Writings

The Great Mystery School Vanishing Act
A Report On The Last Mystery School,
by John Tudor
As published in the October 1999, Linking Ring

"This has changed my life."
Heard from many who attend Mystery School.

"The magicians show us that the hat is empty. Then it's full. Then it's empty. That comes as a gift and a challenge. It says to me: is my life full of surprises or is it just a series of ruts?"
Eugene Burger

Let the rite begin.

Culminating over a decade of work (11 sessions over 8 years), the 1999 session was the last Mystery School. It was hard to believe it when that news came that there would be no more, over the last five years I have been one of those who had a life changing experience as a result of my attending MS, and I felt a deep pang of regret that it would end. For various reasons, the last session before the Millennium was declared the final one, and the "college not of stone but of mind" is finished.

MS was concieved as Jeff McBride went to various gatherings and retreats in early 1990's. With it's main goal to "empower people to their highest magical vision" MS was founded in 1992. Jeff created it with actor/magician Bob Fitch and the late Jack Adams, also an actor/magician and co-founder of NY Yoga Society. Eugene Burger was involved from early on as Jeff's mentor and became the Dean of MS. The first actual gathering was held in 1992 at an Ashram in Monroe, NY. (near Jeff's home in Goshen)

The first to register was Bob Neale, the trickster/skeptic who threatened to topple over the structure that had been conceived. He was promptly promoted to faculty! Early sessions were smaller and more intense, (closer to the earth as I've heard some describe) actually split into two sessions for first timers and returnees.

While this was going on Jeff and Eugene also held two years of the WorldMagics Festival, held in Sherman, NY at Brushwood Folklore Center. Somewhat similar to MS the themes of WorldMagics related much to the environment, how we live, pollution and recycling, etc.

In 1995 MS moved to Dai Botsatzu Zendo, a Zen Monastery in upstate NY. From there in moved in 1996 and 1997 to the College of Mt. St. Vincent ( a Catholic college) in the Bronx. 1998 saw the one West Coast MS, in Santa Barbara, California. 1999 brought MS back to Mt. St. Vincent, a beautifully landscaped enclave full of statuary and a real castle, for it's final incarnation.

The 1999 session did go out with a bang! One day shorter than past years sessions, the experience was compressed into a potent mixture, with the theme being Magic Theater. Kicked off with a rhythmic drumming circle, (like the daily drumming sessions led by Abbi Spinner) the sense of community was formed right away. From there the ninety or so registrants from around the globe split into smaller groups to work together and heighten the experience.

Our first speaker was the one of a kind magician/actor/singer/dancer Bob Fitch, speaking about theatricality and using yourself as the magical instrument. The keynote was ever erudite Charles Reynolds who spoke (often quite provocatively) on the state of magic past and present in a "questions from the audience" format. Of course Gene Burger and Jeff McBride managed to teach conjuring techniques, and get us to see beyond the tricks.

The number and diversity of the lectures and activities was astounding. Highlights include: Dan Harlan on magical improvisation, Brad Henderson on script writing, Kevin Dunn on the creative process, Chris Rigney on creating magic by concept, Stan Davis on magic and meaning, Alain Nu on mental magic techniques, Monique Miller on the Oracle and Mystery traditions, David Parr on great magic literature, myself on vocal technique, Forrest Landry on metaphysics, Tobias Beckwith on movement, and the business of magic, Paula Malatesta with crafts and mask making, and much more.

And the performances! A big feature of MS is the Gala show, and this year's was particularly strong: Emcee Dan Harlan made us laugh and sped things along. Opening was Just Alan, who takes us to faraway lands with his magic tale. Alain Nu and Tanya Thielke did two sets: the "red balloon" act and an excellent basket trick, David Parr followed with a Bob Neale effect that gave some the willies, Brad Henderson presented stunning mentalism, Eugene Burger amazed and amused as only he can, Jen Adams electrified the audience with an over the top hip hop routine that had to seen to be believed. Jeff McBride did the second half with his legendary mask, cards, coins, and mirror act that has made him one of the top magicians in the world.

There were never any contests at MS, but Works in Progress shows and late nite "Close Up Cafe" jam sessions. Highlights include: Michael Carbonaro's stunning transformations, Pino Gareri's family vignette, Don Camp's wondrous acorns, Valerie Brown's touching music, Jenny Pauls' originality, David Hirata bringing light to the room, Walt Anthony's magical presence, Monique Miller and Jeremy Shawls making the basket trick make sense for the first time, and so many others.

This "Works in Progress" concept is one of the best ideas ever. Each participant was given a time slot to perform, and was then given brief, honest, written critiques by all assembled. It was the healthiest environment I've ever seen for magical growth, most who participated had never had anyone give really honest feedback on their work! This will hopefully find a place in other conventions, workshops, and club meetings.

The hard part will be to re-create the atmosphere that made it possible and made Mystery School totally unique in the magic world: a supportive, egalitarian, accepting atmosphere where newcomers and old hands worked side by side to the betterment of all. That "empowering all to their highest vision" thing was never empty words. The sessions were kept small so that you could always actually talk to people and share ideas, everyone participated equally, and the work ("serious fun") was done in groups.

The spirit was totally one of cooperation, not competition, excellence not imitation. Though many world class experts were in attendance, the faculty was not there giving you answers, but trying to pry open questions and let people find their own answers. Though MS was involved with symbolism, myth, and ceremony; it worked because it valued diversity, challenge, and sincerity. Does this sound like the magican's conventions you've been to? Mystery School was never a magician's convention but a retreat anyway... retreat, a chance to step back and reflect on who we are and what has been.

Some magicians thought it was a cult, or bizarrist fringe. True, MS was never afraid of acknowledging exotic aspects of our origins as magicians, acknowledging the lineage from ancient shaman to modern showman. (The name hearkens back to the Ancient Mystery Schools of Greece and Rome. In this Hellentistic period there were secret spiritual schools called the mystery schools that were essentially secret initiations designed to impart secret knowledge, usually in symbolic fashion.) But despite popular rumor there never was a Mystery School set of beliefs in real magic or anything like that; though no one was afraid to joke about it, either. (My favorite line from this year, Father Rolland saying "Here at Mystery school when I say I'm a priest, people say: 'Oh? Wiccan or Druid?' ") This acceptance of different kinds of magic and of the primacy of people following their own paths gave the sessions a rich, deep quality. We had magicians, yes, but also actors doctors, artists, musicians, writers, professionals, storekeepers, teachers, Hindus and Buddhists and Orthodox Jews and Christian ministers, ex-ministers, pagans, etc. etc. All were welcome at the table.

The present day Mystery School was designed to look back to the beginnings of our art; when magic was something more than a vehicle for show biz comedy. Deep in our past the idea of magic was truly mysterious with deep symbolic meaning, and magicians presented really magical experiences. How can you convey a magical experience if you've never had one yourself? This challenge is the outcome of the total dedication of Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, and the faculty and initiates of Mystery School.

So if it was so great, why is it over? Jeff McBride says, "The aim of MS was always to break convention...not become one...to be untraditional, not become a tradition...Furthermore when one door closes, another opens. There is something new on the horizon!" Yes there will be something in the future to take it's place, a new vision to be revealed at a later date, just bookmark www.mcbridemagic.com if such things interest you. There will probably be several gatherings of different types in different areas, but it is too soon to reveal these plans.

Closing the final session was an impromptu yet adamant reminder by Bob Neale about keepings secrets; not because the secrets themselves are so valuable but that we as magicians must learn to keep secrets as a point of honor. Many tears were shed as we said goodbye, and I realized some of the dearest friends I've made in my life were made there. The genii was put back in the bottle and we went our separate ways, all of us changed in some way by the experience.

The rite has ended.

"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams...
For each age is a dream that is dying, or, one that is coming to birth..."
Arthur O'Shaugnessey