Alchemy: John Dee, Dijon and a question to Hans

[iris_ft]

No: HPFGUIDX 73023

Not a very important post, only what we call in France « esprit de 
clocher », and for me, I hope, an learning occasion.
I just wanted to add some remarks to Hans's explanations about 
Hagrid's Tale.
I was of course proud and glad to see the name "Dijon" in OotP; it's 
the town where I was a student, it's the capital of Burgundy. When I 
told them, my "Potter fellows" who don't read the books in English 
and are waiting eagerly for the translation said that we should 
celebrate it.
Back to the topic- 
As I'm not specialised in Alchemy, I couldn't know that Hagrid's 
pronunciation was also a reference to John Dee, an alchemist.
What I knew, however, was that Dijon and Burgundy were alchemical 
centres during the 14th and the 15th centuries. The Dukes of 
Burgundy used to protect alchemists, and some of them had probably 
been initiated. From 1429 to 1474, there was also a chivalry order, 
called the Order of the Golden Fleece. Some say that it was also a 
hermetic order, I won't assert it myself. And in many churches, 
castles or old mansions, there are alchemical symbols (sculptures, 
tapestries, paintings).
We also have some magic potions in our barrels, but that's another 
story.

Now I'd like to ask Hans a question about the game between "Dijon" 
and "John Dee".
I read that alchemists used to play with words, that it was part of 
their tradition. It was called "phonetic cabbala" if I remember 
well. Is the "Dijon-john Dee game" an example? Are there other 
references of that kind in HP? Thanks for your help,

Amicalement,

Iris