The Occult | Period 1 | Tuesday

[thepaledreamer.livejournal.com]

"Welcome back to class and back from your vacations," Paige greeted with a smile and nod. "I hope you all got a lot of relaxing in and that you're back and rested. If not, well, the weekend will be here before you know it."

Such optimism.

"Today, we're going to talk about voodoo and we're going to specifically focus on Louisiana Voodoo since that's the form of voodoo that's probably the most common and the most well known. Louisiana Voodoo describes a set of spiritual folkways which originated from the traditions of the African diaspora. It is a cultural form of the Afro-American religions which developed within the French, Spanish, and Creole speaking African American population of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Voodoo is one of many incarnations of African-based spiritual folkways rooted in West African Dahomeyan Vodun."

She paused for a minute. "Louisiana Voodoo is often confused with—but is not completely separable from—Haitian Vodou and southern Hoodoo. It differs from Vodou in its emphasis upon Gris-gris, voodoo queens, use of Hoodoo occult paraphernalia, and Li Grand Zombi, who is the snake deity. It was through Louisiana Voodoo that such terms as gris-gris and voodoo dolls were introduced into the American lexicon."

Ah, the voodoo doll. So commercialized these days. "There were a few things that set voodoo apart from many other religions and occult practices. The practice of making and wearing charms and amulets for protection, healing, or the harm of others was a key aspect to early Louisiana Voodoo. The ouanga, a charm used to poison an enemy, contained the poisonous roots of the figure maudit tree, brought from Africa and preserved in the West Indies. The ground up root was combined with other elements such as bones, nails, roots, holy water, holy candles, holy incense, holy bread, or crucifixes. Another component of Louisiana Voodoo brought from Africa was the worship of ancestors and the subsequent emphasis on respect for elders. For this reason, the rate of survival among elderly slaves was high."

Paige continued. "The last thing we're going to touch on are Voodoo queens. "During the 19th century, Voodoo queens became central figures to Voodoo in the United States. Voodoo queens presided over ceremonial meetings and ritual dances. They also earned an income by administrating charms, amulets, and magical powders guaranteed to cure ailments, grant desires, and confound or destroy one’s enemies. Most noted for her achievements as voodoo Queen of New Orleans in the 1830s was Marie Laveau. Once the news of her powers spread, she overthrew the other voodoo queens of New Orleans. She acted as an oracle, conducted private rituals behind her cottage on St. Ann Street of the New Orleans French Quarter, performed exorcisms, and offered sacrifices to spirits. Also a Catholic, Marie encouraged her followers to attend Catholic Mass. The influence of her Catholic beliefs further facilitated the adoption of Catholic practices into the Voodoo belief system Today, she is remembered for her skill and compassion for the less fortunate, and her spirit is considered one of the central figures of Louisiana Voodoo."

With the lecture over, Paige crossed her arms and leaned back against her desk. "For today's activity, I'm going to pass out a list of Voodoo superstitions. This isn't a comprehensive list at all but it's enough for the people in this class. All I want you to do is pick one of the superstitions and see if you can incorporate it into everyday life. It's optional, not something you have to do, but with this island being as strange as it is, some of these might work. After that, you're free to go."

How to Make Friends and Influence People [Tuesday, March 4, 2014]

[sith_happened]

A ridiculously tanned Anakin stood in front of the class today with an easy smile on his face. "Hopefully you all enjoyed your vacations as much as I did."

Hot weather and the water were never going to be anything but a magical combination for Anakin.

"But back to work today," he concluded as the Danger Shop filled with big eyed lemurs Lurmen. "Meet the Lurmen--a race of pacifists native to my galaxy. Their homeworld has been invaded by an occupying force. You are there with the class and the Lurmen are absolutely refusing to fight back. The nearest army to help defend the Lurmen are a two day flight away: what should we do?"

Anakin smiled ruefully. "And you can't ask me. During this particular mission, I was fighting off a fairly massive concussion."

Handling Your Powers, Tuesday

[not_a_whiner]

"Welcome back from the trip," Kaidan greeted the kids as they came into the class. He sounded - and looked - a little tired. Which he was. He just didn't want it to affect his class. "Since we focused on the physical last time, I figured I could bring you guys in gentle this week."

"We're going to be doing some extended meditation exercises," he continued, "then we're going to sit down and everyone can share as much of their story as they want to. I'm using the word 'story' for a reason here - you can cover the last ten years or the last five days. One of the most important reasons we're here doing this thing is to learn from each other's experiences, figure out we're not alone in this crap."

He stepped past the desk. "Now let's get these tables out of the way..."

Literature- Wednesday- 2nd period

[puppyinacup.livejournal.com]

When the students got there and class began, Jess wasn't there. In fact, it took about four minutes, meaning it was still too early for the five minute rule to take effect so don't get ahead of yourself, and then the door opened.

And Jessica Day, cleaning lady, came in with a cart of supplies. She saw there was a class there, and looked really surprised to see them.

"There must have been a mix-up," she said with a smile. "This room was supposed to be empty. Ummm. Don't mind me, go about your business."

And then she pulled the cart across the room and got to work cleaning the windows.

You knew the drill by now, class, so just assume your book reports on the meta for The Scarlet Letter were due next week.

Friendship is Baking!!!!1!, Wednesday, Period 3

[locointhecoco]

Pinkie was wearing a coconut bra to class today.

Oh, also, she had at some point grown herself a unicorn horn and a pair of wings. But, seriously, coconut bra.

She wasn't even wearing a grass skirt with it or anything. Just the bra.

Sorry, kids.

"Hi everypony! Hope you're ready for another rip-roaring baking class with your bestest teacher pal Princess Pinkie Pie!"

Oh, yeah, she was a princess, now. She can actually, literally shoot glitter at you from that horn. You have been warned.

"Unfortunately, your other bestest teacher pal Derek can't be here today. Werewolf emergency. I blame Puppy Joe. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun!" That little squirt of glitter from her horn might've been involuntary. Maybe. She cranked up a record on her quaintly old-timey gramophone and started dancing along. "Today, we're making Key Lime Pie! Just 'cause it's all cold and snowy out --" seriously, if the human world just had pegasi, winter wouldn't have any trouble getting wrapped up "-- doesn't mean we can't have some warm happy islandy fun!"

Or have a lime fight. Pinkie would accept a lime fight, as well.