Mmhmm, so Rubiey did not have a cluuuuue as to what the Professor said. "Aren't they... something to do with Jewish morality? And, and... numbers?" She mumbled, verrrrry embarassed. She should have kept her trap shut.

Luna snapped back into reality as soon as the Professor spoke. Page 16 she thought as she flipped page to page. Gnosis and Cabala? Hmmm.... she thought very hard. Truthfully, she didn't like Arithmancy that much. Maybe if she read ahead...... No! She had to listen to the Professor. Plus, if she stopped paying attention she'd daydream. Oh snap! She was daydeeaming the whole time. Flickering her eyes a few times to get back to reality.[B] "It's something to do with Jewishism and numbers [/B]right?" she asked.

Emmaleigh shook her head. She didn't really know what Arithmancy was, and these two terms, yeah she had never heard them before. this was going to be a fun lesson. She just hoped she learned enough to be able to complete the homework later.

Gnosis and what?

Tapping on his Aritmancy book, Josh looked around for his friends as he listened to the professor speak. Hmm. Since he had no idea what the professor was talking about, he thought it was then the time to enjoy himself a little until someone exactly explained what this Gnosis and something meant....

So he searched in his pockets for a little piece of crumpled parchment and threw it at Simon being extra careful not to be spotted by the professor. Then once the parchment found its target he raised his hand to speak. ''Excuse me professor but it sounded like a cereal brand to me''. And why must he say that out loud? He had no idea.

Salander furrowed his brow as he flipped through his textbook. Gnosis and Cabala? Wasnt Gnosis a planet in some far off galaxy and Cabala something Madonna drank?

Ugh, this is Arithmancy Salander, get with it!

He browsed over his textbook, trying to understand what he can. Tentatively he raised a quill and said "Gnosis is knowledge of the spiritual and/or mystical, something thats more intuitive rather than a kind of knowledge thats based on rational thinking. While Cabala..... is a collection of mystical and ethical Jewish writings, most of these hailing from the medieval period."

Freya took out her textbook from her bag and flipped it opened to the right page. 'Gnosis and Cabala??I've heard of it somewhere' she thought trying to remember. She raised her hand slowly "Gnosis is higher knowledge of spiritual things. While Cabala is the Jewish techniques for manipulation numbers, figures, names, symbols and letters from the Hebrew alphabet in order to reveal the hidden messages?" she said not so sure with her answer.

Josephina nodded at the Gryffindor. "Yes, Cabala does have to do with number mysticism. Good." Someone knew a bit of mystery behind numbers; granted this was basic and not a class on religion so they wouldn't go too far into depth. Generalities were necessary though.

Of course she'd noticed the young boy waving earlier . . . but didn't acknowledge because well, she had been absolved in her book. Nodding at him with his hand raised, she hoped he would just speak up. "Yes? You've heard of it? What do you know about it?"

And this one knew about the first part of the phrase; ah well, familiarity in either part was just fine. "Basically, yes. Spiritual knowledge. Mysticism. Good."


"It does indeed have to do with numbers connecting to the physical world. I'm not so sure about doing calculations with them versus other numbers because all numbers are the same. Universal. However, what it does mean is that each number has a special meaning and mystery about it." It some sense it didn't well, make a lot of sense, but in other regards, it wasn't supposed to.

For once, Miss Flores-Shepard (Eh? That was going to take some getting used to), didn't have a solid answer but was almost questioning herself. "Yes. It is indeed, spiritual related." But no ghosts, so she thought.

"Morality? Not so sure, but yes it does have to do with numbers," Fina mused at the girl. Not shy for a first year, this was good. But really, of course it would have to do with numbers, since this was Arithmancy.

These kids were amusing. "Yes . . . it is something to do with Jewishism and numbers, but we'll focus more on the latter, since this isn't a religion class."

Noting a head movement, Josephina looked toward the culprit who was a rather adorable first year. She liked majority of first years; they were so innocent and fresh. Giving a small [comforting] smile in her direction, she moved onto the next to speak.

Josephina wanted to laugh. Truly she did. Because the next answer was clearly one of the most hilarious answers ever . . . . "Cereal brand? No . . . but um, did you not eat breakfast today?" She asked seriously, raising a brow at the boy. If he was thinking of food, then it was a possibility . . . of course it could just be the fact that he was a boy.

"Precisely . . . Mister ?" Uh what was his name? Because she certainly didn't recognize him from last term.


Moving onward, Josephina removed her wand again from her desk drawer and flicked it so that writing began appearing on the board. "The ideas from Plato and Pythagoreas could be carried over in something called Neoplatonism. However, Gnosis gave rise to a certain mystery about numbers which could be summarized as written on the board."

Quote:

Originally Posted by the board

- numbers influence the character of things that are ordered by them
- the number therefore becomes a mediator between the spiritual and physical world
- it follows that if one performs calculations with numbers than those operations will also work upon the things connected with the numbers used.

"Moving forward as this is just to give you a basic background of where numbers originated.... Today we will be delving into the mysteries of two of my favorite numbers. The number two and the number seven." She paused, letting this sink in, as well as letting them copy the text on the board, if they desired. "Please discuss among yourselves what you know about these two numbers and then we'll have a class discussion about them."



ooc: I'll be going offline for a couple hours; clothes shopping for my new job! <33 Feel free to discuss about the numbers with your neighbors and I'll continue tonight with the lesson =D

Despite the smallness of the paper ball, Simon still felt it hit the back of his head. He was about the turn around and see who threw it but as he heard Josh speak from behind him he knew right away the answer to the mystery and stayed quiet not to draw attention from the professor.

Simon nodded in understanding as the professor commented on his answer taking notes on what she said to the class as well as what appeared on the board. When she allowed them discussion, he finally turned around to see his fellow Gryffindor. He knew what the number 7 could mean he'd have to listen to others about the other number.

"Yes?" he questioned in half jest as if pretending that Josh was trying to get his attention.

Daisy scribbled down the notes into her notebook and leaned her head upon her hand. The numbers two and seven. She knew the meaning of the numbers. Two was all about harmony and relationships. A number Daisy herself never related well too but strived to create. Seven was a number with wisdom and solitude. She wrote this down and wondered if this what the professor was looking for when she mentioned the numbers or something else.

Rubiey didn't know what the number two's importance was, but she knew a bit more about the number seven, at least. "Isn't Seven the most powerfully magical number there is? It's also thought to be the most lucky, or holy, number in practically every culture, although I'm not sure why... Maybe because the Universe was supposedly made in seven days..." She trailed off, after muttering to herself, and sat in thought. Number two... nope, she had no clue.

Hehe she still had no idea what Gnosis and Cabala were, though she wrote down the notes anyways for future reference. Maybe the next time she went over them something would click in her mind, like it has happened many other times.

But, now they were starting to go over things she actually did know, thank Merlin. Though why these two particular numbers were the Professor's favorite...she didn't know. She also didn't know why no one had mentioned the 2 number. "The number two has more of a meaning of harmony and unity." she started, tapping her quill on the desk as she stared at her notes that were written so far. "One would mostly find that the number would usually have some form of meaning or another about seeking harmony or finding some sort of balance whenever it comes up."

And the number seven? "And, the number seven is more on the analytical and intellectual side. You'll usually come across things like 'seek the meaning of' or 'study something' with...the seven number. However, since it is apparently a lucky number to most, combining that with the intellectual and knowledge side of it... I think it is also has some kind of 'spiritual' meaning to it I guess you could put it. I think." At least, that's what some would have described it as. Then again, she tended to over think a situation at times.

Hugo looked at his book, and among all the whispering people, started talking himself. "Well... Number 7 is often concidered a lucky number." That was the only thing he could say. The numbers... They were just pretty numbers, he thought.

Oh. Evan got himself a 'good'. Yay! Maybe he could like this subject... well, he liked it, but it didn't like him. Hopefully, right in his OWL year, he'd find the EUREKA and shine at it.

Now, with that small encouragement, he quickly took all his notes and raised his hand to talk about both of the numbers. He didn't actually know much about both of them, but he would take some strong guesses.

"First of all, both are prime numbers." He hoped this was on topic, even though everyone talked about more deep and imaginary stuff. "I think--" he didn't know if it was true or not, he only guessed "--that number two means a 'couple', like combination and maybe harmony?" Then, after a few seconds' thinking, he said "And everyone knows the number seven's magical power and the meaning of luck." Yeah, that was it.

Leilani followed the directions and flipped to page 16. Woot. She scribbled down the stuff on the board into her notebook before proceeding. Okay, so they were going to be discussing numbers 2 and 7. Cool. Okay, now for somebody to discuss with. Ermmm....

Huh. What do I know about the numbers 2 and 7? In what way, I wonder.

Keefer always liked math, even if he wasn't that great at it. But this was Arithmancy, which meant this wasn't all about mathematical properties.

He looked around and saw people talking in groups. He wasn't really in a group, so he just started talking to himself. Actually, it wasn't that uncommon to see Keefer holding a conversation with himself, so what else was new?

"Well, two is the only even prime number, but I doubt that has much bearing on what we're doing here. Seven is obviously the most powerfully magical number. Two is an even number, so it might relate to being round or complete. Oh, and seven is a common lucky number, I suppose."

Other than that, he'd have to think on it awhile.

Kurumi giggled a little at Josh's comment and caught herself actually writing "sounds like a cereal brand" on her parchment.


Kurumi looked up from her note taking and turned to the closest person to her. "Well, the number 7 seems to be a universal lucky and holy number," she scratched her head with her quill. She wasn't sure if the next part was connected, but it sounded like it could work. "There are many terms that include the number 7: 7 wonders of the world, 7 deadly sins, 7 virtues, the 7 seas, 7 days of the week, 7 colors of the spectrum, the 7 dwarfs... "Seven Samurai" is a classic Japanese movie directed by Akira Kurosawa." There was something on the tip of her tongue she was trying to get out...something to do with the Buddhist temple only a 10 minute walk from her home in the Japanese countryside. "Oh!" she exclaimed remembering. "Buddhists believe in 7 reincarnations. The Japanese celebrate the 7th day after a baby's birth, and mourn the 7th day and 7th week following a death." She paused for a moment. "In Japan, we also have the7 Gods of Luck, the 7 Herbs of Spring, and 7 Heavenly Virtues."

She took a moment to organize her thoughts before moving on to discussing the number 2. "The number 2 is actually kind of unlucky in my culture...for example, if you are giving someone a wedding gift of cups and you give them 2 and 1 breaks, it is like telling the couple that you hope their relationship ends or is full of hardship."

While she was sure that this lesson was going to return to things she did not know, she was relieved that at least right now, she was able to follow everything and contribute.

Pam copied the words from the board onto her notebook. She pondered a bit. two and seven. Personally she liked twenty. Two and seven could be writen the same way upside down. If written right, two, upside down can look like a seven, and vise versa. Hmmmm

"Salander." he replied leaning forward. Yup new kid on the (chopping) block right here.


Salander looked away trying to see what he knows about 2 and 7 off the top of his head. "Two? Uh.... Two turtledoves? Two comes after One?; Two is cozy...."... but Three is more fun? hmm, maybe he should keep that last bit to himself.

"Seven.... its a betting man's favorite number; number of days in a week; popular stuff are named after it-- a soda, a movie, oh, yeah and the number of Horcruxes Voldermort made." Yeah that last bit was kinda significant.

He wasnt quite sure if this was what the Professor had in mind "Did you want something more from the textbook Professor?"

Hearing the discussion as he awaited a response from Josh, Simon decided to add his two cents in on what he knew. "To go along with the Jewish mention, the number seven is considered the number of perfection and completion by scholars because on the seventh day the earth was completed. It also is considered good because 7 is the combination of the number 3 standing for the trinity or God and 4 which is the number for man," he answered.

Leilani scribbled down a few notes before saying, "Well, the number seven carries many magical properties and is much like the number three. The number two, however, signifies balance and choices." Yup. There we go. She scribbled down a little more before continuing on, "They're almost opposites, really. Though they do have a few things in common." Like the fact that they were both symbolizing control. Mmhmm.

"Well," Sophia said, raising her hand. "Isn't seven one of the most magical numbers there is?" she asked. That is what she was told. This is exactly like math in muggle school. Math was never her best subject, hopefully this is better.

Willow knew that seven was the lucky number and two? What was two? Two is the only even prime. But what else was it? Willow really wanted to do good in this class. That was why she had her parchment for her notes. But she couldn't write anything if it wasn't write.

Autumn wrote down a few notes. She loved this class and was super-excited to be there. "Well," she said to no one in particular. "I've always heard that 7 is one of the most powerful numbers there is. Isn't that the number of Horcruxes Lord Voldemort used in his time? Counting himself, of course. I bet he did it for that reason." She nodded slightly. She thought she might be right. Yay!

Jainie grinned. Seven and two were her favorite numbers, too! No pun intended. But what exactly was special about them? Well, for some reason, she always mixed then up when remembering times or dates. That probably wasn't significant. She did know that seven was the most powerful magical number, at least usually. Two could mean...strength in pairs? Two is better than one? Oh wait, that's something else... She heard people mention harmony and bonding. Maybe there was something to that. Hmm...

As she thought, she started to chew on the end of her quill like she did with her pens in the muggle world, but ended up with a mouthful of feathers. After a subtle sputtering fit, she looked around to see if anyone had noticed.

Sitting pretty close to someone familiar, Rae heard Salander's voice... What he said made Rae chuckle, for what he said was exactly what Rae would've said. She was never the bright student. As it seems, Rae could definitely be friends with this Salander kid. She decided to scoot over closer to him, after all, they could be awesome Arithmancy buddies?