Welcome, class, to your first lesson on the magical science we call Arithmancy. Here you may learn to see your future, manage your relationships, or just find out what may be a good day to try something new. First, however, we will learn about the basics of Arithmancy.

Arithmancy is derived from the Greek words arithmos (number) and manteia (divination). Thus we see that Arithmancy is a way of divining our past, present, and future using the numbers that are all around us in our names and birthdates.

Although there are two methods of Arithmancy, Chaldean and Agrippan, we will be studying the Agrippan method. For those of you are not familiar with the great wizard Agrippa, he is pictured above. Agrippa lived in the 14th and 15th centuries C.E. and was a talented magician and alchemist. He was imprisoned by Muggles for his works.

Although Arithmancy is a wizarding practice, it has even tricked into the Muggle world as "numerology", although this is often very unsuccessful due to the non-magical nature of its practicers.


Assignment:

Research Cornelius Agrippa and choose an interesting fact, quote, or reference to him (in either Muggle or magical use). Write a short paragraph on your chosen topic.