5pm's and the Deathly Hallows

photo courtesy of www.getdrawings.com

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. I’ve read the books, watched the movies, got sorted into my house (Hep hep Slytherin!), discovered my Patronus, and received my wand. But throughout the seven books (or eight films), there is one element of the series that resonates with me the most—the Tale of the Three Brothers, or the Tale of the Deathly Hallows.

For those who might not be familiar with the story, let me summarize: Three wizard brothers come across a treacherous river. Since they are wizards, they use their magic to create a bridge. As they cross, they encounter Death, who feels cheated because no souls were taken from the brothers. In his cunning way, Death pretends to congratulate them for their cleverness and offers each of them a gift.

The first brother, Antioch, desires to be the most powerful wizard in the world, so Death gives him the Elder Wand. The second brother, Cadmus, wishes to bring back his lost love, and Death provides him with the Resurrection Stone. The third brother, Ignotus, simply wants to continue his journey and explore the world without the shadow of Death following him, so Death gives him the Invisibility Cloak.

Antioch, emboldened by his new wand, kills a man to test its power. But that very night, another wizard steals the wand and kills him in his sleep. Death claims him.

Cadmus, using the Resurrection Stone, brings back his love, only to find that she no longer belongs in the mortal world. Her presence makes him miserable, and eventually, consumed by grief, he takes his own life. Death claims him as well.

Ignotus, on the other hand, continues to travel, learns new things, and lives without fear of Death. When his time eventually comes, he removes the Invisibility Cloak and passes it on to his son. He greets Death like an old friend, and they part as equals.

Reading Harry Potter and revisiting this tale time and again, I began to realize what the Deathly Hallows represent:

Some people live like Antioch, seeking the Elder Wand. They crave invincibility and power, as though they can conquer death itself. But in the end, this pursuit leads to their destruction. Like the first brother, they are claimed by Death.

Others live like Cadmus, seeking the Resurrection Stone. They believe happiness comes from material wealth, or from bringing back what is lost. But as the second brother learns, the past cannot be resurrected, and material things cannot fill the void. He, too, is claimed by Death.

But I try to live like Ignotus. He sought the Invisibility Cloak not to hide from life, but to explore it fearlessly. The Cloak represents not passivity, but a way to shield oneself from the fear of failure. It empowers you to take risks and face life head-on, knowing that mistakes and failures are part of the journey. Through the Invisibility Cloak, the third brother achieved much, and when his time came, he greeted Death as a friend, parting from the world as equals.

Moreover, Harry Potter himself receives the Invisibility Cloak and uses it not to shy away from life, but to face it more strategically and purposefully. It becomes a tool for him to confront challenges, to protect others, and to embrace his destiny.

So, why mention 5pm? Here’s the connection: Life is like a 9-to-5. Every day is a chapter, a task to be completed. You wake up, face the day, accomplish your goals, and at 5pm, you reflect on what you've done. The day ends, and you rest, preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.

But the 5pm represents more than just the end of a workday. It’s a metaphor for the end of every chapter in your life. Every 5pm is a kind of death—not in a physical sense, but as the closing of one phase, a moment of reflection. You’ve learned something, and by 5pm, you can evaluate whether you’ve done a good job. The 5pm is your time to think and rethink, to reflect and reflect, to evaluate and re-evaluate, and to learn, unlearn, and re-learn (Thank you Gillian Rose for this very powerful way of looking at life). Every day, you greet the day’s death like an old friend, ready to part with it as equals—and be reborn the next day.

At the end of every day—or every chapter—we are asked to choose our Hallow. Do we choose the Elder Wand, seeking power and control? Do we choose the Resurrection Stone, chasing illusions of what’s already lost? Or do we choose the Invisibility Cloak, which allows us to live authentically, taking risks while remaining accountable for the consequences of those actions? The choice you make determines whether Death claims you or you greet Death at 5pm and part with him as equals.

Reflecting on this, I was inspired to write a haiku that ties this philosophy together:

Facing the unknown

In a life worth fighting for 

At peace 'til the end.

I do not seek to control my life—there are things beyond my control. I do not seek power or illusions. I seek wisdom, experience, understanding, excellence, honour, and integrity to face the uncontrollable. My Invisibility Cloak? My authentic self. It shields me not because I am weak, but because I choose how I deal with the Hooded Figure when I cross my bridges - I don't let it claim me by seeking what I cannot control, but I will depart from him so that I can master what I can master. So that, when my ultimate 5pm comes, I know I will greet Death like an old friend, ready to part this life as equals.