A Brief History of Magic Words

Abracadabra: Verba Ignota; Wingardium Leviosa?

Nonsense and Magic Words

What does this…

Gif from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001 dir. Christopher Columbus, Warner Bros Pictures).

…have in common with this?

Detail from one of the many fantastic leaves in a copy of Ars Notoria, a medieval book of angel magic rituals (14th century, BNF Latin 9336 f22r).

The ars notoria was a book of ritual magic in the ‘Solomonic’ tradition, meant to impart perfect knowledge and pristine memory. ‘Notory’ is an antiquated adjective meaning ‘related to magic signs/symbols’ (i.e., ‘The Art related to Magic Signs’). Harry Potter is… self explanatory. Both are cultural milestones in our history of magic words.

Before we go on or if you want a refresher on medieval magic, see this earlier post:

Introducing Medieval Magic

Otherwise…

---