Magical Theory 101 (Wednesday, 01/11/2006, 4th Period)

[romanywitch]

{{Class is closed for grading.}}

Jenny stood at the front of the classroom. The door to the hallway was closed to minimize disturbances to the lecture. If anyone left the door open on their way in, Jenny asked them to please close the door behind them.

After the students signed in and took their seats, Jenny started today's lecture.

"Okay, first off, one thing I forgot to mention on Monday, guys. That's my detention policy. Cause a disturbance in class? Possible detention, depending on the disturbance. Miss two classes? Detention. Unless you have a good reason. Come and talk to me if you do."

{{OOC: In other words, I get that RL can come up in a heartbeat Let me know if it does.}}

"My introduction on Monday? Kinda sparse too. As you know, I'm Ms. Calendar, your teacher. And my magical knowledge involves practically breathing this stuff in as I grew up. I come from a specific familial and cultural tradition, and it looks like we might have some more people in the class who're from a fam trad. We'll be covering that concept later in the term. Questions on that?

Now, on to the lecture. The principles of sympathy, contagion, and antipathy. Not so yicky as it sounds. These are the basics on how to cast a spell on someone--or how a spell can be cast on you. Sympathy's easy. Like attracts like. Roses are a symbol of love, right? Therefore, you'd use rose petals in a love spell.

Now, love spells? Whole different story. And let me make this really darn clear to you guys: Do not be casting love spells. Almost invariably? They're gonna go wrong. No questions on that; we'll be dealing with the topic later in the term.

Right. Moving on. Voodoo dolls are a representation of a person. And therefore? Sympathetic. Get a bit of hair or some nail clippings on the person you're making a voodoo doll--also known as a poppet--of, and you're starting to get into the principle of contagion here. A small bit of something can affect the greater whole. In other words, you got a sample of someone's hair? You can affect the body. So if you're not in the mood to have a spell cast on you? Ditch the nail clippings, get rid of the hair from your hair brush, and blood? Do not be leaving your blood around for anyone to get ahold of. Blood is powerful magic, guys.

Antipathy's a little more complicated in practice, but in theory, it's not so bad. To boil it down: opposites repel. A cross drives off a vampire. Silver and werewolves? Generally not gonna find them in each other's company either. Salt and zombies don't get along so well either, just so you guys know. Rumor has it they've been a concern in the past. An exorcism is a whole big pile of antipathy heaped on a malignant spirit. In another way of putting it--anything that's been done? Can be undone. No spell's permanent. Laws of magic say there's gotta be a loophole somewhere, and if you look hard enough? You're probably gonna find it.

Next week? We'll get into the concept of expending magical energy. Today? Let's start talking about sympathy, contagion, and antipathy. You can discuss the classroom material either with your classmates, or with me.

{{OOC: OCD comment threads going up shortly are up. Comment away!}}

Useful Links:
Ms. Calendar's Voice Mail
Ms. Calendar's E-Mail

Comments

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[romanywitch]

"You know, you guys just asked a pretty darn good question. Also? One I don't have an answer on because Mutant Enemy never clarified, damn it." Jenny grinned. "A cross works for me just as well as it does for any good Catholic or Lutheran, and I'm a technopagan. I'm not so into believing in that particular form of deity. A cross will always work against a vampire, no matter how much you do or don't believe in Christianity, or even the power of the symbol."

"At least, against a vampire like Angel. Vampires from other dimensions? They've got different rules. You guys might want to consider that topic for your final project, even though that's a whle away."

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[soldtoarmenians]

"I kind of wonder if it's because the vamp believes," Xander said. "Not believes like they're all Catholic or something, but believes deep down that crosses are supposed to hurt them, so they do, even if the vamp's name is Herschel McHebrewson."

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[krycek-rat.livejournal.com]

"So maybe just a psychosomatic reaction - it works on them just because they believe it will?"

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[soldtoarmenians]

"I don't know if we've ever run across one back home that wouldn't have known about the legend, so hard to tell" Xander said, shrugging. "On the other hand, they're demons, at least the ones where Ms. Calendar and Cordy and I come from, so maybe the demon part believes, not the person they used to be."

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[demonbelthazor]

"They're demons where I come from, too," Bel said. "And they're just as afraid of crosses as the ones where you're from."

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[soldtoarmenians]

"Could be it's really the crosses that pack the mojo, too," Xander acknowledged, eyeing Bel carefully, given things that had been said at Investigator's Club. "I mean demons, holy symbol. Crosses don't work on all demons, but maybe the vamp ones did something to really piss off the, uh. Guy in charge of that particular symbol."

Re: Discussion - Today's Topic: Sympathy, Contagion, & Antipathy

[romanywitch]

"Good theory, Xander," said Jenny, grinning at him. "Actually, all of you guys, great discussion."