Welcome to Gaia! ::

Professora Melonia
Subject: Rhetoric
Alignment: Sanguine
Orientation: Journeyman
Position: Grigori


(Colours by Marushii)

Rhetoric is the ancient art of making a good argument. Plato, socrates, Aristotle were just a few of its masters. It is the ability to speak well, and clearly make your argument or point. Melonia teaches you how to plan out your thoughts, voice your feelings and opinions, and then configure these concepts to have power. Casting of magic cannot merely be said, it needs to be uttered using the forms taught by Rhetoric. If it were merely as simple as speaking, then just discussing the makings of magic that go on in nearly every classroom of the White District would wreck havoc on the world around them. Rhetoric is the key to activating the knowledge that the Stage Zeros learn.


Mudras http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/mudras.html
"A gesture or position, in this case of the hands, that locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. By curling, crossing, stretching and touching the fingers and hands, we can talk to the body and mind as each area of the hand reflexes to a certain part of the mind or body.

(In each mudra, exert enough pressure to feel the flow of energy through the "nadis" (psychic channels) up the arms but not enough to whiten fingertips)."


Certain parts of the hand represent and connect to certain parts of the spirit, body and mind. Utilizing the required parts of the hand in a Mudra connects the mind to those body parts and initiates the use of chakra or essence to a specific purpose.
The digits of the hand also conenct us to the world aronud us. It is through the fingers that we channel energy, manipulate it, shape it, use it, and release it again to the world. Simply put, each finger connects to one of the five elements:
the thumb connects us to fire, the pointer finger to air, the middle finger to ether, the ring finger to earth and the smallest finger to water.

GUYAN MUDRA: The tip of the thumb touches the tip of the index finger, stimulating knowledge and ability. The index finger is symbolized by Jupiter, and the thumb represents the ego. Guyan Mudra imparts receptivity & calm. Guyan Mudra clams the mind in any circumstance, enabling the mind to take in information and learn things almost immediately.
-3% ~ when used to calm

SHUNI MUDRA: Tip of middle finger (symbolized by Saturn) touches the tip of the thumb, giving patience. Shuni Mudra is useful for casting of magic in which time is the element, especially Alchemy, or Circle, Ritual or Tribal Magics that rely on the arrangement of stars or planets.
-3% ~ when used in Circle, Tribal, or Ritual Magic and Alchemy

PRITHIRI MUDRA: Tip of the ring finger (symbolized by Uranus or the Sun) touches the tip of the thumb, giving energy, health and intuition. Prithiri Mudra acts as radar, heightening awareness to the world aronud you, enabling you to have faster reaction times and be more aware of possible attacks.
-3% ~ when used to increase awareness

BUDDHI MUDRA: Tip of little finger (Mercury) touches tip of thumb, with the other three fingers held together and upright for clear and intuitive communication. Bhuddi Mudra is useful for communicating through the silent mind with comrades and friends. It is most commonly used to communicate with familiars, beasts and if the weilder is talented enough, to reason with monsters.
-3% ~ when used for silent communication with animals (familiars, beasts, and monsters) and allies

USHAS MUDRA: Interlace fingers with left little finger on the bottom, with the right index finger on top for men and the left for women. The Venus mounds at the base of the thumbs are pressed together channeling sensuality and sexuality, and glandular balance, helping to focus and concentrate. Ushas Mudra is usually used by the ribal or Ritual castors for some of their higher Level spells, but its more common use is that of young Empyreans hoping to attract partners or lovers. Ushas Mudra affects the chemistry and space between individuals, heightening interest, attraction and communication. Along with increase in energy, it also tends to cause people to become impulsive and irrational.
-3% ~ when used to increase sexual tension and/or impulsive behavior

JUPITER MUDRA: With the the two index fingers together, the power of Jupiter, or good luck and expansion is activated. Together they focus your energy to break through barriers. The Jupiter Mudra can also work defensively to create a pushing force that can deflect and protect against offensive magics, but this form of barrier is completely offensive and its effectiveness depends entirely on the strength of will and essence of the weilder. For a purely Defensive Mudra, see Bear Grip.
-3% ~ when used to break assist in breaking barriers

PRAYER MUDRA: Palms are pressed together, neutralizing and balancing yin & yang, for centering. Prayer Mudra is most often used prior to magic casting to call upon good karma and luck. It is usually used by Grimoire and Tribal castors prior to spell work to charge the magic with beneficial essence and Ether.
-3% ~ to all spellwork

BEAR GRIP: Left palm faces out from body with thumb down, and right palm faces body, thumb up, and fingers are curled and hooked together to stimulate the heart and intensify concentration. The Bear Grip initiates protection and courage. Like the Jupiter Mudra, it can build barriers. The Bear Grip cannot break through other's barriers the way Jupiter mudra can, but the barriers that it enacts are much stronger than those of the Jupiter Mudra. The Bear grip is most often used by those traveling beyond the city walls to defend against monster attacks.
-5% ~ when used to defend

BUDDHA MUDRA: Right hand rests on left for men, left on right for women, palms up, thumbs tips touching each other in a receptive gesture. Bhudda Mudra is useful for reading aura, picking up energy sequences, detecting adversaries and warding against monsters. Many Empyreans start off their day with meditation in the Buddha Mudra position.
- 3% ~ when used for skrying and attentiveness

PRAN MUDRA: The first two fingers are extended, with the last two fingers folded to meet the thumb. Pran Mudra taps into your Energy Bank, improving Vitality of the body & Eyesight. Allows you to target specific locations or body parts without expending more energy.
-5% ~ when used for targeting, healing magics, and energy boosts

GYAN MUDRA: Hold all the digits of the hand upward, the fingers held loosely together and the thumb nearly touching the tips of the middle and ring finger. Yogic Tranquilizer. Its practice ensures Mental Peace, Concentration of the mind and Sharp Memory, Spiritual enhansment and develops creativity. Gyan enables the weilder to make one perfect block, but requires a lot of meditation time prior to use. It therefore is more commonly used in casting magic, especially Circle or Ritual to ensure perfect form.
-8% ~ when used for Circle and Ritual magic; -5% ~ when used to clear one's mind condition Must meditate for 3 turns prior to mudra taking effect

SHUNYA MUDRA: Fold the middle finger flat against the palm of the hand, keeping the other fingers upright and straight, fold the thumb over the middle finger as far as it will reach. Attunes the ear, and helps balance and equilibrium. Shunya is useful when using certain techno-equips, such as the Aeroboots, Magneboots or through use of magics that displace gravity or weight.
-3% ~ when used to enchance balance

LING MUDRA: Press the middle and ring finger together and out towards the thumb, touching their tips; let the first and last fingers float naturally out along side the stretched fingers. Helps fight the effects of poisons, infections, toxins and congestion in the chest.
-3% ~ when used to fight toxins

APAN MUDRA: Stretch the first and last fingers up straight, fold the middle and ringer finger in half and touch the tip of the thumb. Facilitates discharge of waste material from the body. Cleanses & purifies the body. Strengthens Essence. Apan Mudra is important at the end of battles so that bad or offensive energies do not linger in the body. It can also help strengthen the Essence of the Empyrean so that they can more easily draw on the strengths of their Essence.
-3% when used to body and mind or strengthen Essense

MRIT SANJIVINI MUDRA: Hold one hand straight, with fingers together and thumb alongside the palm; fold the other hand aronud the first, with fingers underneath the hand and thumb pressing firmly into the thumb pad of the first hand. Strengthens the heart and the control of the circulation and the pulse. Mrit Sanjivini is used to dispell energy-based and magic-based attacks. While it can weaken the body's defenses against physical attacks, it can greatly increase the protection against Essence attacks.
-8% when used to defend against energy- and magic-based attacks

MAHASIRS MUDRA: hold the tips of the first and second finger to the tip of the thumb, fold the ring finger flat to the palm, hold the little finger up straight. Mahasirs is a first aid mudra, assisting in the replenishment of chakra energy, and directing this energy to help wounds heal faster. It can also help the mind recover from offesive magic more quickly.
-5% ~ when used for first-aid and chakra recharging purposes

VAJRA MUDRA: Hold the last three fingers out towards the thumb, touching the tip, let the first finger float naturally above the other fingers. vajra stimulates the circulation, increasing speed, accuracy and overall energy. Vajra stimulates the use of adrenalin, giving the weilder a boost in battles.
-3% ~ when used to boost energy; -4% ~ when used for speed and accuracy

HAKINI MUDRA: Hold all the fingers loosely together and touch the tips to the corresponding fingers of the other hand, in perfect symmetry, allow the thumbs to touch tips as well. Hakini Mudra is used for concentration, especially seen in Dving Magics or Aura Reading, Fortune Telling, Skrying and the like. The mantra of the Hakini Mudra is, "I know".
-5% ~ when used for diving purposes

APAN VAYU MUDRA: Fold the first finger flat against the palm of the hand; connect the tip of the thumb to the tips of the second and third fingers overtop of the folded first finger, letting the last finger float freely. Apan Vayu is a first aid mudra. Apan Vayu is only to be used in circumstances where defeat is iminent. It takes a great deal of concentration and a lot of chakra energy to manifest, but it can protect the last point in sparring matches against one attack, in a ast ditch effort to win. Apan Vayu can be very straining on the heart, and should be used with extreme caution.
-10% ~ when used for protection only against one attack only when defeat is imminent

BHUDY MUDRA: Press the tip of the last finger against the tip of the thumb, keeping the first three fingers straight and splayed. Fluid mudra, harmonizing. Bhudy Mudra calms the spirit and enables the mind to think clearly and the heart to remain untroubled in dangerous or difficult situations. This Mudra is especially effective when combined with Tactics and leadership skills.
-3% ~ when used to focus

GARUDA MUDRA: Hold the fingers of the left hand straight and together, with the thumb pointing in the opposite direction for a flat hand, then mimick the same position with the right hand, and place it in front of the left so that the right thumb sits in the hollow between the left thumb and the left fingers. Strengthens and invigorates the organs and the circulation, enabling chakra energy to be directed to specific locations n the body to defend against a targeted attack, and reduce the damage to normal amounts of damage.
-3% ~ when used for defensive and invigorating purposes

MUSHTI MUDRA: Fold the first two fingers in half and press the length of the thumb flat along them; fold the last two fingers flat to the palm of the hand. Mushti Mudra helps control aggression, and can make offensive magics incredibly powerful and dangerous. Because of this, Mushti Mudra is never to be used in a duel against another Empyrean.
-8% ~ when used for magic; -5% ~ when used to calm


Information and images from Wikipedia

The English word chakra is derived from the Sanskrit cakraṃ चक्रं meaning "wheel" or "circle". More generally the term refers to circular objects or formations, and Apte provides twenty-three different definitions for cakram used a a noun. Examples include "discus" (a type of divine weapon, particularly associated with the god Vishnu), a potter's wheel, a form of military array, etc.

Bhattacharyya's review of Tantric history says that the word chakra is used to mean several different things in the Sanskrit sources:

1. "Circle", used in a variety of senses, symbolizing endless rotation of Śakti.
2. A circle of people. In rituals there are different cakra-sādhanā in which adherents assemble and perform rites. Acccording to the Niruttaratantra chakras in the sense of assemblies are of five types.
3. The term chakra also is used to denote yantras or mystic diagrams. These are variously known as trikoṇa-cakra, aṣṭakoṇa-cakra, etc.
4. Different "nerve plexuses within the body."
In Buddhist literature the Sanskrit term cakra (= Pali cakka) is used in a different sense of "circle", referring to a Buddhist conception of the four circles or states of existence in which gods or men may find themselves.

The chakras are described as being aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine to the top of the head. In New Age practices, each chakra is often associated with a certain color. In various traditions chakras are associated with multiple physiological functions, an aspect of consciousness, a classical element, and other distinguishing characteristics. They are visualized as lotuses/flowers with a different number of petals in every chakra.

The chakras are thought to vitalize the physical body and to be associated with interactions of a physical, emotional and mental nature. They are considered loci of life energy, or prana, (also called shakti, chi (Chinese), coach-ha-guf (Hebrew), bios (Greek) and aether (English)), which is thought to flow among them along pathways called nadis ). The function of the chakras is to spin and draw in this Universal Life Force Energy to keep the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health of the body in balance.

Chakras relate to many other lessons taught in the White District, and can be utilized to augment spell casting and creation. Colours, Primary Functions, Associated Element and Symbols are shown below to give you a quick and easy reference.
There are Seven Basic Chakras:

Sahasrara

-10% ~ when used for intellectual and spiritual purposes
Location: Crown (just above the head)
Name: sahasrāra, सहस्रार
Colour: white or violet; may assume color of dominant chakra
Use: connection to the divine (Metatrons)
Element: space / thought
Magic Stone: Amethyst, Clear Quartz
Meaning: Sahasrara or the crown chakra is said to be the chakra of consciousness, the master chakra that controls all the others. Its role would be very similar to that of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones to control the rest of the endocrine system, and also connects to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. The thalamus is thought to have a key role in the physical basis of consciousness. Symbolised by a lotus with a thousand petals. It is located above the head outside the body.

Ajna

-6% ~ when used for divination and extra-sensory purposes
Location: Third eye
Name: ājñā, आज्ञा
Colour: indigo
Use: intuition, Extra-sensory perception
Element: time / light
Magical Stone: Sodalite, Sapphire
Meaning: Ajna (said by some to correspond to the third eye) is linked to the pineal gland. Ajna is the chakra of time and awareness and of light. The pineal gland is a light sensitive gland, that produces the hormone melatonin, which regulates the instincts of going to sleep and awakening. Symbolised by a lotus with two petals.
(Note: some argue that the pineal and pituitary glands should be exchanged in their relationship to the Crown and Brow chakras, based on the description in Arthur Avalon's book on kundalini called Serpent Power or empirical research.)

Vishuddha

-6% ~ when used for communication and [removed](art, music, crafting etc.)
Location: Throat
Name: viśuddha, विशुद्ध
Colour: azure, blue
Use: speech, self-expression
Element: life / sound
Magic Stone: Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise
Meaning: Vishuddha (also Vishuddhi) or the throat chakra is said to be related to communication and growth, growth being a form of expression. This chakra is paralleled to the thyroid, a gland that is also in the throat, and which produces thyroid hormone, responsible for growth and maturation. Symbolised by a lotus with sixteen petals.

Anahata

-6% ~ when used for pursuits of love and emotional discovery
Location: Heart/Lung
Name: anāhata, अनाहत
Colour: green
Implication: devotion, love, compassion,
Use: healing
Element: air
Magic Stone: Jade, Rose Quartz
Meaning: Anahata or the heart chakra is related to higher emotion, compassion, love, equilibrium, and well-being. It is related to the thymus, located in the chest. This organ is part of the immune system, as well as being part of the endocrine system. It produces T cells responsible for fighting off disease, and is adversely affected by stress. Symbolised by a lotus with twelve petals.
According to contemporary buddhist teacher Tarthang Tulku, the heart chakra is very important for the feeling of existential fullfilment.
As result of energetic imblance between chakras arises an almost continuous feeling of dissatisfaction. When the throat chakra is agitated, people lose touch with feelings and sensations, and that breeds the sense of dissatisfaction. That leads to looking outside for fullfilment.
When people live in their heads, feelings are secondary, they are interpretations of mental images that are fed back to the individual. When awareness is focused on memories of past experiences and mental verbalizations, the energy flow to the head chakra increases and the energy flow to the heart chakra lessens. Without nurturing feelings of the heart a subtle form of anxiety arises which results in the self reaching out for experience.
When the throat chakra settles and energy is distributed evenly between the head and the heart chakras, one is able to truly contact one's senses and touch real feelings.

Manipura

-6% ~ whne used to boost confidence or positively influence one's emotions
Location: Solar plexus
Name: maṇipūra, मणिपूर
Colour: yellow
Use: mental functioning, power, control, freedom to be oneself, career
Element: fire
Magic Stone: Yellow Agate, Tiger's Eye, Citrine
Meaning: Manipura (also Nabhi) or the solar plexus chakra is related to the transition from base to higher emotion, energy, assimilation and digestion, and is said to correspond to the roles played by the pancreas and the outer adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex. These play a valuable role in digestion, the conversion of food matter into energy for the body. Symbolised by a lotus with ten petals.

Svadhisthana

-6% ~ when used to influence base emotions and sexual energies
Location: Sacrum
Name: svādhiṣṭhāna, स्वाधिष्ठान
Colour: orange
Use: emotion, sexual energy, creativity
Element: water
Magical Stone: Carnelian, Pipestone
Meaning: Swadhisthana or the sacral chakra is located in the groin, and is related to base emotion, sexuality and creativity. This chakra is said to correspond to the testicles or the ovaries, that produce the various sex hormones involved in the reproductive cycle, which can cause dramatic mood swings. Symbolised by a lotus with six petals.

Muladhara

-6% ~ when used for instinctual actions; -8% ~ when used for survival efforts
Location: Root
Name: mūlādhāra, मूलाधार
Colour: red or coral red
Use: instinct, survival, security
Element: earth
Magic Stone: Garnet, Hematite
Meaning: Muladhara or the base or root chakra is related to instinct, security, survival and also to basic human potentiality. This centre is located in the region between the genitals and the a**s. Although no endocrine organ is placed here, it is said to relate to the inner adrenal glands, the adrenal medulla, responsible for the fight and flight response when survival is under threat. In this region is located a muscle that controls ejaculation in the sexual act. A parallel is drawn between the sperm cell and the ovum, where the genetic code lies coiled, and the kundalini. Symbolised by a lotus with four petals.




Channeling is the skill that enables you to direct your Essence along the lines of your body, manifested through your Chakras and directed by your movements or intentions. You can manifest energy in a punch to attack, in a Ward to defend, or even to augment specific spells, like healing, or charging energy. Channeling will allow you to optimize your weilding of power, and will make you as potent as you can be. The mastering of this skill is what seperates a mediocre spell caster or fighter, from those of truly awesome power. Because, really, when it all comes down to it, you can all learn the basics to the last detail, but the flair you give them changes everything.
Another important aspect of Channelin is the ability to diffuse other Essences that are thrown at you, either purposefully or inadvertantly. When casting around other Empyreans, their Essence run-off (called Flow) can muddle and dull your own casting, making it difficult to target, or lessening the strength of your own efforts. Channeling can allow you to diffuse the Flow of those around you, so that you can remain direct and focussed. Conversely, if the Flow and force of another's Essence are directed at you specifically, you can Channel the energy, and safely conduct it out to the world with your own Flow to lessen the damage it can do to your constitution and spirit.
The only way to master Channeling is to practise. It is something that hardens and clarifies in you through experience, and struggle, and effort. Eventually, you will be able to detect Flow, and Channel it as swiftly as you would perform a Mudra, and once you reach this stage, you can even direct Flow through your Chakras to augment your spells and techniques.

Channelling when applied to other skills makes the difficulty of completing them more difficult, but yeilds interesting results.

Channelling + Mudras: +10% difficulty, doubles efficacy of the Mudra on the applied skill.

Channelling + Chakras: +10% difficulty, doubles efficacy of the Chakra on the applied skill.

Channelling + Physical Moves: +15% difficulty; enables Stances and States of Mind to block 3 damage. Enables normal Blocking moves (Block, Dash, Dodge etc) to block their value of magical damage. Enables attacks to strike against magic and counter it.

Channelling + Botany/Cooking: +15% difficulty.

Channelling + Magical Theory: +15% difficulty.

Channelling + Literature/Art: +10% difficulty.