[HPforGrownups] Ancient Magics (was - Re: Dumbledore's Bridge )

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 81943

> Jake:
> I often wonder about this myself.  A question I ponder frequently is
> why would a form of magic die out that enabled users to engage the
> Av. Kad. curse?  It would be like tossing away the cure to polio.  I
> think the old magic may have something to do with muggles (as you
> suggested) or Egypt.  We learn about Egyptian curses (and Egypt in
> general) at the start of PoA.  Now Hermione is taking runes.  Some
> have speculated that WB put a copyright on a Harry Potter book
> entitled something like "Harry Potter and the Pyrmiads of (something
> or other)."  And then you have the sneakescope (bought in Egypt),
> which may still have a secret or two to reveal.  Who knows, maybe
> Harry's scar is really a rune?  Maybe he had it on his head before VD
> attacked and it protected him? (I wish I could attach some canon to
> this post, but, like so many others, I am at the office right now)

Iggy:

I kinda agree with some of the basic thinking here... Let's take it a step
further, shall we?

(*waits for a mass reply of "Let's shall.*)

Thank you.


Many people have made comments about the fact that the prejudices and
bigotry of the WW is becoming much more apparent.  There's also been a
number of connections been noted about Goblins representing the Jews, Harry
being like Christ (hmmm... I wonder who Judas will be.  Probably someone in
his inner circle, of course...Kinda brings a new light on the possibilities
that Kneasey points out...), etc...

As Jeff has mentioned, the Ancient Magics may either stem from Muggles, or a
WW of the far past.

(Feel free to add anything I may have missed here...)

Mentionings of Egypt:

1 - Bill was a Curse Breaker for Gringott's, working in Egypt.  (Ron
mentions all the things they saw when they went with Bill into the
Pyramids.... mostly mutated skeletons.)

2 - The Pocket Sneakoscope was bought in Egypt.


Runic Connotations:

1 - Hermione is taking Runes in classes at Hogwart's.  (This fact doesn't go
into the above section, as Runes are a LOT different than Hieroglyphics,
when you get down to it.  Both also come from very different geographical
locations.)

2 - The way Harry's lightning bolt scar is usually described or depicted, it
could actually be the Viking Rune "Sowulo". (The sun with its life-giving
light and warmth can be seen as the life force. Its meaning is good fortune,
health and happiness.)  With the life he's led, I don't know how accurate
some of that would be.

3 - One wonders, as bright as Hermione is, why she hasn't seen the
possibility that the scar represents a rune rather than a lightning bolt
like everyone else assumes.  There's also the fact that the rune symbolizes
the "life force", which would be the exact opposite of the Avada Kedavra
spell... You'd think that when she read about the meaning, and say the rune
itself, a light would have gone off in her head.


Other interesting points...

1 - Ancient magics are much like the Ancient Religions... Many people know
that they existed, but few actually took the time to study them when
something they thought was better came along.  (Think of all the old faiths
that have fallen by the wayside, for the most part... the Egyptian beliefs,
the Greco / Roman, the old Babylonian, and the Norse beliefs.  Then there's
the old Druidic / Wiccan faith, which is making a comeback, although a
scattered and semi-underground one... and one that's been modernized a bit,
which loses some of the old power behind it.)

2 - The WW may periodically experience a Renaissance period, where advances
are made because of the current "age of enlightenment."   Unfortunately,
during these jumps in cultural, scientific, and religious advances, the
older ways sometimes get left behind or lost on the way... For example, many
people on this list would know how to use a lighter or a book of matches to
start a campfire, but if you had to do it with a flint and steel, or a
fire-bow, you'd be lost.  The priorities for survival and comfort change
through the ages, and with that, comes a shift in what, and how, we learn.

3 - People who exist in more modern times tend so deal more with theory,
equations, and scientific explanations of the world around them.  People of
the past dealt more with faith, instinct, and more basic and fundamental
reasons for things.  The WW is not likely to be any different.  Modern
magics seem to come from theory, specific incantations, research, and
intense study of basic theory as it can be applied to advanced concepts.
Ancient magics come from intensity of emotion, being fully in the moment,
sacrifice of one's self, and the basic knowledge of will of yourself
affecting the will of the world.  (In other words, Modern magic = formulaic,
theoretical, and alchemical magic.  Ancient magic = blood, fire, and life
magic.)


'Nuff said for now.

Comments?

Iggy McSnurd
the Prankster


"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
  It is the East, and Juliet is...
    AAAAAHHHHH THE SUN!!!!!!  *FOOM*

        - Vampire Theatre"

-- One of the bumper stickers in Iggy's collection