Class Projects
One of the most noticable uses of earth magic in the Harry Potter books is the use of patronuses. While the animagi also represent a noticeable amount of earth magic (not to mention the utmost importance to the events) there are only a small number of people who can do it while all fully qualified witches and wizards should (in theory) be able to cast a patronus.
What I like about the patronuses is how they reflect the character of the person and how they can change when something significant happens to that person. We know that Snapes patronus is a proof of his love for Lily and that Tonks' patronus changed into a wolf when she realised that she was in love with Lupin. There is powerful magic at work here and it seems that love might even be a powerful part of earth magic.
The patronuses play a crucial part of the series as they save Harrys (and other peoples) live(s) in numerous occasions so without this powerful earth magic the outcome of the series would have been catastrophically different.
What I like about the patronuses is how they reflect the character of the person and how they can change when something significant happens to that person. We know that Snapes patronus is a proof of his love for Lily and that Tonks' patronus changed into a wolf when she realised that she was in love with Lupin. There is powerful magic at work here and it seems that love might even be a powerful part of earth magic.
The patronuses play a crucial part of the series as they save Harrys (and other peoples) live(s) in numerous occasions so without this powerful earth magic the outcome of the series would have been catastrophically different.
- Aili Raja, ai503, Ravenclaw (Autumn 15/16)
I'd like to focus on Power Animals in Harry Potter. For the most part, these are Patronuses, but there are other times where an animal guide is present.
While it is never directly stated, I think that Lord Voldemort's Power Animal is a snake. In the books he is mentioned as having snake-like eyes and slits for nostrils. He has the power to talk to snakes, his preferred monster pet is a Basilisk (a VERY BIG snake), and the Horcrux he clings tightest to is Nagini, also a snake! While Harry Potter has that fragment of Voldemort's soul, he also has these snake powers and is drawn to snakes, but I believe that is more a reflection of Voldemort than Harry. I'm sure if he were capable of producing a Patronus that would also be a snake. Being a Slytherin it's no wonder he has this connection to snakes, and a lot of the treachery and trickery he engages in is also considered snake-like. Nagini is often his eyes and also one of his greatest henchmen, one who not only provides for him but also eats/attacks his enemies!
Harry has three power animals that change throughout his life. For a brief period of time, his power animal is a black dog. The black dog is regarded as a bad omen, and for many people so was Harry. He often got into trouble and caused a lot of destruction and headaches/heartaches for those around him. He doesn't know the physical black dog he sees is actually Sirius, but this dog guides his actions (albeit by fear of death) while looking out for him.
Hedwig, his snowy owl, is a very dear power animal to Harry. I once heard owls represent wisdom, which is doesn't really sound like a characteristic of Harry, but Hedwig does represent other characteristics of Harry. She is very loyal; she is there for him during the summers with the Dursleys and even gives her life for him! She is prone to moodiness (like Harry for all of Books five and six!), but she still does what she needs to do, like delivering letters to Sirius.
But Harry's most important power animals, which also happens to be his Patronus, is a stag. This representation of his father (though he didn't know that at first) is a production of his happiest thoughts. It guides him and saves him from Dementors multiple times. A stag often represents intuition, which is Harry to a T. Harry often relies on his guts to choose and do the right thing, luckily it usually works out. Stags are also symbols of regeneration as they regrow their antlers (Harry basically died A LOT but somehow is always "The Boy Who Lived).
- Arianna Stonewater, ar1227, Slytherin (Spring 17/18)
While it is never directly stated, I think that Lord Voldemort's Power Animal is a snake. In the books he is mentioned as having snake-like eyes and slits for nostrils. He has the power to talk to snakes, his preferred monster pet is a Basilisk (a VERY BIG snake), and the Horcrux he clings tightest to is Nagini, also a snake! While Harry Potter has that fragment of Voldemort's soul, he also has these snake powers and is drawn to snakes, but I believe that is more a reflection of Voldemort than Harry. I'm sure if he were capable of producing a Patronus that would also be a snake. Being a Slytherin it's no wonder he has this connection to snakes, and a lot of the treachery and trickery he engages in is also considered snake-like. Nagini is often his eyes and also one of his greatest henchmen, one who not only provides for him but also eats/attacks his enemies!
Harry has three power animals that change throughout his life. For a brief period of time, his power animal is a black dog. The black dog is regarded as a bad omen, and for many people so was Harry. He often got into trouble and caused a lot of destruction and headaches/heartaches for those around him. He doesn't know the physical black dog he sees is actually Sirius, but this dog guides his actions (albeit by fear of death) while looking out for him.
Hedwig, his snowy owl, is a very dear power animal to Harry. I once heard owls represent wisdom, which is doesn't really sound like a characteristic of Harry, but Hedwig does represent other characteristics of Harry. She is very loyal; she is there for him during the summers with the Dursleys and even gives her life for him! She is prone to moodiness (like Harry for all of Books five and six!), but she still does what she needs to do, like delivering letters to Sirius.
But Harry's most important power animals, which also happens to be his Patronus, is a stag. This representation of his father (though he didn't know that at first) is a production of his happiest thoughts. It guides him and saves him from Dementors multiple times. A stag often represents intuition, which is Harry to a T. Harry often relies on his guts to choose and do the right thing, luckily it usually works out. Stags are also symbols of regeneration as they regrow their antlers (Harry basically died A LOT but somehow is always "The Boy Who Lived).
- Arianna Stonewater, ar1227, Slytherin (Spring 17/18)
Earth Magic is found in many different aspects in Harry Potter. From spells that have Earth-based magic to them, like moving earth or causing plants to grow, to power animals in the form of Patronuses and Animagi transformations.
The most prominent form of earth magic in the Harry Potter series would obviously be the power animals. It plays a large part in the later half of the series. There is Sirius with his animagi form of a Padfoot, a Grim type ghost dog, multiple witches and wizards patronus charms, and even a physical representation with Voldemort and Nagini.
Sirius' power animal is a dog. The semblance between the two is so strong and blatant that there are too many reasons and references to list but to name a few, Sirius is the dog star, he is loyal and loving in an unconditional way a dog would be. He is also very protective of those he views as family, much like a dog is.
Patronuses are a representation of a person's power animal. I already explained this in assignment 3 but just to add a bit more to it I can give another example. Dumbledore's patronus is a phoenix. A phoenix is a representation of rebirth, regeneration, and healing. Dumbledore has seen impossible odds and come out on the other side renewed with his faith in the Light. He offers guidance to students and teachers alike while soothing them and perhaps helping to heal a damaged mind, like he does with Harry in giving him some closure at King's Cross in Book 7.
The physical representation is a unique one but still holds the same concept. Nagini is very protective of Tom Riddle, as a power animal guardian would be, and the two share quite a few traits. Snakes are renowned for being cunning, smart, deadly, and near unstoppable in the right setting or with the right amount of force. Voldemort is all of these things. Not to mention most view snakes as being sneaky and well, evil. Although not evil it certainly does lend itself to the persona that is Voldemort. By the end of the series the Dark Lord even started to look like a snake.
There is also the thought of the werewolf being Remus' power animal. Remus is a kind and gentle man but he is also fierce and protective of his family and friends, or pack, if you will. It has been stated that Remus is stronger than he appears, as most wolves are, and is one of the smartest wizards to come from his year at school. Wolves are very intelligient creatures and often have a system of doing things that is astounding to humans. Although in a muted form, Remus does display quite a few traits of a wolf. I know a werewolf is different than a wolf power animal but the concept is still there. At least, that is my belief.
Earth Magic, as you can see, shows up a lot in the Harry Potter series and I would dare say plays quite an important role in the journey of the Boy-Who-Lived.
The most prominent form of earth magic in the Harry Potter series would obviously be the power animals. It plays a large part in the later half of the series. There is Sirius with his animagi form of a Padfoot, a Grim type ghost dog, multiple witches and wizards patronus charms, and even a physical representation with Voldemort and Nagini.
Sirius' power animal is a dog. The semblance between the two is so strong and blatant that there are too many reasons and references to list but to name a few, Sirius is the dog star, he is loyal and loving in an unconditional way a dog would be. He is also very protective of those he views as family, much like a dog is.
Patronuses are a representation of a person's power animal. I already explained this in assignment 3 but just to add a bit more to it I can give another example. Dumbledore's patronus is a phoenix. A phoenix is a representation of rebirth, regeneration, and healing. Dumbledore has seen impossible odds and come out on the other side renewed with his faith in the Light. He offers guidance to students and teachers alike while soothing them and perhaps helping to heal a damaged mind, like he does with Harry in giving him some closure at King's Cross in Book 7.
The physical representation is a unique one but still holds the same concept. Nagini is very protective of Tom Riddle, as a power animal guardian would be, and the two share quite a few traits. Snakes are renowned for being cunning, smart, deadly, and near unstoppable in the right setting or with the right amount of force. Voldemort is all of these things. Not to mention most view snakes as being sneaky and well, evil. Although not evil it certainly does lend itself to the persona that is Voldemort. By the end of the series the Dark Lord even started to look like a snake.
There is also the thought of the werewolf being Remus' power animal. Remus is a kind and gentle man but he is also fierce and protective of his family and friends, or pack, if you will. It has been stated that Remus is stronger than he appears, as most wolves are, and is one of the smartest wizards to come from his year at school. Wolves are very intelligient creatures and often have a system of doing things that is astounding to humans. Although in a muted form, Remus does display quite a few traits of a wolf. I know a werewolf is different than a wolf power animal but the concept is still there. At least, that is my belief.
Earth Magic, as you can see, shows up a lot in the Harry Potter series and I would dare say plays quite an important role in the journey of the Boy-Who-Lived.
- Astrid Black, as963, Ravenclaw (Autumn 14/15)
I decided to talk about Herbology, which basically is Earth Magic transformed into subject.
Herbology has a really important place in the Harry Potter books and in the Harry Potter universe in general, in my opinion. And that's because thanks to it, people learn the properties of different plants and herbs and also learn how to take proper care of them, and I find this not only important but also essential because thanks to that you can brew different potions which can cure or even save lives. Also some kind of plants can be used on its own.
Some examples of this, are the following:
- Mandrakes: When some people were petrified because of the basilisk, Pomfrey needed to wait for the mandrakes to be mature enough so a potion could be made to wake up the victims.
- Asphodel: Used for the Draught of Living Dead potion, which was made in Slughorn's class when the Golden Trio was in their 6 year. Its also used for making the Wiggenweld Potion, which wakes up people from the one mentioned before. This potion was used by a prince to awaken a princess who was given a Draught of Living Dead potion. (Can be read on the Leticia Somnolens Wizard Card).
- Dittany: Its essence was used by Hermione Granger to cure Ron's splinched arm. The plant can be also eaten to cure shallow wounds and mixed with silver cures werewolf bites.
- Aconite: Used for the making of the Wolfsbane potion, which relieves the symptoms of lycantrophy. Remus Lupin used to drink it.
Having read all that, one can realize how important it is for the daily wizarding life.
Herbology has a really important place in the Harry Potter books and in the Harry Potter universe in general, in my opinion. And that's because thanks to it, people learn the properties of different plants and herbs and also learn how to take proper care of them, and I find this not only important but also essential because thanks to that you can brew different potions which can cure or even save lives. Also some kind of plants can be used on its own.
Some examples of this, are the following:
- Mandrakes: When some people were petrified because of the basilisk, Pomfrey needed to wait for the mandrakes to be mature enough so a potion could be made to wake up the victims.
- Asphodel: Used for the Draught of Living Dead potion, which was made in Slughorn's class when the Golden Trio was in their 6 year. Its also used for making the Wiggenweld Potion, which wakes up people from the one mentioned before. This potion was used by a prince to awaken a princess who was given a Draught of Living Dead potion. (Can be read on the Leticia Somnolens Wizard Card).
- Dittany: Its essence was used by Hermione Granger to cure Ron's splinched arm. The plant can be also eaten to cure shallow wounds and mixed with silver cures werewolf bites.
- Aconite: Used for the making of the Wolfsbane potion, which relieves the symptoms of lycantrophy. Remus Lupin used to drink it.
Having read all that, one can realize how important it is for the daily wizarding life.
- Hermione Bronte, he1074, Hufflepuff (Autumn 15/16)
The use of power animals is very widely used in the world of Harry Potter. While you will not find animal spirit guides assisting you in dreams or visions in the wizarding world, the concept of a power animal is evident.
First there is the Patronus Charm. The Patronus Charm is used to fight off dementors, the very representations of fear and the bad things in life. Patronus Charms protect us from this evil - much like power animals protect us from the evil in our life. In addition, advanced Patronus Charms take the form of an animal that identifies with your personality, much like a power animal. For example, Ron is very loyal, active, and independent - just like a Jack Russel terrier, his Patronus.
Another example of a power animal in the wizarding world is an Animagus. The Animagus spell is a complicated enchantment that allows you to take the form of an animal. Generally, your Animagus takes the same form as your Patronus. The animal you take the form of identifies closely with your personality. Rita Skeeter likes to get into places where she doesn't belong and remain unnoticed by other individuals - just like her Animagus, a beetle.
Overall, the concept of a power animal is definitely used in the world of Harry Potter. Though JK Rowling never directly mentions power animals, it is clear that this concept is evident in the wizarding world.
First there is the Patronus Charm. The Patronus Charm is used to fight off dementors, the very representations of fear and the bad things in life. Patronus Charms protect us from this evil - much like power animals protect us from the evil in our life. In addition, advanced Patronus Charms take the form of an animal that identifies with your personality, much like a power animal. For example, Ron is very loyal, active, and independent - just like a Jack Russel terrier, his Patronus.
Another example of a power animal in the wizarding world is an Animagus. The Animagus spell is a complicated enchantment that allows you to take the form of an animal. Generally, your Animagus takes the same form as your Patronus. The animal you take the form of identifies closely with your personality. Rita Skeeter likes to get into places where she doesn't belong and remain unnoticed by other individuals - just like her Animagus, a beetle.
Overall, the concept of a power animal is definitely used in the world of Harry Potter. Though JK Rowling never directly mentions power animals, it is clear that this concept is evident in the wizarding world.
- Leonie Hauri, le1080, Ravenclaw (Spring 15/16)
I believe that the earth magic in Harry Potter saga already shows with the selection of magical subjects. Herbology and Potions are mandatory in earlier years of schooling and a prerequisite for almost all ''important'' jobs in the wizarding world, like healers or aurors. Herbology deals with plants, which are grown from earth and Potions uses many of those plants, which sometimes need to be picked at specific times in order to be used in potions. Some people don't consider those part of Earth magic, but I still believe that they are an important part of it.
Another possible connection to Earth Magic in Harry Potter is the Whomping Willow and the Forbidden Forest. It's confirmed, naturally, that the Whomping Willow is not only alive, as any other plant, but partly also conscious, which we can see when she moves around, attacks or defends itself. Though it was never confirmed for The Forbidden Forest (or I forgot), I feel that it's very similar to Fangorn Forest in LOTR. Very much alive, perhaps due to powerful source of Earth Magic.
The most fascinating connection to me is the powers of Animagi and The Patronus Charm. They're clearly connected to power animals, though in different areas. I believe that Patroni are protectors, a clear role in Harry Potter, while Animagi forms are more about your personality and what suits you best.
Another possible connection to Earth Magic in Harry Potter is the Whomping Willow and the Forbidden Forest. It's confirmed, naturally, that the Whomping Willow is not only alive, as any other plant, but partly also conscious, which we can see when she moves around, attacks or defends itself. Though it was never confirmed for The Forbidden Forest (or I forgot), I feel that it's very similar to Fangorn Forest in LOTR. Very much alive, perhaps due to powerful source of Earth Magic.
The most fascinating connection to me is the powers of Animagi and The Patronus Charm. They're clearly connected to power animals, though in different areas. I believe that Patroni are protectors, a clear role in Harry Potter, while Animagi forms are more about your personality and what suits you best.
- Maxim Trevelyan, ma1876, Hufflepuff (Autumn 15/16)
Earth-based themes are an important part of Harry Potter. Plants, animals, earth itself, natural environments, and related magic feature strongly. One of the most prominent examples is of course the role of the Forbidden Forest. For some reason or another (let's face it, probably Hagrid and Newt), Hogwarts contains one of the most magical forests in the world on its grounds. We have giant sentient man-eating spiders from Borneo alongside snippy centaurs, bowtruckles, thestrals, unicorns, Grawp, and who knows what else. What all of these have in common though is a connection to the earth, technically many can be considered earth spirits.
Bowtruckles are the most obvious, they are literally tree guardians, and must be appeased before the tree can be touched.
Grawp is a giant hailing from the mountains, so he is connected with the rocks, even being described as boulder-like.
Thestrals, despite being winged creatures, have a connection to the earth through their connection with death. The earth is dark, cold, and is where those who have died end up in some manner at least, even if there is no underworld most cultures bury their dead or at least notice how a body left on the ground will meld into the soil.
That already is three aspects of the earth element: plants for Bowtruckles, rock and mountains for Grawp, and the underworld or death-renewal for thestrals. There are many other creatures that live in the Forbidden Forest that represent some other aspects of the earth element, but I'd like to touch on only one more.
There is a Ford Anglia running loose in the Forbidden Forest. It is no creature, but it does represent something. The car is made of metal and other materials derived from the ground and from nature to create a man-made object. While earth spirits have no power over man-made objects, the Forbidden Forest did have its own effect on the magically-enhanced car. The car crashed into trees, arguably is will have damaged the forest, especially when helping Harry and Ron to escape from Aragog in the 2nd book. Cars also (usually at least, and this is no usual car) run on power sources like petrol or electricity, both can harm the earth (no, ineffecient wind turbines that kill birds and take land space when there are better designs that produce more energy and take less space and hurt less wildlife, and gigantic dams are not better than petrol), and the production of cars generally isn't particularly environmentally-friendly either. But it also had become part of the forest. Such a modern and artificial thing as a car had returned to nature in a different way, and that is an interesting concept. It almost alludes to the ability of the earth to change and be changed, to sustain itself through creative means. It also is a nod to conservation ideas.
- Meredith Malkins, me1126, Hufflepuff (Autumn 17/18)
Bowtruckles are the most obvious, they are literally tree guardians, and must be appeased before the tree can be touched.
Grawp is a giant hailing from the mountains, so he is connected with the rocks, even being described as boulder-like.
Thestrals, despite being winged creatures, have a connection to the earth through their connection with death. The earth is dark, cold, and is where those who have died end up in some manner at least, even if there is no underworld most cultures bury their dead or at least notice how a body left on the ground will meld into the soil.
That already is three aspects of the earth element: plants for Bowtruckles, rock and mountains for Grawp, and the underworld or death-renewal for thestrals. There are many other creatures that live in the Forbidden Forest that represent some other aspects of the earth element, but I'd like to touch on only one more.
There is a Ford Anglia running loose in the Forbidden Forest. It is no creature, but it does represent something. The car is made of metal and other materials derived from the ground and from nature to create a man-made object. While earth spirits have no power over man-made objects, the Forbidden Forest did have its own effect on the magically-enhanced car. The car crashed into trees, arguably is will have damaged the forest, especially when helping Harry and Ron to escape from Aragog in the 2nd book. Cars also (usually at least, and this is no usual car) run on power sources like petrol or electricity, both can harm the earth (no, ineffecient wind turbines that kill birds and take land space when there are better designs that produce more energy and take less space and hurt less wildlife, and gigantic dams are not better than petrol), and the production of cars generally isn't particularly environmentally-friendly either. But it also had become part of the forest. Such a modern and artificial thing as a car had returned to nature in a different way, and that is an interesting concept. It almost alludes to the ability of the earth to change and be changed, to sustain itself through creative means. It also is a nod to conservation ideas.
- Meredith Malkins, me1126, Hufflepuff (Autumn 17/18)
The power animal concept is extremely prevalent in the Harry Potter series. The different ideas associated the power animal are seen in Animagi and Patronuses.
Witches and wizards can literally transform into animals as Animagi. Since becoming an Animagus takes a tremendous amount of skill, the animal that is chosen must reflect the individual's personality, which is a characteristic of the power animal. For example, Peter Pettigrew transforms into a rat and he also turned out to be the rat who sold out the Potters to Lord Voldemort.
As Remus Lupin explained to Harry Potter, "The Patronus is a kind of positive force" and "Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it." The Patronus is an animal form. For some, the Patronus reflects their personality. Minerva McGonagall has identical Patronus and Animagus forms. Ron Weasley is also quite loyal, like his Jack Russell terrier Patronus. The Patronus can also represent something a person is lacking in their life, much like a spirit animal. Hermione Granger has an otter as her Patronus to remind her to have more fun. Similar to the idea of spirit guides, Patronuses can change form, like that of Nymphadora Tonks, due to a great shock or emotional upheaval.
Witches and wizards can literally transform into animals as Animagi. Since becoming an Animagus takes a tremendous amount of skill, the animal that is chosen must reflect the individual's personality, which is a characteristic of the power animal. For example, Peter Pettigrew transforms into a rat and he also turned out to be the rat who sold out the Potters to Lord Voldemort.
As Remus Lupin explained to Harry Potter, "The Patronus is a kind of positive force" and "Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it." The Patronus is an animal form. For some, the Patronus reflects their personality. Minerva McGonagall has identical Patronus and Animagus forms. Ron Weasley is also quite loyal, like his Jack Russell terrier Patronus. The Patronus can also represent something a person is lacking in their life, much like a spirit animal. Hermione Granger has an otter as her Patronus to remind her to have more fun. Similar to the idea of spirit guides, Patronuses can change form, like that of Nymphadora Tonks, due to a great shock or emotional upheaval.
- Prof. Scarlet Leslie, pr_sca, Ravenclaw (Autumn 14/15)
I think I will write about the power animal concept. The whole idea of the Patronus Charm, producing something from 'yourself' which protects you and is able to embrace, absorb and eliminate that which would harm you (like a Dementor) is great. The Patronus itself is not harmed by the Dementor and in fact, drives it away! What a lovely concept and great to see in a film (or visualize when reading about it). I do not believe, though, that Dementors feed on hope, peace and happiness. I am not sure of why it is that it is said that they do; I think, instead, that they generate a field, emanate such despair and unhappiness that it overwhelms a person and causes said person to emulate, or mimic that resonance, and the Dementors feed off that. (So much for canon. *g* But I've ALWAYS felt that way. I always felt that true peace, hope and happiness was not only not 'food' for Dementors but that it would, literally, tear them apart. That they caused their 'victim' to resonate to their frequences, in order to have something to feed upon.)
Anyway, the whole concept of Patronus power animals is that they reflect, or are a reflection of internal qualities of the person casting them. This is pretty interesting because ... well, here is a list of Patronus animals that I remember offhand: Cho Chang - swan; Hermione Granger - otter; Luna Lovegood - hare; Harry Potter - stag; Ernie MacMillan - boar; Severus Snape - doe; James Potter - stag; Lily Evans - doe; Seamus Finnigan - fox; Arthur Weasley - weasel; Minerva McGonagall - tabby cat; Dolores Umbridge - long-haired cat; Aberforth Dumbledore - goat; Nymphadora Tonks - great 4-legged shaggy creature (probably a wolf? for Remus?). (I looked up Seamus to make sure his was a fox...)
You notice that the animals for Luna and Ernie are the 'wild' versions -- Luna does not get a rabbit but a hare and Ernie does not get a pig but a boar. Some of them are because of attachment to another -- Severus Snape with his doe and Tonks for her wolf.
At the same time, as I have written in another assignment, somehow the whole concept of Patronus is so different from the idea of power animal to me, in that the Patronus is not it's own being but of the person casting the charm. Power animals, of native american people, of people all around the world who are [s]close to[/s] acknowledging their inherent oneness with nature, are independently acting of the persons forwhich they are power animals. They are teachers and, in a way, trainers. Givers of knowledge; awakeners of knowledge within the person with whom they are attached.
However, there are other power animals in the Harry Potter universe. The cat, Crookshanks. Trevor the Toad. Hedwig the Snowy Owl. These are creatures of nature which have chosen to bond with a 2-legged witch or wizard. Yes, the cat is part Kneazle, but that's okay. I don't know about Trevor, but since he is a 'pet' of a wizard, undoubtedly there is something magical about him! As for Hedwig - she's Hedwig. To me, all people of nature are magical so there you go.
The phoenix, Fawkes, Albus Dumbledore's friend, is of pure magic origin and is capable of doing things, even within the castle itself, which wizards and witches cannot do -- such as apparate and take her person with her. Now, THAT is a power animal!
Anyway, the whole concept of Patronus power animals is that they reflect, or are a reflection of internal qualities of the person casting them. This is pretty interesting because ... well, here is a list of Patronus animals that I remember offhand: Cho Chang - swan; Hermione Granger - otter; Luna Lovegood - hare; Harry Potter - stag; Ernie MacMillan - boar; Severus Snape - doe; James Potter - stag; Lily Evans - doe; Seamus Finnigan - fox; Arthur Weasley - weasel; Minerva McGonagall - tabby cat; Dolores Umbridge - long-haired cat; Aberforth Dumbledore - goat; Nymphadora Tonks - great 4-legged shaggy creature (probably a wolf? for Remus?). (I looked up Seamus to make sure his was a fox...)
You notice that the animals for Luna and Ernie are the 'wild' versions -- Luna does not get a rabbit but a hare and Ernie does not get a pig but a boar. Some of them are because of attachment to another -- Severus Snape with his doe and Tonks for her wolf.
At the same time, as I have written in another assignment, somehow the whole concept of Patronus is so different from the idea of power animal to me, in that the Patronus is not it's own being but of the person casting the charm. Power animals, of native american people, of people all around the world who are [s]close to[/s] acknowledging their inherent oneness with nature, are independently acting of the persons forwhich they are power animals. They are teachers and, in a way, trainers. Givers of knowledge; awakeners of knowledge within the person with whom they are attached.
However, there are other power animals in the Harry Potter universe. The cat, Crookshanks. Trevor the Toad. Hedwig the Snowy Owl. These are creatures of nature which have chosen to bond with a 2-legged witch or wizard. Yes, the cat is part Kneazle, but that's okay. I don't know about Trevor, but since he is a 'pet' of a wizard, undoubtedly there is something magical about him! As for Hedwig - she's Hedwig. To me, all people of nature are magical so there you go.
The phoenix, Fawkes, Albus Dumbledore's friend, is of pure magic origin and is capable of doing things, even within the castle itself, which wizards and witches cannot do -- such as apparate and take her person with her. Now, THAT is a power animal!
If I were to have a Patronus, it would perhaps be Horse. I have Horse living with me, and taking care of me, and I think they would feel it okay if Horse was also Patronus.
- Prof. Tarma Amelia Black, pr_tar, Hufflepuff (Autumn 14/15)
- Prof. Tarma Amelia Black, pr_tar, Hufflepuff (Autumn 14/15)
The biggest example of Earth Magic I can think of are the Patronus spells that correlate to power animals. Each Patronus is an animal that represents the spell caster. Power animals can change when their purpose has been met and the same can be said for Patronuses. Some magic users Patronus does not change. Patronus Charm is used to deter Dementors and it is also used to send warnings to others such as Kingsley Shacklebolt did in Deathly Hallows. It can also be used to send messages such as Snape’s doe to Harry in the Forest of Dean to find the Sword of Gryffindor. The lesson states that power animals draw on personalities. People going through a transformation may see a butterfly. We see Snape have a doe to symbolize his love for Lily that never died. Harry’s Patronus was a stag that represents his father and the family he never got to know. It also symbolizes his deep desire to have a family.
I took an online quiz and found out my patronus is an otter:
I took an online quiz and found out my patronus is an otter:
- Scarlett Lacarnum, sc866, Ravenclaw (Autumn 14/15)
In this essay I would like to talk about Harry Potter and the connection with the Power Animal concept. In particular I would like to talk about You-Know-Who, Lord Voldemort, and his connection with Nagini, his huge snake pet. Most believe he found the snake while he was in Albania, in his non-corporeal ghost-like form. He tried to befriend many animals but only the snakes would let him near them, all other animals would not allow him inhabit them. Voldemort latter had Peter Pettigrew create a potion that also used venom collected from Nagini as one of its components, which provided Voldemort with a temporary body, giving him a basic physical form.
Latter on, with the killing of Bertha Jorkins in the year of 1994, Voldemort also made Nagini a horcrux. This means he cut off a part of his soul using murder and placed it within Nagini, she essentially became part of Voldemort. The two became so close they were basically inseparable, even more so after Nagini became a horcrux because Voldemort wanted to keep her safe, she was one of the things that had to be defeated/destroyed in order for him to be defeated.
This is likely a reflection of Voldemort's character. Snakes, as sneaky, evil, dangerous, cunning but twisted as they are, were likely the only animals whose mind operated in a similar manner as Voldemort's. This is why they were compatible with him and the only animals who would allow him to come close to them. Nagini in particular became not solely a pet for him, but they became a duo. They became one, not solely because of Voldemort turning her into a horcrux, but because they had shared too many experiences to be anything but inseparable.
They gave each other strength, they have each other support, they kept each other alive.
Latter on, with the killing of Bertha Jorkins in the year of 1994, Voldemort also made Nagini a horcrux. This means he cut off a part of his soul using murder and placed it within Nagini, she essentially became part of Voldemort. The two became so close they were basically inseparable, even more so after Nagini became a horcrux because Voldemort wanted to keep her safe, she was one of the things that had to be defeated/destroyed in order for him to be defeated.
This is likely a reflection of Voldemort's character. Snakes, as sneaky, evil, dangerous, cunning but twisted as they are, were likely the only animals whose mind operated in a similar manner as Voldemort's. This is why they were compatible with him and the only animals who would allow him to come close to them. Nagini in particular became not solely a pet for him, but they became a duo. They became one, not solely because of Voldemort turning her into a horcrux, but because they had shared too many experiences to be anything but inseparable.
They gave each other strength, they have each other support, they kept each other alive.
- Zoki Phantom, zo808, Hufflepuff (Autumn 14/15)