Guest Essay:”Dumbledore as Christian Mystic” or “Ms. Rowling meets Evelyn Underhill”

July 11, 2007 by 6 Comments

I am hard at work on my Enlightening 2007 presentation and distracted by thoughts about Tale of Two Cities which normally would mean a day without a HogPro update. Today, though, it means a special treat, namely an essay by Sally Palmer. You’ll recall that Ms. Palmer pointed me to Florence and Machiavelli for a possible clue about Severus Snape’s motivation. Here she discusses another neglected influence, Evelyn Underhill, and what this writer might tell us about another major character, Albus Dumbledore. Enjoy!

PS: If you have sent me an essay for comment or posting and I have not responded or posted it, please re-send. I am working on three different computers in three different geographical locations — and the cracks through which valuable things are falling are becoming something like canyons. My apologies.

Dumbledore as Christian Mystic: The Head Master who undermines postmodernism and other “mystical mistakes”

By Sally Palmer

July 10, 2007

Over the past few months, I have made several forays into brief studies on the people to whom “Devotion Days” are dedicated on my Episcopal Churchman’s Ordo Kalendar. June 15th was dedicated to someone I’d never heard of, Evelyn Underhill, an English woman (1875-1941), student of ancient mysticism, and –eventually – Anglican spiritual director. So I googled her & found this website: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter

A&E “Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter” on YouTube

July 10, 2007 by 1 Comment

If you don’t want to stay up until three in the morning to watch all the neat film clips from the sets of Order of the Phoenix, the A&E teevee special “The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter” is now posted on YouTube. Steve Vander Ark of the Lexicon, Janet Batchler of What Will Harry Do?, and your friend, the Hogwarts Professor, make their appearances in between chats with Daniel Radcliffe and gang.

Thanks to Accio Quote Lisa, once again, for this link.

Did anyone tivo or post the interviews I did with Alex Witt on MSNBC 8 July? That was fun, too.

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter

The Traditional Meaning of the Veil

July 10, 2007 by Leave a Comment

In my essay on Harry Passing through the Veil, I neglected to make a link with an important website called “The Veil: Contemplating Christian Mysteries.” For understanding why Harry’s passage through the Veil has important Christian reference points and profound meaning, this site is a must visit.

Here is a small selection of what can be found there, on an introductory page entitled, “Why the Veil?”

The veil, or more specifically its rending, as recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels (note 1) marks a moment in human history, and a turning point in the destiny of mankind. In his essay on Christian initiation, Marco Pallis noted its rending “marks the end of Christ’s human ministry … since all that follows … is of a miraculous order” (note 2). As such, it is most certainly a sign, in that it points to an event, even if its occurrence is instantaneous with that which it signifies. It signals the importance of the event, of that moment, in human history, in light of the purpose which the veil serves (note 3), because mention is made of it specifically, and nothing other. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Traditional Symbolism, Unlocking Harry Potter

Potter-porri: Potter Reading to Close the Interlibrum

July 10, 2007 by 8 Comments

While I am scrambling to put together my talk for Enlightening 2007 this weekend and write the Tale of Two Cities post that has been haunting me since March (the answer to what happens to Harry in Deathly Hallows?), I keep stumbling upon and reading works of brilliance from friends and friends-I-have-yet-to-meet in the blog-o-live-journal-sphere. I assume that everyone here has quit their job or taking a leave of absence from their senses until 21 July (August?), so here is enough challenging reading to last you until P-Day.

Let’s start out with my heavy hitting co-horts from Who Killed Albus Dumbledore? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter, Who Killed Albus Dumbledore?

St. Severus’ Feast Day: June 27/July 10

July 10, 2007 by 7 Comments

The Machiavelli! Snape post here at Hogwarts Professor last month continues to travel around fandom sites and I have waited until today to post the “equal and opposite” Potions Master allegiance possibility. What could counterbalance the idea that Severus is a Machiavellian power player?

That he is named for a beloved Saint in the Orthodox Christian Church. I waited until today because June 27th (July 10th on the secular calendar) is the Feast Day of St. Severus. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Unlocking Harry Potter