The use of the name Voldemort - Invoking

[bboy_mn]

No: HPFGUIDX 42326

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Jean's comments:

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Jesta Hijinx" <jestahijinx at h...> wrote:
> >I couldn't see this on the VFAQ, so excuse me if it's in there.
> >
> >My friend and I were wondering about the use (or lack, there of)
> >of the name Voldemort. Now, wizards and witches don't say the name
> > because they are afraid of it etc. So, why would muggle borns 
> >(i.e. Hermione) be afraid to use the name?? In the books, it is 
> >only Dumbledore and Harry (mostly) that call him Voldemort. It
> > doens't make sense.
> >
> >And doesn't the insistence of Wizards of not saying his name, 
> >incite a fear that isn't there? If they weren't scared of 
> >Voldemort, perhaps he wouldn't be so powerful.
> >
> >Just our little thoughts, would like to hear yours :-)
> >
> >Jean
> >

Felinia responds to Jean:
> Hi Jean and all -
> 
> My thoughts about this is that, even in our culture, words can 
> be a very  powerful weapon.
> 
> Think of the kneejerk reactions a term like "Nazi" provokes.
> 
> That's one.
> 
> the second is a more arcane sense that has hung about many 
> magical and mystical traditions, that to say the name of a being 
> or thing, or to chant or intone it, is to call or invoke the 
> presence of same.
> 
> I think that is what is at work here.
> 
> Felinia
> 

bboy_mn responds to all:

RE: Being afraid of the name just gives it power (incites the fear.)
Jean, you are right about this, and that's exactly what Dumbledore
tells Harry. Not speaking the name continues to instill the name and
the person with apparent power that may not really be there or power
that is only preceived because of the individuals own fear.

RE: Muggles and 'Voldemort'.
Hermione doesn't speak the name out of sensitivity for here magic
friends. She knows it upsets them, and to prevent this, has gotten in
the habit of not saying it. 

RE: To speak the Devil's name is to call him to you.
I agree with Felina, we are dealing with people who are well aware
that there is tremendous power in invoking certain words. Even in our
distant Christian culture, speaking the devils name was forbidden,
because to speak his name is to call him to you. In fact, in most
fictional, or mythical accounts of conjuring the devil or calling him
to you side; it is done by repeatedly (usually 3 or 7 times) calling
the devil by name (by one of his many names).

In magic, there is also intent, magic words can't invoke magic
(usually) if there is not intended to invoke that magic. For example,
you could have an intellectual conversation about the Avada Kadavra
killing curse and people could say the name repeatedly and nothing
should happen. But I suspect wizards avoid saying 'Avada Kadavra' in
casual conversation, the same as any reasonable person avoids pointing
a loaded gun at someone. Even, in the example of the loaded gun, if
you have no intent to shoot anyone, the margin for error is too slim
to take a chance. One mistake can be fatal. So just as any reasonable
person avoids pointing a loaded gun at anyone, reasonable wizards
avoid saying 'Avada Kadavra', and as a reasonable precaution against
inviting Voldemort to join you, people avoid saying his name.

Just some thoughts

bboy_mn