Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts, Week 11 (Thurs/2nd Period)

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

The display screens at the front of the room were running a slideshow that consisted of images of fire, today, and to add to the effect Sakura had placed two small, ornate braziers one on either side of the screen, both of them flickering away.

“Today we'll be discussing the concept of fire and its role in the mystical consciousness," she said once the class had gathered. “Fire is one of the basic elements, held to be one of the classical elements of many philosophies, and as such plays a symbolic and ritual role in many cultures. Consider, for example, the concept of the eternal flame. For a few minutes, please discuss the concept of fire: what ideas and feelings does it evoke for you? What does fire represent? What are its uses, and what symbolism can be derived from them?"

She gave the class a short period of time in which to talk about the idea of fire before she continued. “The sacred fire of Vesta was a key part of ancient Roman religion. Vesta, the domestic goddess of hearth and the fire, was often personified as flame, and the sacred fire of her temple was believed to be tied directly to the fortunes of Rome itself. This isn't very surprising; in ancient times, allowing the hearth fire to go out was often a misfortune for the inhabitants of the household. If the sacred fire of Vesta was allowed to go out, it was commonly held as an omen of disaster for the city."

“An obscure text whose authenticity has yet to be determined tells of a fire that destroyed the Japanese town of Higuchi and killed 40,000 people whose souls were eaten by Lord Yodoshi," Sakura continued. “As I've said, we haven't been able to determine how much of this is fact and how much is poetic license, but it does seem to tie in, at least symbolically, to the Flame of the Ruined Country, whose name as you can probably guess comes from the fact that it is said to have destroyed an entire nation. Because it's so dangerous, I didn't get clearance to bring it to show you, but it is said to have been lit from oil made from the fat of cursed people and evil wizards, and burns eternally. It goes without saying that such a thing would be a powerful weapon in the wrong hands."

She looked at the class again. “So, for the second part of our discussion: what would you do with something like the Flame of the Ruined Country? Do you think it would be possible to use it for good?"

Once the discussion had subsided, she said, “Next week we'll be having a guest speaker; my colleague, Eiji Takaoka, will be coming to discuss the Hundred-Demons Mirror and the mythos of the demon race known in my world as the Ashu. I hope that you give him the proper respect . . . even if he doesn't appear to deserve it."

[OOC: Class Info Post is here, and OCD is up!]

Comments

Sign In [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

If you were a fire, what kind of (collapsey) fire would you be?

Re: Sign In [FaF, Week 11]

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

Yakushi Kabuto.


Funeral pyre? Yes.

During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Fire bad. Tree pretty.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

Pippi listens to the lecture.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[blessed_twice]

Since he managed to call a sword during the last lecture, Wyatt may have been idly trying to summon fire this time. He knew his AU self could do it, so why not? Sadly, it wasn't working so far.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Dean doodled little fire pictures in the margins of his notes. Things like a hunter with a flamethrower taking out a zombie and the Manticore building going up in flames also seemed to be taking the place of actual notes.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn took notes. Somehow she thought fire might be important.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[water-wonder.livejournal.com]

Tori listened to the lecture, taking notes as best she could.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[likethegun]

Sam was taking notes and grinning. A lot. Possibly every time he glanced at Dawn.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 11]

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Evie was taking copious notes, and wondering if you could teach yourself magic, using things like fire and magic texts....

Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

The concept of fire: what is it to you?

Re: Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

"Being of a Nordic peoples, fire is rather important to us. I suppose the Jule Log (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log) is the most famous example. In that case, the party lasts for as long as the fire did."

Re: Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[dark_slippy_thing]

"Flaming destruction as whole buildings burn away like paper in a wastebasket." Valentine stated, then paused, grinned, and shrugged. Yeah, right, like that would ever happen.

Re: Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"It's a tool, a weapon," Dean said. "Depending on how you use it, it can save your life, or rip it apart."

Re: Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[stykera]

"It's life," Stark said with a nod in Dean's direction. "And it's death. Sometimes it's both. At the same time."

Re: Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"Light," Evie said, nodding hard. "And shelter. What keeps the darkness and the things in the darkness away on cold nights, and draws people together. So I can see how it acquired greater significance."

Re: Discussion 1 [FaF, Week 11]

[fh-kyochan.livejournal.com]

"You use it for cooking food and boiling water," Kyo replied.

Discussion 2 [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

What would you do with the Flame of the Ruined Country?

Re: Discussion 2 [FaF, Week 11]

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

"I think the name rather says it all." Pippi mused. "My guess that any use this thing is put to would do more harm then good. Maybe I could get somebody like The Doctor to help me find dying sun or possibly a black hole that this thing could be launched into."

Re: Discussion 2 [FaF, Week 11]

[blessed_twice]

"I bet there's some way to harness its power and control it," Wyatt mused.

Re: Discussion 2 [FaF, Week 11]

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

"I would leave it alone, but guard it," Dawn decided, "since destroying it could create a huge backlash that would be worse than what it could have done, but I'd also want to keep an eye out to see who was interested or wanted to use the Flame."

Re: Discussion 2 [FaF, Week 11]

[stykera]

"Rather not have anything to do with it," Stark said. "I'm sure it could be used for good, somehow. Or that that would be the intention. I just don't know if it would be. Just another thing noone should have, really."

Talk to the TAs [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

When they ping in.

Re: Talk to the TAs [FaF, Week 11]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt was there, struggling not to Beavis out and start chanting FIRE FIRE FIRE! FIRE RULES!

Talk to Sakura [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Who, thankfully, has no ice cream sundae this week.

OOC [FaF, Week 11]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

I have this Zippo lighter that I swear is sentient. Whenever people I don't really like ask me for a light, the thing tries to singe their eyebrows off. No joke. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but it really does flame up higher and freak out people I'm not fond of.

Re: OOC [FaF, Week 11]

[blessed_twice]

Fire! Fire! FIRE RULES!