Abracadabra is one of the magic words relating to rituals, talismans and Pentacles. The word have a symbolic meaning, either in themselves or in the way they are used, which is expressed either phonetically or, more frequently, graphically. This magic word was in frequent use during the Middle Ages as a magic formula and historically was believed to have healing powers when inscribed on an amulet. It is derived from the Hebrew phrase abreq ad hâbra, meaning ‘hurl your thunderbolt even unto death’. The first known mention of the word was in the second century AD in a book called Liber Medicinalis (sometimes known as De Medicina Praecepta Saluberrima) by Quintus Serenus Sammonicus, physician to the Roman emperor Caracalla, who prescribed that malaria sufferers wear an amulet containing the word written in the form of a triangle:
The mystical word “Abracadabra,” was also used in medieval Europe as a chant to reduce fever. Each time the word was spoken in the chant, a letter was dropped. As the chant reduced, the fever was dispelled. Such talismans were especially popular during the Great Plague that swept through London during the mid-1660s.
By applying such magic words as “abracadabra,” Abramelin magicians claim they can gain the love of anyone they desire, discover hidden treasures, become invisible, invoke spirits to appear, fly through the air and travel great distances in a matter of minutes, and animate corpses to create zombies to serve them. Abramelin magicians believe they can heal illnesses or cause diseases, bring about peace or war, create prosperity or poverty. The essence of Abramelin magick can be found in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, which was translated by MacGregor Mathers from a manuscript written in French in the eighteenth century. The work purports to be much older, however. It was dated 1458 and claims to be translated originally from Hebrew.
This magic word has also been related to the Abracax (Abraxas, Abrasax) of the Gnostics. In Persian mythology Abracax denotes the Supreme Being and presides over 365 impersonated virtues, one of which is supposed to prevail on each day of the year. In the second century the word was employed by the Basilidians for the deity; it was also the principle of the Gnostic hierarchy.
It is also in reality one of the names of the sun-god, Mithras. The origin of the cult of Mithras dates from the time that the Hindus and Persians still formed one people, for the god Mithras occurs in the religion and the sacred books of both races, i.e. in the Vedas and in the Avesta.
In the "Harry Potter" novel series, Abracadabra is modified by the author (J.K. Rowling) as "Avada Kedavra" which is known as the Killing Curse.
Source:
A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot;
The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol.2 by Brad Steiger and Sherry Hansen Steiger;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abracadabra;
http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/abracax.html#ixzz1X3cOVkjT;
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10402a.htm
Pic Source:
A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot page 2
The mystical word “Abracadabra,” was also used in medieval Europe as a chant to reduce fever. Each time the word was spoken in the chant, a letter was dropped. As the chant reduced, the fever was dispelled. Such talismans were especially popular during the Great Plague that swept through London during the mid-1660s. By applying such magic words as “abracadabra,” Abramelin magicians claim they can gain the love of anyone they desire, discover hidden treasures, become invisible, invoke spirits to appear, fly through the air and travel great distances in a matter of minutes, and animate corpses to create zombies to serve them. Abramelin magicians believe they can heal illnesses or cause diseases, bring about peace or war, create prosperity or poverty. The essence of Abramelin magick can be found in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, which was translated by MacGregor Mathers from a manuscript written in French in the eighteenth century. The work purports to be much older, however. It was dated 1458 and claims to be translated originally from Hebrew.
This magic word has also been related to the Abracax (Abraxas, Abrasax) of the Gnostics. In Persian mythology Abracax denotes the Supreme Being and presides over 365 impersonated virtues, one of which is supposed to prevail on each day of the year. In the second century the word was employed by the Basilidians for the deity; it was also the principle of the Gnostic hierarchy.
It is also in reality one of the names of the sun-god, Mithras. The origin of the cult of Mithras dates from the time that the Hindus and Persians still formed one people, for the god Mithras occurs in the religion and the sacred books of both races, i.e. in the Vedas and in the Avesta.
In the "Harry Potter" novel series, Abracadabra is modified by the author (J.K. Rowling) as "Avada Kedavra" which is known as the Killing Curse.
Source:
A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot;
The Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained Vol.2 by Brad Steiger and Sherry Hansen Steiger;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abracadabra;
http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/abracax.html#ixzz1X3cOVkjT;
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10402a.htm
Pic Source:
A Dictionary of Symbols by J.E. Cirlot page 2
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