(May 18, 2017) Astral Magic and Astronomy Exam [Hogwarts]
May 18, 2017 18:08:03 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 18:08:03 GMT
In the large, round classroom about halfway up the Astronomy Tower, Quinn waited patiently for students to arrive. She was available each night until 1am, with staggered exam scheduling for each year, and the observation deck at the very top of the Tower was unlocked during that time for any student who wished to use it. For the younger students, she would also provide a sight-adjustment charm to enhance their night vision when moving between the lit classroom and the deck; the older students could cast the charm on themselves.
The classroom, where the non-telescopy work was done, had a list of subjects written on the blackboard, separated by year. She was very interested in the arguments and inventions of the N.E.W.T. students, and appreciative that Winterbotham's curriculum matched up quite well with her own plans for the next term. Rather like Arithmancy and History of Magic, her exam involved no waving of wands. Instead, it consisted of observation of the heavens combined with carefully written essays, each designed to display the level of understanding that year was expected to have. Most of the opportunities for additional points were things Quinn had only introduced to the students since she arrived at Hogwarts, for them to study on their own time before the exam. The primary material was fairly well established by Winterbotham earlier in the term.
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First
With access to a telescope, list and describe as many celestial bodies as you can. Be sure to include magical connotations and physical description, for full marks. Anything outside of the Sol system is not necessary, but may be considered for additional points if the description is correct.
Second
Explain in detail the magical properties of the star Sol and how it affects the planets. Give special attention to its effects on Earth. For additional points, with access to a telescope, name and explain the magical properties of two or more stars located outside of the Sol system, especially the effects they have on Earth and the other planets.
Third
Explain in detail the concept of the astral convergence. Include an explanation of why such convergences are notable, why they are useful to magical beings such as mages and centaurs, and to what level they passively affect magical and mundane life. For additional points, describe events in history, such as the outcome of battles, that are connected to the history of astral convergences, and describe what ancient magical civilizations believed about such events before the advent of true magical astronomy.
Fourth
Describe at least three regular astral convergences on Earth or elsewhere in the solar system, and explain which and at what level and why specific celestial bodies influence and/or create the necessary circumstances for those convergences to arise. For additional points, describe in detail a historical ritual that could possibly, or has definitely been completed using the power of one of your described convergences, and explain the consequences thereof.
Fifth (O.W.L.s)
With access to a telescope, list and describe every celestial body in the solar system, and at least three dozen celestial bodies outside of the solar system that have magical connotations. Both those connotations and physical descriptions are necessary for full marks. Afterwards, indoors, chart the the night sky over Hogwarts in late May with as much accuracy as you can manage, with vectors for channels of magical energy interacting and traveling throughout space and between the bodies of the solar system. For additional points, calculate from your chart the next occurrence of two or more regular astral convergences anywhere in the solar system. To receive the points, you must show your work, not simply remember when the next occurrence is supposed to come.
Sixth
Explain in detail the existential, universal implications of astral magic and its relationship to other primary sources of magical energy. Argue either for or against the conjecture that celestial bodies are the original source of all magic. Compare and contrast astral rituals, rituals of permanent sacrifice, alchemical rituals and combinations thereof. For additional points, include an explanation of global attitudes towards each of these categories of ritual. Which are "Dark" in Britain? Elsewhere in the world? What is the current and historical legal status of ritual use, especially astral rituals, in Britain?
Seventh (N.E.W.T.s)
With access to a telescope, a globe and a blank star chart, calculate when and where a future non-regular astral convergence will occur. Develop an original, safe astral ritual to be used at that place and time, to enact specific effects not more nor less powerful than the convergence will allow. The convergence does not have to be soon, it could be any length of time in the future, but it must be non-recurring, or recurring only on the scale of every 10 billion years or more. For additional points, explain the theoretical differences between your invented astral ritual and rituals of other categories that seem to achieve similar effects.
The classroom, where the non-telescopy work was done, had a list of subjects written on the blackboard, separated by year. She was very interested in the arguments and inventions of the N.E.W.T. students, and appreciative that Winterbotham's curriculum matched up quite well with her own plans for the next term. Rather like Arithmancy and History of Magic, her exam involved no waving of wands. Instead, it consisted of observation of the heavens combined with carefully written essays, each designed to display the level of understanding that year was expected to have. Most of the opportunities for additional points were things Quinn had only introduced to the students since she arrived at Hogwarts, for them to study on their own time before the exam. The primary material was fairly well established by Winterbotham earlier in the term.
--
First
With access to a telescope, list and describe as many celestial bodies as you can. Be sure to include magical connotations and physical description, for full marks. Anything outside of the Sol system is not necessary, but may be considered for additional points if the description is correct.
Second
Explain in detail the magical properties of the star Sol and how it affects the planets. Give special attention to its effects on Earth. For additional points, with access to a telescope, name and explain the magical properties of two or more stars located outside of the Sol system, especially the effects they have on Earth and the other planets.
Third
Explain in detail the concept of the astral convergence. Include an explanation of why such convergences are notable, why they are useful to magical beings such as mages and centaurs, and to what level they passively affect magical and mundane life. For additional points, describe events in history, such as the outcome of battles, that are connected to the history of astral convergences, and describe what ancient magical civilizations believed about such events before the advent of true magical astronomy.
Fourth
Describe at least three regular astral convergences on Earth or elsewhere in the solar system, and explain which and at what level and why specific celestial bodies influence and/or create the necessary circumstances for those convergences to arise. For additional points, describe in detail a historical ritual that could possibly, or has definitely been completed using the power of one of your described convergences, and explain the consequences thereof.
Fifth (O.W.L.s)
With access to a telescope, list and describe every celestial body in the solar system, and at least three dozen celestial bodies outside of the solar system that have magical connotations. Both those connotations and physical descriptions are necessary for full marks. Afterwards, indoors, chart the the night sky over Hogwarts in late May with as much accuracy as you can manage, with vectors for channels of magical energy interacting and traveling throughout space and between the bodies of the solar system. For additional points, calculate from your chart the next occurrence of two or more regular astral convergences anywhere in the solar system. To receive the points, you must show your work, not simply remember when the next occurrence is supposed to come.
Sixth
Explain in detail the existential, universal implications of astral magic and its relationship to other primary sources of magical energy. Argue either for or against the conjecture that celestial bodies are the original source of all magic. Compare and contrast astral rituals, rituals of permanent sacrifice, alchemical rituals and combinations thereof. For additional points, include an explanation of global attitudes towards each of these categories of ritual. Which are "Dark" in Britain? Elsewhere in the world? What is the current and historical legal status of ritual use, especially astral rituals, in Britain?
Seventh (N.E.W.T.s)
With access to a telescope, a globe and a blank star chart, calculate when and where a future non-regular astral convergence will occur. Develop an original, safe astral ritual to be used at that place and time, to enact specific effects not more nor less powerful than the convergence will allow. The convergence does not have to be soon, it could be any length of time in the future, but it must be non-recurring, or recurring only on the scale of every 10 billion years or more. For additional points, explain the theoretical differences between your invented astral ritual and rituals of other categories that seem to achieve similar effects.