You’re a wizard Ari!
Ari brings a touch of magic to his hometown
Looking down at the sticker on my shirt, I knew I’d just met someone special. I believe the wizard disappeared, it said.
I was six and the badge had been given to me by a man in a black cloak and pointy hat.
In fact, he was the Wizard of New Zealand!
With his flowing beard, he looked just like the wizards in The Lord of the Rings books my grandad Ronald had given me.
Growing up, I learned more about the wizard.
Born Ian Brackenbury Channell, he was a performance artist. And he’d been around since 1969 – decades before Harry Potter came along!
Much-loved in Christchurch, he went out in public in his magical persona.
But it wasn’t all about dressing up. He shared his views about the world with the people he met.
In fact, his stickers had been making a point about the census – which he refused to take part in.
‘I wasn’t here, I disappeared!’ he’d insisted with a twinkle. ‘And thousands of people believe I did, so it’s true!’
He also handed out ‘upside down’ maps of the world, showing New Zealand in the middle at the top.
‘There’s no reason we’re at the bottom,’ he said. ‘Look at the world in a different way!’
As an adult, my interest in wizards grew and I branched out into learning about mythology and history.
I also followed my first passion
– music.
Playing guitar, drums and singing, I started to think playing music was a kind of magic.
If I played the right notes on stage, it made people move.
This is just like a spell! I thought to myself.
And with my long beard, I looked pretty wizard-like.
Over the years, I was intrigued whenever I saw the Wizard around town or in the news.
Then, four years ago, I decided to take my interest further.
Spotting the Wizard, I went up to him.
‘Hi, I’m Ari and I’m a young wizard!’ I said. To my surprise, he’d been looking for an apprentice for years.
‘Right, let’s get started!’ he said.
Soon, I was donning my own velvet cloak, tall grey hat and holding a wooden staff.
When I told my mum, Glenda, 65, I was going to be a wizard, she was all for it.
‘You’ve always been an unusual thinker!’ she said, barely even surprised.
My friends thought it was great too.
‘Who wouldn’t want to be mates with a wizard?’ they laughed.
Heading out with the Wizard in my magical outfit, I attracted a lot of attention.
I can’t go to the supermarket dressed like this! I realised, as I got stopped every few metres.
But I did feel a bit more powerful.
‘Why are you dressed like that?’ people asked.
‘I’m a wizard!’ I said, before explaining how I like to see magic in the world.
Often, children will ask me to do a spell for them.
I want to encourage people to see the magic in the world
So, I wave my staff and say a good luck ‘incantation’.
It’s all about making people feel good when
I meet them.
And it’s a great chance to talk to people from all walks of life, swap thoughts and share stories.
I’ve learned how to tell fortunes with tarot cards too.
But I don’t believe it’s paranormal.
Instead, I think talking about the cards gets people to open up and think about their lives.
Now, I want to encourage people to see the magic in the world.
It’s there, if you know where to look for it.