Abracadabra: Unveiling the Magical History and Mystical Power Behind the Word
The word synonymous with magic, "Abracadabra," boasts a fascinating origin, tracing its roots back to the 2nd century AD. Although the precise origins of the word remain a subject of debate, one of the earliest mentions is attributed to a Roman sage named Serenus Sammonicus.
Sammonicus served as the physician to the Roman Emperor Caracalla, advising malaria sufferers to wear amulets inscribed with the word "Abracadabra" arranged in a triangular form, believing in the amulet's power to banish deadly diseases. According to Wikipedia, other Roman emperors, including Geta and Alexander Severus, were disciples of Sammonicus and might have embraced the "Abracadabra" incantation as well.
Alternative theories propose the word's derivation from "abraxas," whose letters in Greek numerology total 365—the number of days in a year. Others speculate it originates from the Hebrew phrases for "father, son, and holy spirit" ("ab, ben, and ruach hakodesh").
However, the most phonetically plausible explanation is its derivation from the Aramaic phrase "avra kadavra," meaning "I will create as I speak" (distinct from "avada kedavra" of Harry Potter fame).
Despite its somewhat elusive origins, the purported "power" of Abracadabra has endured. Aleister Crowley discussed it in his book, The Book of the Law, preferring the spelling "Abrahadabra.”
Abrahadabra emerged in The Book of the Law, the central sacred text of Thelema, authored by Aleister Crowley. He heralded it as "the Word of the Aeon, signifying The Great Work accomplished." This refers to his conviction that the writing of Liber Legis (another title for "The Book of the Law") signaled the dawn of a new era for humanity under the deity Ra-Hoor-Khuit (a representation of Horus). Thus, Abrahadabra represents the "magical formula" of this new age, distinct from the Word of the Law of the Aeon, which is "Thelema," meaning "Will."
The core philosophy of Thelema, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law," resonates with the idea of "I will create as I speak."
In contemporary times, this notion aligns closely with the New Age idea of the "Law of Attraction," the practice of consciously shaping one's reality.
In metaphysical traditions, the line between magic/manifestation and creation/attraction is nuanced.
Perhaps Abracadabra is the mystical key to miraculous healing, manifestation, attraction, and creation... or it could merely be a word devoid of more profound significance.
Regardless, the history and mystery of this term remain captivating.