[HPforGrownups] Arithmancy

[Scott Northrup]

No: HPFGUIDX 49534

Felinia:
> I haven't looked up the dictionary definition of "arithmancy" (because
I've
> seen the word before) and I was wondering if JKR's intent might not be
more
> like a more sophisticated vision of numerology, rather than mathematics as
> we understand it, a tool for quantum physics as in time travel as you
> postulate here, for example.

Me:

For whatever, reason, I hadn't thought to look it up, or google it.  But the
most common definition is "divination by numbers" or a pre-cursor to
Numerology (which I guess is the same thing?).  I wonder if JKR means it as
something different though, because if it was "divination by numbers" A) I
would think it would just be part of the Divination course, and B) it
probably wouldn't be Hermione's favorite subject.  Personally, I think it
would be much cooler if it was some form of magical mathematics and not just
one more way to try and predict the future.  But that's just me.  :D

-Scott

PS I also found a rather interesting site while googling.  Not totally
relevant to anything, but here it is anyway.
http://www.sorcererscompanion.net/arithmancy.html