Rowling Twitter Header: Freud’s Desk

June 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Rowling’s Twitter page header is going through some turnover. Last week we were treated to a statue of Robert Raikes:

Read about that at Farting Sofa. Yesterday? A picture of Freud’s desk at the Freud Museum in London:

New picture, new cameo, the latter with The Presence sporting some new Potter-esque specs — or are the round glasses and pensive look a pointer to the round glasses on Freud’s desk and the couch in his office? Is that the look of a Freudian analyst or analysand?

That’s one crowded desk. You can read about the desk and a few of its pieces here, again from the Freud Museum. A clearer shot of the statuettes he looked to for inspiration while writing and speaking with patients:

There’s been a book written about this Garden of Idols in miniature.  The video produced for the book launch has an even better view of the desk top collection:

I’m really not into the Twitter header Hunt-for-Clues game. It’s an over-crowded field and, frankly, it’s a little demeaning to be salivating and meditating over each new breadcrumb that Rowling-Galbraith has dropped from her table in playful fan servicing.

That being said, here are my obligatory three thoughts, oblivious to what fandom has already revealed about Rowling’s relationship with the desk. I ask your forgiveness in advance for my cluelessness if the Twitterati among Serious Strikers have already broken the code on this header.

First, in that menagerie of gods, goddesses, and jade Chinese screens, there is a lot of Eros, seven statues if you’re counting. Venus rates another four. One might think that Freud was a Jungian (ho!) or upset the Jungians by noting that Carl was certainly a Freudian, albeit one one in-recovery for the greater part of his life.

Second, the obvious idea about Freud’s desk appearing in the inter librum period before Strike 9 is that we’re going to make a trip to the Freud Museum sometime in Sleep Tight, Evangeline (it’s in London) or meet a Freudian. Pretty clear candidate for that, right?

Ever since the publication of Hallmarked Man in which Robin asks Prudence to recommend a psychologist for help with her disintegrating mental state, it’s been my working assumption that Dr Donleavey, a Jungian analyst, recommended another Jungian analyst. Maybe she didn’t. Maybe the full-spectrum Prudence urged Robin to consult with a Freudian psychoanalyst. The swearing makes sense if that’s the case as well as the direct approach Prudence says she’s noted for.

Third and last, why the quick turnover in Twitter headers? I have no idea. Well, that’s not true; I have an idea but it’s pretty silly.

Louise Freeman Davis concluded a post early yesterday with the note, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Dr. Broccoli is a Jungian like Prudence and actually talks with Robin about alchemy?” I commented, “I share your hope that Robin’s analyst ‘goes there’ in Strike 9.” And almost instantly Rowling posted the picture of Freud’s desk.

Correlation meaning causation, voila, cause and effect: Rowling wanted us to know that we were way off track and moved her posting of Freud’s desk up on her marketing-breadcrumb-posting queue to send the message post haste.

I suspect that Rowling may have posted the new header before I was sent word about it (5 PM US Eastern Time) which of course would blow up any possibility that my absurd conjecture, whose premises include one about Team Rowling following Strike fandom postings closely, is true. But it was a seeming fun-coincidence synchronicity.

Analyze all that, please, in the comment boxes below.

Filed Under: Twitter

Rowling Tweets Status of ‘Sleep Tight, Evangeline:’ Sixty Percent of First Draft

May 21, 2026 by 4 Comments

Url to Thread

Three quick notes about this news!

  1. If 72 chapters is approximately 60% of Sleep Tight, Evangeline, then we’re looking at another 120 chapter book. At best, those migraines not reflecting a brain tumor or even a chronic condition, Strike 9 won’t be with us until late in 2027. That she is writing and enjoying the process, however, means the intense planning of this entry in a series of intricately structured novels is over and she is in the hard-slog of writing business. Fair winds, etc.
  2. Check out the Rowling tweet on the thread of which the Serious Striker thought it appropriate (and apparently Rowling agreed!) to ask about the fictional work in progress. Maybe her posts about government ineptitude and party politics are the secret passage to ask The Presence questions about her work? Those of you who enjoy life on social media, please ask her about the ten book series structure, the alchemical sequence, or whether the allegory of Cormoran and Robin is Cupid-Psyche mythic template, Jungian archetypal psychology, or Shakespearean romance.
  3. “After a mere seven years, Strike is finally in open pursuit.” One of the speculative ideas about Evangeline has been that Robin will be disappearing from Strike’s life for much of the novel via a kidnapping or a retreat to work with the Cursing Crone Psychologist (a la Psyche’s trip to see Persephone at Venus’ bidding). If Strike is at last “in open pursuit” of winning Robin’s hand in marriage, that suggests that, no, Robin will be center stage in Strike 9. Doesn’t it?

Let me know how you read these migraine inspired bon mots to her followers on Twixter!

Filed Under: Cormoran Strike, Twitter

Rowling’s Sarcasm about ‘Assisted Dying’ (Medical Murder) Escapes Fans

April 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Url to Tweet Above

A casual reading of Rowling’s tweet this morning about the “legalisation of assisted suicide” suggests that she is in favor of making into law the suspension of the Hippocratic Oath‘s prohibition of a doctor’s killing a patient intentionally:

I will use those dietary regimens which will benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgment, and I will do no harm or injustice to them. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion. But I will keep pure and holy both my life and my art. I will not use the knife, not even, verily, on sufferers from stone, but I will give place to such as are craftsmen therein.

This is sadly a credible reading because Rowling has expressed several times her support for laws allowing pre-natal infanticide, a murder of the innocent expressly forbidden in the Oath. Regardless of its credibility, the great majority of Rowling’s 13.8 million twixter followers who responded were appalled by her seeming support of said “legalisation” (see here, here, here, and here) and more than one celebrated it (see here and here).

Both reactions misread her tweet. It is a sarcastic response to the assertion that killing someone is a “choice” equivalent to “gay marriage” rather than an irreversible ending of human life, one that is much too often the result of coercion and manipulation rather than free and rational choice.

How do we know this for sure? First, because Rowling has tweeted previously her position against “assisted dying.”

Second, we know that she isn’t pro “assisted dying” because Rowling finally felt obliged to spell it out:

Nick Jeffery and I discussed the tweets and the several others Rowling posted in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. You can find that conversation about perhaps the most meaningful and personal tweets Rowling has made about her beliefs over at the Hogwarts Professor Substack site: Hallmarked Man and Rowling’s Tweets after the Shooting of Charlie Kirk: The Four Definitions, the Fixed Beliefs She has Given Up, Her Doubts about “Religious Faith” in God, and the Evisceration of Emma Watson.

Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes, Twitter

J. K. Rowling Drops All the Strike 9 Clues for Christmas!

December 24, 2025 by 9 Comments

J. K. Rowling has consistently used the headers to her Twitter (X) account to drop clues to the books she has been working on. You can find all of her previous Twitter headers here. As a special  early Christmas present to Strike fans, she has changed her header to a charm bracelet filled with clues for the upcoming ninth in the Strike-Ellacott series. Each of the charms on the bracelet are discussed below:

Link 1

A diamond ring in a heart shaped box. Described by Robert Harris Jewellers as “An attractive vintage 9 carat gold ring box charm. This splendid little charm has a gorgeous heart shaped filigree lid, opening to display a pretty two stone ring. A lovely and interesting item dating to 1966.”

This could be “the silver-coloured band hidden in the depths of Murphy’s wardrobe: a tiny, sparkling shackle.” However this is not a solitaire and the band is gold rather than silver. Could this be a ring from another suitor?

Link 2

A diamond encrusted and enamelled gold egg. This egg is from Fabergé, and is by some distance the most expensive item on the bracelet, retailing at $9,770. 

The egg is a universal symbol of creation, rebirth, fertility, and potential. Its ability to contain and birth new life makes it a powerful symbol of renewal, growth, and the afterlife, found in spring rituals and Christian Easter celebrations. Robin’s ectopic pregnancy in The Hallmarked Man was a surprise to all except John Granger. This may represent her difficult decision to freeze her eggs to maintain fertility.

A golden anchor. Anchor symbolism primarily represents safety, stability, hope, strength, and steadfastness, stemming from its nautical function of holding a ship secure; it also signifies strong ties, commitment, and love, especially in relationships, and holds deep roots in Christianity as hope in Christ, often appearing in catacombs as a hidden symbol of faith during persecution. Paired with the egg, this could represent Cormoran Strike’s support for Robin.

Link 3

Possibly Cupid and Psyche, but these figures aren’t very distinct. Twitter user, hsmum has brilliantly identified the Hattern Garden jeweller where the pink Angel was purchased.

Link 4

A Trojan horse. This one looks to be sourced from Ogden a jeweller in Harrogate. They say: “Expertly crafted from high-quality 9ct gold, this charm is designed to open, revealing intricate details inside, adding an element of surprise and intrigue. A symbol of cunning and strategy, the Trojan Horse makes a bold statement while offering a delightful, interactive experience.” 

This reader is hoping that Strike reflects on the success of his ‘cunning and strategy’ in Hallmarked Man, and tries another tactic.

Link 5

A Jack-in-a-box. Badly-Wired-Lamp identified this on Twitter, and Worth Point describe this as “A terrific vintage English, solid 9 carat gold charm; beautifully modelled as a jack in the box type toy, with a catch-release revealing a tiny silver horned devil inside on a spring!”

A Jack-in-a-box is the archetypal surprise, and it is certain that Strike 9 will contain its share of surprises.

Link 6

A hourglass. Time may be running out! A similar one is available at Butter Lane Antiques who say: “The hourglass (aka sand timer), along with it’s obvious practical uses, has long been associated with death – particularly the brevity of individual human existence. Often found on grave stones from the middle ages through to the Victorian era, occasionally with the words Fugit Hora (Latin: ‘Hours are Fleeting’ or ‘Time Flies’). This miniature hourglass pendant dates from the late Victorian era, and, while it does measure out a length of time (approx. 3 seconds), it was likely intended as a symbolic Memento Mori piece more than anything else.”

Link 7

The white rose of Yorkshire. Robin Ellacott’s home county. White roses symbolise purity, innocence, new beginnings, and reverence, making them popular for weddings (new union), funerals (remembrance, peace), and as tokens of loyalty, respect, and honour, representing a pure, untainted love or deep admiration. They signify fresh starts, quiet love, spiritual connections, and are a timeless way to express deep emotions from joy to sorrow.

A crocodile or alligator. A crocodile may symbolise power, survival, resilience, and primal energy, but also cunning, deceit, and danger.

Link 8

A golden corvid. A crow or raven. I really wanted this to be a chough to symbolise Cornwall, but the beak looks too thick. As Badly-Wired-Lamp pointed out, Strike has a close encounter with a raven in The Running Grave: “A loud bang made Strike start. A bird had hit the office window. For two seconds, he and the raven blinked at each other and then, in a blur of black feathers, it had gone.”

Link 9

A psalter. J. K. Rowling herself has identified this as: “The book is a psalm book and holds real, miniature psalms.” I can find three of these for sale recently. Two were empty and this one has Psalm 23. I can find other designs with the commandments and the lords prayer.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The head of Persephone. Rowling helpfully provided us another view of this charm to help us identify it. This one is sold as a necklace by Common Era. Persephone plays a crucial role in Psyche’s final trial: obtaining a box of her beauty from the underworld to appease Aphrodite. We know already that the myth of Cupid and Psyche will form the framework for the upcoming books, and Psyche in Hades will certainly need psalm 23!

Filed Under: Cormoran Strike, Nick Jeffery, Twitter

Rowling Blasts Glamour Magazine for Its ‘Men in Halloween Costumes’ Issue

October 31, 2025 by

Rowling has a thing for Halloween. She noted on Twixter in January that 31 October is very likely the date of her out-of-wedlock conception (Halloween is exactly nine months before her 31 July birthday).

Having noted that, this year she decided to celebrate by having-a-go at ‘the Dolls,’ which is to say ‘men in drag’ and those who celebrate these men as if they were women.

You can read about it at ‘JK Leads Glamour Backlash: JK Rowling leads backlash against Glamour magazine after nine trans activists – including one who called the Suffragettes ‘white supremacists’ – were named ‘Women of the Year’.’

Or you can watch Megyn Kelley cover the same ground:

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes, Twitter