Good Omens...And Bad: Prophecy in Theory and Practice, Lab Thirteen

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

As the students enter the classroom, they may notice first of all that there’s a spread of scones, muffins, danishes, cinnamon rolls, and other breakfast pastries. Accompanied, of course, by coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and cider. The second thing they may notice is that the room has been decorated with twinkling lights, sparkly paper snowflakes, and fresh evergreen garland.

Aziraphale is sitting in his chair, looking very pleased to be back.

LECTURE: “First off, let me just tell all of you how much I missed being here for your last couple of classes, and especially how sorry I am for missing the pageant. James has videotaped it, however, and I want you to know how very proud I am of you all.” He eyed Marty slightly for a moment, then continued. “Now, today is our second-to-last lab. We’re going to do some rune-casting, and then I want you to take the remainder of the period to work on your final projects, which will be due next Friday. Also, since I myself have missed a class and a lab, I’m forgiving any absences during the time I was away. However, I do expect to see you all in both classes next week.

“Now, let’s move on today’s topic: runic divination.”

Aziraphale gave a brief lecture on the subject which I am too tired to write and passed around handouts for the lab exercise. “Please use this material to do a casting for yourself or your lab partner.”

Handout #1 (use to create your own reading)
Handout #2 (use to generate an automatic reading)

HOMEWORK: “Please remember that at the beginning of the term, you were all told that there would be a class project required as part of your grade. This project is due next week. There will be a drop box outside my office each day where you can hand your project in, or you can bring it with you to next Friday’s lab.

“I’ll be in my office briefly after class today if anyone needs to see me, or you can catch me here after class.”

Syllabus
Class Roster
Classes Linkdrop
Lab Partner List

[ooc: I'm back, yay! *glomps on class* Please wait for OCD is up. Begin.]

Comments

Sign In

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Extra credit for spelling your name in Futhark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder_Futhark).

Re: Sign In

[demonbelthazor]

Re: Sign In

[likethegun]

   

Talk Amongst Yourselves

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

For idle chatter, project discussions, threats of bodily harm, etc.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[demonbelthazor]

Bel gave the runes a try, asking if he would be able to save his father.

The left rune represents an important element of the past. Ansuz refers to a god or the spoken word of God. It is the voice of reason, law, prophecy and truth. It is the truth heard in the wind. This rune represents wisdom obtained or knowledge delivered. It is the rune of absolute good advice and true council - the message we all must strive to hear.

The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Perth is the rune of chance and gambling. Throw the dice, read your fate. Gaming is a fine way to pass the night...as long as one is careful. Games of chance have outcomes that are hidden from us, and as such Perth represents secrets unknown. Perth symbolizes enjoyment and wild abandon, but be watchful, for Perth is also the rune of mystery and the outcomes unexpected. You cannot lose if you do not play, but neither can you win...

The top rune represents a force that works for you. Berkana, the birch tree, is representative of rebirth, fertility, and a positive outcome to ventures undertaken. It is also the rune of families. Here the rune is reversed, warning you to be heedful of new beginnings, lest they sour. Rebirth is either delayed, or totally disrupted. There is also a warning of family troubles.

The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Tyr was the Norse god of war. It was through his sacrifice that the great force of chaos, the wolf Fenrir was bound. Here however, you have drawn the rune reversed. This could mean that a sacrifice made will not lead to the desired result. It could also mean a loss, or a victory overturned. This rune warns against entering into conflicts or negotiations, especially ones requiring that an offering or concession be made - the wolf might take your hand and yet remain unbound. Note also that Tyr was the god of law, so there is a suggestion of a wrongdoer who will avoid justice.

The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Hagalaz is the rune of hail. Hail is a destructive and elemental force, so one can expect this rune to represent the disruption of one's life. In the harsh northern winter there is a halt to activity, and so delay or hindrance is frequently associated with this rune. The opposite of chaos is yet more chaos, as illustrated by the fact that this rune cannot be reversed.

Well...that didn't look good.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Mr Belthazor," Aziraphale said quietly, passing by Bel's seat as he walked through the classroom. "Could you stop for a moment after class, or come by my office hours during third period today?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lovechildblair.livejournal.com]

"What'd you get?" Blair took a seat and peeked at Bel's runes.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Bel miiiiiiiiiiight have noticed a raised eyebrow and the hint of a glare coming from Anders's direction. Maybe.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia was setting up her runes in little patterns since her mun has to get going soon and is thus not going to be able to grab her set and her book and do a proper reading for her girl, woe rather than doing a proper reading.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders was setting up his runes, really. He wasn't using them for Pyramid strategy.

Honest.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"you ever try something like this before?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty tried to make sense of the runes and arranged them in proper order and handwaves the results as the links are blocked at work. Woe.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

As he walked among the students and checked on their progress, Aziraphale stopped next to Marty's seat.

"Mr Blank, could you stop for a moment after class, or else come by my office hours during third period today?"

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

Pippi does a general "fork" reading.

The left rune represents the first possible outcome. Ken is the rune of light and knowledge, driving away darkness and ignorance and revealing hidden truth. This rune also brings forth images of friendship and comfort. Ken is the light of inspiration, the light of imagination, and a beacon in the darkest hours.
The right rune represents the second possible outcome. Fehu is the rune of cattle, the symbol of wealth in the old Norse civilization. Since Fehu is the first rune in Frey's aett, it is a rune of fertility as well. As seen here reversed, it can represent barrenness or the loss of wealth. Some interpret Fehu as representing children, in which case the reversal may portend the distancing of a child from her or his parents.
The bottom rune represents the critical factor that determines what will come to pass. Sowelu is a strong symbol, for it represents the sun. Unlike equatorial cultures who may see the sun as a harsh and imperial force capable of causing droughts, in the cold north the sun is a purely feminine force that gives life and allows crops to grow. In dark times, this rune represents clarity of sight and the victory of good over evil. Sowelu is irreversible, as the cycles of the sun and seasons are perpetual.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn picked a set of runes, then concentrated on her question.

The Diamond spread reveals the dynamic forces at work in a situation. It is the spread of choice for understanding a hidden conflict. Jade Runes are most commonly used for questions about love, friendship, and relationships.

The bottom rune represents the foundation that forms the basis of the issue. Fehu is the rune of cattle, the symbol of wealth in the old Norse civilization. Since Fehu is the first rune in Frey's aett, it is a rune of fertility as well. As seen here reversed, it can represent barrenness or the loss of wealth. Some interpret Fehu as representing children, in which case the reversal may portend the distancing of a child from her or his parents.
The left rune represents one of the forces acting on the issue at hand.

Sowelu is a strong symbol, for it represents the sun. Unlike equatorial cultures who may see the sun as a harsh and imperial force capable of causing droughts, in the cold north the sun is a purely feminine force that gives life and allows crops to grow. In dark times, this rune represents clarity of sight and the victory of good over evil. Sowelu is irreversible, as the cycles of the sun and seasons are perpetual.

The right rune represents another of the forces acting on the issue at hand. Laguz is the most strongly feminine of runes, representing water. Deep sexuality is suggested by this rune. Through Laguz, water is seen as the ocean - vast, uncontrollable, ever-changing, and vital. When interpreted as the returning tide, Laguz can also predict the inevitable return from a long journey.

The top rune represents the conclusion to which your strivings can carry you. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma - that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth.

"So is that a yes or a no?" She frowned and poked the runes, as if expecting them to answer her.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[likethegun]

Sam tried the "fork" reading and finally remembered to hit Post Comment.

The left rune represents the first possible outcome. Wunjo is the rune of joy. The reversal of this rune suggests that joy is withheld. Since joy is frequently communal, this rune often suggests loneliness. Alternatively, some have seen Wunjo as the rune of perfection and the rune of the gods. Therefore this rune reversed could signal a feeling of separation from one's deity, or as imperfection in an important work.

The right rune represents the second possible outcome. Gebo means gift, and like any gifts, the rune may be understood on many levels. Gifts are generally positive things, for both the giver and the recipient. In many cultures however, gifts and favors carry with them an obligation to respond in kind. It is for this reason that gifts, and hence the rune Gebo, are frequently symbolic of friendships, marriages, alliances, mergers, and other bonds between people or organizations. Gebo is a strong rune and the unions represented are strong as well. Moreover, Gebo is not reversible, as true friendships are not easily undone.

The bottom rune represents the critical factor that determines what will come to pass. Fehu is the rune of cattle, the symbol of wealth in the old Norse civilization. Since Fehu is the first rune in Frey's aett, it is a rune of fertility as well. As seen here reversed, it can represent barrenness or the loss of wealth. Some interpret Fehu as representing children, in which case the reversal may portend the distancing of a child from her or his parents.

He gave the runes a little poke and wondered how accurate that would really be.

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe was very quiet during most of the class and took a lot of notes.

Talk to the Professor

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

For asking questions during the lecture, or talking after class.

Re: Talk to the Professor

[nadiathesaint]

"Sir, you're back!" If it weren't for the fact that Nadia would feel very awkward trying to hug Aziraphale in a class room, she would totally be hugging him. She redirected the aborted movements to adjusting her shoulder brace, instead. "We missed you."

Re: Talk to the Professor

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Normally, Aziraphale kept a proper distance in the classroom as well. But in this case, he was quite pleased to be almost-hugged, and he smiled brightly at Nadia.

"Yes, Miss Santos, I am. And very pleased to be back as well. I missed all of you, and I hope I won't be taking any more of those trips anytime soon. How have you been?"

Re: Talk to the Professor

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Phale?" Marty asked as he approached after class.

[Reaction time will be slow for a while]

Re: Talk to the Professor

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Yes, Mr Blank, thank you."

Aziraphale waved for Marty to sit down, and looked solemnly at him. "I'd like to hear your side of what happened to Belthazor."

[ooc: No worries!]

OOC

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Moving is finished, hooray! Now if I can just get the damn DSL working....

Re: OOC

[demonbelthazor]

All the linkies are broken -- there are extra curly quotes in front of them.

Re: OOC

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

*shakes fist*

Damn you Word and your curly quotes!

*fixed*