Golgotha

• Type: Divination Instrument, Magical Device
• Owners: Gellert Grindelwald
• Maker: Unknown

Golgotha is a magical hookah-like device used by Gellert Grindelwald. Its central and most prominent feature is a polished, metallic human-like skull. Tubes extend from this central piece, allowing a user to inhale smoke through it. When used, it produces a thick, dark, magical smoke in which visions appear. The overall appearance is both ornate and macabre, reflecting Grindelwald's aesthetic and the dark nature of his magic (film).

The primary magical function of Golgotha is to perform a powerful and specific form of Divination. By smoking from the device, the user can conjure visions of the future. These visions manifest visually within the enchanted smoke exhaled into the room. Gellert Grindelwald used Golgotha in 1927 to guide his strategic planning. The visions granted him foresight into significant future events, such as the looming Second World War initiated by Muggles and the immense power of the Obscurial, Credence Barebone. This ability to see what is to come allowed Grindelwald to manipulate events and followers, presenting his dark crusade as a necessary action to prevent a greater catastrophe. The visions appear to be direct and clear, making Golgotha a formidable tool for a Seer (film).

The origins and creator of Golgotha are unknown. It was in the possession of Gellert Grindelwald during his rise to power in the 1920s. He kept it within his private residence at the Place Cachée in Paris, using it to anticipate the actions of his adversaries, including Newt Scamander and the various Ministry of Magic authorities pursuing him (film). The object's fate following Grindelwald's historic duel and defeat at the hands of Albus Dumbledore in 1945 is not documented. Golgotha does not appear and is not mentioned in the original seven Harry Potter novels; its existence is established solely within the Fantastic Beasts film series.

Golgotha plays a crucial role in the Fantastic Beasts narrative, specifically in The Crimes of Grindelwald, by establishing the depth and source of Grindelwald's abilities as a Seer. It is the mechanism through which he obtains the knowledge that drives the plot. His vision of a future global war provides him with a powerful propaganda tool, allowing him to recruit followers to his cause “For the Greater Good” by framing his desire for wizarding domination as a mission of salvation. The device solidifies his status as a charismatic and dangerously perceptive antagonist who is always several steps ahead of his opponents (film).

• The name Golgotha is the Aramaic name for the location, also known as Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. This biblical allusion imbues the object and its owner, Gellert Grindelwald, with themes of martyrdom, sacrifice, and the founding of a new world order, which aligns with Grindelwald's messianic self-perception.
• The entire concept of Golgotha was created for the film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) and has no precedent in the original Harry Potter book series or other supplementary materials written by J.K. Rowling prior to the film.