http://bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2007-01-15 12:13 am

D.A.M.M. - Monday 1/15 Period one - MANOS! HANDS OF FATE!

As soon as the class was settled the teacher appears in the requisite purple sparkling mushroom cloud of moaning skull shapes.

"Greetings students! I trust the intervening week has been a fruitful one! This week the knowledge I shall impart unto you is of the Somatic variety. I speak of course of mystical gesticulation!"

Tossing back his cloak and taking a dramatic stance, Orpheus throws the horns. Surprisingly, his hand does not glow some color or other.

"No doubt many of you are familiar with MANO CORNUTA! Also known as the horned hand. Also known as throwing the goat, eeeeevil fingers, Pommesgabel, peka evil or just... the horns! This gesture is used for warding off bad luck or the evil eye. Many use mano cornuta as you would knock on wood or touch iron. The gesture is considered to be vulgar, particularly by Mediterranean cultures, we will discuss the use of vulgar images in protection later in the term. If you have been cursed, or if you are trying to enter an area with some unsettling mojo set upon it, your first recourse is to make this gesture at the person or thing that is the source of said mojo."

Byron takes a moment to make sure anybody who's taking notes is able to finish. While he's waiting he folds his legs up under himself in the lotus position. He does this from a standing position, so he is now floating in the air.

"Next we will discuss the mudra. These gestures are symbolic. Usually made with the hand or fingers, there is also Kechari mudra. This is done with the tongue. But we are going to concentrate with manual forms. Each mudrā has a specific quality that is said to be imparted to the practitioner, and they are a central part of Hindu iconography. With the onset of Buddhism, many mudrā practices were absorbed into the culture. Common hand gestures are to be seen in both Hindu and Buddhist iconography. An example of a mudra done with the hands would be the outward-facing open palm known as Abhaya (without fear) mudrā, a gesture meant to dispel the fear of the devotee. Which would be an alternative to the chocolate we discussed last week."

Handouts with instructions and diagrams for mudra float over to the TAs to pass out.

Byron goes on to discuss other hand gestures such as the sign of the cross and Pinkie Respect.

"For today's exercise I would like you to pair up, practice some mudra, and discuss any gestures from your own cultures with mystical applications. If you can not find a partner, Mr. Dornez, Mr. Drake, or myself will assist you."

[[ooc: Please wait for OCD Open! Wooo! \m/ ]]
wannabehunter: (smile)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hey, Wyatt," Jo returned the smile. "Sure."
blessed_twice: (Wyatt is looking at you and smiling)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"So, hand gestures to ward off evil," Wyatt said, moving his chair closer. "Got any experience with that?"
wannabehunter: (lean - smug)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"I don't know about evil," Jo replied, still smiling. "But I know a few to get rid of hunters who aren't as charming as they think."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 12:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"I bet," Wyatt said. "You look like you know how to take care of yourself."
wannabehunter: (knife - bitch)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've picked up a few things," Jo said. "But I'm sure plenty of people around here know more than me."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's why we're here," Wyatt said. "I don't know about this class, but I think Mr. Winchester's is going to be very helpful." He cocked his head. "I have a book with all kinds of stuff in it about ghosts and demons. I could show it to you sometime."
wannabehunter: (omg guys omg)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 01:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"It should, he's got a reputation as one of the best." Jo perked up at the mention of the book. "Really? That would be awesome."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"When do you have a free evening?" Wyatt said. "I'd love to show it to you."

Somewhere, undoubtedly, the spirits of the Halliwell family line were groaning and facepalming over their sacred book being used to flirt with a girl.
wannabehunter: (omg guys omg)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"And I'd love to see it." Over in Nebraska here was probably a shotgun or two being cleaned without Ellen quite knowing the reason why. "I'm afraid I'm busy tonight, but considering that Hunting's my only class on Wednesdays, if you're free tomorrow night, I'm all yours."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"Works for me," Wyatt said. "I can't go flashing the Book around in public, so do you want to come by my room? Or I can come by yours?"
wannabehunter: (happy)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, if you can't show it in public, I shouldn't be asking you to be carrying it around the dorms," Jo replied. "I'll drop by your place."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Room 208," Wyatt said. "How's 7:00 sound?" He made a mental note to ask Tannim to conveniently be elsewhere.
wannabehunter: (lean - smug)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 02:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds good to me," Jo said. "Guess I'll see you then."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
"Cool," Wyatt said. "I'm looking forward to it."
wannabehunter: (smile)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Jo grinned. "Me too."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] blessed_twice 2007-01-15 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe afterward we can go to the Perk and have some coffee or something?" Wyatt suggested. "I'd love to hear about the kind of things you've seen."
wannabehunter: (lean - smug)

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[personal profile] wannabehunter 2007-01-15 04:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Coffee, coffee sounds good."