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: Orpheus

[identity profile] willbedone.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh sure, if they wanted to help save the town," Willow agreed. A thought occured to her. "Oh! Is that where the song Billy Goat Be A Hero came from?"

Re: Orpheus

[identity profile] willbedone.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Willow was a little nervous about singing in public but she did her best. "You know: Billy Goat be a hero, Goat be a jewel not in strife. Billy Goat be a hero, drum sack and bakery knife!"

Just imagine what she'd do with Hendrix.

Re: Orpheus

[identity profile] willbedone.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think it's nice that a goat was so heroic it got a whole song named after it," Willow said. "It shows that not everyone is interested in scaping them."

Re: Orpheus

[identity profile] willbedone.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's nice how as time goes on we make progress in things other than bread slicing," Willow said. "Not that that wasn't useful too."