Wu Xi Do

**Wu Xi Do**, also know as the **Mayavani technique** or the **Enlightened Path**, is a method of spellcasting traditionally practised in the Far East.

## Usage

Unlike the British Merlinian System, which uses wands as a magical foci, uses the body to perform spells. Although this form of spellcasting makes it harder to cast spells, it does allow for other techniques to be learnt which can enhance the user's physical and mental prowess.

## The Four Paths

As a part of the Wu Xi Do system, katas, mudras and spells are broken down into four different paths, which equate to the four metaphysical elements of a wizard's soul. In India, these paths are labelled by the four classical elements; **Air**, **Earth**, **Fire**, and **Water**.

Each path has 433 "steps", which denotes the skill of the user in that particular path. These paths are also independent of each other, so a person could be a four-hundred-and-thirty-third-step master of the Path of Fire but still be a first-step acolyte of the Path of Earth. An example of this is Padma Patil who, during the summer of 1993, explains she was a ninth-step acolyte of the Path of Water and a twelfth-step acolyte of the Path of Air.

Each sub-soul aspect also has an effect on a wizard's personality, with their dominant traits often being a representation of their largest sub-soul aspect. It has also been noted that it is likely these aspects that the Hogwarts Sorting Hat reads to determine a student's house. In Jim Potter's case, his largest aspect is Fire which, as the aspect of passion, explains his impulsive behaviours and why he pleaded to be in Gryffindor.

### Path of Air

The Path of Air is the path of intellect, study, and creativity.

In Hogwarts terms, people with Air-based souls often become Ravenclaws.

### Path of Earth

The Path of Earth is likely the path of stability, order and grounding.

In Hogwarts terms, people with Earth-based souls often become Hufflepuffs.

### Path of Fire

The Path of Fire is the path of energy, assertiveness, and passion. People who have/develop a Fire-based soul often tend to work off impulse, performing actions with little to no thought going into why they act this way.

In Hogwarts terms, people with Fire-based souls often become Gryffindors.

### Path of Water

The Path of Water is the path of emotion, intuition and healing. People who have/develop a Water-based soul are able to adapt to their environments at a better rate, being able to "go with the flow" much more proficiently then souls of other persuasions.

In Hogwarts terms, people with Water-based souls often become Slytherins.

## Known Practitioners

There are several known practitioners of Wu Xi Do in the "Prince of Slytherin" series. These characters, along with their path step if known, are:

* Gupta Baskar
* Remus Lupin
	+ Path of Air: ~95th
	+ Path of Earth: ~95th
	+ Path of Fire: ~95th
	+ Path of Water: 99th
* Padma Patil
	+ Path of Air: 12th
	+ Path of Water: 9th
* Jim Potter
* Harry Black
* Theo No-name
* Ron Weasley

## Behind the Scenes

* According to The Sinister Man, despite the Paths being labelled after the classical elements, no characters will be demonstrating any skills similar to Bending in the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise.

## References

Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 85 - Prelude (Jim) (Pt 1),

Healer Baskar explains the metaphysical aspects of the wizard's soul to Jim.

 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Sub-Soul" defined multiple times with different content
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 86 - Prelude (Jim) (Pt 2),

Padma explains the Four Paths to Jim.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 86 - Prelude (Jim) (Pt 2),

Padma reveals her Path status to Jim.

 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "Padma's Steps" defined multiple times with different content
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 86 - Prelude (Jim) (Pt 2),

Padma reveals Brother Chandra's mastery of the Paths.
Book 3 - HP&DEM - Ch. 85 - Prelude (Jim) (Pt 1),

Explained in Author's Notes 2.