain their own Book of Shadows as well as be expected to learn the essentials of a caster’s vocabulary and the proper stance and power required for casting. The course culminates in a practicum where students will demonstrate what they have learned.
• Taught by Natalie Wilde, C.W.

SPE 101: The Beast Within: An Introduction to Speaking

• A basic introduction in how witches can communicate with other living beings. This course focuses on mammals, but students will learn techniques that will allow them to proceed in communications with any animal.
• Taught by Alexandra Carmichael, C.W.

BLE 101: Blessed Be: Creating Goodwill

• This course will instruct students in the basics of the beneficial magic of Blessing. Includes: the use and manufacture of charms and potions, determining when goodwill is needed, how to avoid overreaching one’s own limits, and the importance of maintaining altars.
• Taught by Rebecca Mayfield, C.W., M.B.A.

Episode Five: Toil and Trouble

“So, Dana, what does your dad do? I mean, what kind of business does he run?”

I froze with a spoonful of cornflakes halfway to my mouth, and stared at September.

I thought last night’s ice breaker had turned out pretty well, all things considered. I had to scramble to cover up my mistake, of course, but everyone seemed relieved when I said wanting to go to Salem was my lie. Everyone except September. She was the only one who kept looking at me after I’d finished speaking. At the time, I did my best to ignore her and focus on the next game Dean Dobronravov introduced. But with only the five of us at the breakfast table this morning, it was a lot harder to ignore her gaze.

I gulped down the cornflakes and tried to appraise the look on her face. She knew. Somehow she knew what my real lie was! With the Dean’s lie, I just thought she was good with accents, but how did she know the truth about my dad…?

“He, uh…” I raced to think faster than the early hour really allowed for. “He owns a restaurant,” I said. I dropped my spoon back into my cereal and focused on finishing breakfast as quickly as possible.

The other girls perked up a bit at my announcement.

“That’s so cool,” Angelica said – the first time I’d heard her speak since she’d stumbled into the Honeybee House’s kitchen in her pajamas, bleary-eyed and reaching for the coffee. Since she was now on her second cup, I supposed she’d finally woken up. “My dad’s in the restaurant business too!” she said, and my chest constricted. “What kind of food does his place have?”