The Power of Words: A Brief Exploration of Language in Magic
We all use language everyday without even thinking of it. Including signs, symbols, the written word and the spoken language has shaped the magical landscape perhaps since the first man did an action with an accompanying sound in the hope of affecting change.
Words and language are indeed pure magic. It is how we share ideas, how we communicate, how we affect change and inspire change in others and in ourselves. Words have power, we witches know that more than most, and so let us explore a little more, the history of spells, or more exactly, how language and words have shaped magic from the earliest times.
As Wordsworth said, a poet is a man speaking to men, then spells surely are witches speaking to witches, or indeed witches speaking with the spirits of the world.
Cave Art & Hieroglyphs ~ Language of Pictures
Last year (or maybe the year before, for time is a funny thing, pulling here and stretching there) I visited a local beauty spot with my family. Creswell Crags is a short drive from my home and straddles three counties in the middle of England, making it a liminal place.
Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge with various caves that you can explore, and if you ever get the chance to visit, you totally should. But more than just a beauty spot, this is a place of historical significance. In some of the caves, the oldest cave art in Britain was only recently discovered. This cave art is believed to be over 14000 years old!
This early form of communication, or noting, of remembering should be seen as a form of magic. That these ancient peoples felt the need to record something of importance to them, that has spanned the centuries since, is pretty amazing.
This is just one example of how images have been recorded by humans over the many thousands of years of existence. Hieroglyphs found on tombs, curses to protect and repel. Grimoires of life and of death. Even before words, language and magic have always been entwined. Our shared human history is proof of this.
These are well worth exploring for those who are interested, but let us now move on to look at the written and spoken aspects of spellcrafting and how this has influenced magic and witchcraft.
Nuance & Distinction
Today, when we think of magic and spells, we tend to conflate words with others of similar meaning without really understanding the distinction. For example, in magic, people often use the terms ‘amulet’ and ‘talisman’ interchangeably to mean, broadly speaking, some magically infused item. And, broadly speaking, they are, but each term has its own subtle meaning too, and this meaning is important when you get down to the nitty-gritty of spellwork. So, for example, a talisman is an object that is worn by the individual and is said to infer a certain power or energy to that person, whereas amulets ward off unwanted or negative energies.
When you consider this nuance, you can see how important the distinction becomes when it comes to practical spell work. With this in mind, let us consider different types of magic spells that use language, words and symbols in very specific ways.
Charms - not the common meaning of today that views charms as items to draw luck and good fortune, but instead objects inscribed with written words or spells. In its most basic form, this might just be a piece of paper with a word, phrase or symbol written on it and carried on the person. These were usually protective or used to draw a particular energy or item.
Orisons - magical prayers, but with difference. This might be referred to as guerilla magic in that the real intent of the spell is hidden using Christian words and imagery. We can see versions of this in some African traditional religions and other areas where people were colonised and oppressed.
Blessings - these can be from any religious or spiritual tradition or background and are usually spoken words intended to bring good fortune upon the recipient.
Curses - The opposite of blessings, curses are usually spoken words, sometimes with accompanying actions and, again, can come from any spiritual background. These, though, are intended to bring misfortune upon the recipient.
Conjurations - usually spoken words but perhaps recorded in grimoires and other magical texts, these are used to summon supernatural beings or forces. These are used to control those being summoned and usually involve very specific actions performed with the words.
Apotropaic Spells
Back at Creswell Crags, in yet another cave are some very exciting marks that were only recently discovered and long thought to be graffiti! These witches' marks were carved into the walls, a series of symbols and letters, and are thought to be from around the 16th or 17th century. The term ‘witches marks’ is something of a misnomer, as they are in fact intended to protect from witchcraft and baneful magic. They are a protective form of magic, also called apotropaic magic or spells.
Medieval spells are a good example of apotropaic spells that call on the power of God or Christ to protect and ward off evil. It’s important to remember that at this time, religious scholars and clerics were some of the only people outside the upper classes who could read and write, and so it comes as no surprise that many examples of protective magic involve written biblical words, phrases and symbols and draw heavily on Christian dogma and belief. A popular example is the magical spell XV XR XI.
In this spell, we see a couple of examples of how language and meaning intertwine in a magical way. Firstly, this might be an orison, a magical spell cloaked in religious meaning. Secondly, we see words taken from Christian liturgy in a protective way, calling on the qualities of Christ to protect and ward off misfortune and evil. This sequence of letters is the reduced form of Christ is Victorious, Christ Rules and Christ Commands (iteri). We can also see similarities here with sigil magic and how some forms reduce down a magical phrase to its component parts.
Words of Power ~ Names
To name is to master. This is a common thread in magic throughout many traditions. In folklore around the world, stories tell of how the protagonist must learn the name of some being or other if they wish to achieve their desires.
Yes, names are indeed words of power. This is why many witches choose a magical name for themselves, as there is a power in self-determination. But also many choose to keep this secret and only reveal to their coven because of the power contained in a name.
Names are important in spells of conjuration. To name a being, power or energy is to control that entity. This is usually done in magics involving powerful or potentially malefic energies. Indeed, it is something that has been commodified and horrified by Hollywood.
Words of Power Today
Words are powerful. They have power and meaning, even today, written and spoken. Language is what connects us to one another and the world, and there is a power in that.
Words have the power to make us feel. To empower and bolden or to break down and destroy. They can draw laughter or tears. Today, many witches use their witchcraft to infuse their political activism.
Words have power.
Reference and Further Reading
Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells, Lecouteux, C. Inner Traditions; Illustrated edition (19 Nov. 2015)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-47242603
EMMA KATHRYN
Emma Kathryn, practises traditional British witchcraft, Vodou and Obeah, a mixture representing her heritage. She lives in the sticks with her family where she reads tarot, practises witchcraft and drink copious amounts of coffee.
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