Cushioning Charm
By Landen O'Nally
The history of the broomstick dates back to the early 900s AD. At this time, there was the formation of an annual broomstick race in Sweden from Kopparbeg to Arjeplog, a distance of about 300 miles. Sixty-two years later, witches and wizards were using primitive broomsticks for transportation instead of mere sport, though these brooms were nothing like the ones that we use today. A German illuminated manuscript shows wizards dismounting from early flying broomsticks in pain.
But, despite the pain that came from riding these ill-developed brooms, the art of broomstick riding continued to grow. Quidditch, a very well known sport in the wizarding world, began in the early 1000s, and though the game quickly grew in popularity and evolved better rules and regulations as time passed, the old brooms still remained. So bad was the pain caused by the wood that a Scottish wizard named Guthrie Lochrin wrote of the utter discomfort that broom riding gave. Would there ever be a way to enjoy riding? Even though the game of Quidditch grew throughout the years, the answer to the question of comfort didn't come until eight centuries later.
The question was answered by a man named Elliot Smethwyk in 1820. Inventor of the Cushioning Charm, he dramatically changed the world of riding. Now riders could sit on their brooms in comfort. The cushioning charm acts like a pillow that's fastened upon the broomstick, which is why when you see a rider, the person is floating just a little above the handle and not sitting upon the uncomfortable log of wood itself.
With the onslaught of this new charm, there has been a explosion of different brands of broomstick, each one with varying cushioning charms upon them. Some have firmer seats, other softer. It's apparent that the Charm can be altered for firmness. Just look at how many different types of broomsticks have been made and altered throughout the years! The Moontrimmer, Cleansweep One, Comet 140, Comet 180, Swiftstick, Shooting star, and the Nimbus 1000, just to name a few. All of these sticks have the same charm, yet sitting on each one has a different feel, all of which are considerably more desirable than a broomstick without a Cushioning Charm.
The broomstick has been around for centuries upon centuries, though the cushioned charm set upon it is a relatively new idea. Though it is very possible to ride a broom that doesn't have the charm, since it was done long before the 1820s, it's safe to say that most, if not all broomsticks will be made with the very useful cushioning charm.
Excellent essay, as usual, Mr. O'nally. You've done well in touching upon the history of the Cushioning Charm, however try to include more detail in your upcoming work on the actual incantation and wand movements. As noted, though the same Charm is used by all models of broomsticks, expound upon the subtle differences in application that have provided a softer or firmer seat. Final Grade: Exceeds Expectations.
Silencio
By Charisma Glass
400 AD. The waves rock a rather forlorn ship that travels across North across the Pacific ocean. The skies had been bleak and gray all day, casting a gloomy environment for those wayward sailors lost upon the Minaeu. These waters, claimed a young man, were haunted with the ghosts of the dead. Others agreed, while others did not accept such an audacious explanation for why the water in this particular sea was so still. They were off course, this was for sure, though not a single man on board could determine why or how. It was just as the Captain Elijah Fae., an elderly wizard, and the first hand mate ducked below deck to discuss their possibilities, when they heard the voice.
It was female, and more exquisite and intoxicating then any man had ever heard. Abandoning their posts, the sailors leaned over the edge, some going as far to grip the ropes of the mast so that they might lean but a few inches closer to this heavenly sound. And then their faces began to appear. Beautiful of course, these seemingly shipwrecked ladies began to bob up from the water with their faces and delicate curved shoulders becoming revealed. They all sang in unison, weaving a heavy and seducing harmony that seemed to reach for the men and draw them in.
The first man, so drunk with their appearance and song, plunged into the freezing water and attempted to swim toward the ladies, who now reached out their arms as if to accept his struggling form. But, because of the cold and the distance, the man began to sink beneath the depths of the water, breath struggling. The sirens, the mermaids continued to sing, and even after seeing their compatriot die, men began to plunge into the water. By now the captain began to hear the sounds of splashing, and upon seeing his men drowning at the cause of the siren's voices, he removed his wand. But, how could he cast with the enchanting call of these aquatic spellbinders? With a shaky hand gripping the railing, the captain finally managed to choke out, "Silencio!" toward one of the mermaids. Instantly, her voice became silent, and she could no longer hypnotize the men. He managed to cast it upon her sister to the right, and just as his leg began to curl over the edge, the final cast was sent upon the third. The siren sisters, so confused and frightened for their loss of voice, quickly dove beneath the rolling waves. The Captain gathered the rest of his men and continue to try and find their way out of these cursed waters.
They did eventually, and upon reaching the land he was seeking, he now brought along with him a new charm- Silencio. This rich history gave birth to the charm that so many disregard as a simple, or unimpressive one. In reality, this spell can be a lifesaver, as seen with Captain Elijah Fae. This spell enables an individual to silence anyone and anything, unless properly deflected. The movements of the wand consist of a flick upward, a clockwise twirl, a thrust down, and finally one last sharp point at the individual. A silver light then shines from the top and, if aimed at a person, travels to their throat where it becomes bathed in this momentary brightness, before dissipating and leaving the person successfully silenced.
Obviously able to be used for more then just an over talkative individual, or an whiney child, this charm can be used on mandrakes, sirens, Fwoopers, and any other magical creature causing an undesired noise. This amazing charm, easily overlooked as an easy fifth year spell, deserves more admiration. Hopefully, more will come to realize the potential that this charm has- as both a convenience and an impressive strength in casting.
Excellent work, Miss Glass, your essay is one of the best that I have read in quite some time. I deeply appreciated the story-telling angle rather than a dry rehashing of facts and statistics, and I am pleased to see that not only did you mention wand movements and the incantation but also some practical applications currently in use. Do be careful, Miss Glass, in your punctuation and your grammar in future. Final Grade: Outstanding.
Patronus
By Landen O'Nally
Happiness is a thing that a person expects to feel at some point in their life. Whether it's short lived or lasts for endless years due to a long awaited marriage, joy is felt in the lives of all. It's these times of happiness that we most treasure in times of great despair, and we call upon these images to help us light a path through the roads of cold and empty darkness.
It's not a wonder that such a strong feeling can be conveyed through a spell and have that spell be as fierce as it is. Almost everything in our magical word can be personified in some way. Our greatest fears, our deepest feelings of loneliness, our state of utter desolation; all are found in Dementors. These creatures feed off of our emotions, robbing us of the very things the make us human, stripping us of our happiest memories. They turn us into soulless, worthless creatures driven mad by the memories of only darkness and hopelessness. How can creatures that feed off of pleasure continue to roam with such an ominous demeanor? Perhaps it's a question that will never be answered, though to the problem of defending our memories, we do have a solution.
Expecto Patronum. The charm is not an easy one to perform due to the level of concentration that the caster must hold while executing it, but it is not impossible for a student to learn, if one hasn't done so already. The charm conjures a Patronus, which is a silvered, ghost-like being that takes the form of an animal. A Patronus is the caster's positive thoughts in a form, and it is used to fight off Dementors. So in a sense, you fight Dementors with the very thing they are trying to strip you of. The animal shape that the Patronus takes on varies from wizard to wizard, witch to witch, though once it is cast, it will take the same shape each time you call upon the Patronus again. My thoughts regarding the Patronus' shape is this. Perhaps it's the caster's personality that shapes the charm into a specific animal, or maybe it's the nature of their happiest memory.
In order to properly conjure a strong, usable Patronus, the caster must clear his or her mind and focus only on their happiest moment. It's important to not ponder the Dementor or any lesser memories because then, the Patronus will either not form or be too weak to drive off the being. Once the mind is cleared and specifically focused on the one happy memory, the wand must be raised and waved. The manner in which the wand is moved is specific. It is first moved right, then left, then right again, not to exceed the with of the shoulders, then curved upward in an approximate seventy five degree angle, and finally pointed at the target while the caster speak "Expecto Patronum". It is very important to keep in mind that you must keep your memory dominate in your mind while casting the spell, else you may be greeted with only a weak sliver of silver instead of an impressive animal.
Obviously, the Patronus Charm is a very important one. It is used to protect our memories, our happiness, and some would even go as far as to say our sanity. In the face of Dementors, images of birthdays, graduations, accomplishments, husbands, and wives rely on you in order to live gloriously on as a memory.
An excellent essay, Mr. O'nally! It is important to note that not every Witch and Wizard can actually cast a Patronus Charm. It takes a certain strength of will and focus in order to achieve this remarkable spell. You may find it interesting to read about Andros the Invincible, who in all of history has been noted for casting the largest Patronus ever, one that was twenty feet high. Final Grade: Exceeds Expectations.
Intro Muros
By Donelle Darkefell
Many of the magical gadgets which grace our modern living are the results of a group of carefully cordinated charmed objects, each bearing different charms. For example, a common wizard's radio bears one charm which recieves the broadcast (from an appropriate broadcasting machine) and one charm which sends it back to the listener, along with a charms which allow one to adjust the volume or turn the radio off altogether.
In more complex devices, literally thousands of charms could be working together at any one time, functioning as they do with their component parts. The Housewife's Friend Clock, for example, which keeps track of family members as they go about their day, requires at least 99 charms to function correctly and smoothly, at last design measure.
Many would-be gadgeteers are able to quickly see relationships between charms they'd like to use to produce certain effects -- only to be frustrated by the neglect of a single, oft-overlooked charm. Intro Muros, (from the Latin, between the walls) is used to provide a "buffer" between different charms. Not all components are meant to work together, and mere physical proximity of components, or lack thereof, is often not enough to keep some charms in a gadget from interfering with one another. By careful application of Intro Muros, only the right functions will stay together, allowing for a gadget that runs smoothly, without malfunction or mishap. If one has a gadget that is doing a lot of sparking or smoking or otherwise growing tempramental, check the Intro Muros, because these fickle charms are often the first to degrade, sloppily done, or neglected altogether.
The motion used on Intro Muros is simple. One must simply use the wand to trace a line along the "wall" that they are creating between component parts, then speak the charm. A thin blue smoke should appear to hover in the areas you have traced out. It is best to do this carefully, small, short, straight lines only. Many poorly done Intro Muros charms are applied by inventors who try to take shortcuts and make boxes and circles and all sorts of shapes all at once.
Intro Muros dates back to a far later, more historical time however. It began as a charm which opened up duels, allowing a barrier to be drawn around dueling wizards which would then contain charms and curses. In this fashion, onlookers and personal property were protected while the duelists fought. In some parts of the world Intro Muros is still put to this purpose, though its association with a sort of "Circle of Death" in which the duelists were unable to leave until one had fallen (which is actually the application of a Intro Muros Mordis charm, not a simple Intro Muros) has caused it to fall into disuse in the modern European world. Connotation can be a powerful motivator, and now the emphasis is on refining control, both in those who duel for sport and those who work it into their professions, like Aurors. This may also have something to do with the time it takes to properly apply the charm: rare is the Auror who is going to have time to draw up a buffer around the area he's fighting in. The apprehension of Dark Wizards is far more messy and less codified than the structured struggles of yesteryear.
A well applied Intro Muros charm should have the following traits. It should be thick. The color should be a baby blue. Bluish grey or grey indicates a very weak application that will break down within several uses; too dark or royal of a blue may well simply hinder the application of every charm in the object (or vicinity) you work within. The smoke should be tight, compact. Runny smoke will simply quickly disappate, and smoke that is too thin will allow some things to get through in spite of the charm.
An outstanding essay, Miss Darkefell, and I commend your attention to detail and your originality in the selection of your topic. Full marks. Final Grade: Outstanding
Immobulus
By Donelle Darkefell
In any situation, the wise student of charms should be able to quickly choose and make use of the most appropriate charm out of a bank of charms that seem, on their surface, quite similar. Take, for example, the charms Immobulus and Petrificus Totalus. Both are used for the purpose of immobilization. Both render their subjects, for all practical purposes, unable to move for a certain period of time. However, these two are really quite different in intent, effect, execution and underlying physics. Below I examine these two charms, as well as a few other, related charms and their application in various situations.
Immobulus is an area effect charm. It freezes every subject within a certain radius. It cannot be aimed at a single creature or animal. It works by slowing time for its victims to a degree that renders them immobile for the intents and purposes of anyone working on normal time. For example, were you to use Immobulus on a group of owls or pixies, they would freeze in the air, remaining in their frozen states much like balloons, instead of dropping straight to the floor as they ould if a Petrificus Totalus spell had been employed. Slowing time is a difficult and tricky enterprise, so the spell's range is not as spectacular as some of the other area effect spells out there. It might be useful if one were being attacked from multiple angles, but only if one were in the open. This spell could backfire in close quarters, causing you to freeze yourself as well as others. Ironically at that point the caster would be left unaware of the problem, able to note only that the spell seemed to have misfired, for he and the others would be stuck in the same slow time -- and appear perfectly normal to one another, acting as usual! If nobody came by to disturb the attack, they would continue their fight in painfully slow time until the spell wore off. According to Hearth and Home for Witches IV, this spell is often used by young mothers with multiple children to handle them when they are out of control. It does have the singular advantage of leaving its victims utterly unharmed.
The Immobulus charm is used by pointing one's wand straight at the center of the area one wishes to affect and speaking the charm forcefully. One might see a thin, pale line emerge from the wand which resembles lightning, which will strike the spot and quickly move out to form a circle about its effect radius. These visible side effects dissipate quickly if the spell is performed correctly. A weak or poorly done Immobulus spell will merely slow its targets, possibly leaving them able to react to some degree or another (still, even a weak Immobulus spell might be quite, quite useful in the event of attack by multiple opponents). To create a slowing affect on a singular target, the Bardus charm should be used. Bardus rarely slows an opponent to the degree to which Immobulus is capable unless rather exuberantly applied, but does not come with the potential difficulties of freezing innocents or onlookers caught in the crossfire or potentially backfiring on the caster. Both charms do have the potential Law Enforcement and apprehension benefit of rendering their victims unable to hear anything that is going on in real time clearly, as everything sounds like a record on too high an RPM. A Bardus charm requires a quick, circular motion of the wrist, left to right, before pointing the wand at the target and speaking the charm. It is occasionally accompanied by a green or yellow light which envelopes the target, dependent upon the wand or wizard using the charm.
In contrast to Immobulus, Petrificus Totalus is always used on a single target. It acts by attacking the nervous system of the person or creature it is used against (and so is never a good bet against enchanted objects who have gone out of control or other nonliving things). This does involve a degree of pain, both in the initial attack and in the almost inevitable result of the victim falling either flat on his back or face. Petrificus Totalus is a charm that means business! It is, however, very precise as well, and a solid spell that rarely backfires. It also seems capable of finding its intended target even if the wizard's aim is just a little off, making it a natural choice for one-on-one self-defense or dueling. It is also a good charm to use against a single unruly animal, like a cat or dog, that's gone out of control. This charm leaves its victim able to see and hear everything clearly. For this reason it also tends to leave its victims in a bad mood when it wears off. All of these factors put together lead to some debate as to whether or not this is a charm or a curse, humane or inhumane. Several Law Enforcement Journals published across Europe have warned that simple binding charms are more appropriate, especially pre-trial, but this has not prevented Petrificus Totalus' use in many apprehensions (see attached newspaper clippings). Binding charms, after all, give the victim the hope of wriggling free of the resulting rope-like substance taht surrounds the victim. The major disadvantage to Petrificus Totalus, though, is the danger of doing permanent harm if it is applied incorrectly or too forcefully. It is definately /not/ appropriate for unruly children (any more than is a binding charm)!
Petrificus Totalus is employed with a quick flick of the wand, up to down, in the direction of the target. Often there is a slight "zapping" sound with a streak of white light, though there are, again, variations depending on wand or wizard. These visual and audio effects do not linger.
To recap: it is to any wizard's advantage to understand the subleties and true differences between any group of seemingly similar charms. Otherwise the caster may well find him or herself awash in unintended consequences. Charms are delicate tools: use precisely the right tool for your situation, and you shall never go wrong.
An excellent essay, Miss Darkefell! Keep up the excellent work, and you shall do exceedingly well on your OWLs next year. Final grade: Outstanding.
The Banishing Charm: A History
By Paige O'Calahan
The obscure history of the banishing charm has continually led to debate among history and charms scholars. The two groups find little to reconcile their arguments. The historical view is represented by a number of famous scholars, among them James Augustine Hightower I, Thomas Bolger, and the late Michelle Gardiner. Bolger, in his _Five Questions on the Origins of Famous Charms_ writes -
"It seems that the origin of the banishing charm must be traced to Leon of the Franks in Europe. The wizards of the eastern hemisphere clearly did not have this tool - the aftermath of the Chinese Great Fire of 812 was spearheaded manual labour, although it was directly caused by wizards and only affected their hidden communities. Furthermore, in Indonesia and Japan, one finds similar evidence. Lastly, the wizards and shamans of the west must have lacked this tool; the great buildings of the Mesoamerican cultures were assembled by human hands."(1)
In comparison, charms scholars such as Andrew and Catherine Barlow, James Freeman, and Chan Chung Sing argue that Leon was a great innovator in Europe but that he was not alone in deriving the banishing charm. Chan, in particular, notes -
"To say that Leon was the sole inventor is simply incorrect. As with the debate concerning the incendio charm, this is a case of multiple creators - Leon in Europe, Kuen Ip Shum in China, and Chung Min Ko in what is now Korea. Furthermore, there must have been an unknown discoverer within the American continents, although he continues to elude researchers."(2)
These two viewpoints are mutually exclusive. However, the latter is a superior explanation. While the former correctly credits Leon of the Franks, it has only been in recent time that historians have begun to reexamine the role of non-European wizards in the development of their own magic. It is ridiculous to assume that a charm as useful as the banishing charm was only developed in Europe.
In China, for example, by the year 940, there is evidence of the banishing charm found in the famous Shaolin Manuscript. Images contained within the text show pictures of wand welding men apparently repulsing small dragons.(3) Underneath this drawing is a caption reading "A practical use for repulsion magic."(4) Of course, this is only a single source, and critics are quick to seize upon this fact. Even so, the evidence from this source suggests at least limited awareness of the charm before active contact with European civilization beginning with the travels of Marco Polo.
The Korean argument is more compelling. A text written in 985, commonly known as _Examinations of Ancestoral Magic_, documents a spell "...by which objects can be repulsed at the will of the worker."(5) Textual scholars tell us that the surviving copy was written in 985(6), but, on the first page, the text states its origin in "the wisdom of our great ancestors from times indeterminate."(7) Last year fragments of this book were unearthed that date back to 880.(8)
Lastly, concerning the MesoAmerican development of the banishing charm, Freeman writes -
"As far as scholars can determine, it seems that Mesoamerican civilizations, in general, felt that the use of magic to construct sites of worship would have been displeasing to the gods. Human labour was the only acceptable method."(9)
He proves this by examining the religion of the various cultures. The gods of these cultures were more often pleased by human sacrifice than by other means. The Aztecs, especially, were noted for their human sacrifices. Freeman interprets this as suggestive that human life was more pleasing to the gods, and, as a result, human effort would be held in higher esteem.
All considered, it seems dubious that a single claim by Leon of the Franks can be made. He lived from 880 to 930 so he is reasonably contemporary with other evidence. Yet, based on this new evidence, it seems that he is one of several potential creators. While Leon may have predated the Mesoamerican discoverer, it seems fair to also credit this unknown wizard, since Europe and Asia were long isolated from the American continents. This debate will continue for some time, but, with this new evidence, it is clear that solely crediting Leon of the Franks with the discovery of the banishing charm is no longer adequate.
1. Bolger, Thomas. Five Questions on the Origins of Famous Charms. III.150-153
2. Chan, Chung Sing. Asian Charmists. p. 253.
3. The Shaolin Manuscript currently resides in the British Museum and, thus, is difficult to study. This particular image appears on the leaf 50.
4. Shaolin Manuscript. IX.I.
5. Examinations of Ancestoral Magic. XIII.3425-3426.
6. Francis, William. "Dating the Examinations"
7. Examinations. I.1-2.
8. Barlow, Andrew and Joanna Barlow. "New Evidence for the Origin of the Banishing Charm"
9. Freeman, James. Mesoamerican Occult. p. 542.
Works Cited
1. Barlow, Andrew and Joanna Barlow. "New Evidence for the Origin of the Banishing Charm" History of Charms 231 (1969): 30-38.
2. Bolger, Thomas. Five Questions on the Origins of Famous Charms. Saxony: Merlyn Publications, 1962.
3. Chan, Chung Sing. Asian Charmists. London: Historical Magic Publishers, 1970.
4. Examinations of Ancestoral Magic. Trans. James Fraigan. London: Historical Magic Publishers, 1952.
5. Francis, William. "Dating the Examinations" History of Charms 229 (1968): 21-33.
6. Freeman, James. Mesoamerican Occult. New York: Druids, 1972.
7. Shaolin Manuscript. Trans. Augusta Marymount. Tokyo: Magica Press, 1969.
The report was top-notch, very indepth and incredibly comprehensive, especially when it came to covering the history of the Charm. My only advice is to be certain to provide examples of a Banishing Charm - this is not History of Magic. I want to make certain you know how to describe wand motions and incantations. That information will be vital for your NEWTs. Final grade: Outstanding
Lodestone Charms
By Christopher Evans
There are many protective charms available to wizard kind to protect locations, objects, or people from both wizards and muggles. One of the most powerful defensive charms, and yet the most unused, are the Lodestone Charms. This essay will discuss the how the different types are cast, historical use of the lodestone charms, and the reason why they are no longer used.
There are two basic types of Lodestone charms, spiritus termino, and spiritus gravitas. The use and casting of these two charms is very different. Spiritus termino creates an invisible barrier that in impermeable to any form of life. This spell must be cast on two or more stones. The barrier prevents life from passing between the stones the spell is cast on, and extends up as high as the stones they the spell is cast on. Spiritus gravitas is a darker form of this spell and only needs to be cast on a single stone. This form of the lodestone charm causes any living creature that approaches the stone to slowly get heavier and heavier until they become unable to move under they're own weight. This usually result in the subject starving to death, suffocating under they're own weight, or they're heart could simply give out from the pressure. The caster of the spell is the only one who would not be effected by the spell. Both charms could only be reversed by the original caster by the Finite Incantatem spell. These spells were used regularly during the darker ages of world.
Load stone charms use to be the basic wizard form of protection for treasure and castles alike due to the fact that it is easier to control and less dangerous to the user than having a dragon or Griffon as a guard. The spiritus termino charm was regularly used on large castles of all kinds. Most famously this spell was invented by Merlin himself to help protect King Arthur's castle. Spiritus gravitas was invented several years later by an Egyptian wizard to protect the Staff of the Sun from theft. None of these spells have lasted to this day, however, both only having a longevity of 2 years if not refreshed.
Neither of these spells are in use today simply because they are too obvious. There are more passive ways and more stable ways of keeping muggles and wizards away from an object. If a muggle were to run into an invisible wall during this enlightened age there would be a great deal of trouble keeping news of the spell a secret. The spiritus gravitas is also thought to be too inhumane for current times, for it kills anything getting too close, even innocent animal.
The lodestone charms is a charm out of history, now only remembered in the oldest books of magic and never practiced any more. It is important, however, to not lets spells like this slip into obscurity which is the purpose of this report. It is never known when even the oldest and most out of date spells may become important.
I will advise you to be careful with your grammar, Mr. Evans. "They're" is an abbreviation for they are. It is not the same as "their" which is the possessive pronoun you were seeking. Final grade: Exceeds Expectations
Lumos Solarum
By Kauton deKere
A sudden outbreak in startling tans have struck Hogwarts quite recently due to Nosfertum's rather lovable, but rather scarful, dueling clubs. As of the last tournament of egotistical Blind Mes, the useful Charm was introduced to we students to protect ourselves against the reported, and apparently newsworthy, vampire rampaging around in London. Since then, we have dicovered far more uses than just deflecting baddies. Well, /those/ baddies anyway.
The far more household-useful ways to engage in the charm usually involve lighting up your entire house with your own portable sun, instead of going with a meek Lumos until you can find the dratted lamps. Or using this nice mini-Star to liven up your indoor plants who don't get nearly as enough rays to be sufficient. Of course, there is the, ahem, /mild/ consequence of immediate blindness upon looking directly into it from such a length.
It's the equivelent to the sun. Don't stare at it.
This brings us to the next useful measure of the charm -fighting. Other than the obvious attempt for giving a vampire a rather nasty sunburn, you can also blind any human opponent with a strong spell. Just please be sure to create some barrier for you eyesight, as I failed to do so with my first quite capable casting of the spell.
Of course, for the pale and the wan, you can also tan under it as long as you don't mind coming out of the spell resembling a fried piece of jerky. Yum-yum, kiddies.
Lumos Solarum, the light of the sun. Useful for fighting, 'beauty', as you call it, and other such things. One of the more useful, but slightly more difficult charms for a student to master. .... Unless your psychotic and actually manage it on the first try, if so, I don't like you very much. You over-achiever, you.
Miss Dekere, you may wish to brush up on your essay-writing skills as your NEWTs loom ever closer. Whilst I enjoy levity in my students' work, I find your mention of Auror Nosfertum's Dueling Club sessions rather dubious in intent and your examples of the Charm's usage outside of combat bizarre. You will also find it useful to describe the wand motions and the incantation when casting the spell, as this information will also be tested. There is much room for improvement. Final grade: Poor
Memory Charms
By Paige O'Calahan
One of the most important things in the wizarding world is keeping muggles unaware of magic. To keep magic and all of the wizarding world a secret from muggles many precautions must be taken, and most of the time our magic is kept a secret. Though there is that occasional slip up and whether small or large it needs to be corrected. In almost all cases were magic is revealed to muggles a memory charm is used to make them forget what happened.
Memory charms have been around for centuries. In fact the memory charm is one of the oldest charms and very little is known about its history, other than it has been used millions of times by wizards all over the world since the beginning of magic.
The purpose of a memory charm is a very simple one. It erases or modifies portions of a persons memory. Memory charms are used by all types of witches and wizards, both good and dark. The Ministry of Magic has a department called "The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes" where they specialize in memory charms. There are three divisions in this department, two of which deal greatly with memory charms, these offices are Accidental Magic Reversal Squad and Obliviator Headquarters. Accidental Magic Reversal Squad deals with magical accidents that occur both inside and outside the wizarding community. When a muggle is involved in a magican catastrophe the Ministry sends an official in to modify their memory so that they can not remember anything that occured with in a certain period of time. Having memories of muggles modified immediately decreases the risks of rumors of magic starting and spreading fear through the muggle community. The Obliviator Headquarters is the division where there is the most use of memory charms. Aside from magical catastrophes there are other situations where memory charms need to be used. Some of them being more unpleasant. Throughout history their have been dangerous acts caused by magic, such as murders or kidnappings and many times muggles are involved in these. If that is the case then besides dealing with what happened Obliviators (wizards whos jobs are to cast memory charms) are brought in to clean up the memories of the muggles involved. Of course, Obliviators don't only deal with unpleasant situations. They work alongsiode with the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad as well, helping them with the administration of memory charms especially if there are multiple muggles involed.
Dark Wizards also use memory charms, though there is less information about what they use them for. According to George Halcombe, author of "Charms, Curses and Their Purposes" dark wizards generally use memory charms to modify the memories of victims that they have obtained information from. They alter their memory so that they no longer obtain that knowledge or don't remember meeting with the dark wizard. Memory charms can also be used for criminals in the wizarding world, whether they are stealing from witches and wizards or muggles.
Different intensities of memory charms can be used. A memory charm can be as mild as making it so a person can't remember what they ate for breakfast that morning. Or it could be intense enought to erase several years of memories from a persons mind. Extremely intense memory charms can go wrong and erase a persons entire memory and knowledge of who they are and in some cases it can kill them, but these two situations are very rare.
A memory charm is a more advanced charm that should only be attempted by wizards or witches that are skilled in what they are doing. Though, that is not to say it can't be done by less-experienced wizards such as students, but in most cases they are not skilled enough to get the exact effect. Because memory charms are the modifying or erasing or memories they require complete concentration so that the memory goes back to exactly the point the witch or wizard casting the spell wants it to. If something goes wrong it could delete to little or too much. To cast the charm the wand-holder must say, "Obliviate" while pointing their wand at the person who's memory they wish to alter. A quick flick-like motion of your wrist is required, though nothing drastic for you want to make sure your wand stays pointed at the person for the entire procedure. Once a memory charm is cast the witch or wizard casting it has a little bit of time to leave and make any final alterations before the full effects of the charm take place, this way they won't remember having the spell put on them or the person standing in front of them with a wand once it was cast.
"Without memory charms the wizarding world would be a very different place, one that would have many more intanglements with the muggle world in ways that no one wants," Janette Thompson wrote in an article that was printed in Witch Weekly.
An excellent essay, Miss O'Calahan. Do be careful with your spelling and grammar, however. Final grade: Exceeds Expectations
Intent and Chochmah
By Callie O'Connor
Many religions and cultures have held ties to magic; the mysticism of the druids, the geomancy of Native Americans and Aborigines. Over the past 2 millennia, the 3 related dominant world religions, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, have renounced "magic" with one notable exception: the mysticism of Jewish Kabbalah. Embracing magical concepts and a non-linear mode of thought, Kabbalah is to Torah (the fundamental text of Judaism comprising the first five books of the bible) what Philosophy is to Science. While many "hippies" have embraced Kabbalah, the adoption of Kabbalah without a thorough and conscious grounding in and acceptance of Torah is folly; Kabbalah means nothing without its foundation in Torah.
Kabbalah is, however, a mystical means of attempting to understand that which, to Muggles, is unknowable: God. Just as we as Wizards struggle to know and understand magic, so too do Jewish Muggles struggle to understand God. Our wizarding world, the lens through which we view things, is made of 3 parts: incantation, motion, and intent. All three must be present or our grasp of magic slips, our ability to understand and cast spells crumbles. Incantation and motion of the wand, like the words on a Torah scroll, can be readily discerned. But intention, like the meaning of those words, is another thing entirely, a slippery construct which cannot be readily defined or explained, or even agreed upon. Similarly, no amount of metaphor can explain or approach God, for Jewish Muggles. Kabbalah provides a means to get glimpses at this infiniteness, via the 10 Sefirot. Just as white light is broken by a prism into 7 colors, Kabbalah holds that the God has 10 emanations. -It is important to note that 10 is not a random number in this context; the Jewish religion places incredible importance on arithmancy and numerology, and the very letters of the Torah are layered with added meaning because of this. 10 is the arithmetic base- it is the number of commandments, the number of fingers. The 10 Sefirot are Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding), Daat (knowledge), Chesed (kindness), Gevurah (strength), Tiferet (beauty), Hod (awe), Netzach (victory), Yesod (foundation), and Malchut (kingship).
We concern ourselves here with only one of the Sefirot: Chochmah. The Tanya, a work of the Chassidic school of thought which gave rise to Kabbalah, holds that Chochmah is rooted in koach mah, or potential. Chochmah is described as being the flash of inspiration when an idea pops into our head, yet rooted in all that we have been taught. It is an idea waiting to be developed, to be given meaning and context. Like the intent formed in our mind, awaiting the incantation and the wand motion, Chochmah is idea without form, power without expression. More importantly, Kabbalah holds that Chochmah comes from nowhere, based upon the verse Job 28:12 'And wisdom is nowhere found'. because the Aramaic root can be read as 'nowhere' or 'from where'. Thus, Kabbalists interpret this passage not as meaning wisdom is hard to come by, but rather that wisdom cannot be attained above the level of Chochmah- God can be discussed and analyzed only so far. Similarly, we can discuss and analyze the role and meaning of intent only so far, but as some point, one must simply 'form' the image in one's mind, say the incantation, and move the wand. Chochmah, like intent, is formed from nothing, logically fleshed out by other means (in this case, the other Sefirot, instead of wand and word).
What does this tell us about our own philosophy of magic? Magic is assuredly not Judaism; we do not recognize universally a God from which our powers flow. But it is interesting to note the parallels between the more mystical form of Judaism in Kabbalah, and our pursuit of understanding of the fundamental ways and mysteries of Magic. In attempting to know the unknowable God as best mere mortal can, the insights and constructs of Kabbalah provide us with an interesting map of where our own metaphysical explorations may take us.
Still seeking the answers to the never-ending questions regarding magic's source, are we? Excellent work, Miss O'Connor. It is always gratifying to see students take such a deep interest in Charms and magic outside of the 'What can I zap with this Charm?' mentality. Final grade: Outstanding.
Two Worlds: One Idea
By Charisma Glass
Indisputably, the wizarding world and the muggle world are two different places. The first is filled with magic, robes, and exotic beasts, while the other consists of machines, bellbottoms, and petting zoos. While most consider the first to be the more distinguished of the two, I find that muggles deserve just as much credit for their inventions, as wizards do for their spells. In this essay I will be discussing how those without magic have adapted to their state, and give specific examples of certain inventions that are similar to their charm counterpart.
One of the more simple, though useful creations was the flashlight. Like the Lumos charm established in the early 1600s by Gretta Gronsch, it allows muggles to have a light source when darkness falls. The flashlight tends to be shorter then the average wand, though significantly thicker and powered by energizers called batteries. While this makes it something of an inconvenience, it -does- shine in a straighter, more guiding way then the charm, which instead summons a ball of energy at the tip of the wand and shines the beams in all direction.
Another nifty gadget is the garage door opener. This parallels the charm Erumpo Ostium, which is commonly used to not only unlock, but open doors. When the spell is cast, the opening that is being pointed at should conveniently loose it's lock, and suddenly swing open, making it easy for a witch or wizard who has her/his hands full to enter without exerting themselves. This was established in 1897 when wizard Flint Bilzwick, scientist and experimenter, grew tired of having to open and hold doors while carrying his heavy crates. Like the spell, muggles use the garage door opener to do exactly what it says, open garage doors. It is a relatively new invention, with the first ones being sold in the early 1950s. The only catch is that it doesn't work on all kinds of doors like Erumpo Ostium, but regardless, this mechanized invention is a step up and a step forward for those muggle born.
Amongst the domestic spells and discoveries, both the wizarding and the muggle world sometimes call for offense and defense. In the year 1375 AD, a young wizard by the name of Iccalus Nish was hunting in the woods, hoping to find something to kill for dinner. Using a spell to hunt was out of the question because of the muggles in his village who might have thought it a bit curious if he came back with a gaping hole seared right through the slaughtered beast, or the carcass burnt beyond edibility. At that time, not all of the convenient spells had been established, so options were slim. That is why Nish developed the arrow charm. Instead of bursts of magic, the charm allows arrows to shoot from the tip of one's wand and toward the intended target.
Similar to this, muggles established the firearm. Better known as a gun, this weapon propels bullets from the machinery and toward whatever is targeted. Another similarity between the two, is how fans like to, or -have- liked to set them off during events. Fans of the Appleby Arrows were known for letting off arrows to show support for their team until it was banned in 1894. Mirroring this, muggles are known to shoot guns in the air at various events to show their enthusiasm, though this too tends to be discouraged.
My final example can be found with the flashing paint charm and it's muggle version, the neon electric sign. The charm itself is a fairly new creation, having been developed to keep up with the rather flashy and flamboyant times. It first appeared in 1962 when Michael Fitz was hoping to catch potential consumers' eyes with his blinking advertisement. It was much more basic then, with simple transitions from red, to blue, to green, but it marked a new era in advertisement. Nowadays, muggles have a similar innovation that "glows" with success. It is called neon lights, and they can be found atop stores, hotels, businesses, pretty much anywhere hoping to get attention. The particular hot spot for neon lights is in America, within a city called Las Vegas. They are known for their ostentatious beams and gaudy colors.
While separated by magic, both wizards and muggles continue to strive toward bettering their lives. While possessing different aspects of society, they are still similar with their inventions and experimentation. Perhaps someday, both worlds will be able to unite and together create a symbiotic world that has the best of each culture.
A very well-written and very interesting essay, Miss Glass, and I am pleased to see that some of my students can see similarities between the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Do be careful, as you write future essays, to doublecheck your spelling and your grammar, especially when it comes to words like energiser (not energizer - by the way, this word does not exist in my dictionary), mechanise (not mechanize) and its as opposed to it's (found in paragraph six). Final grade: E