Just this week, Pottermore released a sorting quiz for the American wizarding school, Ilvermorny. And, of course, the sea of people that is the Potter fandom went to the site to be sorted, as did I. But, after being sorted, my biggest question was “What does this mean?” And now this is your guide to understanding your new house.
There are four houses at Ilvermorny, and each represent a different piece of the human spirit.
House of the Horned Serpent: represents the mind
House of the Pukwudgie: represents the heart
House of the Thunderbird: represents the soul
House of the Wampus: represents the body
Now, I know the first reaction is to compare these houses with those of Hogwarts, to see if we got our equivalents. However, I don’t recommend this. I retook the Hogwarts quiz right after the Ilvermorny, and they ask very different questions and tap into different parts of us as humans. Also, it makes assumptions of these new houses and sets up expectations they might not meet by giving them a twin in England.Traits will cross over inevitably, but it’s certainly too soon to make comparisons in my opinion. The best I can say is that these new houses are like hybrids of Hogwarts, where traits come from multiple places.
Now, on to the houses!
Horned Serpent
This house focuses on the mind, and is said to favor scholars. This house believes that knowledge is the most powerful aspect of a person. The Horned Serpent, as a creature, was one that the founder of Ilvermorny, Isolt, found the most interest in.
Pukwudgie
The Pukwudgie are healers and protectors, they lead their decisions through their heart first. They care deeply for people they love, and will use that to do what’s best. Pukwudgie is a fundamental piece of the founding of Ilvermorny, being the protector of the founder as she made her travels through the country.
Thunderbird
The actual creature, Thunderbird, is known for creating storms as it flies. Traits of the house include adventure and exploration, a thrill for discovery. The creature represents the souls of the witch or wizard in the house. There is a sense of freedom about this house, but the people in this house feel storms while discovering who they are. Thunderbird’s are sometimes considered intelligent but often temperamental, like their house founder Chadwick.
Wampus
The Wampus are the warriors, they use their bodies and strength for power. They are fighters, both physically and emotionally. Like their house founder Webster, argumentative but fiercely loyal is a trait of wizards and witches of this house.
Some back story on the sorting process of Ilvermorny, because it sounds fascinating but also brings up the ability to fit multiple houses. The followig is from the Ilvermorny story from Pottermore.
“While the rest of the school watches from the circular balcony overhead, new students file into the round entrance hall. They stand around the walls and, one by one, are called to stand on the symbol of the Gordian Knot set into the middle of the stone floor. In silence the school then waits for the enchanted carvings to react. If the Horned Serpent wants the student, the crystal set into its forehead will light up. If the Wampus wants the student, it roars. The Thunderbird signifies its approval by beating its wings, and the Pukwudgie will raise its arrow into the air.
Should more than one carving signify its wish to include the student in its house, the choice rests with the student.”
So, it’s possible to be sorted in to multiple houses at Ilvermorny, and to me resembles more of the Divergent set up for choice rather than Hogwarts. That is actually pretty interesting.
Here is a quick sort, in case you don’t and can’t get in to Pottermore. Think about how you make decisions, and what you focus on to make the decision. Is it your head, your heart, your soul, or your physicality? In there lies your answer.
Below is the teaser for Ilvermorny, and you can learn more a get sorted by visiting Pottermore.
What house were you sorted in to? Let me know with a comment!
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