Wizarding World Homepage

The tea leaves wordsearch

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The Grim made of tea leaves in divination 

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Complete the quote quiz: Gilderoy Lockhart edition

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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and the Chamber of Secrets

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Gilderoy Lockhart certainly has a lot to say for himself. Can you remember his most memorable musings? 

The Hermione and Ron crossword

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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and the Goblet of Fire

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Let's see how you do.

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Visit our [puzzles page](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles) for more challenges!

Number Magic #15

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

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and the Order of the Phoenix

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How are your maths skills? Find out as you apply mathematics to magic in our latest puzzle.

Play away...

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Want even more puzzles? [You can play our crosswords and wordsearches in our puzzles collection. ](https://www.wizardingworld.com/collections/potter-puzzles)

Deconstructing Divination: What do you know about the subject?

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*__Wait a minute! This article will contain plot spoilers from the end of the Harry Potter series.__*

## What is Divination anyway?
Put simply, Divination is the study of defining the future, and is an optional class that [Hogwarts](/fact-file/locations/hogwarts) students can choose from their third year onwards. The practice involves a variety of techniques, from tea leaf reading to palmistry, to help determine upcoming events. However, it is hotly disputed amongst the wizarding community, in terms of its legitimacy. 

If you were to ask Hermione Granger or Professor McGonagall (two very logical and intelligent witches) you might hear that it is a subject which is ‘woolly’ or ‘imprecise’… that’s if they were feeling polite. But if you asked the likes of students [Lavender Brown](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lavender-brown) and [Parvati Patil](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/parvati-patil), you would hear a completely different story. Those two were hardcore Divination fans and fully believed that their futures could be divined by gazing into the fog of a crystal ball. The truth? Well, it’s probably somewhere between the two.

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## Seers can predict prophecies, but they are few and far between
Firstly, those who are most likely to find success in this subject are Seers. Seers are witches and wizards that have gift of Sight or ‘Inner Eye’. They are able to predict the future and create prophecies, though they are a rare bunch. [Professor Trelawney](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sybill-trelawney) could arguably be considered one – she did make the infamous prediction about Harry and [Voldemort](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/lord-voldemort). However, her power was incredibly watered-down in comparison to her great-great grandmother, the famous Seer, Cassandra Trelawney. In fact, Trelawney’s ‘talent’ was mainly smoke and mirrors with occasional flashes of clairvoyance. She never remembered her true predictions, as those were made when she entered a trance-like state, and the ‘predictions’ she would make in Divination lessons, in our opinion, were pure luck, guesswork and showmanship.


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__Did you know?__

*In real life, Seers have been thought to walk amongst us Muggles. Throughout history, there have been those who have appeared to accurately predict future events. William Lilly was one such person. He apparently correctly predicted the 1666 Great Fire of London in his book, published in 1651, Monarchy or No Monarchy. He was so on the nose with it, that he was even hauled in front of an investigative committee and accused of starting the blaze himself!*

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## Centaurs rely on the stars
It’s not just some of the humans of the wizarding world that believe in the art of Divination (or teach it), the [centaurs](/fact-file/creatures/centaur) respect the importance of it too. [Firenze](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/firenze), whom we first met in *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* during Harry’s trip to the Forbidden Forest, even gave up his place in his herd to come and teach it at Hogwarts. For centaurs, Divination is mainly about the stars. They look up at the night sky and interpret their movements along with the planets. By doing so, they can see the future before them. 

Though as Parvati Patil soon learnt, gazing at the stars is no trivial matter: 


‘I know that you have learned the names of the planets and their moons in Astronomy,’ said Firenze’s calm voice, ‘and that you have mapped the stars’ progress through the heavens. Centaurs have unravelled the mysteries of these movements over centuries. Our findings teach us that the future may be glimpsed in the sky above us –’

‘Professor Trelawney did astrology with us!’ said Parvati excitedly, raising her hand in front of her so that it stuck up in the air as she lay on her back. ‘Mars causes accidents and burns and things like that, and when it makes an angle to Saturn, like now –’ she drew a right-angle in the air above her ‘– that means people need to be extra careful when handling hot things –’

‘That,’ said Firenze calmly, ‘is human nonsense.'

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__Did you know?__ <p>

*Many cultures have found reading the stars to be a handy tool, whether that’s using the constellations for navigation or using the stars and planets to tell the future. The Babylonians (specifically the priests) would interpret different astronomical events as omens. For example, a red-coloured Mars was widely seen as a sign that war and bloodshed were approaching. Whereas the Greeks believed that the proximity of the Sun god (the sun) to the other ‘gods’ (the planets) at the time of your birth would influence your personality.*

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## Tea leaves, crystal balls and palmistry
Ok, so we know that Seers predict the future and centaurs read the night sky, but how do others learn how to master Divination? We doubt you’ll find even one genuine Seer in a Hogwarts year group, let alone a whole class of them. No need to worry though, there are several more practical techniques the students can try to master instead. There’s observing the symbols left in tea leaves – where Professor Trelawney saw the Grim and predicted Harry’s death. There’s reading palms, where Professor Trelawney would flinch when she saw Harry’s hands. And there is crystal ball gazing where [Ron](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/ron-weasley) predicted fog… and Trelawney saw the Grim and therefore Harry’s death. You’ll notice a pattern emerging. 

It's safe to say that these techniques might not be the most… accurate. However, we think that giving them a go could be rather fun (as long as you’re not Harry – or Ron’s Uncle Bilius). Who wouldn’t want to know what lay in store for them? Would great wealth be lurking in the leaves? Or great love visible on your palm? Or a vision of all your dreams coming true in the crystal ball? Nobody can know for definite – but we’d like to try and find out.


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__Did you know?__

*Tea leaf reading (or tasseography) is another technique that comes from our own history. In fact, it has been a common fortune-telling practice in the Muggle one for centuries. It was particularly popular in the Victorian era when there was a rise in interest in the occult and the idea of self-analysis – thanks to the works of people such as Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer.*

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## Prophecies 
We don’t think it’s too hard to predict that if you’re talking about how to unravel the mysteries of the future, prophecies might be involved. In fact, it was a [prophecy](/fact-file/magical-miscellany/sybill-trelawneys-first-prophecy) (made by Sybill Trelawney) that led to Voldemort targeting Harry in the first place. It was that prophecy that led to the events of the Department of Mysteries and the death of [Sirius](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/sirius-black). And it was that prophecy that ultimately led to Voldemort’s downfall. The power they hold cannot be underestimated. 

However, prophecies are not foolproof. If you were to ask Firenze, he would readily admit that like many elements of Divination, they are not concrete facts. Take Trelawney’s first prophecy where she talked about ‘the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord’. Voldemort didn’t hear the prophecy in its entirety and assumed that it meant Harry. Though we know it could have also applied to [Neville Longbottom](/fact-file/characters-and-pets/neville-longbottom). It was Voldemort’s interpretation that shaped the direction of the prophecy and therefore the entirety of his and Harry’s life. This idea stems back centuries – look at old Greek mythology. In the story of Oedipus, the titular character created his own fate in an act of trying to avoid it, making the prophecy self-fulfilling. Just like Voldemort! 

Imagine how different the story could have been if Voldemort had chosen not to obsess over a snippet of a prophecy, overheard by one of his acolytes, made by the lesser-talented great-great granddaughter of a famous Seer during a job interview at the pub? Perhaps he would never have marked Harry as his equal? Maybe Harry’s parents would never have died? Or maybe Voldemort would never have been defeated. It certainly makes you think.


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__Did you know?__

*Many prophecies have been made about events in Muggle history and one very famous person who made such predictions was Nostradamus. A Seer from 16th century France, he has been said to have predicted numerous events – from the rise of Napoleon to the French revolution. Nostradamus’ prophecies still remain contentious today – there are those who believe in him completely and those who find the whole thing... a bit woolly.* </center>

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Sydney to put on Harry Potter-themed festive light display

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With a wave of the wand, one Muggle home in the Australian suburbs will transform into a spellbinding display of festive splendour, bringing the magic of Hogwarts to life with some beautiful arranged Christmas lights.

On the streets of Ramsgate Beach, just in time for the holiday season, the Harry Potter Christmas Lights house is surrounded by some of Sydney's brightest street and a must-see on Sydney’s Christmas lights trail this year.  

Sydney Harry Potter Christmas Lights

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Visitors will delight in much-loved elements from the Harry Potter stories, with everything from floating candles, Patronus animals, glowing Golden Snitches, Christmas trees adorned in Hogwarts house colours, Thestrals pulling the carriage on the roof, and even five Dobbys hidden amongst the decorations for fans to find.

To top things off, watch out for a huge Whomping Willow tree in the yard! As such, be careful where you park your car.  

Sasha Mackie, Senior Director, Marketing of Warners Bros. Discovery, described the event as a "must-visit display". 

“Whether you’re a lifelong fan or looking for a new Christmas tradition, our magical Harry Potter Christmas Lights house is a must-visit display and something everyone can enjoy. The Harry Potter Christmas Lights house will be lighting up every night from now until 26th December, giving fans and families enough time to visit Sydney with their wands (and cameras) in hand to experience the magic this Christmas.”  

The arrival of the Harry Potter Christmas Light house in Sydney is the latest drop of magic to make its way to Australian shores, following the four-year spell of *Harry Potter & The Cursed Child* at the Princess Theatre and the recently announced Forbidden Forest, coming to Melbourne in 2024.

__The details for the Harry Potter-themed Christmas lights are below__ 

• What: The Harry Potter Christmas House <br>
• Where: 30 Alfred Street, Ramsgate Beach in Sydney <br>
• When: Wednesday 13 to Tuesday 26 December, from 7:30pm daily <br>
• Cost: Free

New interactive art experience Harry Potter: Visions of Magic casts a spell in Germany

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From today, Harry Potter fans are invited to 'illuminate the invisible', with curious wizarding world locations recreated in a series of beautiful tableaus and atmospheric arrangements. 

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Opening today until June next year, the experience promises to be a one-of-a-kind affair, using immersive art instalments to tell the stories of Harry Potter with bold architecture and original soundscapes. There are even interactive elements, where you'll be invited to illuminate your own visions.

This week, a group of lucky visitors (including Harry Potter royalty, the Weasley twins, AKA James and Oliver Phelps) got to experience the space for the first time, where displays focused on key iconography from the wizarding world, from Daily Prophet covers, to the enigmatic Black family tapestry, to the glowing purple brilliance of the Knight Bus. 

The twins were even treated to a spellbinding fireworks display, extremely reminiscent of the explosive works of [Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!](https://www.wizardingworld.com/fact-file/locations/weasleys-wizard-wheezes)

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Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President for Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, described the experience as "absolutely spectacular".

"Harry Potter fans in Germany are about to experience something absolutely spectacular and unlike anything they’ve seen from our iconic franchise,” he said. 

“This experience harnesses the best of art and technology and brings them together in a unique way that will allow fans to explore elements and locations of the Wizarding World that have never been seen in a touring experience.” 

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*Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is open until 2nd June, 2024. [Visit the website to check ticket information or join waiting lists.](https://harrypottervisionsofmagic.ticketmaster.de/)*

Five festive things you can do at the Harry Potter New York store

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**Update: Get your wands ready, because a VIP experience is opening at the New York Store on the 11th and 14th December! You'll be able to beat the crowds and enter the store earlier, get personalised shopping bags, and much more. [Take a look before tickets snap up](https://www.viator.com/en-GB/tours/New-York-City/Exclusive-Harry-Potter-New-York-Store-VIP-Shopping-Experience/d687-425922P5)!**

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Harry Potter New York is no ordinary shop. Set over two floors, it has the largest amount of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products in one place making it *the* shop for any Harry Potter fan. And at Christmas, the magic reaches a whole new level...

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The Harry Potter New York window display. The window says Happy Christmas Harry. The mannequins are wearing different Christmas themed tops and a Weasley jumper.

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## Admire the Christmas window…
First things first, you don’t even need to step into the store for the Christmas joy to start. That begins with the window displays which are transformed for the festive season. All along 22nd St, fans can admire a snow-covered Hogwarts castle and grounds with special Christmas products proudly displayed amongst the wintry scene. Once you cross the threshold into the store, the windows are transformed to capture the glow of Hogwarts at Christmas. Remember to keep an eye out for Harry Potter taking a moment to warm himself by the fire in the Great Hall.


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The inside of the Harry Potter New York window display with a mannequin wearing Christmas jumper and a pile of presents.

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## There’s a perfect gift for everyone…
It can be so hard to find the perfect gift for your nearest and dearest at Christmas (you don’t *really* want to get yet another ‘World’s best dad’ mug for your father). Luckily for you, with over 15 different themed areas Harry Potter New York leaves you spoilt for choice. From stocking fillers to showstoppers, there is something for everyone whether that’s a toy or game for a child (or grownup) in your life or an Azkaban inspired gift for a special Dark Arts fan. You can even pick up a Christmas tree ornament or stocking for yourself thanks to the special holiday range of products. Best of all, at this flagship store you can find products not available for purchase anywhere else – we especially like the look of the Harry Potter New York Fawkes Hoodie

If you want to get a little more personal, head over to the Things That Must Not Be Named section of the store where you can get everything from journals, robes and even wands personalised with a name of your choice.


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The Harry Potter New York Christmas window display. The mannequin is wearing a Christmas top, holding a cushion and carrying a wand. The display features Hogwarts castle and trees and a variety of products from a Hedwig toy to socks.

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## Choose your perfect wand (or will it choose you?) …
Speaking of wands, you can’t visit a store all about Harry Potter and not go and visit the wand section. In fact, we think that after buying everyone else Christmas goodies you should buy yourself a little treat – you deserve it. This area has been inspired by Ollivanders and contains over fifty different wands that have been influenced by characters, locations and props from the Wizarding World. There’s even a Griffin Stairwell wand exclusive to the store.

And if you look between the piles of wand boxes, you’ll spot some digital windows that show you a magical forest that changes throughout the day and reflects the seasons (just imagine how glorious it will look at during the festive period). If you keep an eye out, you might even spot some familiar Patronuses – including Dumbledore’s Phoenix. 


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A photo of the griffin in the Harry Potter New York store. The griffin is the same as the one outside Dumbledore's office and is at the top of the stairs.

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## Pose for some fun photos…
Harry Potter New York is more than the products on its shelves – it’s an experience. Everything in the store has been carefully designed with thoughtful details so you can fully immerse yourself. There are so many fan favourite moments from the stories that you can spot as you make your way around the store. There are even authentic props from the movies. With so much detail, there are plenty of opportunities to snap a few photos. You can stand in the Atrium of Awe and admire the Griffin that guards Dumbledore’s office (interestingly the Griffin in the store is cast from the original prop seen in the films). You can also pose in a London phone box like the one outside the Ministry of Magic. You also wouldn’t want to leave without getting a picture of the huge floating model of Fawkes the Phoenix which was handcrafted by propmakers in the UK and weighs over 100kgs! 

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## Check out the Butterbeer bar…
Once you have found your perfect wand, done all your Christmas shopping and taken a photo or two (or fifty), remember to visit the Butterbeer bar. If you are old enough, place your order under the cascading bottles of Butterbeer – each of them adorned with a collectible label created by MinaLima and watch as the bottles glow. Speaking of MinaLima, you can also find a bottled Butterbeer label exclusively designed for the New York store. Inspired by the Magical Congress of the United States of America, the label contains deep reds, whites and blues – a bit like the U.S. flag. And the fun doesn’t stop there – spotted something whizzing above your head? That will be the Butterbeer that soars across the ceiling through the network of copper pipes as Butterbeer bottles rise up from the floor and float across the bar. Oh, and don’t forget to take your souvenir tankard! 

***
We don’t know about you, but thinking about all the things you can do at Harry Potter New York has left us feeling rather Christmassy! You can find all the information you need for your festive visit on their [website](https://www.harrypotterstore.com).
