Post by Professor Amanda Stark on Aug 8, 2007 3:13:12 GMT -5
Welcome everyone to the first Herbology Lesson. We will be playing catch-up over the next few lessons so I will be very understanding about homework, but do not abuse my lenience. If you have any questions about the lecture, or information on the plant itself (or even a comment on any part of the lecture), feel free to state it here, as I think it is a positive thing to involve the class in a bit of voluntary discussion (possibility for bonus points). I also keep plants here in the classroom area for you to use as visual aids. They will become available for viewing at the end of each Section (2 Lessons). Make sure you stay somewhat on topic with your comments, and keep the discussion tame; everyone is entitled to an opinion. Now, let's begin our lecture.
Name: Uva Ursi
Proper Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Location: Commonly in high climates. In Europe: from Iceland all the way to Southern Spain through Italy and Northern Greece, also Tibet, Turkey and Siberia in Asia. Primarily grows along the western coast in North America, but also across the Northeast corner.
Muggle Use: As an antibacterial agent or diuretic, also to treat almost any ailment having to do with the fertility of women. It is often taken by women to ensure fertility and assist with maternal health.
Mythological/Historical Relevance: Uva Ursi is often seen as a symbol of feminism as it’s medicinal properties are useful for women’s diseases associated with infertility or other common related illnesses. It was used in magic throughout history to both strengthen women and ensure strong offspring. Two common symbols of strong women in Ancient Egyptian Mythology are the lioness-headed Goddess Sekhmet, and the winged Goddess Isis.
Sekhmet is the Egyptian Goddess of war and retribution. When Ra created her to destroy the evil of the world, she was so good at her job that the Nile ran red with blood (red is usually the color of Sekhmet’s dress). Sekhmet is said to have power over diseases as well; those who worship her are said to have healing abilities of their own, and statues in Sekhmet’s temples were coated with the disease anthrax to punish grave robbers. Sekhmet is arguably the most powerful of the Goddesses in Egyptian mythology, and amongst the more powerful of all Goddesses, as it were.
Isis is also called the Mother to all Gods. She was sister and wife to the God of the Underworld Osiris; when Osiris got a bit too friendly with his brother Seth’s wife Nepthys, Seth killed Osiris by tearing him apart. Instead of being jealous, or even angry, Isis reassembled her husband with the help of her sister Nepthys and stepson Anubis, born from Osiris’ affair with Nepthys. After tricking the Sun-God Ra into teaching her magic, she resurrected her dead husband. She is a forgiving Goddess and a lover of wisdom, often portrayed outwitting the other deities. She is also known as a bargainer for the weak and poor and the Goddess with a good heart.
Magical Use: Uva Ursi can be used as an amplifier for any spell or magical act, when worn around the neck in a pouch or locket of some sort; this power is always working, but can be more properly activated by adding a drop of Rosemary oil--which I keep in stock here in the Greenhouse--to the plant clippings. Witches gain power from Uva Ursi much more than a Wizard, as it is the plant of womanhood and feminine strength. It can also cleanse the after-effects of a curse in a short span of time, and provide a partial defense to weaker hexes. Uva Ursi should be worn in a locket of silver or a pouch of deerskin or similar material; it is not mandatory that the pouch be made of animal skin, but it does allow the natural elements of the plant to work with, rather than through, the pouch itself. Silver is a magical amplifier, and a much better conductor than gold or bronze, which can stunt the effects of protective plant magic. If you are not using a locket, your pouch should be small, easily concealed beneath clothing; an inch or two wide and two or three inches long will be just fine.
Misuse/Abuse: It is important to have a strong spiritual or at least psychological connection to the particular plant before attempting to harvest a bit of it for your own use. Since the plant connects with the spirit in order to do its work, using an unfamiliar Uva Ursi plant will not do, as it can have an opposite effect. Also, it is not uncommon when a Wizard makes good use of a plant such as Damiana--the male counterpart to Uva Ursi which will appear in our next lesson--for his rivals to sabotage him by adding Uva Ursi to his store. Uva Ursi and Damiana counter each other’s gender-strengthening effects, and either completely cancel both effects, or, if enough of the wrong plant is present, can work together against the wearer. While most men could use a woman’s touch, too much Uva Ursi can drain him of any natural strengths he may possess, and put quite a damper on his spell-casting until the problem is cleared up.
Voluntary Assignment: Along with your normal writing assignment, if you wish to make a small pouch that could be used to hold either Uva Ursi or Damiana, and describe the procedure with which you used to create it, I will award bonus points to the homework assignment. There is no word minimum on voluntary assignments and this could be covered in your final exam, so I suggest you at least attempt it to familiarize yourself with the process. Let me know how it goes.
Now for our first discussion topic, does anyone have any comment on the use of a power-enhancing plant such as this? Do you think it is immoral or useful? Should it be allowed during structured competitive dueling or be banned?
Name: Uva Ursi
Proper Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Location: Commonly in high climates. In Europe: from Iceland all the way to Southern Spain through Italy and Northern Greece, also Tibet, Turkey and Siberia in Asia. Primarily grows along the western coast in North America, but also across the Northeast corner.
Muggle Use: As an antibacterial agent or diuretic, also to treat almost any ailment having to do with the fertility of women. It is often taken by women to ensure fertility and assist with maternal health.
Mythological/Historical Relevance: Uva Ursi is often seen as a symbol of feminism as it’s medicinal properties are useful for women’s diseases associated with infertility or other common related illnesses. It was used in magic throughout history to both strengthen women and ensure strong offspring. Two common symbols of strong women in Ancient Egyptian Mythology are the lioness-headed Goddess Sekhmet, and the winged Goddess Isis.
Sekhmet is the Egyptian Goddess of war and retribution. When Ra created her to destroy the evil of the world, she was so good at her job that the Nile ran red with blood (red is usually the color of Sekhmet’s dress). Sekhmet is said to have power over diseases as well; those who worship her are said to have healing abilities of their own, and statues in Sekhmet’s temples were coated with the disease anthrax to punish grave robbers. Sekhmet is arguably the most powerful of the Goddesses in Egyptian mythology, and amongst the more powerful of all Goddesses, as it were.
Isis is also called the Mother to all Gods. She was sister and wife to the God of the Underworld Osiris; when Osiris got a bit too friendly with his brother Seth’s wife Nepthys, Seth killed Osiris by tearing him apart. Instead of being jealous, or even angry, Isis reassembled her husband with the help of her sister Nepthys and stepson Anubis, born from Osiris’ affair with Nepthys. After tricking the Sun-God Ra into teaching her magic, she resurrected her dead husband. She is a forgiving Goddess and a lover of wisdom, often portrayed outwitting the other deities. She is also known as a bargainer for the weak and poor and the Goddess with a good heart.
Magical Use: Uva Ursi can be used as an amplifier for any spell or magical act, when worn around the neck in a pouch or locket of some sort; this power is always working, but can be more properly activated by adding a drop of Rosemary oil--which I keep in stock here in the Greenhouse--to the plant clippings. Witches gain power from Uva Ursi much more than a Wizard, as it is the plant of womanhood and feminine strength. It can also cleanse the after-effects of a curse in a short span of time, and provide a partial defense to weaker hexes. Uva Ursi should be worn in a locket of silver or a pouch of deerskin or similar material; it is not mandatory that the pouch be made of animal skin, but it does allow the natural elements of the plant to work with, rather than through, the pouch itself. Silver is a magical amplifier, and a much better conductor than gold or bronze, which can stunt the effects of protective plant magic. If you are not using a locket, your pouch should be small, easily concealed beneath clothing; an inch or two wide and two or three inches long will be just fine.
Misuse/Abuse: It is important to have a strong spiritual or at least psychological connection to the particular plant before attempting to harvest a bit of it for your own use. Since the plant connects with the spirit in order to do its work, using an unfamiliar Uva Ursi plant will not do, as it can have an opposite effect. Also, it is not uncommon when a Wizard makes good use of a plant such as Damiana--the male counterpart to Uva Ursi which will appear in our next lesson--for his rivals to sabotage him by adding Uva Ursi to his store. Uva Ursi and Damiana counter each other’s gender-strengthening effects, and either completely cancel both effects, or, if enough of the wrong plant is present, can work together against the wearer. While most men could use a woman’s touch, too much Uva Ursi can drain him of any natural strengths he may possess, and put quite a damper on his spell-casting until the problem is cleared up.
Voluntary Assignment: Along with your normal writing assignment, if you wish to make a small pouch that could be used to hold either Uva Ursi or Damiana, and describe the procedure with which you used to create it, I will award bonus points to the homework assignment. There is no word minimum on voluntary assignments and this could be covered in your final exam, so I suggest you at least attempt it to familiarize yourself with the process. Let me know how it goes.
Now for our first discussion topic, does anyone have any comment on the use of a power-enhancing plant such as this? Do you think it is immoral or useful? Should it be allowed during structured competitive dueling or be banned?