Circe was an ancient mythical sorceress sometimes said to be the inventress of magic and spells itself. She was the immortal daughter of Perseis, an Oceanid daughter of Oceanus and Tethys and Helios, the Titan of the Sun. Circe, who lived with her nymph attendants on the mythical island of Aeaea was skilled in the magic of metamorphosis, the power of illusion, and the dark art of necromancy.
When Odysseus landed on her island she transformed his men into animals, but with the help of the god Hermes, he overcame the goddess and forced her to release his men from her spell. Kirke's island of Aeaea was located in the farthest west, on the boundary between the sea and the river Okeanos which encircled the earth. Her island was contrasted with Aia, the land in the far east, home of Kirke's brother Aeetes.
She enjoyed transfiguring lost sailors into pigs.
Circe was featured on a Chocolate Frog Card. Harry Potter obtained this card from a Chocolate Frog on his first trip to Hogwarts in 1991.[2] There was a portrait of Circe at Hogwarts Castle. It guarded a secret shortcut between the fourth-floor landing of the Grand Staircase and the Entrance Hall side room. The password required to gain access to said shortcut was Piggywiggy.
Magical ablities and skills
Circe is an incredible gifted and powerful sorceress possessing goddess level abilities. An example of her abilities is turning the once most beautiful maiden Scylla into a hideous monster. Out of jealousy Circe poisoned the water of a sea where Scylla was accostumed to bathe in. Upon entering the water the poor thing transformed into a creature with twelve dangling feet, six long necks and grisly heads lined with a triple row of sharp teeth. Her voice was likened to the yelping of dogs. Ships who sailed too close to her rocks would lose six men to her ravenous, darting heads.
She was known to be very gifted in the following branches of magic:
- Transfiguration: Circe was proficient in the human to pig spell.
- Necromancy
- Illusion casting
- Potions
- Spell crafting
Etymology
The name "Circe" is a latinized form of Greek Κιρκη (Kirke), which possibly meant "bird". In Greek mythology Circe was a sorceress who changed Odysseus's crew into hogs but was forced by him to change them back.
Trivia
- Sometimes she is seen as the daughter of Hecate, the Goddess of Magic, Sorcery,...
- The name of her island, Aeaea, is said to be her surname as well.
- She and her siblings may have been the very first witches/wizard. Their ability to use magic being derived from the divine blood coursing through their veins. In theory this would make them the most powerful magic wielders in history.
- Circe is immortal and thus can't die, meaning she is still around up untill this day.
- Circe is said to be a minor goddess/the spirit of magic. However she was also said to be the very inventress of magic and spells itself.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Appears in portrait(s))
