Hippie writes down everything as fast as she possibly can. "Wow I'm glad I came down here this stuff is really helping me."

*nods* More of us use the same ideas from muggle rising (ooc: google, etc), and muggles do think they work... but their love potions are mild aphrodisiacs, taken with the study of the pleasure one gets from the taste of certain food, like chocolate! It might work actually - Hello Hippie, welcome!"

Nadia stared at her notes but didn't add anything at the time. For some reason she cuoldn't think of anything else. (ooc: my mind is blank now, but I'll add something if I can think of them later -- my mind is elsewhere.)

Hubert walks up to the empty classroom and opens it with a key. He pushes the door and walks in to light the lamps for the students. On his way back out, he posts a sign:

Serena walked in and held up some of her notes. "This is from some research I did in class, but the Professor never commented on it. Anyone have any more ideas?"

She lets them read her notes:

The spleen produces what are called antibodies, to fight infections or unfamiliar 'invaders' once they are detected. It also will swallow and digest debris in the blood such as worn out red blood cells and platelets and will also trap white blood cells. Maybe the rat spleen is used to fight the damaging effects that shrinking something could cause. It could help the body protect itself from the unfamiliar 'invader': the shrinking solution.

Nadia pays attention but it is clealy lost herself.

"I know about rats... that they are usually used for experimentation and associated with illnesses as symbol. I know for example that rats are used to fight tumors, to experiment, and some times there has been some good results, "shrinking" the tumour." She sighed. "Also I can tell the Shrinking Potion seems to work like an aging potion. Again, the quantity we brewed wouldn't do much to a person but the rat being smaller it turned it into a baby easily. That's something to consider. Now the spleen is usally associated with "rage", isn't that right? But what to tale from there..."

:: Ganymede sighed, "I just guess." She looked at the notes in her hand, "I think it helps the person not get so young that they disapear." ::

"Wow, I think I'll try to find something more from the library. Hopefully, between us, we can figure this thing out! See you tomorrow!" said Serena as she waved goodbye.

It seems that muggle scientists have used studies on the rat spleen in relation to the immune system.

Quote:
"We have previously detected immunoreactive and bioactive CRF in the rat spleen and thymus"

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...rtype=abstract

Ahhh!! Research is tough!

ooc: Don't forget that imaginations count just as much as research in RPs

ooc: it does? *slaps head* THAT explains how many of my homeworks doesn't seem to find an end! lol, I should have known I had to invent.


"So about the rats..." Nadia ponders. "You know, I am thinking of ancient Egyptians who believed to be able to retain the youngth in a dead person by momifying. This potion acts like an counter-aging potion of some sort as well, while the cat, the mortal enemy of rats, is the pet of Egyptians. Plus, add to it the "eternal chase" of the cat and the mouse to be representative of the equally "eternal chase" for yought in ladies since ancient times, and -alas!- even Cleopatra was one of them, and there you have! A possible explanation to the rat spleen in the Shrinking Potion!"

... "Well, almost. We need to find out why *spleen* and not another part of the body. Do any of you know myths about spleen?"
*shudders* "How funny..."

Here's a link for oriental symbolism... year of the rat stuff...
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/astrology/Rat.cfm

And here are more rat and spleen symbolism items....

The rat stands for many different things, depending on the culture. Generally, however, it stands for filth, deceit and betrayal (to 'rat' on someone).

The spleen, the organ of prana or of physical vitality coming from the sun

Qi and Blood'. This symbolism refers to the Spleen being the source, origin
or reservoir of Qi and Blood

Heart and small intestine is categorized as Fire, spleen and stomach is categorized as Earth

The mythology of the spleen as the seat of both negativity and creativity, juxtaposing it with the biological function of the organ as a cleansing filter.

SECOND CHAKRA - SPLEEN CENTRE

The Sanskrit word for the second chakra is Svadhisthana which means "to sweeten" This centre is located around one inch below the navel and resonates to the colour orange. It is governed by the element of water. The consciousness associated with the Spleen Chakra is symbolism, dualism (balancing polarities) and relationships - how we relate to people, how we interact with them and how we form and maintain relationships with them at a personal level. This chakra affects our personal visions and relationships because it stimulates our need for growth and change. On a sub-consciousness level the Spleen/Sacral chakra is associated to sexuality, repressed emotions and trauma. It deals with the expression of emotions, pleasure, movement, sensation and our ability to nurture. Very often this expression is blocked by deep seated fears and traumas developed during our childhood. Some of these fears and traumas are based on memories carried over from a previous life for karmic resolution in this one.
This chakra governs the sexual organs, pelvis, lower back, urinary elimination and reproductive system, colon, small intestines, and immune system. The Spleen chakra is connected with the Gonads gland.

"Wow!" Nadia said amazed. "Indeed, that's a lot of info... Now you mention it... that thing about the fire and heating is highly peculiar! I once heard about this drug which would turn a youngster into a child by mistake, and he described the main symtom was that he felt as if he was put on fire while the transformation took place. Especially heated in his interior, in a way much worst than feeber or ashwinder eggs can cause." (ooc: Detective Connan anyone? =P Animé.) "I will make more research myself. Be back after CoMC."

A piece of parchment of tacked to the door of the empty classroom: