Dictionary of Ancient Magic Words and Spells: From Abraxas to Zoar - Claude Lecouteux

A Comprehensive Handbook of Over 1000 Magical Words, Phrases, Symbols and Secret Alphabets (English)


- Explains the origin, derivations and practical use of each word, phrase and spell and how they can be combined into custom spells


- Based on the magical traditions of Europe, Greece and Egypt and recently discovered unique grimoires from Scandinavia, France and Germany


- Contains an in-depth magical alphabet, including one based on Hebrew letters, Kabbalistic symbols, astrological signs and poetry


From Abracadabra to the now famous spells of the Harry Potter series, magic words are no longer limited to the practices of pagans, alchemists, witches and occultists. They have become part of the popular imagination in Western countries. Passed down from ancient Babylon, Egypt and Greece, these words and the rituals surrounding them have survived through the millennia because they work. And as researcher Claude Lecouteux reveals, often the more impenetrable they appear, the more effective they are.

Lecouteux has compiled a comprehensive dictionary of ancient magic words, analyzing over 7,000 spells from European magical traditions as well as Greek magical papyri and recently discovered unique grimoires from Scandinavia, France and Germany. phrases and spells and secret magical alphabets, including deep magical alphabets based on Hebrew letters, Kabbalistic symbols, astrological signs and poems. Drawing on thousands of medieval tales and famous manuscripts such as Peter Abano's Heptameron, the author explores the origins of each word or spell, providing detailed instructions for their successful use, whether for protection, love, wealth or healing. He describes their evolution and derivatives over the centuries and shows, for example, how spells once meant for fires evolved to protect people from witches. He reveals the inherent versatility of magic words and how each wizard or witch had a set of stock phrases that they would combine to build a custom spell for their magical need.


Presenting a wealth of material on magical words, signs, and charms, both ordinary and obscure, Lecouteux also explores the magical words and spells of ancient Scandinavia, the Spanish-Arabic magic of Spain before the Reconquista, traditions passed down from ancient Egypt, and those still in use today.

about the author:
Claude Lecouteux is a former professor of medieval literature and civilization at the Sorbonne. He is the author of numerous books on medieval and pagan beliefs and magic, including The Book of Grimoires, The Tradition of Household Spirits, The Lapidary of Sacred Stones, and The High Magick of Talismans and Amulets. He lives in Paris.

Notice:
"Lecouteux has analyzed more than 7,000 spells from numerous magical traditions. We find spells for protection, love, wealth and healing. The charted evolution shows how a spell can form over the centuries. Presenting a wealth of material on magical words, signs and charms, Lecouteux also explores the magical words of ancient Scandinavia and spells, Hispano-Arabic magic of Spain, ancient Egyptian traditions and customs that have been used to this day." - The Witches' Almanac, March 2016

"Lecouteux's anything-but-dry presentation makes this book a must-have addition for anyone who cares about precautions for magical work. This belongs on the shelf between favorites, frequently used herbs, and a favorite collection of spells. The history, the drawings, and above all, the words themselves, beg to be returned to living use - even as a warning is that few of them are actually judged competent at Scrabble." - Facing North, Diana Rajchel, March 2016

"...Dictionary of Ancient Spells and Spells is a useful and reliable reference work rooted in academic scholarship of interest to scholars and magical practitioners alike." - Ross MacFarlane, Folklore Journal, Great Britain