Legilimency

Legilimency is the act of magically navigating the many layers of a person's mind and interpreting one's findings. It is a form of mind magic.

A person who practices this art is known as a Legilimens. Muggles might call this "mind-reading," but practitioners disdain the term as naive. The opposite of Legilimency is Occlumency, which may be used to shield one's mind from the invasion and influence of a Legilimens.

Page adapted from Legilimency at the Harry Potter Lexicon.

History

It is unknown who invented the art of Legilimency and just when it was invented. It is safe to assume that the art has been around for a fairly long time, as Salazar Slytherin , a very skilled Legillimens, lived in the 11th century, and, along with the other Hogwarts founders, enchanted the Sorting Hat to have the skill. Other witches and wizards have used Legilimency on several different occasions as well.

Study & Terminology

Legilimency and Occlumency continue to be studied by wixes to this day.

A Handbook for Legilimency and Occlumency by Yavin Morgenthau is a well-known publication used by many practitioners/academics. There are many other (often archaic) instructions on the acquirement of these skills, such as The Barrier Within by Garibaldi Angkatell.

Mindscape

The interior of a mind when accessed by a Legilimens. Also know as a Mind Palace, a more organised structure. Legilimens and Occlumens may form mindscape structures to serve as a base for receiving visitors or organising memories.

Mindscape defenses can manifest in a number of ways. One basic approach is focusing on doors and walls as a means of separation. Some Occlumens have more complex barriers. If an Occlumens’ will is strong enough, none but the most skilled Legilimens can break through without their permission.

Dreamscape

The dreams of any person when accessed by a Legilimens. Also used in discussions of Dream magic. A Legilimens must be in proximity of the dreamer - the more skilled the Legilimens, the wider their circle of influence.

Methods

Advanced Legilimens can perform Legilimency nonverbally and wandlessly, but less talented practitioners must use the incantation Legilimens to enter their target's mind. Natural Legilimens (wixes born with the skill) do not require the incantation.

If a target is not skilled in Occlumency, a Legilimens will be able to detect if the person is lying, as well as delve into their thoughts, emotions, and memories. Highly skilled Legilimens can also influence a mind that they invade.

Advanced Legilimens can trick other minds into perceiving, feeling, or smelling things that are not actually in their environment. This is difficult to do. The effect is broken if the Legilimens' concentration is broken in any way.

A Master Legilimens may convince a mind so well that the target's body (if a wix) will manifest the effect of the trick.

Natural Legilimens

Natural Legilimens are wixes born with the innate ability to perceive unguarded minds. They do not require eye contact or aids but must learn Occlumency at a young age to modulate their sensitivity to thoughts.

A natural legilimens may sense and even access a familiar mind from across great distances. Virgil Carstairs does so to reach Waverly Roh-Ballentyne's dreamscape in When You Lose Your Wonder.

Emotional turmoil, inebriation and other stressors may make it difficult for a natural legilimens to reign in their sensitivity.

Aids

• Inebriated individuals are easier to access as their natural inhibitions and mental barriers are lowered. Gillyweed use is especially susceptible to this.

• It is easier to perform Legilimency when the target and practitioners' eyes meet. Some practitioners such as Naomi Foley and her family, find it easier through touch.

Communication

Skilled Legilimens may communicate with one another's minds over moderate distances. This involves the sending of thoughts towards one another: it is only effective if both parties have opened their minds to the exchange. Communication is made easier by minds that have previous experience with one another.

Regulation & Reputation

Like Occlumency, Legilimency is not taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Many people are wary of Legilimens.

The teaching of Legilimency is restricted and regulated by the Ministry of Magic, as it is in invasive skill.

Healers and other professionals who utilise Legilimency as a part of their practice are obliged to register and declare their ability with the Ministry of Magic, for ethical reasons.