Abracadabra

This word holds us in fascination. It seems
to evoke a magical effect when spoken. The
dictionary defines it as a word of magical
nonsense.

Where is the origin of this word? Some
believe it is connected with Abraxas. He is
painted as a demon with snakes for feet.
Since the 2nd century, Abraxas was believed
to be a god who wards off evil. His symbol
was used in rings, bracelets, and gems.

Abraxas originated with the followers of
Basilides, an eccentric Christian who taught
at Alexandria from about 120-140 AD. They
believed that Abraxas ruled the 365 days of the
year. The Greek numerical alphabets of Abraxas
add up to 365. They believed that there were
365 orders of spirits who occupied 365 heavens,
the lowest of which are the spirits who occupied the Earth.

The seven letters of Abraxas may stand for the
seven planets known in antiquity to control
the hands of destiny.

Daniel Dafoe published his Journal of the Plague
Year in 1722 where he wrote that people were
terrified of the plague, believing that it was an evil
spirit who threatened to take possession of
their bodies.

They tried to ward it off with certain words,
in particular the word Abracadabra, formed
into a triangle.

Well into the Middle Ages, this word was
believed to relieve fevers. The instructions
were in a poem, composed by Quintos
Serenus Sammonicus, a doctor who traveled
with the Roman Emperor Severus in the
expedition to Britain in 208 AD. It
was written down dropping a letter in
each line:

A B R A C A D A B R A
A B R A C A D A B R
A B R A C A D A B
A B R A C A D A
A B R A C A D
A B R A C A
A B R A C
A B R A
A B R
A B
A

After writing this, the paper must be tied
around the neck of the patient with flax,
for nine days after which the paper must be
thrown out over the shoulder into a
stream running eastward.

It was believed that as the words shrink
away, so would the fever.

Another possible origin is a poem that
may have been passed down from a Jewish
prayer believed to cure fever. The paper
on which it is written must be hung around
the neck for 24 hours without looking at it,
as the heat of the fever builds up to a breaking
point, afterward, the temperature comes down.

Ab Abr Abrak Abraka

Abraka! Abraka! Abraka!

Abraka Abrak Abra Abr Ab

And the people called unto

Moses and Moses prayed to God.

And the fire abated. May healing

come from heaven from all

kinds of fever and consumption-

heat of--- to ---

Amen Amen Amen Selah Selah Selah.

ref:- Man, Myth, and Magic

Richard Cavendish

Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and to motivate her readers to explore the depths of their heart and soul and make a difference in this world. She draws from personal experience and her interest in the New Age

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