Abrahadabra
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Abrahadabra is a significant word within
Thelema Thelema () is a Western esotericism, Western esoteric and occult social or spiritual philosophy and a new religious movement founded in the early 1900s by Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial ma ...
, a religion founded by
Aleister Crowley Aleister Crowley ( ; born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the pr ...
early in the 20th century. Crowley first proposed this respelling of the word "
Abracadabra ''Abracadabra'' is a magic word, historically used as an Apotropaic magic, apotropaic incantation on amulets and common today in stage magic. The actual origin is unknown, but one of the first appearances of the word was in a second-century work ...
" in January 1901 and included it in the central sacred text of Thelema, ''
The Book of the Law ''Liber AL vel Legis'' (), commonly known as ''The Book of the Law'', is the central sacred text of Thelema. The book is often referred to simply as ''Liber AL'', ''Liber Legis'' or just ''AL'', though technically the latter two refer only to ...
'', the manuscript of which was written in April 1904. Thelemites believe Abrahadabra represents the Great Work accomplished—the union of the microcosm (individual) and the macrocosm (universe) and consider it the key to the Aeon of Horus and a word of power that symbolizes the realization of True Will.


Origin and symbolism

The word is derived from the older
magic word Magic words are phrases used in fantasy fiction or by Magic (illusion), stage magicians. Frequently such words are presented as being part of a Divine language, divine, Adamic language, adamic, or other Twilight language, secret or Language of t ...
"Abracadabra". Crowley's adaptation the word as part of his broader practice of recontextualizing ancient symbols and practices within his
occult The occult () is a category of esoteric or supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of organized religion and science, encompassing phenomena involving a 'hidden' or 'secret' agency, such as magic and mysti ...
framework. Crowley wrote in his essay "Gematria" that he changed the spelling to include 'H' for qabalistic reasons. "Abrahadabra" consists of 11 letters, a significant number in Thelema. The number 11 represents the dynamic interaction between the microcosm and the macrocosm, bridging the infinite, represented by Hadit and the finite, represented by
Nuit Nuit (alternatively Nu, Nut, or Nuith) is a goddess in Thelema, the speaker in the first chapter of ''The Book of the Law'', the sacred text written or received in 1904 by Aleister Crowley. Nuit is based on the Ancient Egyptian deities, Ancient ...
Crowley referred to it as embodying the concept of unity through diversity. The Golden Dawn, in their
Neophyte A neophyte is a recent initiate or convert to a subject or belief. Neophyte may also refer to: Science * Neophyte (botany), a plant species recently introduced to an area As a proper noun Arts and entertainment * Neophyte, a character class ...
, ritual linked the ''H'' in the spelling with breath, life, and the god Horus.


Qabalah and gematria

Crowley emphasized the
numerological Numerology (known before the 20th century as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, ...
and Qabalistic significance of "Abrahadabra." According to Crowley, the numerical value of "Abrahadabra" is 418, which corresponds to the Hebrew letter " Cheth", meaning "fence" or "enclosure", symbolizing containment and protection, which Thelemites believe is represented by The Chariot card in the
Tarot Tarot (, first known as ''trionfi (cards), trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a set of playing cards used in tarot games and in fortune-telling or divination. From at least the mid-15th century, the tarot was used to play t ...
.


Use in Thelema

The practice of using "Abrahadabra" in meditations and rituals is aimed at achieving one's True Will. This concept is central to Thelema, emphasizing that each individual has a unique purpose or path in life, which "Abrahadabra" helps to realize. Through repeated use and contemplation of the word, practitioners seek to align their actions and intentions with their innermost desires and cosmic purpose. "Abrahadabra" is often used in Thelemic rituals and invocations to signify the accomplishment of the Great Work. It serves as a word of
invocation Invocation is the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or supernatural force, typically through prayer, ritual, or spoken formula, to seek guidance, assistance, or presence. It is a practice found in numerous religious, spiritual, and esote ...
, believed to draw upon the energies of the Aeon of Horus and aligning the practitioner with their True Will. The word appears repeatedly in the 1904 invocation of
Horus Horus (), also known as Heru, Har, Her, or Hor () in Egyptian language, Ancient Egyptian, is one of the most significant ancient Egyptian deities who served many functions, most notably as the god of kingship, healing, protection, the sun, and t ...
that preceded the writing of ''Liber Legis'' and led to the founding of Thelema.'' The Equinox'', I (7), 1912. It sees use in affirmations, protective spells, and as a focus in rituals aimed at materializing specific intentions. Practitioners reinforce their spiritual practice through invoking the word. It is believed the word acts as a bridge between the spiritual and physical realms, facilitating the manifestation of higher ideals in tangible form.


In Thelemite Tarot

"Abrahadabra" is extensively discussed in '' The Book of Thoth'', where Crowley links it to the '' Thoth Tarot'' and magic. In
Tarot Tarot (, first known as ''trionfi (cards), trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a set of playing cards used in tarot games and in fortune-telling or divination. From at least the mid-15th century, the tarot was used to play t ...
as practiced in Thelema, "Abrahadabra" is associated with five cards in the Major Arcana: The Fool (A), The Magician (B),
The Sun The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System. It is a massive, nearly perfect sphere of hot Plasma (physics), plasma, heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy from its surface mainly as ...
(R), The Hierophant (H), and The Empress (D). The word as a whole is represented by The Chariot.


Psychological and spiritual impact

Adherents believe practices involving "Abrahadabra" lead to experiences of heightened consciousness, deep emotional release, and a stronger connection to one's inner self.


See also

* Aleister Crowley bibliography * * *


References


Notes


Citations


Works cited

;Primary sources * * * * * * ;Secondary sources * * * * * * * *


Other sources

*Thelemapedia. (2004).
Abrahadabra
'' Retrieved April 16, 2006.


Further reading

* * * * * * {{Thelema series Magic words Thelema