Q u o t e:
1. Will the water well and muffin factory be in 2.3?

It's called Ritual of Refreshment and will allow players to pick up their own stacks of food/water, similar to a Soulwell.

Q u o t e:
2. Any news on the damage tax?

Obliterated. Damage coefficient reduction removed from Improved Fireball/Frostbolt.

Q u o t e:
3. Will the buff to spirit be in 2.3(i know this isn't specifically a mage issue)

It's been a while since I've asked, but I don't believe any sweeping Spirit based changes are planned for 2.3. I'll have to check. They're still planned, but I believe it's for a patch after 2.3.

Q u o t e:
4. Are our AoE spells being looked at?

Not for 2.3.

I just realized you all had pie over here. All I got were cookies and tea....

Thread extended.

To finish out the changes we're announcing for the mage class in 2.3, Fire Ward and Frost Ward are being changed to gain additional benefit from spell damage bonuses. Base absorb values of ranks 5 and 6 have been reduced.

Also Detect Magic is being removed. All players will be able to see their target's beneficial effects.