Latest writing:
I remain firmly convinced that J.K. Rowling had all kinds of epic color-coded charts laying out elements in the books that parallel and mirror and symbolize each other. (Without even getting into Ring Theory, which is its own thing that others have discussed better than I could.) Here, I attempt to deconstruct all these patterns and parallels and symbolism.
It all began with Sorcerer's Stone in 2014, and I wrote an entire series of essays about the Symbolism of Book 1
Then I progressed to Chamber of Secrets and Half-Blood Prince, using the connection of Borgin & Burkes.
The Foreshadowing of Borgin and Burkes examines the pattern of the objects from Borgin & Burkes popping up in the climax of Books 2, 4, and 6 as a motif. Written in April 2017.
Borgin, Burke, and the Half-Blood Prince talks about the objects in Borgin & Burkes popping up again and again in Half-Blood Prince. Written in April 2017.
I took those two essays about Borgin & Burkes and used them as the basis for a presentation at MISTI-Con 2019, as can be seen below:
In December 2018, I wrote a trilogy of articles examining the Christmases in the HP books.
Getting a Clue for Christmas examines how Jo always drops important clues during Christmas.
Wreath Theory in the Potter Books considers how the Ring Theory applies to the Christmases in HP.
Hermione's Horrible Holidays talks about how Hermione always gets a really raw deal during the holidays.
Chapter 13 analyzes the pattern of Chapter 13 in all the HP books, and then uses that rubric to attempt predicting The Ickabog. Written in June 2020.
Broken Knickknacks vs. Horcruxes contrasts the five most prized possessions of Voldemort and Harry, and how they parallel each other. Written December 2021. (And has the distinction of being my 100th article on MuggleNet!)
In 2022, I wrote a tetralogy of articles called "The Missing Halloweens," about the pattern of Halloweens in the HP books - the pattern that is actually present in the first four books, and how that pattern was intended to be implemented in the latter three books before Jo changed her plan.
The Tri-Book Tournament breaks down how the tasks of the Triwizard Tournament serve as parallels to the first three books, where Jo was essentially taking a literary victory lap midway through the series. Written January 2023.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Sevens follows up on my analysis from Symbolism of Book 1 by laying out all the sets of seven that are prevalent in the climax of Goblet of Fire. Written February 2023.
Draco's Sixes analyzes how the number six is a motif for Draco Malfoy throughout the series. Written May 2025.