Common Language
The problem with using a common language to discuss magic is that there are so many varied concepts that various words symbolise. For instance, what exactly is magic? The word itself derives from magos, which was used to defined one as a member of the learned and priestly class in ancient Persia. Etymologists have invented [...]
Magical Language and the Glass Bead Game
The Glass Bead Game (Das Glasperlenspiel) was the final work of Hermann Hesse. The title relates to the central theme of the book, which is a fictional game played by the characters of the story, although the finer details of how the game works were not given by Hesse. For an introduction to existing playable [...]
Magical Language Notes 1
I have had a few thoughts regarding aspects of a magical language. The first relates to tenses. Past, present, and future tenses are common to most languages, however, another useful tense for a magical language would be a creating/manifesting (intentional) tense. This idea stemmed from thoughts of having a prefix or suffix to denote an [...]
Egyptian magic and words
The following extract from the Egyptian Book of the Dead (Spells of Going Forth by Day) offer some interesting insight into the recognition of the importance of language, and verbalisation of words as a magical act. I have provided two translations, which show some significant differences in translation from the original, however the basic idea [...]
Of the vertue of proper names by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
[Chapter LXX, Of Occult Philosophy, Book I. (part 4)] That proper names of things are very necessary in Magicall operations, almost all men testifie: For the naturall power of things proceeds first from the objects to the senses, and then from these to the imagination, and from this to the mind, in which it is [...]
Of Speech, and the vertue of Words by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
[Chapter LXIX, Of Occult Philosophy, Book I. (part 4)] It being shewed that there is a great power in the affections of the soul, you must know moreover, that there is no less Vertue in words, and the names of things, but greatest of all in speeches, and motions, by which we chiefly differ from [...]
Metaphor in Magical Language
In his essay on “Metaphor” (in artificial languages), Rick Morneau argues that metaphors are best avoided when constructing a language (or when writing in a conlang). His arguments are sound, given that languages such as English, make heavy use of metaphor. Morneau gives examples of metaphors, such as “prices rise, soar, plummet, nosedive,” and “the [...]
Towards a Magical Language
Is a new magical language needed? Aren’t existing languages, such as Hebrew and Enochian, associated with magic and mysticism enough? What features would make a language inherently magical or useful to magic? Should such a language be personal (for use only by an individual – who creates and develops it), or would a open language [...]
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