Academy of Arcana

nveniently located in beautiful downtown Santa Cruz, California, the Academy of Arcana Academy houses Morning Glory & Oberon Zell's enormous library of myth, magick, science, history, sci-fi, fantasy and lore; and their vast museum collection of more than 360 Goddess figurines, magickal tools and artifacts, Books of Shadows, devotional items, altar setups, theatrical costumes and regalia, seasonal decorations, etc. The largest area of the Academy is "The Goddess Curiosa" a non-denominational Goddess Temple and meeting/workshop/class space, exhibiting Morning Glory Zell's collection of over 360 Goddess votive figurines from around the world and throughout history. Other cabinets and cases contain our large collections of magickal tools, hand-written Books of Shadows, devotional items, altar setups, posters, crafts supplies, and books on myth, magick, and Mysterie. Comfortable chairs and cushions are in abundance. The Temple space is also available as a venue for other groups to rent for meetings and gatherings. Another area of interest at the Academy is "The Illuminarium," the main reading and research Library providing exclusive access for Academy members only, consisting of thousands of books, Pagan publications and archives, and over 1,000 movie DVDs and music CDs. A large 46' TV screen is available for movie nights. The reading Library also includes a "Museum of Mysterie" for the other collections: arcane artifacts, dragons and dinosaurs, skulls and skeletons, fossils, natural history, mythical/legendary creatures, theatrical costumes and magickal regalia, seasonal decorations, prehistoric animal models, science fiction models, toys and action figures (especially Star Trek, Star Wars, Jules Verne, da Vinci, movies, etc.). And in front we have a little museum gift store ("Curiosities") offering magickal books, figurines, jewelry, and crafts made by various artists, authors, and musicians who will be available for house concerts, book-signings and "meet the artist" events. We'll also have quite a selection of curios and curiosities for sale from the Oberon and Morning Glory Zell collections. The Grey School and the Academy are non-profit 501(c)3 educational facilities supported by our students, members, volunteers, and patrons. The founder and Headmaster of the Grey School and the Curator of the Academy of Arcana is Oberon Zell, renowned Wizard and Elder in the worldwide magickal community. Oberon is the author of Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, Companion for the Apprentice Wizard, A Wizard’s Bestiary, and other books of magick and mysterie.