What happens to the spirits of Non-Witches or Non-Wizards?

[Annielogic]

Originally Posted by Raviolissimo

the human was told, "we recycle souls".

I've not heard this term before. Is that another way of saying rebirth or reincarnation? Or is it saying at the end of a life, some souls get mixed up together to make new personalities/souls.

[rigdoctorbri]

Originally Posted by Raviolissimo

out of all the various accounts i've heard of people's near-death experiences, encounters with angels, etc., the most intriguing account i've heard is, the human was told, "we recycle souls".

That sounds nothing more than the view of Reincarnation...Of course, in that case, you might come back as a sea cucumber...

[Grymmditch]

Originally Posted by rigdoctorbri

That sounds nothing more than the view of Reincarnation...Of course, in that case, you might come back as a sea cucumber...

That's not the view of reincarnation.. you don't just come back randomly as whatever, there's a definite path to the whole concept, one of self improvement and enlightenment... but I digress.

I think the question is unanswerable, at least from canon, because it's simply not addressed. The one thing we do know, it seems apparent that only wizards and witches can choose to be ghosts. But even that's not concrete.

[rigdoctorbri]

Originally Posted by Grymmditch

That's not the view of reincarnation.. you don't just come back randomly as whatever, there's a definite path to the whole concept, one of self improvement and enlightenment... but I digress.

I think the question is unanswerable, at least from canon, because it's simply not addressed. The one thing we do know, it seems apparent that only wizards and witches can choose to be ghosts. But even that's not concrete.

Well, that depends upon which philosophy you follow, but of course, this is not a discussion on reincarnation.

What the question really should speculate is 'What can we surmise happens to the souls of the dearly departed non-magic folk?' We must first look at the author's hints of her beliefs in the afterlife, and what has been revealed in her works. If we take what Sir Nicholas stated as strict canon, and not merely his own opinion, then only wizards and witches can choose to become ghosts. However, this is not the true afterlife depicted within the book.

I would suggest that what Sir Nicholas states is true, but those non-magic folk continue directly on to the afterlife.

[HedwigOwl]

Originally Posted by wickedwickedboy

The muggles go to the Muggle afterlife.

....a muggle afterlife? How would that differ?

[Alien_Visitor]

Originally Posted by rigdoctorbri

We learned, though, admittedly, from the viewpoint of a wizard-ghost, that wizards can choose to leave an imprint of themselves in the form of a ghost. We assume that to mean that only wizards can become ghosts. Is that so? Is the author suggesting that ghosts we in the Muggle World have seen or claimed to have seen could only have been those of witches or wizards?

No, I believe that non-Magical people can become ghosts too. The Ghost of Canterville can't have been a wizard in life, or he'd have Accio'd the food that was put out of his reach, and he could have escaped from the dungeons he was put in.

The character played by Patrick Swayzee in "Ghost" certainly was no wizard either.

So, what happens to the spirits of non-witches or non-wizards? Do they simply vanish? Do they go on to The Spirit World? Do they have the ability to become ghosts themselves? Can they intermingle with living as freely as the Ghosts of Hogwarts, or are they restricted to making bumps, noises, passive appearances, and that little chill that runs up and down your spine for no apparent reason?

What happens to the spirits of non-humans too? Where did Doby's spirit go? What happens to the soul of a goblin when he or she dies?

Please discuss...

It is my opinion that, Magical or not, Humans are... well, human, they all belong to the human race. What happens to them in the afterlife must be the same, whether they had magical powers in life or not.

Sentient non-humans? I'm sure they have their own faith/stories/legends or traditions or beliefs. Dobby's spirit probably went to Elves' Heaven, and Goblins's spirits go wherever they believe is the destination(s) after death.

While we're at it, are there elves, goblins, centaurs, merpeople, etc. who come back as ghosts? Or maybe send messages through dreams? Are there goblin or elf mediums? (By "medium", I mean someone who speaks to spirits of the dead, like the Whoopi Goldberg character in the movie "Ghost".)

[goonie102]

They State That In The Book But What I Really Think Is That Everyone The Books/Movies Has A Soul And They Can All Become Ghosts

[The_Green_Woods]

Originally Posted by The_Green_Woods

I think Dobby or a Goblin simply ceases to be from the moment he dies, just like a human being.

I think I have changed my mind about this. I think house elves or goblins can become ghosts too. They probably come under the same law as humans.

[Grymmditch]

Originally Posted by Alien_Visitor

No, I believe that non-Magical people can become ghosts too. The Ghost of Canterville can't have been a wizard in life, or he'd have Accio'd the food that was put out of his reach, and he could have escaped from the dungeons he was put in.

The character played by Patrick Swayzee in "Ghost" certainly was no wizard either.

Well, yeah, but those characters aren't part of the "Potterverse", they're external stories. I believe the question was meant to be framed strictly in the context of the Potter series, and what we know from canon.


Goblins and Elves.. hmm.. as long as being a "wand bearer" has nothing to do with the ability to become a ghost, (and I doubt it does) I think, being magical creatures, they too could become ghosts if they wanted. That'd be cool, a goblin ghost! or a spooky Winky

[Annielogic]

Originally Posted by Grymmditch

Goblins and Elves.. hmm.. as long as being a "wand bearer" has nothing to do with the ability to become a ghost, (and I doubt it does) I think, being magical creatures, they too could become ghosts if they wanted. That'd be cool, a goblin ghost! or a spooky Winky

Do you mean only magical people would have souls?

I find it a bit sad that Muggles just because they're not magical, they wouldn't have a soul and therefore go to an afterlife. That means muggleborns and some half-bloods for instance would for all eternity be seperated from their Muggle loved ones. It difficult to imagine JKR would want that.

[Grymmditch]

Originally Posted by Annielogic

Do you mean only magical people would have souls?

I find it a bit sad that Muggles just because they're not magical, they wouldn't have a soul and therefore go to an afterlife. That means muggleborns and some half-bloods for instance would for all eternity be seperated from their Muggle loved ones. It difficult to imagine JKR would want that.

Oh no, no - just that only magical creatures - including wizards and witches - can become ghosts.
I don't think the series suggested that muggles don't have souls, I think it only suggested that only wizards/witches (and maybe elves/goblins) can leave behind the imprint of it - a "ghost".

[Annielogic]

Originally Posted by Grymmditch

Oh no, no - just that only magical creatures - including wizards and witches - can become ghosts.
I don't think the series suggested that muggles don't have souls, I think it only suggested that only wizards/witches (and maybe elves/goblins) can leave behind the imprint of it - a "ghost".

Oh, I see what you mean.

I'm not sure how being magical means they have more 'free will' and ability to choose the path their soul takes. For Muggles their religion may well have a lot to do with it.

We do see horses as part of the headless hunt, so it might be possible for non-magical to become ghosts.

[Grymmditch]

Originally Posted by Annielogic

Oh, I see what you mean.

We do see horses as part of the headless hunt, so it might be possible for non-magical to become ghosts.

Ooo! Good catch!
Unless ...the horses aren't real ghosts, but conjured up by living wizards for the ghosts to use? - I really kinda doubt that though.

[The_Green_Woods]

Originally Posted by Annielogic

We do see horses as part of the headless hunt, so it might be possible for non-magical to become ghosts.

Oh yes, I remember! But how does that happen? If an animal fear for its life, then will it become a ghost or will it (then most animals will I suppose), if it died along with its owner, then will it become a ghost if its owner becomes one?

[Annielogic]

Originally Posted by The_Green_Woods

Oh yes, I remember! But how does that happen? If an animal fear for its life, then will it become a ghost or will it (then most animals will I suppose), if it died along with its owner, then will it become a ghost if its owner becomes one?

Maybe it's through care and loyality to (doesn't want to leave) its owner? If the horse can make an independant decision and its non-magical, then I would think any non-magical sentient being could do the same, I guess.