As a new school year begins, we are faced with another cycle of life involved with formal learning and socialization with friends. Very often, we start with good intentions of keeping up with readings and homework, but end up with a stack of stuff we put aside to renew our friendships with others. As a result, by mid-semester exams, we find our selves in that ever undesirable position of keeping late hours, performing about four weeks worth of study in three days.

This year, I am going to try something new. I am going to add a bit of magic to my school regimen to assist me in my final year of formal study (at least for the time being). I invite any of you in school or with children in school to integrate our Path into our continued education, as it is such a prominent aspect of many of our lives. I�ll be including spells and tips geared to this. Please include any ideas of your own---I�ve been in school for a while and am willing to try anything that might help.

Before working any spells, it is a good idea to either transition your existing altar to one emphasized on education or dedicate an entirely different small altar to it. Sit it near or on your desk, maybe by your computer. Although what you put on the altar is up to you, here are some general things to consider:

�Add to your altar tools associated with learning. Replace the athame with a favorite pen or pencil. Add a small globe to represent the element earth. Keep some of your school supplies on the altar for blessing. Add things you associate with school and wisdom from your personal items.

�Owls are a common symbol of education and wisdom. Perhaps add an owl figurine to the altar and request that it join you on your journey of wisdom.

�Yellow is the color related to mental abilities and communication. It is a bright cheerful color that makes you feel awake and happy. Burn a yellow candle before studying or doing any homework.

�Sage, obviously, is an herb associated with wisdom. Keep an herb bundle by your altar for smudging. Try drinking a cup of sage tea while studying and working.

�Wednesday and Sunday are advantageous days for learning and education. Make an effort to devote a few minutes each day to reviewing what you have learned. Acknowledge your altar with a gift for the Goddesses and Gods associated with those days.

�Rosemary and basil are wonderful herbs for mental workings. Simmer the herbs or apply an essential oil to your temple during study and homework.

�Apples are commonly used to symbolize knowledge. Add a bowl with apple designs to the altar, or use a cloth that has apples on it as an altar cloth.

�There are a number of stones you can use to assist you in your studies. Definitely keep quartz on your altar or carry it with you to school. Calcite and pyrite are other excellent stones for success in work.

Most of all, have fun and keep in mind the reason you are building the altar. It will be an area of inspiration when you have no idea what you are going write for a term paper. It will be an area of motivation for you to keep up with work. It will be an area of comfort when you�re horribly stressed out over exams. This altar should be both a reminder of your obligations to education as well as a source of energy for succeeding in your endeavors.

Many blessings to all of you during this school year!

Oh wow! I can really use this! I am generally successful in school, but anything that gets me a bit closer to Graduation with ease will help. I am returning to school for Graphic Design, because I finally found my calling, and business is not it! I found I did the best at distance learning, because physical campus school has a lot more distractions than I can recuperate from. This year, I am trying to get all my classes online and keep them that way. I cannot wait to see what I can do now.