Showing posts with label incantation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label incantation. Show all posts

Friday, 24 January 2014

Incantations

From Wikipedia    
Blogger Ref Link http://www.p2pfoundation.net/Multi-Dimensional_Science
 For other uses, see Incantation (disambiguation).
An incantation or enchantment is a charm or spell created using words. An incantation may take place during a ritual, either a hymn or prayer, and may invoke or praise a deity. In magic, occultism, and witchcraft it is used with the intention of casting a spell on an object or a person and may employ the use of pharmakeia. The term derives from Latin "incantare" (tr.), meaning "to chant (a magical spell) upon," from in- "into, upon" and cantare "to sing".
In medieval literature, folklore, fairy tales and modern fantasy fiction, enchantments (from the Old French "enchantement") are charms or spells. The term was loaned into English since around AD 1300. The corresponding native English term being "galdor" "song, spell". It has led to the terms "enchanter" and "enchantress", for those who use enchantments.
The weakened sense "delight" (compare the same development of "charm") is modern, first attested in 1593 (OED).


In folklore and fiction[edit]


The enchantress Alcina makes herself appear beautiful, in Orlando Furioso
In traditional fairy tales or fantasy fiction, an enchantment is a magical spell that is attached, on a relatively permanent basis, to a specific person, object or location, and alters its qualities, generally in a positive way. The most widely known example is probably the spell that Cinderella's Fairy Godmother uses to turn a pumpkin into a coach. An enchantment with negative characteristics is usually instead referred to as a curse.
Conversely, enchantments are also used to describe spells that cause no real effects but deceive people, either by directly affecting their thoughts or using some kind of illusions. Enchantresses are frequently depicted as able to seduce by such magic. Other forms include deceiving people into believing that they have suffered a magical transformation.

Effects of incantations[edit]


The Enchanted Garden of Messer Ansaldo by Marie Spartali Stillman
To be enchanted is to be under the influence of an enchantment, usually thought to be caused by charms or spells.
The Latin incantare, which means 'to utter an incantation', or cast a magic spell, forms the basis of the word "enchant", with deep linguistic roots going back to the Proto-Indo-European kan- prefix. So it can be said that an enchanter or enchantress casts magic spells, or utters incantations, similar to what are called Mantra in Sanskrit.

Some collections of charms[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Witchcraft.
Bibliography
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Abracadabra


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This article is about an incantational word. For other uses, see Abracadabra (disambiguation).
Abracadabra is an incantation used as a magic word in stage magic tricks, and historically was believed to have healing powers when inscribed on an amulet.


Etymology[edit]

The word may have its origin in the Aramaic language, but numerous conflicting folk etymologies are associated with it.
The word “Abracadabra” may derive from an Aramaic phrase meaning “I create (A’bra) what (ca) I speak (dab’ra).”[citation needed] This etymology is rather dubious, however, as אברא כדברא in Aramaic is more reasonably translated "I create like the word." The second lexeme in this supposedly Aramaic phrase must be a noun given the presence of the definite article on the end of the word (it cannot be an infinitive construct, as the infinitive cannot take the definite article). Regardless, this phrase would actually be pronounced ebra kidbara, which is clearly different from abracadabra. However, languages in the Middle East are not always hard and fast with the assignment of vowels, and abracadabra is similar enough to ebra kidebra, given the tendency of vowels to shift. A vowel shift is especially likely when a borrowed word or phrase is anglicised.
"[A]bracadabra may comprise the abbreviated forms of the Hebrew words Ab (Father), Ben (Son) and Ruach A Cadsch (Holy Spirit), though an alternative derivation relates the word to Abraxas, a god with snakes for feet who was worshipped in Alexandria in pre-Christian times.".[1] David Pickering's description of the word as an abbreviation from Hebrew is also a false etymology—as he apparently here means Aramaic (בר is Aramaic for "son," it is בן in Hebrew), nor does he account for the final five letters (i.e., -dabra) in the lexeme.

History[edit]

The first known mention of the word was in the third century AD in a book called Liber Medicinalis (sometimes known as De Medicina Praecepta Saluberrima) by Quintus Serenus Sammonicus,[2] physician to the Roman emperor Caracalla, who in chapter 51 prescribed that malaria[3] sufferers wear an amulet containing the word written in the form of a triangle:[4]
A - B - R - A - C - A - D - A - B - R - A
A - B - R - A - C - A - D - A - B - R
A - B - R - A - C - A - D - A - B
A - B - R - A - C - A - D - A
A - B - R - A - C - A - D
A - B - R - A - C - A
A - B - R - A - C
A - B - R - A
A - B - R
A - B
A
The power of the amulet, he explained, makes lethal diseases go away. Other Roman emperors, including Geta and Alexander Severus, were followers of the medical teachings of Serenus Sammonicus and may have used the incantation as well.[2]
It was used as a magical formula by the Gnostics of the sect of Basilides in invoking the aid of beneficent spirits against disease and misfortune.[5] It is found on Abraxas stones which were worn as amulets. Subsequently, its use spread beyond the Gnostics.
The Puritan minister Increase Mather dismissed the word as bereft of power. Daniel Defoe also wrote dismissively about Londoners who posted the word on their doorways to ward off sickness during the Great Plague of London.[6] But Aleister Crowley regarded it as possessing great power; he said its true form is abrahadabra.[7]
The word is now commonly used as an incantation by stage magicians. It is also applied contemptuously to a conception or hypothesis which purports to be a simple solution of apparently insoluble phenomena.

In popular culture[edit]

In comics[edit]

  • Abra Kadabra is the name of a DC Comics villain, who originally uses futuristic technology to create effects that appear magic to present-day people, and later gains actual magic powers.
  • Mr. Kadabra is a member of the 13th floor witches, in Vertigo's Fables comic series.
  • In Sergio Aragonés' Groo comic series, two witches who are sometimes allies or enemies of Groo are named Arba and Dakarba.
  • In The Wizard of Id comics, the Wizard creates a Frankenstein-like monster known as Abra Cadaver.

In games[edit]

In the Nintendo/Game Freak video game franchise Pokémon, there are three creatures in the same evolutionary chain named Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam (the third of which is also an alleged magic word used by stage magicians).

In music[edit]

  • Lili Ivanova, a Bulgarian singer, has a song written for her with this title (Bulgarian: Абракадабра).

In cinema[edit]

In literature[edit]

The incantation Avada Kedavra is known as the Killing Curse in the Harry Potter novel series. During an audience interview at the Edinburgh Book Festival on 15 April 2004, series author J. K. Rowling had this to say about the fictional Killing Curse's etymology: "Does anyone know where avada kedavra came from? It is an ancient spell in Aramaic, and it is the original of abracadabra, which means 'let the thing be destroyed.' Originally, it was used to cure illness and the 'thing' was the illness, but I decided to make it the 'thing' as in the person standing in front of me. I take a lot of liberties with things like that. I twist them round and make them mine." [8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Jump up ^ Dictionary of Superstitions,David Pickering,Cassell Wellington House, 1995,1
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Vollmer, Friedrich. Quinti Sereni Liber Medicinalis. Leipzig: Teubner, 1916, chap. LII, v. 4.
  3. Jump up ^ The Tenacious Buzz of Malaria". Wall Street Journal. July 10, 2010.
  4. Jump up ^ Bartleby
  5. Jump up ^  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Abracadabra". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press 
  6. Jump up ^ Daniel Defoe. A Journal of the Plague Year. London, Dent, 1911 (1722)
  7. Jump up ^ Guiley, Rosemary (2006). "Abracadabra". The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy. Visionary Living Inc. ISBN 0-8160-6048-7. 
  8. Jump up ^ J. K. Rowling (2004-08-15). "J K Rowling at the Edinburgh Book Festival". J.K.Rowling Official Site. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 

External links[edit]

Look up abracadabra in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abracadabra&oldid=590613606"
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Monday, 10 December 2012

Amulets


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


For other uses, see Amulet (disambiguation).

Ancient EgyptianTaweret amulet, New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1539–1292 BC.
An amulet, similar to a talisman (Arabic: طلسم‎ / transliterated: tilasim), can be any object but its most important characteristic is its alleged power to protect its owner from danger or harm.[1] Potential amulets includegems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words in the form of a magical spell, incantation, to repel evil or bad luck.
The word "amulet" comes from the Latin amuletum; the earliest extant use of the term is in Pliny's Natural History, meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble". [2][3]

Contents

[edit]Amulets in the Abrahamic religions


A crucifix, considered in Christian tradition as a defense against demons, as the holy sign ofChrist's victory over every evil.
In antiquity and the Middle Ages, most Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Orient believed in the protective and healing power of amulets or blessed objects. Talismans used by these peoples can be broken down into three main categories: talismans carried or worn on the body, talismans hung upon or above the bed of an infirm person, and medicinal talismans. This third category can be further divided into external and internal talismans. For example, an external amulet can be placed in a bath.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims have also at times used their holy books in a talisman-like manner in grave situations. For example, a bed-ridden and seriously ill person would have a holy book placed under part of the bed or cushion.[4]

[edit]Judaism

Amulets are plentiful in the Jewish tradition, with examples of Solomon-era amulets existing in manymuseums. Due to proscription of idols, Jewish amulets emphasize text and names—the shape, material or color of an amulet makes no difference. See also Khamsa.
The Jewish tallis (Yiddish-Hebrew form; plural is tallitot), the prayer shawl with fringed corners and knotted tassels at each corner, is perhaps one of the world's oldest and most used talismanic objects. Some believe it was intended to distinguish the Jews from pagans, as well as to remind them of God and Heaven. An incorrect conjugation of the plural form (with Ashkenazi pronunciation), "tallisim," is very close to the term "talisman;" however, the word "talisman" has come to us through Arabic, although ultimately derives from the Greek.

[edit]Christianity


Back of the Catholic Saint Benedict medal with the Vade Retro Satana abbreviation: "Step back, Satan."
Further information: Cross necklace
The Roman Catholic Church maintains that the legitimate use of sacramentals in its proper disposition is only encouraged by a firm faith and devotion in God, not through any magical or superstitious belief bestowed on the sacramental. In this regard, rosaries, scapular, medals and other devotional religious Catholic paraphernalia derive their power, not from the symbolism created by the object, rather by the faith of the believer in entrusting its power to God. While some Catholics may not fully appreciate this view, belief in pagan magic or polytheistic superstition through material in-animate objects are condemned by the Holy See.
Protestant denominations in general do not share in this belief, but other Christian Evangelicalssometimes advertise in television prayer clothes, or coins, and wallet reminders claiming to haveintercessory powers on its bearer.
Lay Catholics are not permitted to perform exorcisms but they can use holy water, blessed salt and other sacramentals such as the Saint Benedict medal or the crucifix for warding off evil.[5]

[edit]Crucifix

The crucifix is one of the key sacramentals used by Catholics and has been used to ward off evil for centuries. The imperial cross ofConrad II (1024–1039) referred to the power of the cross against evil.[6] Many of the early theologians of the Catholic Church made reference to use of the sign of the cross by Christians to bless and to ward off demonic influences. The crucifix is still widely used as a talismanic sacramental by Christians.

[edit]Medals

A well-known amulet among Catholic Christians is the Saint Benedict medal which includes the Vade Retro Satana formula to ward off Satan. This medal has been in use at least since the 18th century and in 1742 it received the approval of Pope Benedict XIV. It later became part of the Roman Catholic ritual.[7]

[edit]Scapulars

Some Catholic sacramentals are believed to defend against evil, by virtue of their association with a specific saint or archangel. Thescapular of St. Michael the Archangel is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular associated with Archangel Michael, the chief enemy of Satan. Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII.
The form of this scapular is somewhat distinct, in that the two segments of cloth that constitute it have the form of a small shield; one is made of blue and the other of black cloth, and one of the bands likewise is blue and the other black. Both portions of the scapular bear the well-known representation of the Archangel St. Michael slaying the dragon and the inscription "Quis ut Deus?" meaning Who is like God?.[8]

[edit]Holy water

Catholic saints have written about the power of holy water as a force that repels evil. Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of holy water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil and temptations.[9]

[edit]Amulets and ancient Rome

The amulet is particularly prevalent in ancient Roman society, being the inheritor of the ancient Greek tradition, and inextricably linked to Roman Religion and magic (see Magic in the Greco-Roman World). Amulets are usually outside of the normal sphere of religious experience though associations between certain gemstones and gods has been suggested, for example, Jupiter is represented on milkychalcedony, Sol on heliotrope, Mars on red jasper, Ceres on green jasper and Bacchus on amethyst.[10] Amulets are worn to imbue the wearer with the associated powers of the gods rather than for any reasons of piety. The intrinsic power of the amulet is also evident from others bearing inscriptions, such as vterfexix (utere fexix) or "good luck to the user."[11] Amulet boxes could also be used, such as the example from part of the Thetford treasure, Norfolk, UK, where a gold box intended for suspension around the neck was found to contain sulphur for its apotropaic qualities.[12]

[edit]Amulets in folklore


An Omamori, a Japanese amulet
Amulets vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. In many societies, religious objects serve as amulets, e.g. deriving from the ancient Celts, the clover, if it has four leaves, symbolizes good luck (not the Irish shamrock, which symbolizes the Christian Trinity).[13]
In Bolivia and Argentina, the god Ekeko furnishes a standard amulet, to whom one should offer at least one banknote or a cigarette to obtain fortune and welfare.[14] In certain areas of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it is traditionally believed that the jackal's horn can grant wishes and reappear to its owner at its own accord when lost. Some Sinhalese believe that the horn can grant the holder invulnerability in any lawsuit.[15] In the Philippines, the local amulet is called agimat or anting-anting. According to folklore, the most powerful anting-anting is the hiyas ng saging (directly translated as pearl or gem of the banana). The hiyas must come from a mature banana and only comes out during midnight. Before the person can fully possess this agimat, he must fight a supernatural creature called kapre. Only then will he be its true owner. During holy week, devotees travel to Mount Banahaw to recharge their amulets.[16]

[edit]See also

[edit]Notes

  1. ^ * Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X., p.1
  2. ^ * Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X., p.1
  3. ^ * Guelden, Marlane (2007). Thailand: Spirits Among Us. Marshall Cavendish Editions. ISBN 9812610758.
  4. ^ Tewfik Canaan, "The Decipherment of Arabic Talismans," The Formation of the Classical Islamic World 42 (2004): 125–149.
  5. ^ Rosemarie Scott, 2006 Clean of Heart ISBN 0-9772234-5-0 p. 63
  6. ^ e encyclopedia of Christianity By Erwin Fahlbusch, Eerdmans Publishing, 1999 ISBN 0-8028-2413-7 p. 737
  7. ^ Lea, Henry Charles (1896) A History of Auricular Confession and Indulgences in the Latin Church Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co.
  8. ^ Ann Ball, 2003, Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices OSV Press ISBN 0-87973-910-X p. 520
  9. ^ Tessa Bielecki, Mirabai Starr, 2008 Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life ISBN 1-59030-573-6 pp. 238–241
  10. ^ Henig, M., 1984, Religion in Roman Britain, London: B.T. Batsford
  11. ^ Collingwood, R.G. and Wright, R.P., 1991, Roman Inscriptions of Britain Volume II Fascicule 3, Stround: Alan Sutton. RIB 2421.56-8
  12. ^ Henig, M., 1984, Religion in Roman Britain, London: B.T. Batsford, p. 187
  13. ^ Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe by Marcel Cleene, Marie Claire Lejeune, 2003 ISBN 90-77135-04-9 p. 178
  14. ^ Fanthorpe, Lionel & Patricia (2008). Mysteries and Secrets of Voodoo, Santeria, and Obeah. Dundurn Group. ISBN 1-55002-784-0.
  15. ^ Sketches of the natural history of Ceylon by Sir James Emerson Tennent, published by Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1861
  16. ^ "The Agimat and Anting-Anting: Amulet and Talisman of the Philippines".

[edit]References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amulets
Look up amulet in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
  • Gonzalez-Wippler, Migene (2001). Complete Book Of Amulets & Talismans. Lewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-287-X.
  • S.C. Plinius (1964). Natural History. London.
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