Quote:

Originally Posted by The Blackboard

Factors that affect the accuracy of a water reading:
 turbulence
 creature disturbances
 unfocused
 weather
 scepticism
 clarity & colour
 type of water; salty and unsalty water
 water temperature
 noise level
 wind/breeze
 amount of water
 dirt particles in the water
 water depth
 focus of mind
 tides
 water location
 drought
 natural ability to see

As the students spoke Laurel conjured up a big black board on a stand in the sand where all the students factor suggestions magically appeared as they were brought up. When the last student went silent, she moved to stand next to the black board as she spoke in summarization a smile pursing her lips as she looked out over her class. "All the factors you've brought up can affect the accuracy of a water reading to different extents. The weather, tides, temperature, amount of water available and whether the water is murky or clear will have the most visible affect on the reading."

"Creature disturbances can have a big affect on the water reading, but hopefully not while you do your readings today. A persons focus or natural ability to see can of course to play a part but I should think that you are all focused in class and when you are practicing together you can get help from your peers to interpret the shapes that the water will make."

"The germanic wise women i mentioned earlier were practitioners of hydromancy and they specialized in river water interpretation where they studied the colour, course and whirls for their readings. Another popular technique was to fill a bowl with water and suspend a ring or key on a chain over the bowl and then swing the chain so that it struck the bowl and caused ripples to form on the water that was then interpreted."

"The hydromancy technique we will practice in some minutes will involve the stones you are all sitting around. Now can each of you pick 3 stones from the piles in front of you. You need one circular, one triangular and one square stone for the reading. Inspect the stones carefully for dirt particles. Wash them in the lake water or use the scouring charm to clean them, depending on what you are most comfortable with. The older students can help the younger ones by demonstrating how to use the scouring charm.

Also make sure that your hands are clean of any dirt. Both the stones and your hands need to be super clean and bone dry for the reading or it might alter the results of your readings. And least i forget roll up the sleeves of your trousers and take off your shoes and socks since you will need to wade out into the lake water in just a bit." Laurel said, trailing wondering if she had forgotten something.

OOC: No individual replies this time. I'm so sorry. I know you all love them and I like writing them for each and everyone of you, but after a long day of work i was too mentally drained and thought it better to focus on moving on and giving you all a mini practical task to perform. I will move on tomorrow (tuesday) at approximatley 8pm GMT+1 and will start the main practical activity.

Do what Laurel said: Pick 3 stones (one circular, one triangular, one square) and clean them and your hands from any dirt with lake water or the scouring charm and also make sure they are dry. Roll up trouser legs and kick off shoes and socks.