Let Me See Into the Future - Magical Readathon Seer N.E.W.T (addition paper)

Doc. Lektur.ID
 
To be honest, I never wrote an English language paper. So, I'm deeply sorry if what I wrote isn't exactly like the actual paper.


My name is Pinky N.A, a Ravenclaw student from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. I live in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. I am here to complete my Seer N.E.W.T for Magical Readathon. Other than achieving O in Divination, I have to write a foot long paper on the key events of the next planetary year based on tea leaf readings, star charts and crystal ball gazings. I know it's late, but okay I'll write it!

I never did those things before. I read some palm reading, but never to the three of them. And please, you have to remember that I don't believe in Divination. I only do this for fun.

Divination

According to Wikipedia, Divination (from Latin divinare, 'to foresee, to foretell, to predict, to prophesy', related to divinus, 'divine'), or "to be inspired by a god," is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic, standardized process or ritual. As a simple meaning, Divination is an ability to see into the future.


In the modern era, many people don't believe in Divination. It is because Divination doesn't require any technology, while on the other hand, we live in a modern and technological era. All we need to have are a broad mind and some important materials (such as tea leaf for the tea leaf reading, as an example). Well, Prof McGonagall, Hermione Granger, and --even-- J.K Rowling herself are considering Divination as an imprecise branch of magic. I believe this sentence is true. However, as I tried reading the palm of my friends --for fun-- several times before, I believe it is not entirely correct.


In Hogwarts, Divination is an elective subject available beginning in a student's third year. You can choose whether to study Divination or not. If I am a Wizard, I'd love to learn this study seriously. But not for a professional career.


"Broaden your minds, my dears, and allow your eyes to see past the mundane!" - Sibyll Trelawney

Methods

There are several methods of Divination. Yes, not only reading the palm of someone else's hands, or reading Tarot card like the common Seer, or crystal ball gazing. Each methods has their own unique. Here are some methods in Divination:


  1. Astrology: observing the movements of planets and stars.
  2. Cartomancy: reading Tarot cards.
  3. Catoptromancy: looking into mirrors.
  4. Gastromancy: looking into a crystal ball.
  5. Ichthyomancy: involving fish.
  6. Myomancy: involving rats and mice.
  7. Numerology: predicting the future using numbers.
  8. Oneiromancy: analysing the meaning of dreams.
  9. Ornithomancy: by bird migration (animal behaviour).
  10. Ovomancy: cracking open eggs and observing which way the yolks fall.
  11. Palmistry: reading the lines on a person's palm.
  12. Tasseomancy: reading tea leaves.
  13. Xylomancy: involving twigs.
I would list 13 types of methods mentioned in Harry Potter only. There are many methods of Divination. From gazing the water to film, from observing the urine to eye colour, and so on.
Tasseomancy (tea leaf reading), Astrology (star charts), and Gastromancy (crystal ball gazing) are three methods I have to use.

Tasseomancy (tea leaf reading)

Tasseomancy or what we know as tea leaf reading is a Divination method to read using tea leaf. I will write everything I know about Tasseomancy.

It began when some women centuries ago were having afternoon tea. They talked about their problem with each other. After they each finish their tea, one of them realised that the tea leaf inside the cup somehow resembles their story. Since then, Tasseomancy is well known as one of the Divination methods.

To be able to do this reading, you have to use exactly tea leaves. Don't use tea bag. Even if you tear the bag and use the leaves inside, it would not be effective. The leaves inside the tea bag are too finely cut. You have to use light coloured teacup and saucer. The white coloured teacup is the most favoured among the Seer, as far as I know.

This is how you start preparing your tea before read it in the end:

1. Brew the tea leaves as usual. You can use any kind of tea, but as a beginner, black tea is the most recommended. Don't do anything with the leaves, leave it just like that, then pour the hot water.

2. Wait until the tea is cool down. While waiting, you can ask one or more questions. Focus your mind to the questions and direct them to the cup. I suggest you not to ask a "yes or no" questions.

3. Drink the tea when it is ready to serve. Again, while drinking, focus your mind to the tea. Ask your questions. Stop when there's only a tablespoon left inside the cup.

4. Hold the handle using your left hand, and stir the spoon using your right hand. Stir three times clockwise.

5. Stir using your right hand, turn down the cup carefully so it'll face the saucer. Wait for approximately one minute.

6. Turn back up the cup, then you can begin the reading!

So, how can I read the symbols? This is a simple but a meaningful question. Usually, the symbols are consisting of animals, objects, letters, and more. However, it's not impossible if you found a rare symbol. As long as it can answer your questions, then it's important.

I can't explain to you any further about how to read the leaves. All you need to do is practice. I never really follow the guide. I will find any symbols inside my cup, write it down as detailed as possible, then searching for the meaning on the internet. By knowing what actually the symbol is, I can look up the meaning.

Here is my result when I first did the Tasseomancy.

TEA LEAF READING (05/04/20)

PAST

o Soldier/Painter

Ø Soldier: never give up, resilient, loyal, initiative, willing to sacrifice.

Ø Painter: art skill (real), sense of art (abstract)

Ø 4 – 5 months later (August, September)

What I mean by "PAST" here is something that happened in the past that will influence my future. That's why I wrote it as something that'll happen 4 - 5 months later. Last month and this month!
Let me see through it. Yes, I haven't read it more since the last time I read it, hahaha.


A soldier is a tough profession. They have to be ready at any time for the war. They have to be prepared to die at any time. They have to love their country. The fun fact is, I am a Leader of the dance club in college. Can you see the correlation here? Although Soldier isn't the highest among those fighter in the war, still, it's a tough profession. Just like being a Leader.

And, dance. Dance is an art, of course. So far, how is it not correlated to each other? That's it.

The thing is, I forgot what I asked when I brew this tea. So for an "abstract" reading, I translate it to this: this leaves told me how tough my position as the Leader. Yes, it is. August is (should be) my peace of holiday, but turns out, I can't set aside this club's busy preparation every August. Usually, the college will hold a student entrance ceremony every September. So, all the clubs here have to prepare so many things since the start of August. This year is a little bit different, but at the same time, we preparing to launch a dance challenge, too. Even though the preparations are online, it's so tiring. I'm not the "mastermind" of this project, but I'm the Leader. You can expect what should I do.

I even edited the after-movie for this year entrance ceremony, I mean, for the dance club. Since I don't think anybody in the main division has the time to edit the video (For your information, there are only 11 of the main division. Most of us don't know how to edit a video). That's not my job, but I can, so why not? That's a big part of "willing to sacrifice".


IN BETWEEN

o Big letter A. Inside there is a flower, like the royals?

Ø Albania: ???

Ø Acanthus: brought innovation to the free work artists in typology, caused to lose its natural structures and got away from its original forms.

Ø 13 months later (February, March, April, May)

Oh, I think I remember my question! It's "What will happen to the world in the future?". Sounds very hard to interpret... and too widely ranged.


So, I don't know what key event is actually will happen later with Albania. This prophecy means to be interpreted by 2022. I will stop here (and I don't know if I want to talk about it again later in the future, haha).


FUTURE

o A four-legged fat animal with a long tail, and maybe a supernatural (fire) power?

Ø Lemur

Ø 8 – 11 months later (December, January, February, March)

According to tradition, one should always be kind to a Lemur, or the creature will exact some form of revenge. Some villagers embrace legends suggesting the Lemur is a Spirit Ancestor and a symbol of good luck. So, Lemurs connote kindness, respect, positivity, and the importance of remembering familial connections while honouring one’s teachers and elders." (What is My Spirit Animal: LEMUR SYMBOLISM & MEANING)

Since this Lemur of mine resembled a supernatural fire version, then I think I (or even the world) will have very good connections with teachers and elders. This is a good luck charm for us. Let's wait until the end of this year and see what is actually will happen with them.


o Little Fire Engine

Ø Unselfish love

Ø 8 months later (December)

I saw a little Fire Engine/Firetruck inside my cup. This might be more of myself only, I'm not sure. But since Changmin seonbae are supposed to hold his wedding by this month, I think this Fire Engine predict the actual month of his wedding. It can be, since he must be very selfish if he still insisting to held the wedding by this 5th September. I searched everywhere and found out that Fire Engine is meaning of unselfish love. I am sorry, I forgot where I read this.


According to The Cup of Life, I shouldn't plan my tea leaves to read often. I should wait until three or six months later to be able to read again. Last time I read it was May when the O.W.L was held. It's been three months since then (according to the time I did the second reading), so I can read again.


This time, I remember my question: "Will I get another straight-A (perfect score) in the next semester? If yes, then what will happen?"


There are many symbols I was able to found, but since now I know I just have to read the right symbol, then I'll just write the important here.
 

TEA LEAF READING (25/08/20)

CURRENT MONTH (August)

o Fornax

Ø Near the rim of the cup (present)

Ø Detailed explanation on the Star Chart section.


1 MONTH IN THE FUTURE (September)

o Three dogs (two puppies and one big dog)

o One of the puppies is relaxed. The other is walking through the big dog.

I think this one is easy to interpret. Yesterday (31/08/20), the Prefect in the class told us that there will be a new lecturer. His name is Mr Prit. He will be a lecturer for Penyutradaraan Radio (Radio Directing) class. Since he is an actor and will assist the Director of "Makmum 2", he will be very busy. So, he told the Prefect to help him with all the class' procedure.


In my opinion, I should be the one who actively asking him since he is very busy with his job. I think this is an equal understanding. The one who only stays still -- stay silent -- with no action at all in Radio Directing class will be left behind. Alright, noted. I will prepare for any possible thing in this class. Even if I have to video calling Mr Pit -- and he permits me -- I definitely will do that.


9 MONTHS IN THE FUTURE (May 2021)

o A dog with thick fur, like Otokoyama from Yukan Club (I didn't get the photo of Otokoyama everywhere).

o It highly possible that the dog is adult Collie/Rough Collie.

According to Google, Rough Collie's temperaments are intelligent, loyal, friendly, active, protective, and gentle. They're good with children too. In Yukan Club (manga), Otokoyama helped Kenbishi Mansaku (Yuuri's father) to find something important (I forgot what is the thing). In the first episode of Yukan Club (live-action series), Otokoyama helped to wake Miroku. If Otokoyama didn't wake him up, Miroku will be late to school.


Firstly, I have to inform you that May is my birth month. And I remember correctly that the yearly inauguration in college will be postponed to May (it supposed to be held in January). I have to find out if all of these are just coincidence or not.


So, my question is about my GPA. If we talking about May 2021, then it's my 6th semester. That is too long for me to guess about my GPA. And I think, my birthday has nothing to do with my GPA. So alright, I guess it's not something that I can read for now. Remember, not all symbols are mean to be interpreted.

Astrology (Star Charts)

The constellation that I will be reading is Fornax. Why? It's because my Tasseomancy bring me here (read the Tasseomancy part).


Fornax constellation lies in the southern hemisphere of the sky. Its name means “the furnace” in Latin. Fornax is one of the constellations added by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the mid-18th century. (Constellation Guide: Fornax Constellation)


One of the stars is brightest among the other. According to Roman mythology, Fornax is Goddess of Bread and Baking. Any kind of baking, whether it's bread, bagel, toast, etc are associated with Fornax the Goddess of Bread and Baking.

According to my Tasseomancy before, this constellation will happen in the current month. I read the tea leaves in August, but I believe this Fornax constellation is supposed to happen in September too, which is this month.

Fornax means the furnace. Was introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1756. It was named as Fornax Chemica -- the chemical furnace. As a myth, the word Fornax comes from the Indo-European *gwher- 'To heat, warm'. One of the derivatives is firebrand (a burning stick carried as a torch or a weapon, also somebody with a strong or aggressive personality who encourages unrest).


The word "unrest" interest me very much. Yes, I didn't have much to rest fully, even though August is a holiday for me. I have to deal with open recruitment, motivation letter, competition, scholarship, the dance club, etc. I need to rest fully without having a bunch of tasks that make me anxious if I left them behind. But no, I can't. My new term begins on 7 September, after all. I don't have time to relax in August, as long as I can remember. Responsibilities = August Holiday.

I don't understand how a chemical furnace worked out -- not even the usual furnace. I never heard of it, and I think it's related to chemistry, a study I like but does not have the brain for it. I am truly sorry, I cannot explain any further. It'll explode my head more.

Gastromancy (Crystal Ball Gazing)

One thing for sure, I don't have any crystal ball. I don't intend to purchase any of it -- I have never seen one of it, anyway. So I'm terribly sorry, but I have to skip this method.

Conclusion

I am here in conclusion. Since I don't have much energy to ask a question about the world, I focused it to myself -- the key events of myself, on the next planetary years (honestly, I don't even understand what is a planetary year).


From the Tasseomancy and Astrology, I come to one strong conclusion: I have to fire up myself to be able to achieve straight-A (perfect score/GPA) again for this semester. However, I cannot forget the clubs, volunteers, and other activities other than the college's classes, too. All of them are (somewhat) correlated. I have to be more passionate about this 5th semester, and it goes on to the 6th semester.

Closing

All of these are just for fun. I don't -- and can't -- believe in Divination, but I do enjoy reading it on my (very) spare time. I did palm reading when I was in Secondary School (Junior High), however, I don't enjoy the process at all. People know me as the famous and "free" Seer in school. I don't like it at all. The worst part is I don't know why I started the reading.


The conclusion I wrote here can be a little booster for my study. For your information, I am studying Broadcasting, with Management of Broadcast Production as my focus study (Indonesian called it as Program Studi; Study Programme). With this COVID-19 situation, of course, I have a big struggle. I can't go to college and practice in the studio as usual (I miss the TV studio so much!), I can't discuss the content of the team's programme -- I can't even have my dance with my friends in the dance club! By firing up myself to this situation, I believe I can achieve straight A again. Bismillah. Inshaallah.

 

 

REFERENCES


1. "Divination" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divination
2. "Divination (class)" https://harry-potter-compendium.fandom.com/wiki/Divination_(class)
3. "Divination" https://www.hp-lexicon.org/magic/divination/
4. "Methods of divination" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_divination#F
5. "Your Essential Guide to Tasseography, the Practice of Reading Tea Leaves" https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-read-tea-leaves-tasseography
6. "Lemur Symbolism & Meaning" https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/mammals/lemur-symbolism-meaning/

No comments:

Powered by Blogger.