~Introduction

-Don't be afraid of centaurs
-Some may be proud but Firenze is an exception
-Firenze taught Divination from 1996-1998
-Firenze will help with today's lesson, but first a brief intro to magic coming from astronomical bodies

~Intro to A.M.E.

-All magic in universe comes from stars
-Most of our universe's magic comes from sun
-Astronomical bodies modify the magic they reflect(Ex: The moon and werewolves)
-A.M.E. Quotient - Astronomical Magical Effect Quotient
-Describes amount of magical effect a non-light-producing astronomical body has on another planet (or another object, such as a moon or spacecraft).
-Unless the other affected planet or body is specified, we're dealing with Earth.
-The A.M.E. of a moon or planet tells us the amount of divinatory and magical effect of that type that will reach earth
-Once we know the A.M.E. of a celestial body, we'll know how to plan around it accordingly
-Equation for A.M.E. quotient is kind of complex
Variables:
-Distance from sun
-Angular size(How big object looks from earth)
-Albedo(how much light and magic the astronomical object reflects from its surface relative to the amount of light that falls upon it)
-Phase(how much of object is lit in sky)
-Interference

-Generally objects w/ a higher A.M.E. quotient (like the moon) have a greater effect on earth
-Objects in other star systems have low A.M.E.s so they don't really affect earth

~Firenze's Lecture

-magical astronomical effects and divinatory meanings are similar but not the same
-Mercury: Planet of sudden creative influence, problem solving, and inspiration
-Venus: Importance of feelings/emotion(from anger to love), meditation
-Mars: Danger, blood, battle, ominous, stubbornness, strong wills
-Jupiter: Unstoppable forces(like foreign armies or rampaging plagues)
-Saturn: Empathy, perspective, slow consideration
-Uranus: Individual thoughts over others' feelings
-Neptune: Heightened divinatory abilities, insight, deep sacrifice
-Pluto: Cycles, such as life cycles or repetition of past events
-Planets' meanings are vague and leave room for careful thought and interpretation
-When 2 or more planets are arranged together, their effects are combined
-This info helps us with practicality(such as not going outside at night on a full moon when werewolves could be about)
-Some potions/ingredients are affected by the moon
-Since Venus relates to love, it could be the right time to ask someone out when its A.M.E. is high
-Concept of A.M.E. quotient developed by Dr. Ayesha S. Mansour
-Original A.M.E. name was "Astromeff Quotient" but was changed

~Assignments

-Mandatory Quiz
-Study for midterms next week!