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

[bluewindbreaker.livejournal.com]

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/ ]]

Comments

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"Hiya! Need a partner?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Sure," Cally said. "You know any good evil-warding gestures?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"Not really. Where I'm from, we shoot evil rather than ward it."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"That's a much better plan," Cally said.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"And you?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"I think hand gestures aren't going to do much good," Cally said.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"Why? What kind of evil do you have?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Back home? Back home's pretty peaceful, actually," Cally said. "The worst we have are Cylons, and they've been quiet for years."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"And if the Cylons were to attack? Is there some sort of symbol?"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally raised her hands over her head. "And then we flail our arms, and scream 'oh frak, Cylons!'"

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"Which is less of a warding and more of a panic."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"But equally effective as any other sort of gesturing, I think," Cally said.

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"Shooting might work better."

Re: CLASS EXERCISE

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"Well, yeah," Cally said. "D'uh."