Prophecy in Theory and Practice, Tuesday 2nd Period (12/18)

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Tuesday, December 18, Second Period

The usual pastries and hot drinks were laid out for the students as they entered, and as soon as everyone was seated, Aziraphale indicated a stack of blue books and an assortment of fortune-telling accoutrements.

"Your final exam is in two parts, one written and one practical. I don't expect that the test will take the entire period, so if you finish early, you are welcome to stay and talk quietly." He gestured toward the blackboard, where there were instructions and a list of questions for the exam.

Aziraphale looked around at all of his students, a sad smile on his face. "I want all of you to know that I've enjoyed teaching you, and learning from you. I wish you all much success in wherever the Plan takes you, and I hope that perhaps one day, our paths will cross again."


PROPHECY FINAL EXAM
Part One: Short Essay
Choose ONE of the following and write a short essay giving your response.

1. Ethics: We discussed the in class the question of whether seers held any ethical responsibility toward the subject of their prophecies, and whether they were obligated to inform the subjects of the details of a prophecy. Taking this a step further, write a brief essay discussing a situation where a seer might become an active participant in a prediction.

2. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: The classic story of Oedipus features a prophecy that came to fruition directly as a result of those involved trying to avoid the outcome predicted. Write a brief essay discussing your views on whether having knowledge of a prediction makes it more or less likely to come true, and whether or not the subject of a prophecy should attempt to change the outcome.

Part Two: Practical Application
Complete BOTH exercises outlined below.

1. Bibliomancy: Choose a book from the shelves here in the classroom, randomly select a passage, and write your interpretation of how this passage could be understood to apply to your own life at this time.

2. Cartomancy/Palmistry/Rune Casting: Using one of these three methods, do a simple reading for yourself, using one of the following questions, and write out the details of your fortune and your interpretation of the answer:

a) What will happen to me this afternoon?
b) What will happen to me tomorrow?
c) What will happen to me next year?


[ooc: Please wait for the OCD is up and class is in session.]

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Comments

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale peeked inside the second box, and grinned at the delicious looking chocolates. "So kind of you, Miss Hargrove," he murmured. Her mention of the snowflake necklace, and that lovely afternoon he'd spent with all the children running around the house, brought tears to his eyes as well. "It's been...an absolute delight to know you, my dear. And you never know, we may yet run across each other again."

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"I hope so, I really do," chuckling with slight embarrassment, Annette brushed at her cheeks and leaned to give him another tight hug. "You have been the best ever; a friend, a mentor, a professor... everything. Thank you so so much."

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Oh, child, if you had any idea how much you've all given me," Aziraphale said softly, hugging her back and then placing a kiss on her forehead. "Believe me, I'll never forget a single one of you, or a single moment that I've spent here with you."

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

And that just made her cry more. "I hope to see you again one day. After graduation I'm going home. But maybe... one day..." She stood straight and smiled at him. "You take care of yourself, okay? Very good care of yourself. Like I've always said, you have the most beautiful blue eyes; they should always be happy."

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"If a group of people as disparate as this can come all together in one place, my dear," Aziraphale said soothingly, "then I think there's a very good chance that we may meet again someday. And there's no reason we can't correspond, is there? I'd very much like to hear about how things go for you, after you graduate."

He smiled and nodded reassuringly at Annette. "I'll do my best, and I have a couple of people who are looking out for me as well."

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She laughed lightly at that. "Yes, there is that, and no, there isn't. I should very much like to correspond with you. I will definitely keep you informed, Mr. Phale. I promise."

Annette beamed. "I know you do. I hope it is always that way." She took a deep breath. "All right, I'm going back to my desk to enjoy some more tea. Merry Christmas, Mr. Phale."

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Merry Christmas, my dear," Aziraphale replied softly. If there was any way he could manage it, Annette was definitely going on his list of people he'd be looking out for.

Re: Talk to Aziraphale

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Smiling, she returned to her seat and tried not to feel so sad. But it was hard. Mr. Phale was one of her favorite people here at Fandom.