"The Patronus Charm conjures an incarnation of the caster's innermost positive feelings, such as joy, hope, or the desire to survive, known as a Patronus. A Patronus can be viewed as the exact opposite of a Dementor. Even though it embodies all the positive emotions that a Dementor feeds on, a Patronus is conjured as a protector, and is a weapon rather than a predator of souls: Patronuses shield their conjurors from Dementors, and even drive them away. A Patronus "cannot feel despair, as real humans can, so Dementors can't hurt it." The conjured Patronus protects the witch or wizard that summoned it, obeys his or her commands, and fades away shortly after it is no longer required."
"Etymology: The Latin word patronus means "father" or (in archaic Latin)"guardian" (see patronus)"protector" . The plural of patronus is patroni, but the plural of the term as coined in the books is Patronuses. The incantation for the charm is Expecto Patronum. The Latin word expecto, means "I await." A rough translation of the incantation is thus "I await (my) guardian/father."
In the French version of the book, the spell is "Spero Patronum". Spero means "I hope" or "I expect," much as ex(s)pecto means "I expect, I await." This could mean that the spell is based on hope and faith."
Well, this brief history of the Patronum spell is to help me to remember what to do when I feel as I have the last few days - utterly depressed. I am not keen on whinging and would rather lock myself up alone than go on and on about all that is wrong.
So, lying in bed tonight, when I should have been asleep (crikey even those pills aren't working now!) I came to an enlightening thought. Of course this could be because I've recently finished the last HP book and only yesterday saw Order of the Phoenix. But never mind that. The thought that stuck with me is this, well, it's what Harry says - think of the happiest memory you can to create your Patronum.
Since nothing else has been able to get me out of this funk lately, I tried to do just that. And it was pretty simple. The memory I came up with was of the hugs I get from my nephews. So from now I on when I am feeling like crap, and I don't just mean physically, b/c that's 24/7, I will think of my two favourite people and the wonderful hugs they give me. And hopefully that will be able to keep those Dementors away!
