Prospective Student Questions

Why study magick at all? 

We find the study of magick and the esoteric to be an exceedingly rewarding pathway for a variety of individuals. Many of us came to the study of magick as practitioners seeking to understand our work more thoroughly, but there are those of us who enjoy the study of magick simply for what it is: an engaging, mysterious, ever-evolving tradition, reaching far back into the mists of time. Whether you are here to study magick to enhance your own practices, blend your arte with your spiritual path, or simply to study magick as an academic object, you will find that the courses at Raventree have something for everyone. 

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Why study magick at Raventree? 

We hope that soon after you begin your journey at Raventree, you quickly find the answer to this question. In the meantime, we can provide you with the reasons we believe Raventree is unique as an institution of magick and the esoteric artes. Our approach is inter-disciplinary, rigorous, grounded in the form of academia, but growing well beyond it into the practical and experiential realms. Our vision is unique: the re-enchantment of the world, the unification of the empirical academy and the mystery school, and a community of diverse seekers, practitioners, and scholars of magick in the 21st century. Our offerings are myriad, and we strive to study all of the affiliated realms of the enchanted world, from Faery to cryptids, comparative mythology to global history, American folk magick to Siberian Shamanism. 

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I have a fulltime occupation. Will I have time for Raventree Academy? 

That depends entirely on your mindset! Raventree Academy has many of the aspects associated with any other institute of higher learning, but on a more flexible timescale. Courses are usually intended to be completed in a 6-12 month period, offering students plenty of time to work through the material and assignments. If students are struggling with the pacing or volume of material, we encourage them to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs or the faculty member responsible for their course to find ways to help them succeed. Furthermore, workshops and seminars are generally offered on weekends or evenings to ensure maximum participation, and are generally recorded for later asynchronous viewing. 

Courses at Raventree with fixed deadlines or timelines are run on a tri-annual schedule. Students in such courses are expected to adhere to deadlines and should ensure that they have the adequate time available when signing up for such a course. Most courses at Raventree are "self-study" in that they can be completed at your own pace, although faculty must grade assignments for you to complete a course (there is usually a  < 2 week turn around for assignment grading). 

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Can I fail a class at Raventree? 

The short answer is: certainly. The longer answer requires defining 'failure'. At Raventree, students are constantly learning and deepening their understanding of magick. We utilize grading systems to ensure students feel prepared for moving to the next course in a sequence. Therefore, it is possible to fail a class, although this is a rare event. Faculty are flexible and understanding of student's many challenges and responsibilities outside of the Academy. Any failed course may be reattempted and the grade replaced. 

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How is my learning assessed? 

This can largely depend on the course you are taking. Your assessments for AW201: Tree Lore may include reflection papers, a photo-journal of trees in your vicinity along with descriptions of their correspondences and attributes, as well as traditional exams regarding myths and lore of trees. Conversely, your assessments for SC450:Crafting Spells may consist entirely of written assignments regarding the formulation and process of creating new spells, as well as research papers describing traditional aspects of spell creation. At Raventree, short quizzes and exams are often quick ways to asses rote understanding of material, followed up with longer written or creative assignments to allow students to fully explore their understanding of material. We encourage faculty to use no more than 40% of the entire points associated with a class for quizzes and exams. 

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Prospective Faculty Questions

What does it take to become a faculty member? 

Every faculty member at Raventree is a unique individual with their own praxis, history, and method of teaching. At Raventree, we encourage this individuality while requesting that faculty adhere to some common elements, to ensure that students receive a cohesive and interesting education. Faculty at Raventree are compensated for their efforts, although it is a relatively modest compensation. For us, teaching is its own reward through personal growth and engagement with a diverse and incredible student body. We are always seeking to expand our faculty body; please refer to the "Prospective Faculty" page for more information on the minimum requirements and ideal candidate qualities, as well as the application process. 

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What are my responsibilities as a faculty member? 

Faculty at Raventree do have myriad responsibilities. Their primary responsibility is to instruct courses; as many courses are self-paced, this involves grading materials, answering student queries, and ensuring all students are adequately supported throughout their duration as students. There are also three ranks of faculty at Raventree Academy: Lector, Assistant Professor, and Professor. Depending on your rank, you may have differing responsibilities. Please refer to the Faculty Handbook for more extensive information on faculty responsibilities at Raventree.