OOP: Calling the Chymical Wedding Theorist

[mongo62aa]

No: HPFGUIDX 65022

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "brinforest" 
<petra.delisser at p...> wrote:

Before OOP came out, there was a fascinating discussion here about 
the connections between HP and an old Alchemical text called The 
Chymical Wedding. Someone - sorry I don't remember the person's 
name - presented great thoughts and predictions on the basis of that 
text. One particularly interesting detail was the prediction that 
Harry would get another scar, this time on his hand. And what do you 
know, this happened in Umbridge's detention, so I'm very impressed 
now.

So, I am calling that person - if you read the group, please come 
back and interpret OOP in view of CW! I'm sure many of us would be 
very interested.

Me (Bill):

That would be me.  I will quote from two posts, the first comparing 
the first four HP books and the first four days of 'Chymical 
Wedding', and the second discussing the fifth day of 'Chymical 
Wedding'.

>From post # 56297:

The Chymical Wedding is divided into seven days, compared to the 
seven years of the HP books. Here is a day-to-year comparison of 
some of the similarities between the first four days of `Chymical 
Wedding', and the first four years of the HP books.

First Day:

- CRC is living in cramped accommodations, with minimal food

- a terrible storm arises

- during the storm, an `otherworldly' being appears, and delivers a 
letter to him

- the letter is heavy, sealed with a curious symbol with a Latin 
phrase, and written in gold letters

- upon opening, the message is an invitation to attend a wedding, 
which CRC was at birth entitled to attend

- near the end of the first day, CRC descends (in a dream) into a 
dark dungeon, containing a peculiar stone

- CRC is presented with seven `challenges'; six inside the dungeon, 
and one at the entrance above it, and during the final challenge 
inside the dungeon receives a wound to the head from the stone, but 
is rescued by his mentor, a wise old man

The seven HP challenges: Fluffy (entrance above the dungeon); the 
Devil's Snare; the Keys; the Chess Game; the Troll; the Potions; the 
Mirror (inside the dungeon)

Second Day:

- CRC encounters, and shares food with, a snow-white dove, which is 
then attacked and chased by a filthy black raven

- CRC attempts to rescue the dove, and near the end of the day, 
passes through a series of three portals, interspersed with a series 
of four tests 

- CRC meets the Virgin after passing through the second portal, and 
accompanies her through the third and last portal to a room in the 
Castle

- CRC is struck speechless by beautiful music, which seems to come 
from no human source, and is associated with the Virgin

The three HP portals: the sink in the bathroom; the door to the 
Chamber of Secrets itself; the squeeze through the fallen rocks and 
the flight back to the bathroom

The four HP tests: Aragog; Lockhart; the Basilisk; Tom Riddle

Although the obvious candidate for the Virgin would be Ginny 
(VIRGINia?), I think that Fawkes is a closer match. CRC is only able 
to pass through the third portal with the Virgin's help, and she is 
also associated with the music. Later in the story, her name is 
revealed to be Alchimia, alchemy – a process of transformation 
through death and rebirth. Ginny seems to match more closely with 
the white dove, which had taken a liking to CRC from the beginning, 
and was attacked by a symbol of dissolution and destruction.

Third Day:

- one of CRC's newly met companions, thought unworthy and 
contemptable, who had been bound with chains in a dark place, is 
measured on a balance and passes, and joins CRC in friendship

- CRC is himself measured and also passes, and then sets an 
undeserving person free.

- a majestic magical beast wearing a collar, bowing with its front 
legs, is involved in the story, and then leaves amid great joy

Fourth Day:

- near the start of the day, a ceremony involving a Goblet takes 
place

- CRC encounters a skull, with a serpent entwined

- CRC attends a grand dance, with four King/Queen pairs 
(three `official' pairs and one `unofficial' pair) in the place of 
honour

- the day ends with death, and resurrection

>From post # 56303 (this was written back in April):

What about the fifth day of 'Chymical Wedding'? When CRC arises in 
the morning, he explores the castle, and arrives at a strange door. 
Opening it, he passes through a very dark passage to an open door, 
leading to a place of death. CRC is terrified. Passing through it he 
observes the sepulchre of the goddess Venus, within which he 
witnesses things not meant to be seen by mortals. Exiting from the 
door, still frightened, he is discovered by Cupid, Venus' son, who 
draws blood from his hand. Cupid informs CRC that he shall soon end 
his days.

******

Probable analogies:

strange door = door to Department of Mysteries

very dark passage = very dark circular antechamber

place of death = Death Chamber

Venus = Ministry of Magic

things not meant to be seen by mortals = Department of Mysteries

Cupid son of Venus = Dolores Umbridge, high MoM official

Cupid drawing blood from CRC's hand = Dolores drawing blood from 
Harry's hand

******

I will be re-reading 'The Chymical Wedding' in light of OotP, and 
seeing how they compare.

Bill