Good Omens...And Bad: Prophecy in Theory and Practice, Class Two

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Monday, September 11, Period 1

This morning the table is set with scones, tea and coffee, just as it was last week. Once the class is settled in, Aziraphale begins to speak.

“Today’s discussion is on the major historical figures associated with prophecy. As I am only familiar with Earth history of my own world, I apologize if I leave out someone you feel ought to be on the list. You are welcome, however, to add to the discussion and introduce the class to anyone you feel has been overlooked. And also, do keep in mind that this is only a listing of the most notable figures. A discussion of everyone throughout history who has been considered a seer of some sort would take far longer than a single class period. Please also keep in mind that I am not attempting to put any sort of seal of approval on these people. Whether or not they were ‘true’ prophets is not the point of this discussion.”

LECTURE:
Deganawidah
Delphic Sibyl
Edgar Cayce
Jesus of Nazareth
John of Patmos
Madame Blavatsky
Merlin
Mother Shipton
Muhammad
Nostradamus
Saint Malachy
Shirdi Sai Baba

In-class assignment:
If you haven't already done so outside of class, form groups of three or four and begin discussing ideas for your group project. Your proposals are due on Friday of next week.

Homework assignment:
Write a brief essay about an experience you had with a person who was connected in some way with prophecy – a seer, a fortune-teller, the subject of a prophecy, etc. This person does not have to be a “professional” prophet, neither do you have to have believed in the truthfulness of the prophecy. For example, you could write about the time you had your palm read at the fair, or the time you met the author of a book on prophetic dreams, or about an oracle you once visited, or a religious seer whose prophecy affected you personally. You have two weeks to complete this assignment, as it will not be due until September 25.

Before the class departed, Aziraphale informed them that he had two announcements to make. "First..." He looked a bit disappointed. "I will need some form of written excuse from Mr Constantine, in order to excuse his absence last week. Second, and this is much better news: we will be embarking on a field trip with another class in November, to Las Vegas. You'll be receiving permission slips to be signed within the next couple of weeks."

Syllabus
Class Roster
Classes Linkdrop

[ooc: Please wait for the OCD is now up.]

Comments

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"Hullo," said Lyra, "don't believe I know you yet. I'm Lyra."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"I'm Joxer. And unless we both got hit by some sort of curse by the gods to forget one another, I don't think we've met either." He smiled.

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

Lyra blinked at the implication of many gods, but smiled back. "Nice to meet you, Joxer. Do you have a group yet?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

Joxer shook his head. "Not I," he said. "Guess everyone's afraid my work will overshadow theirs."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"Are you very good at prophecy, then?" Lyra asked. "D'you want to be in a group with me?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

Joxer looked to see if anyone was eavesdropping and lowered his voice even more.

"I've never even tried it, actually. But I don't want everyone to know that Joxer the Mighty might not be able to do something as well as everything else I do."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"Joxer the... Mighty?" Lyra asked, a little skeptical. He seemed a little... but there was a demon sitting over on the other side of the room. Maybe she shouldn't be too hasty.

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"I'm a big important hero," Joxer explained. "Or I will be, once everyone knows who I am. Which might not be until I get back home."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"Ah." Lyra paused. "So... you want to be in a group with me, then?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"That'd be great," Joxer said. "You any good at the prophecy stuff?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"I used to be. Divining, really, not so much prophecy. But I lost the trick of it, which is why I'm here." Lyra smiled, but it was a bit forced.

"Where are you from, that you'll be a hero?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"Greece," Joxer said. "Ancient Greece. With the centaurs and the bacchi and everything that people thinks were only myths."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

Lyra's eyebrows? Totally raised. "Wow, it must be so very different here. Is it hard, adjusting?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"You have no idea," Joxer said. "Yesterday I had someone telling me how outdated my ideas are."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"Well, I'm not as 'outdated' as you are, but you've been here longer than me. I guess we'll make a pretty good pair."

Lyra looked around. "Hmmm, we'll need at least one more. Who do you think looks likely?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"Well, Agnes over there is my roommate," he pointed out. "She's a witch. She might be good at this."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"A witch? She didn't say anything about it when we talked." Lyra looked over speculatively. "Let's go ask, eh?"

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[joxertehmighty.livejournal.com]

"You should go ask her, yeah," Joxer said. "I think me trying to help won't help, actually."

Re: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES

[daemonridden.livejournal.com]

"Well, come with me, than, but I'll do the talking." Lyra said, motioning him to follow her. (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomhigh/1004829.html?thread=54490909#t54490909)