Lesson 3: Tarot Cards

[Apharius Redrush]

Professor Redrush swept into the room just as the last students were sitting down on the squashy beanbag chairs. She looked forward to this lesson every year, as it was her favorite to teach. She went behind her desk and picked up a large wooden square with drawers carved into it, which she set on the desk, with the drawers facing the class.

“Today we will be learning the basics of Tarot cards. Before we begin, what I’d like each of you to do is close your eyes, take 3 deep cleansing breaths, then hold out your non-dominant hand. In my little cubby chest here are many different decks of cards, each with its own unique properties. Each deck will pair itself up with each of you based on your personality. I will continue once everyone has their matching deck,” she explained to the class, then watched as her students followed her instructions and the decks started flying out of their cubbyholes and around the room.

When she saw everybody had a deck, she continued:

“The Tarot is an ancient art of fortune telling, going back to the mid-15th century. The cards are split into two groups: the Major and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana are the more powerful cards, with names such as The Sun, The World, The Star, Strength, and the Wheel of Fortune. The Minor Arcana is made up of four suits: Pentacles, Swords, Cups, and Wands. With muggle playing cards, Pentacles are Diamonds, Wands are Clubs, Cups are Hearts, and Swords are Spades. Each suit has an Ace, which is the number One, and subsequent numbers 2 through 10, as well as a King, Queen, Knight, and Page card. Each card has dual meanings, depending on whether or not it is inverted, or upside-down, during a reading. For your assignment, I would like each of you to pick one card from both the Major and Minor Arcana. You will then proceed to write an essay on the cards you chose, with the following information:

• The card’s name
  
• A brief description of the card’s meaning (you may mention both interpretations if you wish, but one will suffice)
  
• Why you chose these two cards
  

Please owl your essays to me when you finish. Class dismissed.”


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OOC: here are a few sites you can use to gather information on the cards:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot

www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/

supertarot.co.uk/meaning/tarotcardmeanings.htm

www.themysticeye.com/info/tarotcardm.htm

Enjoy!!!!

[Dastan Cross]

Dastan was not in the mood for this foolishness. Playing with cards was not, to him, an acceptable way of passing the time, especially when he had more important O.W.L.s to study for and the pain in his knee was nigh unbearable. He wanted to just roll over and die, but knew that he couldn't. He had a lot to do, and dying was hardly the solution.

He barely listened as the teacher explained the use of Tarot Cards. He sincerely couldn't care less about it.

Instead, he allowed his mind to wander. He really hoped that Astin would agree to come visit him over the summer. He wanted to show Astin the other side of himself, the side that wasn't always putting up fronts and hiding who he was, and the only place he could fully do that was at his home. He wasn't sure why exactly he wanted to show Astin this, but he did, and he learned long ago not to question things where Astin was concerned. It was better to just accept them.

Suddenly, the teacher gave them their assignment. Groaning, Dastan turned to writing an essay. He wouldn't expend too much effort on it--after all, he was only here because of some twisted sense of duty to see things through to the end. After O.W.L.s though, he'd be able to avoid taking any more Divination classes. There was no way he was going to get the E or O needed to continue on to N.E.W.T. level. Rather than fill him with disappointment as it would for any other class, he felt a huge sense of relief at that. Soon, this class would be just a bad memory. He couldn't wait for that time.

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I pretended not to notice that you weren't paying attention, so I'll let it slide this time, Mr. Cross.

Your RP grade will be 5.6/10