Post by Professor Amanda Stark on Aug 8, 2007 4:48:57 GMT -5
Name: Damiana
Proper Name: Turnera diffusa
Location: Central and South America
Muggle Use: As an antidepressant and to treat respiratory diseases from asthma to emphysema. It was also used to make a Mexican liquor said to be the alcohol used in the first margaritas. It treats a wide variety of diseases that infect males only.
Mythological/Historical Relevance: Damiana is a strong symbol of masculinity and magical practitioners from past to present have been using it in potions and rituals having to do with masculine strength for centuries. Two popular Roman Gods that have a rather masculine reputation are the war-monger Mars and the no-nonsense Neptune.
Although Mars started out as the Roman God of harvest and cattle, the rising need for battle saw to it that Mars became the God of war. Identified with the Greek God Ares, Mars has a bad reputation for switching sides in the middle of the battle to ensure his victory. He is also known for his trysts with Venus that was made public when Venus’ husband Vulcan trapped them in a net for all the Gods to jeer at. With his pride wounded, Mars fled and did not return to the company of the other Gods often, but his strength and ability to motivate others to battle is undeniable. He is, in essence, the original action hero, and perhaps a bit misunderstood. Mars tends to be a rational thinker when not angry, and completely unstoppable when his temper is heated.
Neptune is the God of the waters, the realm between Jupiter’s heaven and Pluto’s underworld. While he pursued many women, the story of Neptune’s creation of the horse to woo the woman he loved is one of the most popular. Among his offspring are the fascinating creatures Pegasus and Polyphemus the Cyclops. He is also known to have rescued a Trojan fleet at sea from the Queen Goddess Juno and fought a losing battle for ownership of Athens with the huntress Athena. When angered, he can destroy ships and even bring his wrath onto land, but when one is loyal or reverent to the water god, their vessels are more than likely to have successful voyage. Neptune is a proud God who is angered by other deities trespassing onto his domain; he alone is ruler of the ocean, and his authority is not to be questioned. Neptune has a castle beneath the waves, and does not join the other Gods in the heavens, preferring his own kingdom.
Magical Use: Damiana, like Uva Ursi, is used as a magical amplifier and line of defense. The container for the herb is the same, but instead of Rosemary, a drop of Chamomile oil should be added to this particular herb. Damiana is a bit stronger on the offensive than Uva Ursi, but less potent when it comes to aiding in recovery. Damiana is, for all intent and purposes, simply a male version of Uva Ursi, and has many of the same magical properties.
Misuse/Abuse: Like Uva Ursi, Damiana must be bonded with before it will yield its harvest for magical use. Witches are recommended to steer clear of using this herb for personal protection, as it can affect just as adversely as Uva Ursi can affect a Wizard. Damiana will more easily overpower a collection of Uva Ursi, and it is also unadvisable to grow them very close to each other as Damiana will choke out the Uva Ursi and overtake its ground; the herb is aggressive to other nearby plants that threaten its own magical strengths.
Voluntary Assignment: Same as Lesson 1 / no new voluntary assignment.
The in-class discussion for this lesson will continue in lesson one. A new in-class discussion topic will be introduced with lesson three (the start of Section 2).
As this is the second lesson, a single homework assignment will be set now for both lessons 1 and 2. It will be in the thread titled ‘Homework’ and due on August 16.
Proper Name: Turnera diffusa
Location: Central and South America
Muggle Use: As an antidepressant and to treat respiratory diseases from asthma to emphysema. It was also used to make a Mexican liquor said to be the alcohol used in the first margaritas. It treats a wide variety of diseases that infect males only.
Mythological/Historical Relevance: Damiana is a strong symbol of masculinity and magical practitioners from past to present have been using it in potions and rituals having to do with masculine strength for centuries. Two popular Roman Gods that have a rather masculine reputation are the war-monger Mars and the no-nonsense Neptune.
Although Mars started out as the Roman God of harvest and cattle, the rising need for battle saw to it that Mars became the God of war. Identified with the Greek God Ares, Mars has a bad reputation for switching sides in the middle of the battle to ensure his victory. He is also known for his trysts with Venus that was made public when Venus’ husband Vulcan trapped them in a net for all the Gods to jeer at. With his pride wounded, Mars fled and did not return to the company of the other Gods often, but his strength and ability to motivate others to battle is undeniable. He is, in essence, the original action hero, and perhaps a bit misunderstood. Mars tends to be a rational thinker when not angry, and completely unstoppable when his temper is heated.
Neptune is the God of the waters, the realm between Jupiter’s heaven and Pluto’s underworld. While he pursued many women, the story of Neptune’s creation of the horse to woo the woman he loved is one of the most popular. Among his offspring are the fascinating creatures Pegasus and Polyphemus the Cyclops. He is also known to have rescued a Trojan fleet at sea from the Queen Goddess Juno and fought a losing battle for ownership of Athens with the huntress Athena. When angered, he can destroy ships and even bring his wrath onto land, but when one is loyal or reverent to the water god, their vessels are more than likely to have successful voyage. Neptune is a proud God who is angered by other deities trespassing onto his domain; he alone is ruler of the ocean, and his authority is not to be questioned. Neptune has a castle beneath the waves, and does not join the other Gods in the heavens, preferring his own kingdom.
Magical Use: Damiana, like Uva Ursi, is used as a magical amplifier and line of defense. The container for the herb is the same, but instead of Rosemary, a drop of Chamomile oil should be added to this particular herb. Damiana is a bit stronger on the offensive than Uva Ursi, but less potent when it comes to aiding in recovery. Damiana is, for all intent and purposes, simply a male version of Uva Ursi, and has many of the same magical properties.
Misuse/Abuse: Like Uva Ursi, Damiana must be bonded with before it will yield its harvest for magical use. Witches are recommended to steer clear of using this herb for personal protection, as it can affect just as adversely as Uva Ursi can affect a Wizard. Damiana will more easily overpower a collection of Uva Ursi, and it is also unadvisable to grow them very close to each other as Damiana will choke out the Uva Ursi and overtake its ground; the herb is aggressive to other nearby plants that threaten its own magical strengths.
Voluntary Assignment: Same as Lesson 1 / no new voluntary assignment.
The in-class discussion for this lesson will continue in lesson one. A new in-class discussion topic will be introduced with lesson three (the start of Section 2).
As this is the second lesson, a single homework assignment will be set now for both lessons 1 and 2. It will be in the thread titled ‘Homework’ and due on August 16.