Arithmancy
written by Rosalina Milanette
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Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
5
Reads
7,298
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Arithmancy, also known as numerology is a form of divination. It relies on number sense and basic maths. Thus, many believed it was more reliable since it is based on measurable and logical senses. It uses dates, names, and words, and reduces them to a number or two allowing you to analyze it.
Arithmancy is made from two Greek words: arithmos meaning number and manteia meaning divination. Thus, number divination. Arithmancy relies on isopsephy, or the Greek ideology that adding up the number values of the letter in a word to form a single number created an "equal" number, or isos. Isopsephy in the same thing as gematria in the Hebrew alphabet.
Numerology
In the Muggle world, Arithmancy is known as numerology. Numerology, has been used by many ancient civilizations to predict and analyze events. For a person, numerology can analyze their personality, strengths or weaknesses, their past, and future.
Numerology is also a belief that in a relationship between a number and an event. Many ancient philosophers such as Pythagoras and St. Augustine of Hippo started the belief that there is a numerical connection between everything in the universe. St. Augustine of Hippo even stated, "Numbers are the Universal language offered by the deity to humans as confirmation of the truth."
However, in 325 AD numerology, along with other forms of divination was classified as "magic" by the church. Anyone found practicing divination was labeled a witch. However, what was hypocritical of the church was the significance of numbers in the Bible, the numbers 3 and 7 were often used in it.
Alchemists often used numerology, such as the Persian-Arab alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan. There have also been many civilizations of the ancient world who developed their own method of numerology; China, India, Europe, and the Middle East all had separate but similar methods.
In the modern day, numerology is not frowned upon, but it is considered "charlatan" and not scientific.
Harry Potter
In Harry Potter, Arithmancy was a class taught by Professor Septima Vector. It was Hermione Granger's favourite class, because of the precision and logic involved. Mostly, arithmancy is used to predict the future. In Hogwarts the text used for the numerology class is Numerology and Grammatica. Another Arithmancy text seen in the books is New Theory of Numerology​.
A famous Arithmancer is Bridget Wenlock who discovered the magical properties of the number seven in the 13th century. Curse breakers are also required to get an OWL in Arithmancy, one such example is William (Bill) Weasley.
Arithmancy is made from two Greek words: arithmos meaning number and manteia meaning divination. Thus, number divination. Arithmancy relies on isopsephy, or the Greek ideology that adding up the number values of the letter in a word to form a single number created an "equal" number, or isos. Isopsephy in the same thing as gematria in the Hebrew alphabet.
Numerology
In the Muggle world, Arithmancy is known as numerology. Numerology, has been used by many ancient civilizations to predict and analyze events. For a person, numerology can analyze their personality, strengths or weaknesses, their past, and future.
Numerology is also a belief that in a relationship between a number and an event. Many ancient philosophers such as Pythagoras and St. Augustine of Hippo started the belief that there is a numerical connection between everything in the universe. St. Augustine of Hippo even stated, "Numbers are the Universal language offered by the deity to humans as confirmation of the truth."
However, in 325 AD numerology, along with other forms of divination was classified as "magic" by the church. Anyone found practicing divination was labeled a witch. However, what was hypocritical of the church was the significance of numbers in the Bible, the numbers 3 and 7 were often used in it.
Alchemists often used numerology, such as the Persian-Arab alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan. There have also been many civilizations of the ancient world who developed their own method of numerology; China, India, Europe, and the Middle East all had separate but similar methods.
In the modern day, numerology is not frowned upon, but it is considered "charlatan" and not scientific.
Harry Potter
In Harry Potter, Arithmancy was a class taught by Professor Septima Vector. It was Hermione Granger's favourite class, because of the precision and logic involved. Mostly, arithmancy is used to predict the future. In Hogwarts the text used for the numerology class is Numerology and Grammatica. Another Arithmancy text seen in the books is New Theory of Numerology​.
A famous Arithmancer is Bridget Wenlock who discovered the magical properties of the number seven in the 13th century. Curse breakers are also required to get an OWL in Arithmancy, one such example is William (Bill) Weasley.