Month: May 2015

Harry Potter Spells – Levicorpus

In the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry teaches the spell Levicorpus to Dumbledore's Army. However, this never happens in the book. (Photo from harrypotter.wikia.com)

Last week, I took a break from Harry Potter to talk about the Kentucky Derby but let’s return to exploring Harry Potter spells. Harry first discovers the spell “levicorpus” in Snape’s old potions book in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. 

Levicorpus comes from the Latin roots levi– meaning smooth or light and corp- meaning body. The spell “levicorpus” makes a body incredibly light, allowing it to float.

We discover the effects of the spell when Harry uses it against Ron. Harry pointed his wand “and the incantation sprang to mind without conscious thought: Levicorpus! Ron yelled as his heel was wrenched upward once more; he dangled helplessly, upside down, his robes hanging off him (Page 393).”

Can you think of another spell with the root word levi– in it?

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Carpe Diem!

The 141st Kentucky Derby will occur on May 2, 2015. (Photo from kentuckyderby.com)

Here in Louisville (and probably all around the world), many of us are super excited to watch the Kentucky Derby later today!

My favorite amongst the field of horses is Carpe Diem, mostly because his name has an awesome meaning. Carpe diem is a Latin expression that means “seize the day.” The jockey who rides Carpe Diem also rode Animal Kingdom to victory in 2011. John Velazquez has ridden in thirteen previous Kentucky Derby races, so he is extremely experienced.

I hope that this beautiful and velocious horse seizes the day and rides to victory!

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