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/ ]]

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"At least last week had chocolate?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"...True. But chocolate does not and has never helped against magical problems!"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not for me, either," Dawn admitted, "but it was a nice theory."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'd rather learn something that might actually save my life someday." Alanna grumbled.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"But you already know magic and knighthood and swordplay and strategy," Dawn tried to figure what else there could be to learn.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Alanna shook her head. "Not magic, at least, not that much. Our official teacher was Duke Roger." Somehow, she managed to keep her voice neutral at that name. "So as you can imagine our education was rather spotty, at best."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Dawn winced. "Yikes. I don't think this is going to help you much, though."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Doesn't seem like it."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"So, are you going to go back home after graduation, so you can learn more?" Dawn asked, despite not wanting to think about people leaving.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm going home after graduation because it's my duty as a knight." Alanna said, also not wanting to think about leaving.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"What do knights do, anyway?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"We protect and serve the kingdom and reinforce the king's law."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"So...you're kind of like cops, but on horseback?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"...Yes. And with swords. But we're also a part of the military."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Dawn tried to work through that. "And what do you do on a daily basis?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Can you imagine how long it takes us to get anywhere?" Alanna pointed out.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
She laughed. "I feel like I should offer you a pillow or something. How big is the kingdom?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hm...about twice the size of France?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wow. That's a lot of walking or riding," Dawn said.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 10:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Tell me about it." Alanna grumbled. "I'm going to miss this, miss everything."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"What's Charlie doing after graduation?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] threeweapons.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Don't know. Don't wanna think about it."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[identity profile] lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Dawn reached over to pat Alanna on the arm. "Graduation sucks."