Arithmancy (was: JKR's priorities ...)

[ftah3]

No: HPFGUIDX 31997

Elizabeth Dalton wrote:
> Numerology is the practice of converting names , dates, and other 
facts into
> numerical representations and manipulating them mathematically to 
find out a
> "true number" associated with them. Each number is thought to have 
certain
> properties. 
<snip>
> (Strictly speaking, numerology is a form of divination, but 
evidently the wizard
> world differentiates between forms. I'm not sure why this should be 
the case. I
> wouldn't say that numerology requires any more math than astrology 
would, for
> example. Then again, it might be that JKR has something completely 
different in
> mind when she says numerology.)
<snip>
> However, under the spelling "grammatica," we get references to the 
linguistic
> field of grammar (syntax). This suggests that this term might refer 
to the rules
> of combining numerological values or finding meaning in the 
relationships
> between numerical values. That's my best guess at her intent, 
anyway.

You know, I wonder if it's simply to do with the magic of numbers and 
words.  Like, when you attempt to levitate a feather, you 
say "Wingardium levi-O-sa" and not "WING-ardium levio-SA" or 
somesuch.  Also, the correlation of numbers and letters et al, though 
commonly thought of as a form of divination (i.e., a friend's mother 
chose her first and middle names so that based on numerology, 
creativity would be her strength), may simply mean that in the wizard 
word, there *is* magic in certain combinations of 
letters/numbers/words.

So...maybe...and I'm just throwing this out...arithmancy is the 
science of creating spells?  I.e., you can't just make up a neat-
sounding poem and have it turn your rat yellow, as Ron found out in 
PS/SS.  Perhaps when creating a verbalized spell, you have to 
understand the relation of numerological qualitis plus gramatical 
qualities.  And this is called Arithmancy.  Which really does sound 
like something Hermione would enjoy ~ it would be complex, 
scientific, book-learning-ish.  Right up her alley.

Anyhow, just a thought.

Mahoney