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Post by En on Jul 22, 2003 1:01:06 GMT -5
*grins* I was hoping you'd turn up in here, Willow. I have no idea what you are yet, but I was hoping I'd get the challenge
So hang on while I do Chris, and then I'll do you.
Chris... agh. I have some ideas, but none have said "pick me pick me" yet
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Post by Will on Jul 22, 2003 3:44:56 GMT -5
-Looks like a little boy in a candy store- Really? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! ((I swear; you are going to get tired of those two words coming form me. wink, wink. hint, hint-)) After reading those past few posts, I'm utterly amazed. Does your head not ache after all that? I don't mind waiting for another... oh... year for you to recover. Not that it will take you a year to do so...
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fico the fur
Hufflepuff Alumni
Why'd you say "halleluia" if it means nothin' to ya'?
Posts: 964
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Post by fico the fur on Jul 22, 2003 7:55:17 GMT -5
So, a little bird told me that Nialle's still working on my patronus, which made me realize I really ought to post in here, considering recent developements. Because I'm totally the type to take some new idea or information or whatever and think about it a lot, feel it out, see if it fits.
And I think you've got me with the house cat. Because I've been thinking about even little things I do, and they add up also.
Like, cats have that "always land on their feet" thing. I'm not that good, but I do have a really good feel for my own body. Like, I can tell what I'm doing wrong when something (example: a handstand) doesn't work out the way I want it to. That doesn't mean I can change it right away, but I know how my body works, which cats know too.
And also, I do the sleep-thing that cats do. For serious. I sleep anywhere. And I curl up in weird positions or splay out or whatever's comfortable. (example: Bet and I went to visit her cousin in the hospital. We were hanging out with her family members in the lounge-area. We were there for a long time, and I didn't know anyone, and I had already done the supportive-friend bit as well as the introduced-friend bit, and I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. So I took a nap.)
And cats do have personalities similar to mine. Sort of haughty some days, really cuddly others, very no-touchie sometimes, etc. And I make low noises of appreciation when people scratch my head.
So, yeah. I think you're good with me, Nialle. Just so you don't bother with that anymore.
Oh. And since we were talking about it before, about how J.K.Rowling might be using the animal she compares characters to as their patronus. *can't remember if this was already said* Ginny once made a noise "like an angry cat" and once curled into a chair "like a cat". Just thought that was interesting. And I also noticed a description of Snape once? Can't remember who, but it was interesting also.
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Post by KoNeko on Jul 25, 2003 10:50:19 GMT -5
Er, side thought here and not to be pedantic or anything, but is the patronus supposed to be an animal-esque incarnation of yourself, or something else? I mean, in Harry's case, his patronus is based on his happy thought, which in turn was based on his father, but it had nothing really to do with who he was on the face of it.
Ahem. That said, the worst thing I could think of is not having a happy thought that warrants production of a patronus. Does it have to be something that springs to mind immediately? Because I can't think of anything really that would make me that happy, and I don't think that's a good thing. So arguably I'd have no patronus.
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Post by En on Jul 26, 2003 10:55:01 GMT -5
*slight shrug* That's what makes the Patronus charm so difficult, isn't it? It takes not only the discipline of conjury, but also the presence of mind to think of something good when you're surrounded by things that are stealing all your good thoughts away.
Which is true for what Muggles have to do when confronted with 'dementors' too -- happiness, despite what Hollywood and Clearchannel tell you, is not something that comes to you freely when something good happens. It is a well you have to dig within yourself, and you have to hand-crank the bucket up every day.
As for Harry's patronus form being a stag -- I rather suspect that the reason it takes that form is because on some level, Harry is very much like his father -- and because on some level he is aware that his father's strengths are something he aspires to. If I were telling people exactly what animal they are, I'd be telling them, "you're a __-year-old human." I'm trying to show them some of their strengths (as I see them), and some things I hope for them, by analogy.
*gets back to work on Chris*
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Calavera Diablos
Ravenclaw Alumni
Draws grown men wearing underpants outside their trousers
Posts: 1,547
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Post by Calavera Diablos on Jul 29, 2003 4:18:42 GMT -5
Nialle, you're always analyzing other people, what do you think your own Patronus would be?
Personally, I could see it as either a Bear or an Eagle. In Native American belief, the Bear is in possession of great strength (inner and outer), wisdom, and powerful healing magic. The Bear was given the gift of healing because he was responsible enough to handle great power and use it wisely to aid others. The Bear is also the Great Teacher, like the Wolf, who helps others understand many paths of life as well as rules of nature.
The Eagle is a sacred bird, he's used as a messenger and a beacon by the Great Creator himself. He helps others by leading them thoughtnot completely, he shows them that there are many paths in life, but they must choose which one they will take. The eagle is protective of his family and has a free spirit that is open to all life has to offer.
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Calantha
Gryffindor Alumni
My name is Luck, this is my song, I happened by when you were gone
Posts: 4,493
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Post by Calantha on Jul 29, 2003 15:47:23 GMT -5
Oooh En. Just to add a little more work for you, what would my patronus be? If I need to tell you anything about me...I can. Just say so and I'll edit this post away.
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Post by En on Jul 29, 2003 16:26:01 GMT -5
Okay. So... I spent something like five days reading every damn thing I could find about animals in Japanese mythology, looking for just exactly the right patronus for Chris. It was fun ;D
The thing is... it's still a fox.
Here is my reasoning: not only is the fox traditionally considered a slightly mischievous, but often shy, creature in Western lore -- the fox is also the symbol and messenger of the rice deity in Japanese lore, Inari,1 who reminds me so much of Chris it's not even funny.
The fox is considered highly intelligent and mysterious, fiercely protective of its kits and capable of clever maneuvering when in danger. Which is why European nobility were into hunting foxes -- they make for difficult and elusive prey, and they're also quite beautiful (so naturally the gentry wanted to skin them and wear them -- barbarians ). As I've met Chris IRL, I can vouch for his good looks ;D (no arguing out of you, Chris!)
Plus, there's the chapter about the fox in The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which often reminds me of Chris both in story content and tone.
Can I argue with the fact that the fox embodies so many of Chris' strengths? Meh. I cannot. While it would have been amusing to tell you that you are a carp, old friend, it would not be quite true to my impression of you. _____________________________________________
Willow: one patronus, coming up. _____________________________________________
Cala: O.O
Wow. I am really honoured. I've always felt a deep affinity for the bear -- and respect for the eagle -- but I have thought that my patronus is probably the horse. Loads of reasons, from the way I actually look and move (bit like a yearling ) to the outlook I have -- and in no small part from the Chinese zodiac, and from my family's long ties (on the paternal side no less) to equine husbandry. But, if there's one thing I'm sure of on this subject, it's that people are often surprised by their own protective behaviours -- for all I know, my ways of dealing with trouble might look most like an armadillo to the observant other So I'm especially honoured that you'd pick such noble creatures to describe me. _____________________________________________
Calantha: ;D *has an answer but needs to write it out*
____________________________________________ 1 A bit on Inari from www.pantheon.org
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Post by En on Jul 29, 2003 17:35:22 GMT -5
Okay. Willow -- yeah.
See, I read your posts around, and I notice that you like to show this really tough front, very mysterious and dangerous, almost elemental, especially in rp -- and yet your wistfulness, a sort of essential Romanticism (in the philosophical as well as personal senses), shine through. If anything, it makes you seem even more distant and inaccessible, even when you are being your effusively delightful alter-self. I don't know how to explain this -- it's like -- there's this part of you that seems to be full of poetry, so vividly aware of sorrow and beauty, and sometimes it even speaks to us -- but more often, we see the side of you that protects this inspired part. The wry remarks, the magical finesse, the tough edge in competition.
There's only one creature I can think of that has a thick skin on such a lovely and opalescent nature. The selkie.
Selkie are the seal folk of the British Isles. They dwell in the water, in seal form, most of their lives -- but once in a while, they rise from the depths, take off their seal skins, and bathe on the shore. If a human captures a selkie's skin, the selkie will be forced to remain on land. Myth tells us about coastmen who caught selkies and hid their skins and kept them to wife. They would bear and raise children like any other mortal woman, and some even came to love their human families, but they were sad and distant, and they sang hauntingly. And if they ever found their skins -- they would leave in a heartbeat, good marriage and children or no.
The selkie is essentially a creature of longing, never entirely at home on shore or in sea, hidden by the tough hides of the seal form, revealed as beautiful in their human form. They are also powerful witches with the gift of calling storms and the ability to enchant with their music. It seems to me that you have all the capacity to bring a storm down, or to bewitch with your shining personality. I'd no doubt from the start that your patronus would be a creature of faerie, for sometimes you seem a bit otherworldly, in the way that the fey often are; but as soon as I thought of that skin, I knew.
_____________________________________________
Calantha, dear heart, your patronus may not sound fierce to people who haven't read Watership Down, but then, I don't know how much of TD has heard about your red-haired side, either.
Like the embodiment of Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac, you are clever and sensitive, compassionate, gracious, and articulate. Sometimes you are a bit cautious, sometimes a bit old-fashioned, sometimes intensely private, but above all, part of a family. This makes you especially suited to teaching; you protect and nurture your students, especially by understanding them. The rabbit is also a symbol of longevity, and with your tough Celtic blood and deep roots in the land, a longevity symbol seems appropriate.
I can't explain this next bit well -- but something about the tone of Watership Down reminds me of you, and I bet you're one of the people who really appreciates the meaning behind The Velveteen Rabbit (just guessing). I don't know -- it's funny -- I was replying to one of your posts (in the Cinema actually) and thought, "hey, what's Calantha's patronus?" and a rabbit just loped right into the center of my mind, agile and aware, gentle-looking but deeply wild.
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Calantha
Gryffindor Alumni
My name is Luck, this is my song, I happened by when you were gone
Posts: 4,493
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Post by Calantha on Jul 29, 2003 21:06:12 GMT -5
A rabbit, eh? En, you never cease to surprise me. I completely agree with the rabbit thing, and interestingly enough, rabbits have played a significant role in my life and symbolize a lot of things for me...all of which are wonderful things to be associated with. And for the longest time the Velveteen Rabbit was my favourite book and I have several battered copies on my bookself...and yes, as I've grown older I've come to appreciate not only the story but the messages it gives. So...excellent choice, I'm happy to have my patronus as a rabbit. It's odd because when I was orginally thinking about this thread a few days ago, I had the fleeting image of a rabbit, but decided I would have to sleep on it. So uh...yeah.
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Ivy
Slytherin Alumni
Posts: 2,958
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Post by Ivy on Jul 29, 2003 21:51:23 GMT -5
Okay. So... I spent something like five days reading every damn thing I could find about animals in Japanese mythology, looking for just exactly the right patronus for Chris. It was fun ;D
The thing is... it's still a fox.
Here is my reasoning: not only is the fox traditionally considered a slightly mischievous, but often shy, creature in Western lore -- the fox is also the symbol and messenger of the rice deity in Japanese lore, Inari,1 who reminds me so much of Chris it's not even funny.
The fox is considered highly intelligent and mysterious, fiercely protective of its kits and capable of clever maneuvering when in danger. Which is why European nobility were into hunting foxes -- they make for difficult and elusive prey, and they're also quite beautiful (so naturally the gentry wanted to skin them and wear them -- barbarians ). As I've met Chris IRL, I can vouch for his good looks ;D (no arguing out of you, Chris!)
Plus, there's the chapter about the fox in The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which often reminds me of Chris both in story content and tone.
Can I argue with the fact that the fox embodies so many of Chris' strengths? Meh. I cannot. While it would have been amusing to tell you that you are a carp, old friend, it would not be quite true to my impression of you.
1 A bit on Inari from www.pantheon.org
*smiles at En* I knew you'd eventually come to your senses. *giggles* I haven't read anything lately about Inari so let me go read about it and then prepare for an argument about why I'm not like Inari. *blushes and opens mouth to argue but promply shuts it* Fine, then... no arguments about the looks thing. You know The Little Prince is my sister's favourite book but I've never read it. I've only heard a little bit about the fox in that story so I guess I'll have to go read it. I'm honored that you chose the fox for my Patronus. Thank you En. I don't really know what I can say to express how happy and honored I am, but I think you already know and understand.
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Post by Will on Jul 30, 2003 1:10:46 GMT -5
-Nearly faints- -Flings arms around En and hugs hir instead- -Has read about selkies when she was younger- -Also seen a movie on one- -Adores them along with mermaids- -Doesn’t know where to begin her thanks- -Dabs away threatening tears- -Leaves only a picture-
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Post by KoNeko on Jul 30, 2003 6:30:40 GMT -5
*read's En's analysis of various patroni*
Er, ignore what I wrote in my previous post, En. I want to be patronus-ised (I wrote "patronised" first, but that's just not what I was after )... pretty please?
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Post by Mikki on Jul 30, 2003 10:49:07 GMT -5
do you think you could analize a patronus for me? please? i think i am a horse, just like you. for pretty much the same reasons.
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Post by Robin_Sprouts on Jul 30, 2003 21:07:51 GMT -5
Ok my sweet Nialle-like one, I know I asked you what I was at the office, but I thought I should come in her and ask officially - what do you think my patronus would be?
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