Barsen'thor

[gaeilge101]

Irish Pronunciation Guide

last edited 5th/aug/2018

WORD STRESS

All words are strongly accented on the first syllable, except for a few common words with an unstressed prefix.

VOWELS

LONG (vowels with a fada – an accent)

á pronounced “aw” — as in “awesome”

é pronounced “ey” — as in “hey”

í pronounced “ee” — as in “bee”

ó pronounced “oh” — as in “banjo”

ú pronounced “oo” — as in “kangaroo”

vowel combinations (long sounding)

ae pronounced “ey” (similar to é)

eo pronounced “oh” (similar to ó)

ao pronounced “ey” or “ee” depending on dialect (similar to é / í)

SHORT

a pronounced “ah” — as in “cat”

e pronounced “eh” — as in “went”

i pronounced “ih” — as in “in”

o pronounced “ow” — as in “goat”

u pronounced “uh” — as in “put”

ea pronounced “ah” — as in “cat”

Short vowels are given their full pronunciation ONLY in the first syllable of a word. In all other syllables, they are all reduced to the neutral “uh” sound — as in “but”.

VOWELS + CONSONANTS

The “ow” sound (as in clown)

abha pronounced “ow”

amh pronounced “ow”

The “eye” sound

agha pronounced “eye”

adh pronounced “eye”

CONSONANTS

Except for “h”, all Irish consonants are either “broad” or “slender”.

Broad consonants are always written with the letters a, o, or u next to them.

Slender consonants are always written with the letters i or e next to them.

Broad consonants are pronounced with a “-w” off-glide.

Slender consonants are pronounced with a “-y” off-glide.

Examples:

Slender “b”

Beo (byoh) – b is slender so a b+y sound, eo has a “oh” sound, therefore byoh

bí (bee) – b is slender so has a b+y sound, í has a “ee” sound, therefore bee

Broad “b”

bó (boh) b is broad so a b+w sound, ó is a “oh” sound, therefore boh

buí (bwee) b is broad so a b+w sound, u is a “uh” sound, í is a ee sound, therefore bwee

The difference between “beo” and “bó” is only the y-glide heard in “beo”. Likewise, the difference between “bí” and “buí” is only the w-glide heard in “buí”.

Here is a list of combinations, which can be either broad of slender, depending on the adjacent vowels:

bh (broad) = w

bh (slender) = v

ch (broad) = ch as in “loch” (k sound)

ch (slender) = ch as in “h”

dh (broad) = gh as in “girl” (usually silent except at beginning of words.)

dh (slender) = y

fh (broad) = silent

fh (slender) = silent

gh (broad) = same as broad dh

gh (slender) = y

mh (broad) = w

mh (slender) = v

ph (broad) = fw

ph (slender) = fy

sh (broad) = h

sh (slender) = h

th (broad) = h

th (slender) = h

URÚ (ECLIPSES)

Eclipses are letters added to the beginning of a word depending on the context. In every case of eclipses pronounce the first consonant and ignore the second, except for “ng”. 

mb = “m” sound

gc = “g” sound

nd = “n” sound

bhf = “w” (or sometimes v)

ng = “ng” as in “king”

bp = “b”

dt = “d”

TRY IT YOURSELF!

File (poet) – FIH-leh (emphasis on the first syllable)

Draoi (druid)

Filíocht (poety)

Draíocht (magic)

Bean sí (fairy woman)

Samhain (November)

Oíche Shamhna (Samhain eve – Halloween)

Bealtaine (May)

Lúnasa (August)

Cara (friend)

Dia (god)

Slán (goodbye)

For answers see here!

Sources: [X] [X] [X] [X] Listening: [X] [X] Complete pronunciation guide on wikipedia

[steliosagapitos]

[the13thtraveler]

Wand Woods in the American Wizarding Confederation

All my love to @americanwizarding for the AWC which they created!

While all wands are capable of performing a full range of magic, it is common knowledge in the wandlore community that certain woods perform better in diverse areas from their compatriots. These differences vary from wood to wood, augmented by their cores, length, flexibility, and the mage they bond with. While we may be able to generalize most woods and cores, an exact science remains impossible with the addition of the human element. Furthermore the trees of America produce magical effects and demonstrate properties that are far different from their European counterparts. Below are 33 examples of popular wand woods used in the AWC.

Black Walnut: The Patronus Wand The American variety of Walnut is possessed of qualities far unlike that of its European counterpart. Black Walnut wands tend to be paired with masters who imbue the woods prefered qualities of intellect and insight. Potent in all manner of charms, Black Walnut wands are some of the best suited of American wand woods for the production of powerful Patronuses and other defensive magic. While the wand will never turn against its original owner, even if taken in battle, the Black Walnut wand has one very specific foible; it will never function properly for anyone who is not true to himself. This particular quirk has led to the phrase “Darkest Walnut for the Brightest Souls”. Black Willow: The Mental Wand While the European Willow may pair well with the underachiever, the Black Willow prefers those who are themselves insecure and unsure. Strongly attuned to the inner natures of its owner, Black Willow fuels itself upon those negative feelings. Black Willow holders have noted that bleak periods of depression usually manifested powerful magical abilities that seemed to devour their dark moods. Magical Psychologists typically keep a Black Willow wand on hand to counter and offset the depressive symptoms of their patients. In owners who overcome their darker moods, the Black Willow proves itself a powerful wand, excellent for mental magic and spells that deal with ghosts and other ethereal beings. Black Cherry: The Passionate Wand Boasting far more power than their Asian cousins, the American Black Cherry is a deadly force to be reckoned with. This is odd because the nature of Black Cherry prefers artists and philosophers over battlemages and duelists. Owners of such wands tend to be flamboyant and mercurial in emotions and perceptions, but in times of need boast reliability and loyalty. The nature of the Black Cherry wand seems to be that it enjoys the chaos of wild and dangerous magic as much as it loves the beautiful madness of the artist’s mind. Black Cherry takes quickly to elemental magic, particularly fire and air. Of note, MACAWIC did consider banning the wand wood during the late 1800’s after a spate of violent feuds between painters of rival schools. Osage Orange: The Methodical Wand A preferred wand of the battlemage, Osage Orange may lack the brute power of other wands but makes up for it in its accuracy and reliability. Owners of such wands tend to be methodical thinkers and pragmatists, as the nature of the wood conflicts greatly with any discord or disorganization. During the initial colonization of the New World by European settlers, Osage Orange wands were prized among the settlers looking to fight against the native tribes who were defending their land. It was because of this connotation with the wood that it fell out of favor during the early 1800’s only to make a strong comeback with the reintroduction of International Dueling Exhibitions in the 1950’s.

Honey Locust: The Technical Wand A strong wood of reliability and logic, Honey Locust pairs best with mages who display a technical bend of thinking. Honey Locust’s properties mean that it is perhaps the most accurate and delicate of wand woods available today. Highly desired by mages who work in experimental magic, especially magic involving technology as Honey Locust seems to not disrupt Mundane Technology as much as other woods, it tends not to function as well with flashy and violent spells. Honey Locust performs its best magic when used in conjunction with non-verbal magic. The MRD keeps a cache of Honey Locust wands for use in its experiments, and it is a well known historical fact that the mages involved with the first magical spaceflight all used wands of this wood. Flowering Dogwood: The Prankster Wand Prankster by nature, the Flowering Dogwood enjoys a wild and chaotic nature bending towards mages who dislike calm and quiet. Typically refusing to use non-verbal magic and magic that has no visual or auditory effect, owners of Flowering Dogwood wands are more likely to violate the International Statute of Secrecy over all other wand woods. One should not think though that this wood cannot be taken seriously as many famous duelists wielded Flowering Dogwood wands to amazing effect. Wands made of this wood are best suited to using transfigurations and illusory magic, specifically illusions that affect all five senses at once.

Blue Ash: The Explorer Wand Early American explorers were armed only with wands made of Blue Ash for good reason. Blue Ash wands tend toward potent defensive and survival magic and make excellent pairings with naturalists and magizoologists alike. Best bonding with those of brave or at least inquisitive dispositions, Blue Ash proves itself in moments of great need or mortal peril. While it does poorly with loud magic, the Blue Ash is one of the best wands for the transfiguration of natural materials and in particular food. Today some of the greatest chefs in the magical world use wands made of Blue Ash.

Eastern Mayhaw: The Silent Wand No other wand wood in America has as dark a reputation as the Eastern Mayhaw. Used by Lady Isabelle Temper during her reign of terror, the Mayhaw owner is sometimes unfairly looked upon with distrust by the magical community. Eastern Mayhaw wands pair best with solitary thinkers and other introverts who dislike large groups of people and the noise they bring. Mayhaw wands are well attuned to the subtle magic of silence and death and so are comfortable with non-flashy charms and curses alike.

White Pine: The Regal Wand Purist families had long praised the properties and powers of pine wands, believing that like Elm wood they would only perform for Pure-Blooded mages. This is of course nothing more than empty boasting and blood prejudice. White Pine is prized because it typically bonds well with those of more regal and serious demeanors, avoiding the jocular and uncouth. Wands of White Pine perform their magic reliably and quietly; one rarely can ever get a wand of this kind to perform loud and flashy magic. Non-verbal spellcasters excel easily with White Pine, and those suited to quiet lives of study or in the salons of the wealthy will find a mutual friend in their wand.

Red Mulberry: The Miner Wand So-called the wand of the backwoods because of its popularity in the Appalachian Mountains of the AWC. In truth the Red Mulberry enjoys its reputation because of its deep affinity for underground spaces and earth magic. Wands of this sort are possessed of natural abilities for dowsing and divining precious metals, gems, and lost treasures. Old magical families have jealously guarded Red Mulberry trees capable of producing wands in order to limit their rivals treasure hunting prowess; a danger that could undercut some of these old families own methods of gaining wealth, that is prospecting. For those not inclined to hunt below the ground the Red Mulberry pairs well with calm and patient mages. Red Mulberry is known for its slow learning curve with new spells, but its innate precision and reliability more than make up for this downside.

Red Cedar: The Questing Wand The wand of the mage with a purpose in life, Red Cedar pairs well with those disposed to questing. A steadfast wand wood that prefers owners of strong character and moral fiber who cannot be swayed from their cause by any means. While owners of Red Cedar do tend to be hard headed, this does not mean that they are fundamentalists or extremists, rather they are devoted to their cause. Red Cedar performs well with most charms but does seem to falter with most curses and dark magic.

Hackberry: The Naturalist Wand The AWC’s famous “mountain men” (who were mostly women) were known to prefer wands made of Hackberry as their magic blended well with the wilds of the frontier. Today the Hackberry wand is drawn to those who prefer the outdoors over the indoors and those who aren’t afraid to leave the forest path. With a bend towards naturalistic magic that gives power over plants and animals, Hackberry wands are found with magizoologists and magical explorers searching for lost cities hidden by ancient enchantments. Much of the Hackberry’s draw is that it’s magic is sometimes completely indistinguishable from nature itself.

River Birch: The Diplomatic Wand The wand of many languages comes from the river. This old quote from early settlers speaks to the nature of the River Birch wand, namely that it has strong ties to magic affecting language and sound. River Birch owners tend to be diplomatic in nature and excellent public speakers, unafraid of crowds or being the center of attention. River Birch wands excel at magic aimed at infusing the spirit or decoding messages and languages foreign to the owner. While it may not be the most powerful in a battle, owners of River Birch wands tend to be so good at diplomacy that they never need enter battle at all.

Apple: The Healer Wand Apple wands are the providence of the caregiver and the supporter. Excellent wands for healing and teaching, Apple wood rejects all dark magic and openly embraces restorative and protective charms. Owners of such wands are of a caring nature and are not afraid to put the needs of others before their own. Refusing outright to turn on their original owner, Apple wood wands can and will in fact conspire to return to their rightful master sometimes using their own magic to effect an escape.

Scarlet Oak: The Honor Wand Fiery personalities find themselves reflected in the nature and power of the Scarlet Oak. A wild and difficult to tame wand wood, the Scarlet Oak bonds with owners of wild passions and a strong sense of personal honor. Preferring that their respect be earned, some wands won’t perform properly until it and its owner pass through some manner of trial or tribulation. Best suited for battlemagic and other violent spells, a wand of Scarlet Oak will flat out refuse to cast non-verbal magic, believing it to be dishonorable.

American Hornbeam: The Rival Wand Unlike their European cousins the American Hornbeam strives to challenge and rival its wielder, requiring effort and work far beyond that of other woods. Bonding with those who never back down or surrender, Hornbeam wands are actually prized amongst American aurors who view the quirk of the wood to be extremely beneficial to their work. As Hornbeam grows as its wielder overcomes challenges, the aurors who wield them tend to be some of the most powerful mages in the AWC.

Mesquite: The Morphic Wand A wand of fire and change the Mesquite wand is comfortable in the hands of either a duelist or a transfigurer. Able to handle the complex magic needed for advanced and sometimes dangerous transformations, wands of Mesquite bend morphic fields better and faster than other woods. In the hands of a fighter though the woods propensity for effecting change manifests itself in the wide variety of disfigurements and disabilities one can inflict upon an opponent. Some of the most popular, and conversely dangerous, curses of the late 20th century were invented by mages who owned Mesquite wands.

Catclaw Acacia: The Moral Wand As fickle as their name implies the Catclaw wand only allies itself with a mage of strong moral standing and impeccable demeanour. Oddly the Catclaw wand is perhaps one of the best at producing curses and other forms of dangerous magic. Some theorists believe that the wood itself is aware of its own power and potential for destruction, and that is why it only bonds with mages who are able to hold themselves in check. It is true that while the wood of the Catclaw could produce devastation on a large scale, it never has as wielders of such wands have yet to be counted amongst the ranks of dark mages.

California Laurel: The Optimists Wand Laurel wands are known for their glow, gained from the decades spent absorbing the golden sun of California. Pairing best with those who have a positive world outlook, Laurel wood sets itself apart from other woods in its ability to oppose magical influence of the mind. Many Laurel owners are highly accomplished Occlumens, even able to spread their mental protections to those around them. Laurel wands rarely take to dark magic or even the slightest curses, as harm to others seems to be an abhorrent concept to them.

Desert Ironwood: The Survivor Wand The survivor’s wand links itself with those who have the courage and the ability to overcome the trials set before them. Ironwood earns its name through the power it applies to survivalist magic and protective charms, both of which experience strong boosts when cast by such wands. While wielders of the wood may be strong in body, they are also strong in spirit and belief. Many well-known activists and campaigners for change were owners of Ironwood wands, a testament to the woods affinity for strong souls and brave hearts.

Douglas Fir: The Helper Wand Choosing from mages who are by their nature selfless and caring, the Douglas Fir amplifies any protective or nurturing magic that is used upon another. Mages who cast Shield Charms on their friends and loved ones find that when using a wand of this wood, those charms become almost unbreakable. While Douglas Fir wands are commonly found in the hands of Healers and caregivers, they are also well placed amongst aurors and agents of the Department of Secrecy and Obfuscation.

Bristlecone Pine: The Warrior Wand It should come as no surprise that many of the wand woods harvested from within the AWC are well adapted towards war and battlemagic. After all the continent is one of revolutions (American and Mexican to name two), wars between nations (colonists vs first peoples), and ever-shifting changes. But of all the wands that excel at combat all are outshone by the Bristlecone Pine. A wand that demands a fighter and accepts no less, a wand that desires to pass through combat and return a hero, a wand that seeks enemies to overcome. Never get in the way of a mage with a Pine wand, it may be the last thing you do.

Rocky Mountain Juniper: The Ambitious Wand Juniper wands are wands of youthful spirit and high ambition. Keepers of Juniper wands are known for their youthful attitude, playfulness, and desire for a higher purpose. Producing charms of great intricacy, as well as excelling in emotional magic, makes wands of this wood very popular with popular people. Both well known celebrities, Quadpot athletes, and politicians in the Magical Congress wield Juniper wands, a sign of the woods driving ambition.

Silver Spruce: The Introvert Wand Highly desired for its deep gray color, Silver Spruce wands are as somber as their preferred match. Useful in all forms of divinatory magic wands made of this wood typically function at their most powerful when alone with their owner. It seems that the presence of other mages leads to some flaw in the Silver Spruce wood that decreases its potency, yet this quirk is not seen when the wand is surrounded by Mundies. As the wood will only bond with a consummate introvert, and typically one touched with the Seer’s gift, the fact that Silver Spruce dislikes company rarely poses a problem for its owner.

Golden Aspen: The Beautiful Wand Producing perhaps the most beautiful and heartbreaking magic of all wand woods, the Golden Aspen seeks out those with imaginations and dreams far beyond their contemporaries. Blossoming forth charms of colorful and audible beauty, Golden Aspen is almost incapable of producing non-verbal magic or even any type of quiet and hidden spell. It is a wood that desires to be seen and experienced by everyone. Augmenting its power by tapping into the imagination of the one it bonds with, Golden Aspen can bring such wonders as its owner dreams into reality. Prized by authors, actors, painters, and dreamers alike, this wand is known for its almost conscious disregard for the International Statute of Secrecy.

Alpine Larch: The Stormcloud Wand The environs of the AWC are notable in their diversity of geography and weather. Alpine Larch wands embody this fact with their bend towards meteorological magic. Seeking for their own a mage with the soul of a storm, the Larch wand proves itself to be almost unstoppable when enraged. Truely, early dark mages were known for wreaking havoc with Larch wood, most notably Anders Borkman the notorious “Storm Bringer”. Other than weather magic the Larch responds well to spells that affect the four basic elements and charms that purify air and water.

White Fir: The Creature Wand White Fir is the wood of the fauna of America. Attracted by mages who don’t seek to subjugate but rather co-exist with the natural world, White Fir wands find themselves best suited to naturalists and magizoologists. Unlike wand woods like Hackberry and Pawpaw that bend nature, White Fir rather does its best when it is helping nature to grow its own way rather than the way a mage feels it should. Owners of such wands are usually predisposed to innate abilities like Snake-Talking, Bird-Kissed, or even Stone-Speak.

Ohio Buckeye: The Servile Wand Unlike other wands, the Buckeye willingly twists itself to conform to the needs of its chosen mage. Buckeye looks for mages of vastly diverse interests and qualities; specifically jacks-of-all-trade. Its propensity for change makes it extremely useful as a utilitarian wand, but because it adapts so quickly it can also become quite dangerous. Mages testing out new spells may find them too powerful to begin with, resulting in accidents and potentially fatal backfires.

Giant Redwood: The Unyielding Wand Standing tall, proud, and true are characteristics Redwood wands look for in the mages they choose. Picking only those who are willing to be themselves no matter the cost, Redwood supplies its owner with a powerful knack for dueling and other martial magic. A wand of lost causes, history has shown time and again stories of mages armed only with Redwood wands turning the tide of battle, or rallying others to their cause. Extremely rare, the AWC considered banning the wood due to concerns over the endangered state of the species.

Yellow Poplar: The Extraverts Wand The wand of the people pleaser, the party animal, the center of attention. As even the Europeans say “the Poplar is Popular”. Boosting advanced power for charms, Yellow Poplar bonds best with extraverts, but not with those who are full of themselves. Rather it selects for itself the outgoing individual whose personality seeks to build up those around them, rather than tear them down. Yellow Poplar produces amazing results with human transfigurations, particularly those that only alter appearance much like Mundi makeup.

White Elm: The Dominion Wand White Elm is the wood of both the strong-minded  but careful leader and the fanatical despot. Enjoying a period of heavy use during the AWC’s slavery era, White Elm is known for its potent mind control and mood altering properties that have given it such a dark reputation over the years. Today many wandmakers refuse to use the wood out of both disgust at its history and fear of what it could do in the wrong hands. However one should not judge current wielders over past events. Today most of the justices on the Supreme Wizengamot own White Elm wands, a sign that the wood also has a strong propensity for justice, in the right hands.

Pawpaw: The Building Wand The wand of farmers loves those who study herbology and live for the feel of earth between their fingers. Pawpaw bonds best with mages who prefer to use their own hands rather than simply cast a charm or a spell. This does not mean that the wand refuses to help build, far from it. Pawpaw wood is best known for its ability and focus in fabrication magic and in the hands of a talented builder or even artist, it can construct modern wonders. Farmers, construction workers, hands-on artists, and even architects and designers find that Pawpaw wands are drawn to them and their self-made nature.

Eastern Redbud: The Seeker Wand “Nothing is lost under the Redbud’s eye” was an old phrase concerning the properties of the Redbud wand. Like the Silver Spruce, Redbud has a potent affinity for divination magic. However while the Spruce may be better at seeking the future, Redbud seeks in the present. Location magic and spells of revelation are far more powerful when cast with a Redbud wand then any other wand wood. AB-DENS is always sure to keep spare wands of this wood on hand for cases of prisoner escapes and missing persons. Redbud binds best with the inquisitive, especially those who never stop asking questions.

[cloverywands-deactivated2023030]

🌲Wand Wood Series #83: Tamarack 🌲

🌲 Thoughts:

Belonging to the larch family, tamarack wands possess similar characteristics to the Scottish larch and also desire wand owners with hidden and untapped potential.

These wand owners are more hard-hearted than their other larch counterparts and do not mind their inability to fit in with the crowd as much. 

They prefer to go their own way and makes friends by accident than by any real efforts.

Being in the background suits them ill, and they are at their best when in the limelight.

Self-sufficient people, they are good at assessing and taking care of their own needs without much fuss or stretching themselves too thin. 

Their issue that holds them back is their overemphasis on practicality and their lack of imagination. They despise exaggeration and general hyperbole. Upon being blindsided by the unpredictable, they can become stuck and unable to move forward with any of their other plans. 

Its elemental composition is ice based with water as a secondary element. Does not cast fire based magics effectively. 

Tamarack enhances magics to do with healing, technology, travel,  locomotion, decoys, and bonds.

Wands made with tamarack tend to fare well in all subjects. There is special talent with charm-work.

They thrive in any career involving leadership and critique. Careers involving healing, technology, and charms are common.

Mint green, white, and gold swirls are emitted during spellwork. Its magic smells of tamarack needles, sugar, and falling snow.

Tamarack wands prefer colder temperatures, and perform more potently under those conditions. In contrast, their performance is weaker during hot weather conditions.

Common patronuses include: geese, snowshoe hares, polar bears, ptarmigans, sparrows, red squirrels, porcupines, Swedish Short-Snouts, yetis, sasquatches,

[official-ilvermorny]

What are some the wand cores used in American wand making? Taking out horned serpent horns, jackalope antlers, and wampus hair.

Thank you for asking! I’m sure there are more wand cores than those I’ve heard of, but here is a list (this includes cores used that are not native to America, ones that were passed down, and those from a long time ago that were not claimed yet/until recently):

Common cores (relatively easy to obtain, sometimes by trading):Jackalope antlerThunderbird tail featherWampus cat hairSnallygaster featherPhoenix featherRougarou hairQuetzalcoatl featherUnicorn hairDragon heartstringChupacabra spineWinged Horse feather/hair

Rarer cores (due to difficulty in getting them or the need for gifting from the being):Horned Serpent hornWhite River Monster spineDryad hairPukwudgie thornSasquatch hairNixie hairWendigo spinal cord

You also sent in a couple of suggestions, which are good thoughts, but apart from Pukwudgie thorn, aren’t used in wand-making as far as I know. Hidebehind fur is very hard to get, and when someone does come across it, it is usually used in camouflaging cloaks and such. It’s possible there are a couple of Hidebehind wands out there, but I can’t imagine many. And then magpie feather - magpies aren’t magical I believe, so they couldn’t be used as a wand core.

Thanks for asking! Wandlore is a small side hobby of mine, so this was fun to answer!

~Prefect Selwyn

[wandlores]

Pottermore Wand Test 101

Hi darlings, I thought I would make this post to make it easier for all of you to find your true wand!

Many people ask me what each answer means/results to when you choose them. This is what I have gathered from mastering/studying the test.

Your wand length is determined by what artifact you choose from the chest, and your height.

Your wand core is determined by what artifact you choose from the chest, and what you fear most.

Your wand flexibility is determined by what you pride most in yourself, and if you were born on an even or odd date.

And last but not least, your wand wood is determined by your eye color, what is your most prided trait, and what path you would choose to go. 

When it comes to personality analysis, the questions you need to get the most accurate/clear within yourself are what is your true eye color, what is the path you would take, and what is your most prided trait. This is because your wand wood determines the personality of you and your wand the most. Cores have a lot to do with it too, but your wood is what you want to get the most accurate. Lengths/cores can be explained basically within any personality.. it just depends on the angle you look at it from. 

The eye color part probably seems silly to all of you, like of course you know your eye color.. but this is honestly what people screw up the most (other than their most prided trait). I used to think my eyes were blue/grey.. but after talking to people and getting multiple opinions, my eyes are actually blue. That changed my WHOLE wand personality. Not even joking. Getting the correct eye color on the test is crucial. Get multiple opinions from people on what they think your eye color is. It will make a huge difference.

When you approach what you pride most in yourself. Think about what makes you most defensive. The character trait you defend most to other people is your most prided trait, period. If you did not pride that trait in yourself, you would not bother getting defensive when people bring it up in a negative fashion. 

When you look at the path, think about how you solve problems. Do you meet them head on and don’t take time to think (forest), or do you like to go off on your own for awhile to think things through and have some peace (sea or castle)? This question isn’t just about the symbolism.. it is also about which environment you do prefer, but keep that in mind when you answer if you are really torn between two options. Do you like regal things and like to think/get advice before you solve a problem/make a decision (castle)? Do you like calming things and like to find peace in yourself before making a decision (sea)? Or do you like going straight ahead to solve your problem so you don’t have to worry about it anymore (forest)? 

When you try to figure out the artifact, think about what each item symbolizes or what that item would do if it had magical powers. Are you insanely curious and like to read/have answers to everything (scroll)? Do you like the idea of power (dagger)? Do you like looking into something and seeing who you really are or on the other side (mirror)? These are just possible interpretations for some of them. I’m not going to list every artifact.

When you try to figure out your fear, think of it symbolically again. You might legitimately fear heights, but what does heights also symbolize? The fear of lacking control, the fear of not having security, etc. If one of your literal fears isn’t on the test, you should look at the answers symbolically. 

For height to be most accurate, I would look at it from this scale.

Short for your age: Below 5 feet - to 5 foot 3.

Average for your age: 5 foot 4 to about 5 foot 7.

Tall for your age: 5 foot 8 and taller.

The easiest question to answer is your birth date, you cannot get that wrong (unless you’re not clear on what odd or even numbers are, which I doubt). The rest of them take a lot of thought. If you follow this guide, it could potentially help you. It really helped me.

Also, talking about these things with people that know you well will really help. They see things in you that you don’t see yourself. You might think you are most defensive about one trait, but you’re actually most defensive about another.. because the person that you talk to SEES what you are most defensive about.. even if you aren’t aware of the fact you’re being most defensive about it. 

I really wish you all the best of luck. Remember to use this resource so you don’t have to take the test multiple times with different accounts (I have tested the resource, it is accurate).. and remember to always follow your gut. Your gut instinct should also match what you have analyzed to be accurate. If it doesn’t match your analysis, then it is still wrong. It should all line up. It does take a lot of time. You won’t figure this out in a day (if you want to get an accurate wand). 

If any of you have any questions, my ask box is always open! I will also analyze your wands once you figure them out. Enjoy your self-discovery process. x 

[amandaherzman]

wandwood gift for a friend - english oak

[amandaherzman]

more wand woods :)

in order from top to bottom; ivy, birch, apple, elm and rowan

[minneral]

well you said you were bored so what about hawthorn and sphinx?

Hawthorn

Hawthorn wands are well suited to healing, charms, potions, and defense. This durable wand wood is tolerant and adaptable, but despite its strength and patience, it can be indecisive. These wands may prefer to keep busy with multiple projects or areas of study, rather than focusing all their energy on one thing.They look for owners who are considerate, creative, and resourceful.

Sources: [x] [x] [x] [x]

Sphinx

Sphinx cores excel at defense, hexes, curses, and transfiguration. They are highly inquisitive and sharp, allowing them to learn at a quick pace. These cores are loyal, and can become possessive of their owners due to their strong protective instincts. They choose discerning and innovative owners who show integrity.

Sources: [x] [x]

Hawthorn and Sphinx

This wand is a powerful defensive combination, due to the protective nature of both wood and core. Sphinx and hawthorn wands are  fast learners, which can lead them to be easily bored. They tend to be very individualistic and personable. They are very loyal and close-bonding, and have a strong sense of fairness. Their preferred owner is active, inventive, and honest.

[queerasbuck]

Schools of magic

I reblogged and commented on this post yesterday, and since then I haven’t been able to stop thinking about my headcanons for magic schools in the British Isles so here they are:

The Tlachtga School of Sorcery

in Ireland, near the Hill of Ward

only accepts witches

founded ca. 300BC

all classes in Irish Gaelic

The Cúchulainn Academy

in Ireland, located somewhere in the Cooley Mountains, County Louth

accepts all genders

founded ca. 100AD

all classes in Irish Gaelic

The Balta School of Magic

Scottish, located on the island Balta (Shetland)

founded ca. 900AD by Scottish siblings Sláine and Cináed as an alternative to Hogwarts

all classes in Scottish Gaelic

only accessible via portkey or the floo network

The Avalon Academy

founded by the priestesses of Avalon, ca. 500AD

located in the mythological castle Caer Sidi on the Isle of Avalon

reached via Dinas Emrys in Gwynedd

all classes in Welsh

constructive criticism is very welcome!

@norsesuggestions you might be interested?

[secattention]

Types of Divination

ASTROLOGY is divination using celestial bodies: the sun, moon, planets, and stars.

CARTOMANCY is fortune telling using cards such as the Tarot.

CLAIRAUDIENCE is “clear hearing” of divinatory information. Parapsychologist generally regard as a form of extrasensory perception.

CLAIRVOYANCE is “clear seeing” of divinatory information. Parapsychologist generally regard as a form of extrasensory perception.

CRYSTALLOMANCY is divination through crystal gazing.

DOWSING or DIVINING RODS are methods of divination where a forked stick is used to locate water or precious minerals.

NUMEROLOGY is the numerical interpretation of numbers, dates, and the number value of letters.

OCULOMANCY is divination from a person’s eye.

PALMISTRY is the broad field of divination and interpretation of the lines and structure of the hand.

PRECOGNITION in an inner knowledge or sense of future events.

PSYCHOMETRY is the faculty of gaining impressions from a physical object and its history.

RADIESTHESIA is the general term for divination using a device such as a divining rod or pendulum. Other forms include “table tipping” which was practiced at the White House in the 19th century, the Ouija board, automatic writing (or superconscious writing), and scrying.

SCIOMANCY is divination using a spirit guide, a method generally employed by chanelers.

SCRYING is a general term for divination using a crystal, mirrors, bowls of water, ink, or flames to induce visions.

TASSEOGRAPHY is the reading of tea leaves that remain in a tea cup once the beverage has been drunk.

Uncommon Types of Divination

AEROMANCY divination from the air and sky, particularly concentrating on cloud shapes, comets, and other phenomena not normally visible in the heavens.

ALECTRYOMANCY is divination whereby a bird is allowed to pick corn grains from a circle of letters. A variation is to recite letters of the alphabet noting those at which a cock crows.

ALEUROMANCY is divination using “fortune cookies”; answers to questions are rolled into balls of dough and once baked are chosen at random.

ALOMANCY is divination by table salt.

ALPHITOMANCY uses special cakes that are digestible by persons with a clear conscience but are unpleasant to others.

ANTHROPOMANCY is the long-outlawed means of divination by human sacrifice.

APANTOMANCY is divination through chance meetings with animals (e.g., a black cat), birds, and other creatures. Mexico City is said to have been founded where Aztec soothsayers saw an eagle flying from a cactus carrying a live snake.

ARITHMANCY or ARITHMOMANCY is an earlier form of NUMEROLOGY where divination is made through numbers and the number value of letters.

ASTRAGLOMANCY or ASTRAGYROMANCY is a form of divination by dice where the faces of the dice bear numbers and letters.

AUGURY is the general term for the art of divination and is chiefly applied to interpretations of signs and omens.

AUSTROMANCY is divination by the study of the winds.

AXIOMANCY is divination through the observation of how an ax or hatchet quivers or points when driven into post.

BELOMANCY is an ancient form of divination performed by tossing or balancing arrows.

BIBLIOMANCY involves divination by books.

BOTANOMANCY is divination from burning tree branches and leaves.

BUMPOLOGY strictly a modern term, a popular nickname for PHRENOLOGY

CAPNOMANCY is the study of smoke rising from a fire.

CATOPTROMANCY is an early form of crystal gazing that utilizes a mirror turned to the moon to catch moonbeams.

CAUSIMOMANCY is divination from behavior of objects placed in a fire.

CEPHALOMANCY refers to divination with the skull or head of a donkey or goat.

CERAUNOSCOPY seeks to draw omens from the study of thunder and lightning.

CEROSCOPY, CEROMANCY is a form of fortune telling in which melted was is poured into cold water.

CHIROMANCY is divination from the lines on people’s hands.

CHIROGNOMY is the study of the general hand formation.

CLEROMANCY is divination by “casting lots”, similar to dice but with objects such as pebbles or sea shells.

CLIDOMANCY or CLEIDOMANCY is divination using a dangling key. see RADIESTHESIA.

COSCINOMANCY is divination using a hanging sieve. see RADIESTHESIA.

CRITOMANCY is the study of barley cakes.

CROMNIOMANCY is divination using onion sprouts.

CYCLOMANCY is the practice of divination from a turning wheel.

DACTYLOMANCY is an early form of RADIESTHESIA using a dangling ring.

DAPHNOMANCY requires one to listen to laurel branches crackling in an open fire.

DEMONOMANCY is divination with the aid of demons.

DENDROMANCY is divination with either oak or mistletoe.

GASTROMANCY is an ancient form of ventriloquism whereby the voice is lowered to a sepulchral tone and prophetic utterances are delivered in a trance state.

GELOSCOPY is the divination from the tone of someone’s laughter.

GENETHLIALOGY is divination by the influence of the stars at birth.

GEOMANCY is the study of figures on the ground and the influence of the Earth’s “currents”.

GRAPHOLOGY is the analysis of character through handwriting.

GYROMANCY is a divination procedure where a person walks in a circle marked with letters until they become dizzy and stumble at different points, thus spelling out a prophesy.

HALOLMANCY see ALOMANCY

HARUSPICATION is fortune-telling by means of inspecting the entrails of animals, as practiced by priests in ancient Rome.

HIEROMANCY or HIERSCOPY is divination by observing object of ancient sacrifice.

HIPPOMANCY is a form of divination from the stamping and neighing of horses.

HOROSCOPY is the practice of casting of astrological horoscopes.

HYDROMANCY is divination by water including the color, ebb and flow, or ripples produced by pebbles dropped in a pool.

ICHTHYOMANCY is divination using fish.

LAMPADOMANCY is divination using lights or torches.

LECANOMANCY uses a basin of water for divination.

LIBANOMANCY is the study of incense and its smoke.

LITHOMANCY is divination using precious stones of various colors.

MARGARITOMANCY is the procedure of using bouncing pearls.

METAGNOMY is the divination using “visions” received in a trance state.

METEOROMANCY is divination from meteors.

METOPOSCOPY is the reading of character using the lines if the forehead.

MOLEOSOPHY is the study of moles and indicators of a person’s character and future indications.

MOLYBDOMANCY draws mystic inferences from the hissing of molten lead.

MYOMANCY is the study of the prophetic meaning of behavior of rats and mice.

OINOMANCY is divination using wine.

OMPHALOMANCY is counting the number of knots in the umbilical cord to predict how many more children the mother will have.

ONEIROMANCY is the interpretation of dreams and their prophetic nature.

ONOMANCY is the study of the meaning of names.

ONOMANTICS is the application of ONOMANCY applied to personal names, particularly in the sense of occult interpretation.

ONYCHOMANCY is the study of fingernails.

OOMANTIA and OOSCOPY is the method of divination by eggs.

OPHIOMANCY is divination from serpents.

ORNISCOPY and ORINITHOMANCY is the study of omens associated with birds, particularly birds in flight. see APANTOMANCY

OVOMANCY is another type of egg divination.

PEGOMANCY concerns itself with spring water and bubbling fountains and the omens contained therein.

PHRENOLOGY is the long practiced study of head formations.

PHYLLORHODOMANCY is a means of divination whereby one slaps a rose petal against the hand and judges the favorability of the omen by the loudness of the sound.

PHYSIOGNOMY is the study of character analysis through physical features.

PSYCHOGRAPHY is a form of mysterious writing having a divinatory nature.

PYROMANCY and PYROSCOPY are forms of divination by fire or flame, often assisted by substances thrown onto the flames.

RHABDOMANCY is divination using a stick or wand. These methods were forerunners of the divining rod.

RHAPSODOMANCY is a means of divination using a book of poetry whereby the book is opened at random and a passage read.

SIDEROMANCY is the burning of straws with a hot iron, the resulting figures having divinatory properties.

SORTILEGE is the casting of lots and the assessment of omens indicated.

SPODOMANCY is divination using cinders or soot.

STICHOMANCY is another form of throwing open a book and selecting a random passage for the purpose of divination.

STOLISOMANCY draws omens from the way people dress.

SYCOMANCY is performed by writing messages on tree leaves; the slower they dry, the more favorable the omen. A modern variation is to write on slips of paper (always including one blank) and rolling them up. They are then held in a strainer over a boiling pot; the first to unroll will be answered.

TEPHRAMANCY is divination by ashes obtained from the burning of tree bark.

TIROMANCY is a type of divination using cheese.

XYLOMANCY is divination from pieces of wood, either from their shape when collected or their appearance while burning.

[glamourweaver]

Other Wizarding Schools

So Rowling has identified 7 of the 11 “Great Wizarding Schools” in the world (there are others, but these are the largest and most respected). - Hogwarts in the UK - Bauxbatons in France - Durmstrang in an unknown local in northern Europe - Ilvermorny is North America - Castelobruxo in Brazil - Mahoutokoro in Japan - Uagadou in Africa (its name is West African, Burkina Faso in origin to be precise, but its location in the semi-legendary Mountains of the Moon should place it in southeastern Africa near Uganda & Tanzania) Here’s my conceptual hopes on the other 4…. - A school in China, whose headmaster is a sapient dragon, where the students learn Neidan, which for wizards can involve the literal creation of potions within themselves - A school in the Afghan mountains whose history goes all the way back to the Greco-Bactrians, which has built its identity as a cultural crossroads, particularly in the maintaining of Persian elemental magics and Indian siddhas with students from throughout central and south Asia - A school that drifts through the deserts of Arabia where the green robed headmaster (the robes passed down from master to apprentice since the original Al-Khidr himself… or is it still the same man?) teaches his students the pacts of the djinn forged by Sulaiman, and the esoteric truths and power of the Batin.  [note: as the Muslim wizarding world uses the term Sihr, it refers to Dark Magic, and that is what they interpret the Quran’s prohibition on Sihr to refer to]  - The 11th geographically should be one in Australia, and it could have some cool backstory that since none of the wizarding families of Europe relocated to Australia initially, the only white wizards there were the Muggle-Born with no frame of reference for what they were, and they had to be led by the nose by the Aboriginal magical community - however, while interesting, this would lead to white colonists draping themselves in the magical and cultural traditions of very people they’re conquering and slaughtering in reality - which is all kinds of gross.  So I’m not sure what direction to go with this one. (I’ve got some ideas for smaller Wizarding schools too, like a Jewish Kabbalist one that has relocated itself time and time again since the diaspera; a historically black wizarding school in Louisiana which strong Vodoun traditions; a new school hidden in a major city rather than the wilderness, that is attempting to integrate Muggle-tech and engagement with the Muggle-world with magic)

[onlymomentwhenwerealone]

WIZARDING SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD

 (Okay, so it’s been a while that I think … I started writing just to get it out of my head and now I’m gone too far. I need to share it. Stop me here, please.

So JK Rowling admitted that Salem Institute wasn’t a school. And I must admit that it doesn’t really bother me. Also, I’d like to introduce you to another school, which would hang up Oceania.

EUROPE

• Howgarts : Scotland. - United Kingdom (England, Ireland, Scotland) - Minerva McGONAGALL.

• Durmstrang : Scandinavia - close to a lake. - Northern Europe (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Estonia) and the East (Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Albania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania). - Kalina MASARYK.

• Beauxbâtons : France - in the Pyrenees. - Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece) and West (Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland). - Olympe MAXIME.

AMERICA

• Kings Academy of Sorcery. Ilvermorny. United States - Louisiana. - North America (USA, Canada, Greenland, Mexico, Caribbean). -  Zachary LEWIS : youngest director of the Kings Academy, Zachary Lewis encourages freewill and autonomy. Kings students have considerable freedom of action with few restrictions. Lack of headmaster’s severity is sometimes criticized by his peers. But Zachary Lewis puts a point of honor that its students learn for themselves the concept of respect and authority. Trivia : - the emblem of the academy is a “K” crown. - the motto is « Terra non caelum mutant qui trans mare currunt » (“ crossing the sea, you change the earth, not sky”). - the academy is surrounded by a marsh that protects against intrusions. A huge crocodile enchanted lives inside and became the school mascot. - the Academy is based on the university model of “Greek community”. - each community has her own residence. - students choose themselves their community. - each community has her motto, her principles, her codes and her representatives. Representatives manage the functioning (and harmony) within and between communities. - there are three fraternities : > Alpha-Rhô “excel for good” (For :ambition, excellence, merit. Against : fraud, dishonor, failure) > Khi-Thêta “do not waste your time (,use it rightfully)” (For : solidarity, collective, loyalty, selflessness. Against : conflict, betrayal, careerism) > Nu-Kappa-Pi “it is a cloud, that will pass” (For : talent, ease, fun, diversity. Against : killjoy, spoilsport, wet blanket, party pooper…) - three sororities : > Omicron-Epsilon-Delta “which had to be proven“  (For : hard work, learning, rightness, mutual aid. Against : deception, violence) > Lambda- Sigma “speech is the shadow of the act”  (For : discovery, franchise, action, the will and courage. Against : cowardice, lying, imposture) > Kappa-Delta “new ideas”  (For : justice, duty, equality, determination. Against : inequity, abuse, bias) - and three mixed : >Sigma-Mu “with the mind” (For : knowledge by theory, discernment, raw intelligence, firmness.  Against : ignorance, narrow minds) >Iota-Khi “with the hand” (For : knowledge through practice, cooperation, perseverance, creativity. Against : resignation) > Gamma-Lambda “know thyself”  (For those who do not want or were not able to choose membership). - each community has a representative and all representatives form the Committee. - all the events are organized by the Committee (apportionment of new students, club management, sports events and festivities). They also deal with the application of sanctions. They are responsible for relationship between students, teachers and the headmaster. - the committee also organizes events to maintain the rivalry between communities. - at the end of each year, teachers vote for the community that has been most effective and the elected community becomes the “primary community” (inter alia, the community has authority over all decisions).

• Enganolho Brazilian School of Magic, Castelobruxo. Brazil - Bahia. - South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay USA, Argentina). - Hélio FORTES : Man of spirit and Sorcerer recognized for having studied temporal paradoxes.It’s the Minister of the Brazilian magic who asked him in person to take the place of headmaster of Enganolho. The School is in decline since its last director ; everyone think that Helio Fortes is the only one able to restore it to its former glory. Defy that he’s ready to take up. Trivia : - schools promote school exchanges. - School is perched in trees.

OCEANIA

• School of Onopwulopwul. Pacific Ocean - somewhere in Micronesia. - Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. - Koa NAOI : descendant of a famous clan of sorcerers and concerned about the magical heritage,Koa Naoi makes every effort to make the magical diversity being well represented in his school. Thus, in addition to Western standards, Onopwulopwul teaches the magical practices of each of Oceania Culture. Trivia : - motto’s school is :  “Ehu Mohngiong Mehlel, Ehu Poliwar Kala “ (translatable as “an honest heart, a proud body”). - the school is situated on a crescent-shaped island. Extremities are so close to each other they would form almost a circle. - the extremities of the island mark the entry of Onopwulopwul. They are littered by two statues representing the school’s founder : twins Olisihpa and Olosohpa. - there is a tiny volcano where lives lavapeople. there is a large bay named the Usu Bay (the Star Bay). - the school is mostly under water in the bay. dorms, break room and refectory are overwater bungalows. - Onopwulopwul is the school with the most lessons. - therefore it begins at age 10 and ended at 18. - the schooling is divided into 3 stages : > theoretical classes (Muggles Studies, Herbology, History of Magic, Astronomy Mythology Knowledge of Tribes, Potion) from the 1st to the 5th year (with a similar review to OWL). > practical classes (Potions, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Elsewhere’s Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Transfiguration) from the 3rd to the 7th year (with a similar review to OWL). > qualifications classes (Defense Against the Dark Arts, Elsewhere’s  Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Care of Sorcerer, Ancient Arts, Knowledge of Tribes, History of Magic, Runes, Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Potion, Magical Theory) from 6th to 9th grade (with a similar review to NEWT). Qualifications Classes are a kind of preparatory class for future trades. - the school encourages sport (Muggles and wizards). They can swim in the bay without exceeding the statues of the founders. - there are no clubs. students do what they want with their free time. - sometimes the teachers take students on excursions during weekends and/or holidays. - they visit the island, neighboring islands, sometimes even surrounding countries.

AFRICA

• Uagadou School of Magic. South Africa - Uganda - Africa (all) and West in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Syria). -  the Board : is made up of five individuals whose achievements are recognized internationnalement. Together they govern Uagadou: choose subjects to be taught; the students; extra school activities; and even meals. The board changes only when one dies and the replacement is selected unanimously. Trivia : - school is hidden underground. - This is the oldest school of magic and the largest school in the world. - the Board accepts that the students of their choice. - they select students via dream messenger which left a token in children’s hands while they slept. - the token is a Portkey that allows them to enter in the school. - it’s possible to study ancient magic (the “forgotten magics”). - the guardians / protectors of school are zombies.

ASIA

• Academy of Sïkhanéjādū. India - Satpura National Park - Central Asia (India, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan). - Aman VAGHELA et Idha BHATTI : Aman Vaghela is a sorcerer from the highest caste in India. He protested against lack of means given lower castes to study magic. First member of the Wizengamot with his wife, Idha Bhatti, he decided to become headmaster of Sïkhanéjādū to change attitudes and offer a chance to study to all - no matter their ages or their families. Having taken a vow of silence, it’s that wife who is “the spokeswoman of the voiceless”. Trivia : - Sïkhanéjādū’s emblem is a peacock spreading its tail. - anyone can attend classes, regardless of age or social caste. - the diploma is obtained by accumulation of “units”. To validate a diploma, you need a minimum of 1500 units. The maximum is 3000 units. - each topic is worth units. (ex : Charms maximum value is 500 U) - for validating a topic, you must obtain a minimum of Units. (ex : to validate the course of Charm, you need minimum 400 U) - required courses are : Charms ; Defence Against the Dark Arts (300 U. min - 500 U. max) ; History of Magic (200 U min - 500 U max). [those courses are validated in seven years.] - complementary courses are : Applied Magic/Magical Theory (120 U min - 240 U max) ; Ancient Arts (200 U min - 240 U max) [are validated both in 4 years] ; Arithmancy (200 U min - 240 U max) [is validated in 5 years]. - optional courses are : Herbology (90 U min - 180 U max) ; Potions (90 U min - 180 U max) [are validated in 5 years] ;  Care of Magical Creatures/Dressage (160 U min - 180 U max) [is validated in 4 years] ;  Apparition (170 U min  - 180 U max) [is validated in 1 year]. - facultative courses are : Muggle Studies  ( 12 U min - 20 U max) [is validated in 4 years] ; Flying (10 U min - 20 U max) [is validated in 1 years + 1 year of flight applied] ; Meditation (10 U min - 20 U max) [is validated in 5 years] - courses under conditions : Legilimency, Occlumency, Transfiguration. These are qualifications and they reported no Units. - there are clubs : Astronomy; Duel; Dance; Music; Poetry; Sports ; Art…

• Koldovstoretz School. Russia - Siberian plateau - North Asia (Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Mongolia) (+ the muggle-borns not allowed to Durmstrang). - Anatoli STALRUK (Anatoli Steel Hands) : man of action and competent sorcerer, Anatolia became headmaster of Koldovstoretz by default. Former Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, it was his older brother (the Minister of Russian Magic, Nikolai STALGLAVA, aka Nikolai Steel Head) who appoints the Headmaster. Leaving joyfully to his paperwork to his sub-alternates, Anatoli prefers having fun in the corridors of the huge school, looking to disrupt classes and students to challenge. He has no policy and leaves full responsibility of education to his teachers and deputy headmaster. Trivia : - Koldovstoretz is the second largest school in the world both in terms of space of student numbers. - the school was remodeled by the famous Baba Yaga. - schools can literally move to prevent it being found. - the school has a hymn (students love to sing). - students are very patriotic to their school - many parties are organized by students. - Koldovstoretz welcomes the muggle-borns are not allowed to Durmstrang. - of school is at the heart of a constant blizzard preventing anyone from approaching. - the students go to school by sled (similar to the Knight Bus). - teachers and sometimes the director eat the same tables as students. - most of the time, students are left to themselves and younger dependent on the benevolence of their elders. - Inuit living in Siberia study their own magic but they must pass regulatory reviews of Koldovstoretz to be recognized by the Ministry. - it’s possible to study black magic. - pets are not officially allowed. - they play a version of Quidditch where they fly on entire, uprooted trees instead of broomsticks.

• Mahoutokoro School of Magic. Japan - Aichi Prefecture  Volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima - South Asia (Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand) - TOKUGAWA Danjo : descendant of the Matsudaira clan, founder of Mahoutokoro. Danjo Tokugawa is a stocky men, bald and fat. Severe in his instruction, he only wants the best of his students and doesn’t hesitate to exclude those who are not up to par. Trivia : - the school blazon is the Matsudaira clan’s “Mon”(circle around three Hollyhock leaves). - only a member of the Tokugawa clan get the post of Headmaster / Headmistress. - the school is formed by islets connected by bridges. - there are a total of 11 islets : one building for the headmaster and teachers (school entry) ; one for the main building (classrooms and library) ; two dormitories (one for girls and one for boys) ; one for kitchens ; five for gardens ; and finally, a last which serves as training ground. - in the most remote islet of gardens find a temple with a Go-Shinboku planted since the school’s founding. - tutor system (senpei / kohai) is very present. - students address their teachers by calling them “sensei”. - the school is known for its large number of non-human spiritous apparition. - even if everyone can follow any topic, some are qualify as feminin and other as masculin and it’s frowned upon to depart from the rule. - even if everyone is accepted, students have to merit their places in school. - school organizes annual sports festival. (Headmaster annually invites other schools to participate even if the answer was always negative.) - the tests are : obstacle course; hunting flag; duel; demonstration ; Quidditch 

• Móshùdifang, Institute of magic. China - Guilin - Central Asia (China, Korea, Tibet) - XIE An : Madam Xie An is known internationally for having fought and tamed a dragon. Respectable Seers and apprentive of the most powerful Chinese sorcerer : she inherits his position as headmistress in place of the second apprentice (and newly Minister of Magic Chinese). She creates an atmosphere of mutual aid between students and encourages working group. She is very proud of his school and its students. She doesn’t like the current headmaster of Mahoutokoro. Trivia : - Móshùdifang’s blazon is a dragon surrounding the sinogramme of  "magic" and “place” in the center of a hexagon. - it’s the second oldest school of magic. - school starts at twelve years and lasts six years. - the school is located atop a hill. - each generation of students is supervised by a “governess” to guide them through their entire schooling. - the tower that serves as a dormitory is organized so that each stage represents a year. - the school specializes in enchantments and divination.

I may or may not begin a story (that I probably never finish) for each of these schools …

[mossytreeelf-blog]

Types of Divination

I have touched a little bit on divination before in one of previous posts and I believe I did mention that I was going to be doing one of these post, so here you go!

I am not the most educated when it comes to divination, I know what I know and it works, so why should I try anything else? Because growth, girl! Because expansion of the mind! Because it’s damn amazing to know all these witchy things! That’s why!

So upon doing my mystical research, I honestly learnt some really cool forms of divination that I’m annoyed I didn’t know before, so here are the different forms of divination :

Tarot Cards - the most common form of divination on this planet (besides crystal balls). You go to a carnival and happen across a fortune teller in a caravan, what has she most likely got on the table in front of her? A crystal ball and tarot cards. The only difference here is that anyone who actually uses tarot cards knows that this is not going to “tell you your future”, it’s simply vague guideline, just some probable insight into the forces at work. When I first started I relied on this handy book that helped me translate every card through the reading, now I only look at it every now and then. Three-card spreads are my favourite! You can literally use them for anything. I personally don’t like just drawing cards, i lay them out and hover my hand over the top moving across the spread out cards and whenever I feel a slight tug I know that’s the card. I go over it a few times just to be sure, but i just don’t like picking random cards, not my style.

Nordic Runes - another one I am very familiar with, created by Odin and given to humankind as a gift. (”Oh, they’re lovely, thanks.”). When I first got into the craft I think it was one of the first few things I was taught out of my reading and the symbols and their meanings are fairly well known. I have passed a handful of strangers with runes tattooed on them and when asked about them they actually knew the meanings and details of the runes. Runes are similar to the tarot in the sense that they are a guideline not so much a prediction, also generally used to address issues. Readings are done by putting all the runes in a pouch and drawing, depending on the question, the select number of runes out. My go to number is always three. There are some amazing DIY’s for runes, but the real magic is in the carving of the runes. I really like the way they look when burnt into wooden disks, especially if the bark is still intact in the edges.

Celtic Ogham  - this is one I had surprisingly never heard of. Out of all the books I have read on Celtic magic and they failed to inform me of this? What the heck, guys? So, from my understanding, there are 25 letters in the Ogham alphabet; 20 if you wanna be super traditional. They have so many correspondences I will honestly need to learn them all, but now is not the time. It was supposedly created by Ogma, to show off how well spoken he was, or something like that. (I only skimmed the article when it came to this part, sorry guys.) Now the method for using the Celtic Ogham is very similar to runes. The symbols are normally carved onto wooden staves, placed into a pouch and drawn out when seeking the answer to a question. Very cool and I plan to DIY a set of these someday.

Tasseomancy - the art of reading tea leaves. This is one I haven’t tried, purely because drinking tea with loose tea leaves just sounds terrible. Basically you need to make your tea with the loose leaves and drink it. You have to leave a little bit of the tea left over to swirl the tea leaves around so that they can form a pattern. Just do it a few times so the leaves aren’t spread out everywhere. You might end up with one big picture or you will end up with a few little ones. In this case go clockwise around the cup. It works kind of like a timeline. Now look at your blobs and try to see the images in the blobs. There are plenty of guides for figuring out what these images mean or you could just go with your gut feeling.

Automatic Writing - this method uses the spirit realm to get messages. For this you would need to be in a meditative state, enter with a clear mind or a question or thought and, with a pen and paper in hand, just let the words come to you. You can even write the question or subject on the piece of paper and let the spirits take over. Like with any form of divination, you will need practice. If you have been sitting there for 20 minutes and haven’t gotten anything then maybe take a break and try to clear your mind a bit more. This method is used by loads of mediums for getting answers or just connecting to people who have passed on. I would advise that we take caution when it comes to using this method as it can open doors for spirits, not all of the things you’re opening yourself up to are friendly, so always make sure you are protected and ready for whatever there is to come.

Osteomancy - reading bones, being South African I’m fairly familiar with the cultural background of osteomancy. The Sangomas (basically the medicine men) of the villages have been known to use this method of divination. The way it’s done is the bones were placed into a bowl or pouch and mixed with various stones, shells and feathers and shaken out onto a mat. Reading it relies solely on intuition and requires a lot of training to master. Depending on the bone and it’s position on the mat, the way it’s facing, the objects surrounding it. In my opinion this is one of the most difficult forms of divination to master.

Scrying - this one is also pretty common and comes in loads of forms (I will need to do a separate post for all the different methods of scrying. There’s fire scrying, water scrying, using a black mirror, etc. There tons of different methods but I’m going to use the example of water scrying. Most people like using reflective surfaces to scry since it is the easiest. Simply clear your mind again or keep the intent in the back of your mind and focus on the water. Follow all the slight ripples until you’re fully connected to the small body of water. You could see images or shapes on the surface or you could see mental images. It’s different with everyone and what the universe is trying to show you.

Pendulum Divination - the easiest to make, since you can use your own necklace as a pendulum, this is purely for yes or no questions and is basically a simplified version of a ouija board. Again, take caution when working with spirits. You might think you’re talking to a recently deceased family member or one of your ancestors and it could end up being something else completely and be in a bit of trouble. When using the pendulum some people use sheets for more advanced questions but I would say just using the four directions; left, right, front and back; for answers. Ask some basic questions that you will know the answer to first to see which direction is “yes” and which is “no”. Once you have that down you can ask away.

Numerology - using numbers in divination. Numbers hold a lot of magical significance (any witch can tell you that). There are specific numbers that we like to stick to and we stick to it for a reason. Odd numbers are related to a feminine energy, while even numbers are related to masculine energy. Different numbers have different meanings and in order to use this method research should be done on the different meanings of numbers. Play around with numbers in magic. use numerology to find your birth number, name number, fate number, your pinnacle numbers, etc.

These are all the methods of divination I could cover for now. Watch this space for upcoming, in depth tutorials for each of these methods.

[rswtotd]

Cryokinesis was a Force power that allowed a Force-user to draw heat away from the object, causing its temperature to drop rapidly. This arcane technique caused the heat vitality of the victim to hemorrhage, but it was impossible for the caster to channel that vitality into their own body.

[themonsterblogofmonsters]

Angka / Angha

The Angka, also known as Anka, Angha, Anka mogrel, Anka kuşu and Zümrüt anka, is a unique type of Firebird native to Western Asia, residing mostly within the high peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. What makes this type of Firebird unique is its extensive lifespan: its can live for approximately 1,700 years before passing away in the conflagratory manner befitting of a phoenix, only to be reborn again. This would make it the longest-living subspecies of the Firebird-type on record when compared to its cousins. In addition to this, they are also the largest known type, comparable to the Rukhs with whom they sometimes share territory. For many years, dating back to the medieval period, the average wingspan of a single Angka would be measured by comparing it to the breadth of an Asian elephant, a staple of the creature’s diets. Usually the wingspan equated to the breadth of 5 elephants; approximately 20 feet.

The males are multi-coloured creatures found with white rings around their long necks and are known for their aggressive tempers and territorial behaviour characterised by high-pitched squawks. The females are slightly different in that they support their massive bodies with 4 pairs of wings whereby the males do not, while immature specimens retain a much more animalistic form than the clearly avian adults, usually for the first century or so of life, and are sometimes confused with the Iranian Simurgh morph of their kind. 

Once much more widespread throughout Greater Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, the Angka population has gradually declined and are now only located in Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iran. The reason for this is mainly attributed to hunting the Angka for its beautiful, soft and colourful feathers which have been sought after and used to make clothes and art for the magical populations of these regions for thousands of years, as well as collection of the feathers for use as wandcores - they make for noble cores with a great degree of strength and some small measure of flamboyance. 

The extinction of elephants from Western Asia did little to dampen the effects of their dwindling numbers. In Iran, they have resorted to competing for food with a subtype of their own kind, known as the Simurgh, though many Western magizoologists consider the terms Simurgh and Angka to be interchangeable. However, their diet also consists of other large mammals, birds and, sometimes even humans, so they are not threatened with starvation due to lack of prey, and while they can mature to having wingspans of 20 feet, it is becoming more common to see smaller and smaller specimens in recent years - a form of insular dwarfism manifesting to allow for their survival.

(Image One, Image Two)

(Submitted by the truly wonderful @barsenthor123. Read about the Simurgh of lore Here. Sources used by @barsenthor123 are A Wizard’s Bestiary – Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, for the image, and Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology – George M. Eberhart. I hate that I have to include this but PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THE IMAGE SOURCE OR THE CAPTION.) 

[clementive-deactivated20150318]

In Which Diversity Isn't a Myth

Ok. I’m tired of the typical vampire, werewolf and fairy.I’m also tired of the occidental-centrism in mythology. Hence, this list. 

I tried to included as many cultural variants as I could find and think of. (Unfortunately, I was restricted by language. Some Russian creatures looked very interesting but I don’t speak Russian…) Please, add creatures from your culture when reblogguing (if not already present). It took me a while to gather all those sites but I know it could be more expansive. I intend on periodically editing this list. 

Of note: I did not include specific legendary creatures (Merlin, Pegasus, ect), gods/goddesses/deities and heroes.

Dragons

The Chinese Dragon

The Japanese Dragon

The Korean Dragon

The Vietnamese Dragon

The Greek Dragon

The Indian Dragon

The Polish Dragon

The Austrian Dragon

The British Dragon

The Ancient Dragon (Egypt, Babylon and Sumer)

The Spanish Basque Dragon

Of the Cockatrice (creature with the body of a dragon)

Alphabetical List of Dragons Across Myths (Great way to start)

Little creatures (without wings)

The Legend of the Leprechauns, The Leprechaun

Chanaque /Alux (the equivalent of leprechauns in Aztec/Mayan folklore)

Elves

Elves in Mythology and Fantasy

Elves in Germanic Mythology

Kabeiroi or Cabeiri (Dwarf-like minor gods in Greek mythology)

Norse Dwarves

The Myth of Loki and the Dwarves

Ten Types of Goblins

Goblins

Tengu: Japanese Goblins

Gnomes 

More on Gnomes

Pooka: an Irish phantom

Creatures with wings (except dragons)

Fairies

All sorts of Cultural Fairies

Fairies in Old French Mythology 

A Fairy List

Bendith Y Mamau (Welsh fairies)

Welsh Fairies

Peri (Persian fairies)

Yü Nü (Chinese fairies)

The Celtic Pixie

Angels in Judaism

Angels in Christianity

Hierarchy of Angels

Angels in Islam

Irish Sylph

Garuda (Bird-like creature in Hindu and Buddhist myths)

Bean Nighe (a Scottish fairy; the equivalent of a banshee in Celtic mythology)

Harpies

Spirited Creatures

Druids

Jinn (Genies in Arabic folklore)

Types of Djinns

Aisha Qandisha and Djinn in Moroccan Folklore

Oni (demons in Japanese folklore)

Nymphs

Spirits in Asturian Mythology

Valkyries

Lesovik

Boggarts: The British Poltergeist

Phantom black dogs (the Grim)

Demons in Babylonian and Assyrian Mythology (list)

Demons in the Americas (list)

European Demons (list)

Middle-East and Asia Demons (list)

Judeo-Christian Demons (list)

Nephilim, more on Nephilim

Mahaha (a demon in Inuit mythology)

Flying Head (a demon in Iroquois mythology)

Ghosts

Toyol (a dead baby ghost in Malay folklore)

Malay Ghosts

Yuki-onna (a ghost in Japanese folklore)

The Pontianak (a ghost in Malay mythology)

Funayurei (a ghost in Japanese folklore)

Zagaz (ghosts in Moroccan folklore)

Japanese Ghosts

Mexican Ghosts

Horse-like mythical creatures

Chinese Unicorns

Unicorns

The Kelpie (Could have also fitted in the sea creatures category)

The Centaur

The Female Centaur

Hippocamps (sea horses in Greek mythology)

Horse-like creatures (a list)

Karkadann, more on the Karkadann (a persian unicorn)

Ceffyl Dwfr (fairy-like water horse creatures in Cymric mythology)

Undead creatures

The Melanesian Vampire 

The Ewe Myth : Vampires

The Germanic Alp

The Indonesian Vampire

Asanbosam and Sasabonsam (Vampires from West Africa)

The Aswang: The Filipino Vampire

Folklore Vampires Versus Literary Vampires

Callicantzaros: The Greek Vampire

Vampires in Malaysia

Loogaroo/Socouyant: The Haitian Vampire

Incubi and Sucubi Across Cultures

Varacolaci: The Romanian Vampire

Brahmaparusha: The Indian Vampire

Genesis of the Word “Vampire”

The Ghoul in Middle East Mythology

Slavic Vampires

Vampires A-Z

The Medical Truth Behind the Vampire Myths

Zombies in Haitian Culture

Shape-shifters and half-human creatures (except mermaids) 

Satyrs (half-man, half-goat)

Sirens in Greek Mythology (half-woman and half-bird creatures)

The Original Werewolf in Greek Mythology

Werewolves Across Cultures

Werewolf Syndrome: A Medical Explanation to the Myth

Nagas Across Cultures

The Kumiho (half fox and half woman creatures)

The Sphinx

Criosphinx

Scorpion Men (warriors from Babylonian mythology)

Pooka: an Irish changelings

Domovoi (a shape-shifter in Russian folklore)

Aatxe (Basque mythology; red bull that can shift in a human)

Yech (Native American folklore)

Ijiraat (shapeshifters in Inuit mythology)

Sea creatures

Selkies (Norse mermaids)

Mermaids in many cultures

More about mermaids

Mermen

The Kraken (a sea monster)

Nuckelavee (a Scottish elf who mainly lives in the sea)

Lamiak (sea nymphs in Basque mythology)

Bunyip (sea monster in Aboriginal mythology)

Apkallu/abgal (Sumerian mermen)

An assemblage of myths and legends on water and water creatures

Slavic Water Creatures

The Encantado (water spirits in Ancient Amazon River mythology)

Zin (water spirit in Nigerian folklore)

Qallupilluk (sea creatures in Inuit mythology)

Monsters That Don’t Fit in Any Other Category

Aigamuxa, more details on Aigamuxa

Amphisabaena

Abere

Bonnacon

Myrmidons (ant warriors)

Troll, More on Trolls

Golems 

Golems in Judaism

Giants: The Mystery and the Myth (50 min long documentary)

Inupasugjuk (giants in Inuit mythology)

Fomorians (an Irish divine race of giants)

The Minotaur

The Manticore, The Manticore and The Leucrouta

The Ogre

The Orthus (two-headed serpent-tailed dog)

The Windigo

The Windigo Psychosis

Rakshasa (humanoids in Hindu and Buddhist mythology)

Yakshas (warriors in Hindu mythology)

Taqriaqsuit (“Shadow people” in Inuit mythology)

References on Folklore and Mythology Across the Globe

Creatures of Irish Folklore 

Folklore and Fairytales

An Overview of Persian Folklore

Filipino Folklore

Myths, Creatures and Folklore

Alaska Folklore

Spanish (Spain) Mythology

Mythical Archive

Mythology Dictionary

List of Medieval and Ancient Monsters

Native American Animals of Myth and Legends

Native American Myths

Bestiary of Ancient Greek Mythology

Mythology, Legend, Folklore and Ghosts

Angels and Demons

List of Sea Creatures

Yoruba Mythology

Ghosts Around the World, Ghosts From A to Z

Strange (Fantastic) Animals of Ancient Egypt

Egyptian Mythology

Creatures from West Africa

On the Legendary Creatures of Africa

Myths, Creatures and Folklore

References on writing a myth or mythical creatures

Writing a MYTHology in your novel?

How to Write a Myth

10 Steps to Creating Realistic Fantasy Creatures

Creating Fantasy Creatures or Alien Species

Legendary Creature Generator

Book Recommendations With Underrated Mythical Creatures

(I have stumbled upon web sites that believed some of these mythical creatures exist today… Especially dragons, in fact. I just had to share the love and scepticism.)

[girl-with-sandshoes-deactivated]

This is perfect for my latest project ^~^

[adrielthefallen]

I need this to finish fleshing out my urban fantasy beyond Europe. Thanks!