Viveka Moon's Story

The trees sway as the students walk along the stone pathway towards the Academy. They know that deep in their hearts that this is the place that they will find comfort and a sense of belonging. They will live here for the next couple of years. They cannot leave for anything. This a threatening thought, but most are too excited to really pay attention to it.

As they ascend the stairs, the large doors open up. Each and every student stares up at the sky and looks out over the trees, knowing that they will not see their village for quite some time. As the crowd shuffles into the entrance they expect someone to be standing in the middle of the hall, someone to guide them. But no one was there. Everyone realizes that no one is coming to direct them to their dormitories. They start to get a little uneasy, thinking about where to go in such a large place.

A redhead at the back of the crowd breaks the silence, "Well, what are you all doing? Let's go take a look around! It isn't as if a goblin is going to hop out and eat each and every one of us. Come on, move!" she pushes through the crowd and runs ahead of them. She disappears around a corner and shrieks. This caused the whole group to migrate to where the girl was last seen. They peeked their heads around the corner and see her standing in the middle of the hall, smiling at them. "Well that surely got you guys on the move, now let's go."

"Ah, I see that this group of fifty students has already appointed a group leader," a voice booms throughout the candle lit room that they just recently entered. "She has great potential, as a leader that is. But how about as a Witch, a Wise One?"
A white-haired woman appeared from the shadows. She was dressed in a dark blue cloak that trailed behind her. "What is your name child?"

"My name is Viveka Moon. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Viveka flashes her most charming smile. "May ask your name?"

"Charm won't work on me child, I have no name, at least not yet. You need to give me my name."

"I am not sure I am following you," Viveka racks her brain to figure out the riddle.

"You need to be able to reach into the Astral Plane to retrieve my name. For now, you may call me Miss. But I appoint this task to you, young Viveka. Do you accept?" Miss angles toward Viveka in an intimidating manner.

"I do."

"Alright, now run along and find your dormitories. I will not assist you. Each and every one of you is going to need to learn how to fend for themselves for this first year. You all need to learn how to use your instincts and energies that will guide you to where you need to go. I have faith in you all, we shall speak in the Main Hall in the morning, but for now, sleep well," and with that, Miss walks back into the darkness and leaves the students on their own.

Schedule for available classes to sign up for, there are a limited amount of spaces. The times may be different for each of you because my time zone is (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
The times don't really matter, they are just estimated times as to when I will be posting the classes. Keep in mind that the classes are in role play form. Reply to the thread with your class register forms and I will reply with the results. Each class has a test once a month and a quiz once every two weeks. Be honest with your homework answers, I am trusting everyone to send me the correct points so I can appoint those to you. You will collect a certain amount of points for each class. Once you have completed each class, you will then carry on to your next year.
Each second, third, and fourth year will have a choice for electives, you can only pick 1. These classes only have 5 slots, so first come first serve. Everyone will be able to see these classes but only the students I picked, I will collect points for. This is a year round schooling system. This first term goes from May 6th 2013-October 30th 2013. Some days there will be no class due to my absence. If so, I apologize in advance. This is a free course, so treat it well please.

Available Classes for Year 1

-Basic Energy Training 1 Mondays
-Astrology 1 Tuesdays
-History Of The Witch 1 Mondays
-Divination 1 Fridays
-Pantheons and Mythology 1 Wednesdays
-Magick 101 Tuesdays and Thursdays

Available Classes for Year 2

-Magickal Alphabets and Symbols 1 Wednesdays
-Energy Training 2 Tuesdays
-Astrology 2 Thursdays
-History Of The Witch 2 Fridays
-Divination 2 Mondays
-Pantheons and Mythology 2 Mondays

Electives:
-Art in Wicca Saturdays
-Literature in Wicca Saturdays
-Famous Wiccans Sundays

Available Classes for Year 3

-Astrology 3 Wednesdays
-Divination 3 Thursdays
-Herbs 1 Fridays
-Pantheons and Mythology 3 Tuesdays
-Magickal Alphabets and Symbols 2 Fridays
-Energy Training 3 Saturdays

Electives:
-Art in Wicca Saturdays
-Literature in Wicca Saturdays
-Famous Wiccans Sundays

Available Classes for Year 4:
(Graduate Program: Pick 4 of the 8 classes provided, this is the degree you will earn.)
-Divination
-Astrology
-History
-Energies
-Ceremonial Magick
-Shamanic Witchcraft
-Healing
-Animal Magick

Professor Jane was sitting at her desk when her ten students from Dorm 3 took their seats. She smiled at them all, thinking whether or not they will be able to handle this class. "I guess I shouldn't doubt them yet," she thought.
"Good morning class! My name is Professor Jane and I am your History teacher. Here are your books, Our Journey To Modern Witchcraft, by Aza Z. Allly. This book contains everything you need to know about our history. Now, shall we get started?"

The class stared at her, groggy from the lack of sleep they all experienced.

"Okay then! Today we are going to be learning the very basics. What is a witch? I can definitely tell you that they aren't the wart nosed women you see on the cover of every fairy tale, nor are they the scary old ladies who live down the street. Now can anyone answer this for me, where did witchcraft begin?"

A small brown-haired, mousy boy raised his hand. "The planet Earth. Is it true that they are scared of witches now?"

"Yes, the planet Earth but unfortunately you are correct about them being scared of us now. The people who practiced this religion brought it here to save it from being burned to the ground...quite literally. Now something we all need to learn are the roots words.
Wic- means 'wise' and 'to bend and shape', for we are the wise ones who can bend time and energies to reach our specific needs."

"Now, can anyone tell me what the origin of the word 'witch' comes from?" Professor Jane looked around the room, impressed that there was a hand in the air. She figured she could stump them with this one. "Yes..?"

"Scarlet Grace, Professor. It is originated from the Anglo-Saxon traditions."

"Precisely! Now I think this is all the time we have for this lesson. The next class we are going to focus on the very beginning of witchcraft on planet Earth. Here are the homework questions..."

HOMEWORK

1. Who wrote, Our Journey To Modern Witchcraft? (2 points)
2. Fill In The Blanks: ____ means ____ and 'to bend and shape'. (2 points)
3. T/F: The word 'witch' originated from Latin. (2 points)
4. What do we call the people who can bend time and energies to their specific needs? (4 points)

The answer to these questions will be posted next class.

After a very long History class, Viveka runs out the door. All she wants to do is curl up on her bed and sleep. But nap time isn't allowed.
"Ah, Viveka, how are you on your first day here?" asked Miss who appeared from around the corner.
"Oh hello Rowena!"
"I knew you were clever enough to figure it out," Professor Rowena and Viveka gave each other sly smiles as the rest of the group busted into gasps and questionable looks.
"Students, this is an example of the Astral Plane. You will all eventually learn how to reach the Astral Plane to gain knowledge, materials, and healing remedies. But for now, we are leaving the mystery of how Viveka found my name, for further investigation. My name is Professor Rowena and it is a pleasure to be your headmistress. Now, how was your first class?" Professor Rowena pointed to an overweight blonde in the middle of the group.
"Oh it was...lovely," replied the girl.
"It was boring," the brown haired mousy boy who goes by the name Ralphie, exclaimed.
"That is to be expected, you are first years! These are all of the basics! Now run along to the study and do your homework for that class. Tonight, after dinner, you will have an Energy Training session with Professor Reed and I," she pivoted on one heel and marched down the hall.
"Energy Training should be interesting huh?" Viveka looked at a small, black haired girl as she said this.
The girl nodded.
"What's your name?" Viveka asked. The rest of the group had already left, they were making their way to the Study where all of the other students were.
"Scarlet," the girl squeaked.
"Oh yeah, you are the sneaky type aren't you?"
Scarlet looked at her, puzzled. "I'm not sure I understand."
"You are quite but you know a lot. Too much maybe," Viveka broke into a grin. "Come on, sit with me in the study."

Professor Rowena and Professor Reed entered to a full classroom. The students were all sitting on their mats on the floor looking wide-eyed and ready to learn.
"Good evening class! I would like to introduce Professor Reed to you all," Professor Rowena motioned towards the new face.
"It's nice to meet you Professor Reed!" The class chimed.
"It's nice to meet you as well class, would everyone like to get started?"
He and Professor Rowena sat on their mats facing the class.
"Okay everyone, today we are going to learn about sacred breathing. This first type of breathing is called Meditative Breathing. It is a three step process to end up at meditative state. Now, Step one. Close your eyes and sit upright with your back arched in a bit. Step two, take four deep breaths and count to ten when you inhale and count backwards from ten when you exhale. That's right, good job! Now Step three, count down from fifteen in your head. Once you hit number one you should be totally relaxed and in your meditative state. Keep breathing deeply. Hold this for as long as you would like," Professor Reed kept peeking out at the class as he was giving the instructions. Some students were trying not to giggle at the situation. Others were doing quite well.
"Alright, now when we come out of our meditative state we perform what is called the Ascending Breath. This one breath will take you up from your deep state of mind and tell your body that it is time to wake up again. Now, count up to five , visualize yourself underwater and coming up to the surface. Once you hit the number five take a violent breath in until you can inhale anymore, then let it out just as quickly. "

The students all looked at each other, feeling refreshed. They all started giggling and whispering to each other about how they had no idea what they were doing the whole time.

"Now class, your homework for this week is quite simple," Professor Rowena announced as she passed the assignment sheets around the room.

HOMEWORK

1. What did we study in this lesson? (2 points)
2. What are the three steps in Meditative Breathing? (4 points)
3. T or F: Coming out of our meditative state is called the Descending Breath. (1 point)
4. Practice this breathing exercise once a day. This will get you used to breathing deeply (which is healthy) and to falling into the meditative state correctly. (2 points)

Extra Credit: What was the visualization technique to come up out of the meditative state? (1 point)