Arithmancy Lesson 2: The Major Cycles
 

As you step through the Arithmancy classroom doors, you see the room set up as it always is: neat and exactly-positioned rows of wooden desks and chairs, the latter of which have cushions in a myriad of colors and textures to match your comfort and liking. The walls are filled with thick wooden shelves, on which rest a seemingly endless number of Arithmancy texts and the occasional Ancient Runes and Divination reference.

Professor Shackleton sits behind her desk at the front of the room in lilac-colored robes, her skin a bit pale and her hair pulled back off her face. Her head is resting against the back of the chair and her eyes are closed, though she is clearly not sleeping. She lifts her head and opens her eyes to greet each of you softly as you enter the room and gestures for you to take your seat.

Professor Shackleton looked up and glanced around the room. She was disappointed to see so few students in attendance and realized just how grave the school's situation had become. She greeted the students in the room, "Good morning. We're going to wait just a bit longer to allow more students to join us... hopefully. In the meantime, please open your books to chapter fifteen and begin reading. Also have your journals ready to take notes when we start the lesson." Macadrian rested her head in her hands as she tried to focus her eyes.

Cassandra sat in the back of the class keeping mostly to herself... She waited for the class to start

Professor Shackleton sighed and stood up slowly from her chair. She walked around to the front of her desk, leaning against the edge for support, and began the lesson by saying, "This lesson will be fairly brief in comparison to most others, simply covering the topic of the Major Cycles. I am feeling a bit off, so please excuse me if I need to sit down and teach from my desk at some point." Macadrian gave a small sigh and continued, "So, what exactly are the Major Cycles?"

"Major Cycles are a predictive tool, significantly influencing our approach to life and shedding light on our destiny"

Professor Shackleton nodded and replied, "Very good. Four points for you."

Adjusting her position against the desk, Professor Shackleton explained, "The Major Cycles are a predictive element of your Arithmancy chart that can help you understand the particular rhythms of your own life making you better able to interpret the major events and transitions in your life. How many Major Cycles are there and what type of cycle is each?"

"There are three; the First is a formative cycle that governs approximately the first 28 years of your life. The second a productive cycle that governs approximately the middle years of your life and the third a harvest cycle, that governs the later years of your life." She said.

She'd never seen the Slytherin in classes before, let alone answering questions... and correctly. Maybe the boy was good at arithmancy, or else like many, he had a crush on the professor.

Professor Shackleton smiled weakly and replied, "You both are quite right. Four points to each of you."

Macadrian pushed herself gently off the desk and began walking slowly down the aisles of the classroom. She explained, "As your classmates have mentioned there are three Major Cycles. The First Major Cycle is your formative cycle and governs approximately the first 28 years of your life. The Second Major Cycle is your productive cycle and governs the middle years of your life. Finally, the Third Major cycle is your harvest cycle and governs the later years of your life."

Professor Shackleton drew her wand and explained as she wrote on the board, "While the rule of thumb is that each major cycle lasts approximately 28 years, we use our Life Path number and the following chart to determine a more specific age for each individual person and each Cycle." On the board was this chart:

Professor Shackleton added, "I would like you all to determine when your First, Second, and Third Major Cycles are set to begin using your Life Path Number and the information in this chart. The first number represents the Life Path Number, the second is the age when the First Major Cycle will end and the Second begin, the third is the age when the Second Major Cycle will end and the Third begin. Write the information in your journal and await my further instruction."

Cassandra began writing in her journal

Life Path: 06/29/2047
6+[2+9]+[2+0+4+7]
6+(1+1)+(1+3)
6+2+4=12 =>1+2=3

She then looked at the board and copied the line:

3 / 0-33 / 33-34 / 60-61

Professor Shackleton looked over Austin's work and replied, "Yes it is. Nice job." She continued to glance over other students work and was pleased to see that most had completed this task with ease.

Returning to the front of the classroom, Professor Shackleton resumed her position leaning against the desk and asked, "How do we calculate each of the three Major Cycles?"

"In the first cycle you reduce number of the month you were born. For the second major cycle you reduce number of the day you were born. And finally for the third major cycle you reduce number of the year you were born." Cassandra said with her hand in the air.

"I was born June 29, 2047, so my first major cycle for instance would be six, my second would be two and my third would be four." Cassandra added, she wasn't really sure if that was correct, but that's what she derived from it.

Professor Shackleton began to feel a bit light-headed, deciding it would be best to continue the lesson from her chair. Once comfortably seated behind her desk, Professor Shackleton spoke to the students who had answered, "You are both absolutely correct. Four points to each of you."

Professor Shackleton glanced at her watch and continued on, "As mentioned, the Major Cycles are found within your date of birth. The First Major Cycle Number is found in the reduced number of the month you were born. The number of your birth month tells the theme of approximately your first 28 years of life. Please determine your First Major Cycle Number and use the textbook to determine what that number means for the first part of your life. Write this information in your journals please."

Cassandra had already determined hers, but wrote her calculations in her journal:

First: 06= 6
Second: 29 = 11 = 2
Third: 2047 = 13 = 4