Quote:
Originally Posted by
HPobsession33 
Allie raised her hand.
"You calculate the first challenge by subtracting the month of birth from day of birth." she said.
"The day of birth minus the month of birth." she repeated, just to make sure she said it the right way. She was never very good at math.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LisaPotter1125 Astrid raised her hand and said, "First Challenge Number is the day of birth minus the month of birth."
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Crayola Satisfied with the three points she had earned, Evangeline rose her hand again. "To calculate the First Challenge, we must subtract our month of birth to our day of birth." She replied.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PhoenixRising Amelia raised her hand quickly and spoke, though still looking down at her parchment. "You calculate the first challenge number by subtracting your month of birth from the day of your birth."
"You all have answered quite sufficiently. Two points apiece!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LisaPotter1125 Astrid couldn't wait to find out what her first challenge number was. She did the calculation on her parchment.
Day of Birth = 25/7 minus Month of Birth = 7 equals 0.
Wow! Zero is the Cipher Challenge. She liked the way it sounded.
She remembered one passage in particular that stuck in her mind about this challenge. It went like this, You have full free will to and choice to form your own world as one filled with love, compassion, integrity, vision, and to do great works.
She thought that was marvelous.
"Professor Shackleton, will we be sharing our challenges in class?" She asked.
Professor Shackleton heard the girl's question and replied cheerily,
"Ah, I think that is a marvelous idea! Why don't I start and then anyone else who wishes to share may do so. You may also give your opinion of an interpretation of your own or your classmates Challenges, so long as you keep it friendly."
Professor Shackleton used her wand to illuminate calculations in midair, which read:
Quote:
11/22/2028
11 - 22
(1+1) - (2+2)
2 - 4 = -2 (negatives are ignored) = 2
First Challenge = 2
First Challenge Age = 36 - Life Path Number
First Challenge Age = 36 - 9
First Challenge Age = 27
Age Range = 0-27y "Now, if you have your notes from last lesson, you'll have already calculated the Age Ranges for each Pinnacle. They are the same for the Challenges. So you can either choose to recalculate them again or merely copy them from your assignment last lesson.
"Another thing to remember is that if your number comes out to be negative, merely ignore the negative because in Arithmancy, no number can really be negative. We always treat numbers in terms of positive values so merely ignore the negative, or subtract the smaller number from the larger to start so that the answer always comes out positive."
Professor Shackleton walked over to her textbook while explaining,
"My first Challenge number was two and took place between birth and 27 years of age. The textbook says the following for the 2 Challenge: One of the most common challenges, the number two stresses sensitivity to all human relations. One aspect of the two, as the symbol for duality, is that it requires constant vigilance to stay balanced in the juggle between two seemingly opposing forces. You will in time learn the balance point and how to maintain it by being sensitive and living in harmony with yourself and with others. The negative aspect of the 2 can deal with fear, timidity, or lack of self-confidence. A potentially painful Challenge, there may be a battle with subordination or unwarranted consideration paid to what others think. The value of this Challenge is that you become sensitive to the emotions and needs of others without sacrificing your own needs at the same time.
"Does anyone have an opinion about this explanation? How it might have played out in my younger years?"