What Is a Magic Incantation? (Precise Description)

We all instinctively understand that a magical incantation is something that would be linked to magic (logic!), to the occult powers and forces that surround us.

Few people, however, know exactly what an incantation is, and are unaware of the specificities that make up this form of witchcraft.

Between symbolism, spells and rituals, today we are going together to disentangle the true from the false to answer this question: “What is a magical incantation? »

Definition of a magic incantation

Basically, an incantation consists of a particular word, phrase or formula that will be said or recited in order to achieve some magical result.

A magical incantation actually closely resembles a prayer or mantra in form. The background, as we will see, is however very different.

We are indeed talking here about something said in order to connect us to certain energies for a very specific purpose.

All this may seem very vague, and that is normal: magical incantations are more of a “family of means”, a “broad and encompassing technique” than a precise and defined method.

There is, however, a certain list of rules that witches must follow if they want their incantation to be correct :

• It is necessary to bring a certain musicality to the incantation, a rhythm to the diction.
• This is logical, but the content of the incantation must be pronounced clearly, without errors or blunders.
• One should never involve deities in the sentences recited.
• Poetry is often a central element, with the mage or witch seeking to bring style and beauty to their incantations.
• Some symbolic words are used for their intrinsic magical abilities more than for their meaning in the sentence.
• Most incantations must be repeated over a period of time to show their true powers.
• It is highly inadvisable to recite a magical incantation in a language that is not your own: you risk not understanding what you are saying and what powers you are invoking...

This list is obviously not exhaustive, but it at least delimits a minimum of what we are talking about…

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Different types of incantations for different magics

Magic is often seen as something prior to organized religions and spiritualities, transcendent to science and above all very fine.

Thus, an uninitiated person will see the field of magic as an obscure and foggy monolithic block, from which only incomprehension and fantasy emerge.

The attentive follower will be able to discern subtle nuances which will ultimately divide the field into different , very distinct subcategories.

The nuances are almost infinite, but here we will focus on the clearest division: that between black magic and white magic...

White magic incantations

Generally, white magic will be used to do good (to the world, to others and to ourselves), and this without costing or harming others.

Traditional divination, Druidism, shamanism: many forms of traditional religions relate (at least in part) to white magic. If an apprentice sorcerer wants to unravel a cursed person or make a positive invocation, he will certainly look to white magic rituals.

Be careful though, nothing is ever free in life and, even if it is not recited with the intention of doing evil, a white magic incantation could still cost the person who pronounces it...

Black magic incantations

If the first type of magical incantation is used to meet noble objectives, it is not (but not at all) the same for this one.

Black magic is indeed deeply destructive, selfish and chaotic.

Here, the practitioner of esoteric arts will have no qualms about harming the world and others in his own interest. Voodoo magic, necromancy and maraboutage are all forms of black magic.

It is also those who practice black magic who gave birth to this image of the evil witch of fairy tales, casting evil spells on children and terrorizing our countryside.

Even more frightening, this occult practice is the meeting place between sorcerers and demons, between magicians and fallen angels.

What about the spells then?

In itself, a magical incantation is a form of spellcasting.

If we stick to the definition, a spell is a "form of power used by a wizard to influence, through personal or monopolized magical force, the outside world, others, or the caster directly."

However, one element is missing from this definition: the source of the magical power used by the sorcerer or magician.

Some speak of a personal energy in this respect, while others speak of an ability to channel and concentrate flows that travel through our world.

We know wizards who like to use external objects, like talismans, a spell book or their favorite scroll. Even if this is contrary to a whole bunch of rules of magic, there are even practitioners who speak of a link with certain entities, even deities.

In short, it is quite easy to notice the filiation link that exists between spells and incantations, the latter being a particular form of the former!

The question of magical rites and rituals

Magic is generally based on a tradition passed down from practitioner to practitioner since the dawn of time.

It is therefore not surprising that certain things could be “solidified over the long term” by the creation of rituals and ceremonies linked to them.

It is clear, the concept of rite is absolutely central in the practice of witchcraft, to the point that many followers and initiates practice some of it today without no longer understanding the true meaning.

This is not necessarily something desirable, intention and will being two essential elements when reciting magical incantations.

In short, magical rituals are extremely numerous and varied, and to list them all would be impossible. Rather, here I will list some ingredients that are found in many of these rituals:

• Candles : They are used to create a particular atmosphere, but also to bring the presence of the element of fire.
• Salt : For millennia now, coarse salt has been used as a magical barrier, capable of protecting, potentiating and channeling.
• Sage : A very particular plant, sage was used in many cultures for its link with divine energies.
• Incense : Incense is closely associated with religious worship, and this is normal. The smoke it produces has the virtue of facilitating trance states and modified consciousness.
• Crystals : Each type of crystal has its own energy and will work with its own magical powers. The subject here is so vast that it gave birth to a real science: crystal therapy.
• Lucky symbols and charms : For now, our site specializes in this. A correctly placed symbol or a lucky charm used at the right time can radically change the course of a magical incantation.
• The full moon : It may seem cliché but, in fact, practicing magic during the full moon does indeed seem to be more effective than at other times. In this regard, the new moon also seems interesting.

For further

Yes, the concept of magical incantation can easily be compared with some specific collections on our site:

• The one dedicated to witchcraft : there is no need to draw a picture.
• The one that brings together our herbs and alchemical ingredients : here, you will find everything you need to succeed in your rituals and spells.

To dig deeper into the subject, here are also some external resources that we have to recommend to you:

• The Wikipedia page that talks about Wicca : the main form of modern witchcraft (the most widespread in any case).
• A definition from the site linternaute.fr of the word “incantation : in case you still haven’t understood what we’re talking about.
• An introduction from the cairn.info site on alchemy : a magical practice closely linked to our theme.