http://a-phale.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] a-phale.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2006-12-15 09:23 am
Entry tags:

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

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.]

Re: Talk Amongst Yourselves

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2006-12-16 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
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.