III • The Academy in 2026
To the Seekers, the Initiates, and the Travelers passing through,
We find ourselves now deep within the currents of 2026. As I sit here, reviewing the energetic makeup of our shared space, I am struck by the sensation that The Aetherium Academy is currently existing in a profound, albeit strange, liminal state.
We are, technically, in the second year of this specific conception; this "Academy" as you see it today. But those of you who have walked this path with me since the beginning know that the spirit of this place is older than its current name. This egregore has lived, breathed, and shed its skin many times. We were once ‘TheCraftWithin’, We were the ‘Sanctum of Sorcery’, and later the ‘Sanctum Magicorum’. There were other names in the spaces between, fleeting whispers of identity that are difficult to recall now, but they were all necessary steps on the staircase.
Today, the name and image of The Academy stand firm. We have found our essence. I do not foresee this changing; the foundation is set. Yet, standing firm does not mean standing still.
The most challenging aspect of this year (for myself as the architect & steward, and perhaps for you as the community) has been the journey of scaling. The nature of The Academy is built upon collective engagement as a living organism. When you engage, the energy spikes. We have seen occasional "surges" of activity that stir the ecosystem into something greater, new and electric. But, if I am to be honest with you, these surges sometimes fracture our immersion. They test the cohesiveness of the digital dream we are building.
I navigate this daily. It is an intense, perpetual encounter with the Two of Pentacles; an endless, rhythmic juggling act. I am constantly maintaining the vision while tending to the underlying machinery (the databases, the curriculum flow, the website structure, and the event planning); It is a delicate balance between the high spiritual ideal and the grounded administrative reality.
Although, despite the wobble of this rapid growth, the future looks luminous.
Our community remains relatively small, but its impact is heavy with intention. While our roots are deep in the United States, I have watched with delight as our branches reach new soil. We are seeing a distinct "upcoming interest" in Germany, China, the United Kingdom, and Iran. This brings me the deepest fulfillment, for it speaks to one of our primary mission posts: to make magick personally accessible, worldwide.
Operationally, we are in a season of prudence. Most of you engage with our extensive free resources (the volumes within the Library) with the occasional booking for a Tarot reading or a specific Working. The funding and liabilities of The Academy remain relatively even, a scale perfectly balanced, but one that requires me to be vigilant about budget and cutting administrative costs. I am working tirelessly to maintain this space in its early stages, ensuring that we sustain ourselves without compromising the luxury of the experience.
To that end, I have been working specifically on the concept of the "Academy Ecosystem." You may have noticed, or will soon notice, new social platforms emerging. These are designed to "spread out" the energetic weight that The Aetherium carries. We are experimenting with these spaces, allowing them to grow and find their own unique voices, so that the main Hall does not have to carry every conversation at once. If I were to label where we are, I would argue that The Academy is in a "Beta-like" stage.
The structure is formed, but parts of it remain experimental and temporary. And this is the great paradox of our time here: The Academy itself lives beyond the digital world. I carry its spirit with me; the teachings, the wisdom, and the services are effortless to provide because they flow from the source. It is the digital ecosystem (the cohesive, coded expression of that spirit) that is the hardest to build clearly.
I am not worried about how others may perceive us in these early, formative stages. We have done great things since our conception. We may not be a global powerhouse yet, and we are not yet basking in vast financial stability, but I strongly believe in the Great Work we are doing. The work will pay off. The cup will overflow. And it will fulfill all those who have chosen to take a seat in our halls.
As of 2026, the nature of The Academy stands strong. We are building the plane while flying it, but oh, what a view we have..!
I will return to this desk next year to discuss the nature of The Academy in 2027. Until then, let us continue the work.
Best Regards,
