NIGEL PENNICK

~WEISERBOOKS
l!J Bos ton, MA/Yo rk Beac h, ME
First American ed ition published in 1992 by
Red Wheel/Weiser, 1.1.('
York each, !"
With o##ices at
$%& 'on(ress )treet
oston, !A *221*
www .r e dwh ee /w e iser.co lll
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'opyri(ht / 1992 0i(el 1ennick
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Library of 'on(ress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
1ennick, 0i(el3
!a(ical ;J lphabets / 0i(el 1ennick,
p3 cm,
.ncludes biblio(raphical re#erences,
J. !a(ic, 2, Alphabets<!isce llanea,
F.%2$3A-,1-% 1992
.3 6itle,
. $$3-=$<dc2*
.)0 *<&++2&<+-+<$
BJ
92<+&,9
CIP
All illustrations in this book 4ere made by the author, e>cept #or .lumbcrs ?@
+, 1*, 1,,2-,2,,$%, -$, ,,,,%,,+,%1<%$, 4hich arc historic illustratiolls
#rom the author=s picture collecti on,
1rinted in the 8nited )tates o# America
6he paper used in the publi cation meets the minimum re5uirements o# the
American 0ational )tandard #or 1ermanence
o# 1aper #or 1rinter :ibrary !ateri als A$93-9< 199-3
Contents
Introduction 1
1 The Here! A"#haet $
%aa"istic s#ecu"ations &
The 'eanin( o) Here! "etters 1*
%aa"istic "etter 'ani#u"ations +1
Here! 'a(ic s,uares and (rids *1
Here! "etter s,uares and other a'u"ets *&
Medie-a" Here!.deri-ed a"#haets */
+ The 0reek A"#haet 1*
0reek a"#haet traditions 2$
0reek (e'atria %*
Christian 0reek (e'atria %-
The Etruscan scri#t $*
* The 3unes $1
The 0othic a"#haet 111
3unes and trees 114
1 The Ce"tic 5(ha's and Bardic A"#haet 1+*
Cr6#tic 5(ha's and other -ariant )or's 11&
The Bardic a"#haets 121
The 0ae"ic a"#haet 144
7ariations in 8orthern Euro#ean a"#haets 14&
2 Ma(ica" and A"che'ica" A"#haets 1$1
The 7eh'(ericht, the In,uisition and the a"#haet
o) 9est#ha"ia 1$$
House, ho"din(s and stone'ason's 'arks 1&+
Ma(ic (rid ci#hers 1&4
Ma(ica" uses o) the 3o'an a"#haet 1&&
4 Ma(ic :,uares, ;iterar6 ;a6rinths and Modern <ses +=*
The 'a(ic s,uare and the !ord "a6rinth +=*
3a'on ;1u"", 'a(ic s,uares and the Ta"is'anic art +1+
Esoteric a"#haets in the 'odern and #ost.'odern
era +14
Postscri#t ++*
A##endices I The Meanin( o) Here! ;etters ++/
.. 0reek ;etter Meanin(s +*=
III The 3unic Corres#ondences +*1
I7 3unes and Tarot Ma>or Arcana +**
B 5(ha' Corres#ondences +*1
7I 0ae"ic A"#haet Corres#ondences +*2
7II Ma(ic :,uare Corres#ondences +*4
7III The $+ 8a'es o) 0od +*$
0"ossar6 +*/
Bi"io(ra#h6 +11
I ca"" stron( Pan. the sustance o) the !ho"e,
Etheria". 'arine. earth"6. (enera" sou".
<nd6in( )ire ? )or a"" the !or"d is thine,
And a"" are #arts o) thee, = #o!'r di-ine ...
A"" #arts o) 'atter. -arious )or''d, oe6,
A"" 8ature's chan(e thro' th6 #rotectin( care.
And a"" 'ankind th6 "i'ra" ounties share,
@or these !here'er dis#ersed thro' ound"ess s#ace,
:ti"" )ind th6 #ro-idence su##ort their race.
The Orphic Hymn to an
@i(. 1. ;etter.treesA the Here! na'e o) 0od. the Buddhist 'antra Hu'. and the
8orthern Tradition tree ind.rune.
Introduction
A symbol is e!er" to him who has eyes for it" some dimmer or
clearer re!elation of the #od$li%e.
7":"0A :ABA6)9Y
At a )irst, cursor6 ("ance, the su>ect o) a"#haets, secret or
other!ise, 'a6 not a##ear to te"" us 'uch aout the !or"d and
ourse"-es. But another, "on(er, "ook !i"" sho! an6one o) this
o#inion that he or she is !ron(. A"#haets are one o) the 'ost
hi(h"6 so#histicated 'eans 6 !hich !e hu'ans can tr6 to (ain
so'e understandin( o) the !or"d, and our #"ace !ithin it.
9hen constructed #ro#er"6, as a"" ancient ones are, each
a"#haet is 'eta#horica" in nature. ;an(ua(e itse") is a
'eta#hor, )or it re#resents o>ects and conce#ts !hi"st it is not
those o>ects and conce#ts the'se"-es.
The -er6 asis o) "an(ua(e is 'eta#horica". 9e usua""6
distin(uish thin(s 6 co'#arison? our asic descri#tion o) the
!or"d around us is )u"" o) eBa'#"es. 9hen !e ask, '9hat is
itC', !e tend to re#"6 6 'akin( a co'#arisonA !e sa6 it is li%e
another thin( !hich rese'"es it in so'e !a6, rea" or
i'a(ined. 9ithin the descried thin(, o>ect or ,ua"it6, !e
seek so'e character 6 !hich it can e )itted into so'e hu'an
conce#tua" )ra'e!ork. 9e can see this #rocess in action !ith
re)erence to the hu'an od6. 9e s#eak o) a od6 o) !ater, a
od6 o) !ork, e-en a od6 o) 'en. 9e s#eak o) the head o) a
ed, a ta"e, a #a(e, a nai", a strea' o) !ater, a househo"d or
an or(aniDation. A c"ock has a )ace, >ust as does a #"a6in( card,
a rock and a #iece o) #"aned !ood. A hi"" has a ro!, a cu#
#ossesses a "i#, as does a crater? co's and (ear.!hee"s ha-e
teeth, and a #a(e has a )oot. 9ea#ons are ca""ed ar's. A race
or a contest 'a6 e di-ided into a nu'er o) "e(s. A shoe 'a6
ha-e a ton(ue, as does a certain t6#e o) car#entr6 >oint, and
1
Magical Alphabets
the #oint!ork o) rai"!a6s and tra'!a6s. 8eed"es, #otatoes and
stor's a"" ha-e e6es. There are 'an6 'ore eBa'#"es. Much o)
"an(ua(e, then, #ercei-es the !or"d in ter's o) 'eta#hors o)
kno!n o>ects, es#ecia""6 the hu'an od6 and its #arts. This
is a continuous #rocessA ne! "an(ua(e is (enerated as and !hen
it is needed .
Phi"oso#hica""6, this 'eta#horica" nature o) "an(ua(e is
'ani)ested in the conce#t o) ''an the 'icrocos'', !hich "ies
at the )oundation o) !estern esoteric thou(ht. This is enca#su"ated
in the Her'etic 'aBi' ascried to the '6tho"o(ica"
E(6#tian )ounder o) science, Her'es Tris'e(istus, 'as ao-e ,
so e"o!'. This insi(ht)u" understandin( o) rea"it6 states that
that !hich is e"o! is actua""6 a re)"ection o) that !hich is
ao-e. The '"itt"e !or"d', or 'icrocos', re#resented 6 the
hu'an ein('s #h6sica" and #s6chic constitution, re)"ects and is
a #art o) the '(reater !or"d' , the 'acrocos' or uni-erse. This
re)"ection eBists at a"" "e-e"sA the asic )or's or structures that
occur on a (a"actic sca"e are re#roduced in the !hir"#oo"s o) a
ri-er or the suato'ic structure o) 'atter itse"). :i'i"ar"6
#atterns o) 'the !a6 thin(s ha##en', the #heno'enon I ca""
'trans-o"ution', occur on ti'e.sca"es that ran(e )ro' 'i""ions
o) 6ears to 'i""iseconds. .t is 6 the reco(nition o) these
#atterns, and their 'eanin(, that !e can (ain an insi(ht into
the nature o) our o!n rea"it6, and there6 attain en"i(hten'ent.
;ike "an(ua(e , the a"#haet is a 'eta#h6sica" descri#tion o)
rea"it6. The 'ost i'#ortant )unction o) 'a(ica" a"#haets is to
ena"e the seeker to eB#erience trans)or'ati-e #rocesses. The6
#ro-ide a series o) accessi"e i'a(es o) a rea"it6 that so'eti'es
cannot e co'#rehended 6 an6 other 'eans. The6 can e
used to (o e6ond the out!ard a##earance o) thin(s, to access
dee#er 'eanin(s !ithin rea"it6. E6na'ica""6 o#erati-e now,
constant"6 the6 reco'ine the ne! !a6s that eB#ress conce#ts,
descrie structures, )ee"in(s, and the other!ise ineB#"ica"e
nature o) trans-o"ution . In their esoteric as#ects, the6 can
con-e6 'eanin( that cannot e eB#ressed ade,uate"6 6 an6
other 'eans. The6 are s6'o"s that can eB#ress non.-era"
eB#eriences that can a"ter one's consciousness drastica""6.
:udden"6, the6 can chan(e the direction o) )"o! o) one's 'ind,
di-ertin( it into ne! and uneB#ected channe"s . <sers o)
'a(ica" a"#haets 'a6 eB#erience a )"ood o) ne! understandin(,
acco'#anied 6 an i''ediate reco(nition o) co'#"ete"6
+
&ntroduction
ne! -ie!#oints o) "i)e. A)ter such eB#eriences, the !ho"e
as#ect o) "i)e is trans)or'ed. This inner trans)or'ation is one
o) the 'ain o>ecti-es o) the stud6 o) 'a(ica" a"#haets o) a""
traditions, and it can e acco'#"ished 6 an6 o) the a"#haet
s6ste's descried in this ook.
5n a 'ore (enera" "e-e", 'a(ica" a"#haets re#resent the
#resence o) the in)inite !ithin the )inite. Accordin( to the
#hi"oso#hica" s6ste' to !hich the6 e"on(, this 'a6 e seen as
the #resence o) 0od !ithin the !or"d, or the 'an6 as 6et
unrea"iDed #ossii"ities o) eBistence that 'a6 co'e into ein(
i) the ri(ht conditions 'ani)est the'se"-es. ;etters in an
a"#haet are 'eta#hors o) rea"it6A in the'se"-es, 'ost o) the
indi-idua" characters or sha#e.)or's ha-e no transcendent
eBterna" 'eanin( . their 'eanin( is in the 'inds o) those !ho
use or ha-e "earnt the'. The transcendent )or's are those
!hich re"ate to certain (eo'etrica" )or's !hich under"ie
natura" structures, such as the heBa(ona" "attice. But (enera""6,
the "etters o) 'a(ica" a"#haets are co'#"eB s6'o"ic structures
that !ork !ithin the conteBt o) the indi-idua" a"#haet's
s6ste'. But 'an6 di))erent a"#haets use the sa'e sha#e.)or'
to re#resent di))erent #honetic sounds, or di))erent conce#ts.
To su((est, as so'e #eo#"e ha-e done, that certain s#eci)ic
uses are correct, and that others are !ron(, is a )or' o) cu"tura"
arro(ance. @or eBa'#"e, the character that takes the )or' 'F'
'eans di))erent thin(s in di))erent a"#haets. As the "etter Chi
in 0reek, it has the #honetic -a"ue o) 'Ch'? in the 3o'an
a"#haet, it is 'F'? in the runes, and one -ersion o) the
9est#ha"ian a"#haet, it has the -a"ue o) '0'. The )irst
Coe"ren o) the 9e"sh ard Meuri( 5a)6dd 'akes this
character denote 'A', !hi"st the 0er'an @e'(enossen scri#ts
and the In,uisitoria" one (i-e it the -a"ue o) 'H'. The secret
ardic a"#haet kno!n as Boi"eth (i-es it the -a"ue '=', as
does the su##osed"6 ancient 0reek A#o""onian, !hi"st one
3enaissance a"che'ica" a"#haet uses it )or =63 The Ti)ina(
scri#t o) 8orth A)rica a"so (i-es it the -a"ue =63 A su##osed
'Te'#"ar' scri#t has '8' as its e,ui-a"ent. Thus the character
!ith the )or' 'F' has the -a"ue o) A, Ch, 0, H, 8, = and T
as !e"" as F. And this is on"6 in the 'a>or 'a(ica" a"#haets.
This is a'#"e #roo) that it is rare"6 throu(h the out!ard )onns
o) the "etters that !e can (ain insi(hts. .t is 6 'eans o) their
inner 'eanin(s that !e 'ust co'e to understand each
*
'a(ical Alphabets
indi-idua" "etter o) an6 (i-en a"#haet. 5-era"", these a"#haets
can e -ie!ed in the sa'e !a6 as "an(ua(es, in !hich ,uite
di))erent !ords and s6ntaB 'a6 e used to descrie the sa'e
o>ecti-e #heno'ena. 8one is an6 etter than the other, ut
one or other 'a6 e 'ore a##ro#riate under di))erent
circu'stances.
The kno!n hu'an use o) arti)icia" si(ns is o) (reat anti,uit6.
In Euro#e, archaic ideo'or#hs are kno!n )ro' 'an6 Ma(da"enian
ca-e sites (1+,===.1$,(G(G(G 6ears e)ore the #resentG .
A"thou(h nothin( concrete is kno!n aout their 'eanin(,
so'e o) these ideo'or#hs rese'"e the characters o) "ater
a"#haets. A )ine eBa'#"e o) this is the series o) "inear s6'o"s
that !ere )ound #ainted !ith ti-er (red ochreG on a 'a''oth
sku"" disco-ered at MeDhirich in the <kraine. It dates )ro'
around 11,=== 6ears a(o. These si(ns are o) such enor'ous
anti,uit6 that it is !e"" ni(h i'#ossi"e to inter#ret the'. The6
do sho!, ho!e-er, that our hu'an ancestors !ere -er6 "ike us .
Much "ater, in the )i)th 'i""enniu' e", in !hat is no!
Hun(ar6, CDechos"o-akia, 3o'ania and Yu(os"a-ia, !as a
~*~ <p,h-t~ftnr
6"9".1CDppmJ
# ))t),)H*?t'7Ct
@i(. +. Ancient rock.car-ed ideo'or#hs )ro' 'an6 #"aces distant )ro' one
another sho! re "ated )or's. the #redecessors o) a"#haet cha ractersA (Ie/I 10 righr.
lOp line) (iG Eo!th. Ire "and A (ii. iiiG :iei-e na Cai""each. Ire"and A (i-. -G 7ishera.
Per'. <::3A (-iG Ta>a A'ari""o. :#ainA (-iiG Cue-a de "as Pao'as. :#ainA (-iii.
iBG 7a" Ca'onica. Ita"6A (BG Bohus"an . :!edenA *middle line) (BiG Bohus"anA (BiiG
Hnock'ar6. Ire"andA (BiiG 5ster(tit"and. :!edenA (Bi-G Eo!thA (B-G :"ei-e na
Cai ""eachA (B-i.BiBG ;oc'ari,uer. Brittan6A (holfom line) (BBG To'sk. <::3A (BBiBBiiiG
Ath"one . Ire"and A (BBi-G :eine . @ranceA (BB-G Tras os Monte. Portu(a"A (BB-iG
Puerto de "os 3uedas. Portu(a"A (BB-i.BB-iiiG 7a" Ca'onica .
-
&ntroduction
hi(h cu"ture that #roduced 'an6 arte)acts !ith s6'o"s that
are reco(niDa"e in 'odern ter's. These identi)ia"e s6'o"s
are the 'ost archaic o) Euro#e. The6 inc"ude 'an6 that
sur-i-ed into "ater da6s as a"#haetic "etters. such as runes. and
a"so as 'a(ica" and re"i(ious s6'o"s. such as the cross and the
s!astika. The #otter6 dishes and )i(ures )ro' B6"an6. CDechos"o-akia.
dated as co'in( )ro' around the end o) the siBth
'i""enniu' BCE. and 'iniature -esse"s )ro' the 7inca site in
3o'ania ear 'an6 such inscri#tions. 5ther eBa'#"es can e
seen in the 8ationa" Museu' in Be"(rade. These arte)acts )ro'
2=== BCE are reco(niDa"6 #art o) the tradition that continues
toda6 ~ se-en 'i""ennia "ater.
It is (enera""6 reco(niDed that a"" archaic s6'o"s had a
'a(ica" and re"i(ious si(ni)icance. In "e(end. the6 !ere (i-en
6 the (ods to hu'an ein(s. Accordin( to 0reek tradition. it
!as Her'es. the (od o) tra-e". co''erce and !ritin( !ho
in-ented "etters !hen he sa! a )"ock o) cranes )"6in( throu(h
the sk6. Their -arious di))erent )or's (a-e hi' the idea that
characters cou"d e arran(ed to re#resent sounds. Another
-ersion o) the ori(in o) "etters te""s that the6 !ere 'ade 6
Cad'us the Phoenician. Historica""6. it !as )ro' the Phoenician
scri#t that 0reek ori(inated. But 'odern research on
hu'an #erce#tion 'a6 #ro-ide us !ith another #ossii"it6. one
e'edded dee#"6 !ithin our o!n hu'an consciousness.
Modern neuro#h6sio"o(6 has identi)ied #hos#henes. (eo'etrica"
sha#es and i'a(es that are #resent suconscious"6 in the
-isua" corteB and neura" s6ste'. These are #resent in a""
hu'ansA the6 are descried as entopic. ein( -isi"e !hen the
e6es are shut. The6 can a"so e seen !hen the consciousness is
a"tered 6 so'e 'eansA durin( 'editation, in trance. or in
ha""ucinations induced 6 )ati(ue. i""ness or dru(s. 0eo'etric
sha#es re"ated to "etters are o)ten #ercei-ed in the ear"6 sta(es
o) trance.
These states o) consciousness are the do'ain o) the sha'an.
the hu'an !ho treads the thin "ine et!een "i)e and death in
his or her ,uest )or en"i(hten'ent. The 8orse "e(end o) the
ori(in o) the runes is )ounded in the )ati(ue and a(on6 o) the
sha'an.(od 5din's se").torture on the '!inds!e#t tree' . :uch
sha'anic #ractices o) se").torture sti"" eBist in the indi(enous
re"i(ions o) 8orth A'erica and Centra" Asia. and a"so in
certain sects o) Ja#anese Buddhis'. B6 'eans o) their esoteric
2
'a(ical Alphabets
techni,ues. a"tered and no-e" states o) consciousness can e
achie-ed, throu(h !hich ne! insi(hts can e otained. As a
'atter o) necessit6. to e trans'itted to other hu'an ein(s
at a"", these insi(hts 'ust a##ear !ithin a )or'at !hich
coincides !ith the inherent #atterns o) hu'an consciousness.
The "e(end o) 5din's inner rune ,uest is a teBtook eBa'#"e
o) the conscious rea"iDation and )or'a"iDation o) these inherent
#hos#hene #atterns. Thus the conce#t that "etters, !hether
the6 e )ro' the Here!, 0reek, Etruscan. ;atin, 3unic.
Coe"ren, 0othic, 9est#ha"ian or e-en those o) our )a'i"iar
3o'an a"#haet, are inherent as#ects o) the neura" 'circuitr6'
o) each hu'an ein(. At the sa'e ti'e, the6 are a"so
'eta#hors )or the -arious as#ects o) the nature o) rea"it6. .t is
throu(h the stud6 o) these ento#ic #atterns in the "i(ht o) the
uni-ersa" that !e 'a6 )ind the ke6 to the 'an6 'a(ica"
a"#haets detai"ed in this ook, and 'ost i'#ortant"6. the ke6
to the door o) #ersona" en"i(hten'ent.
4
1
The Hebrew Alphabet
&n the be(innin( was the +ord" and the +ord was with #od"
and the +ord was #od. The same was in the be(innin( with
#od.
THE 05:PE; ACC53EI80 T5 :T J5H8, 1A1.+
An a"#haet is a s6ste' o) !ritin( that eB#resses a "an(ua(e's
sounds, oth consonants and -o!e"s, 6 'eans o) sin("e
characters. Historica""6, the Phoenician (9est :e'iticG a"#haet
!as the )irst to do this, in and around !hat is no! the
;eanon. This a"#haet !as the startin(.#oint o) a"" o) the "ater
Euro#ean a"#haets, as !e"" as Here! and Araic. The
Phoenician a"#haet di))ers )ro' the "ater Euro#ean a"#haets
on"6 in that it does not use -o!e"s. The de)initi-e -ersion o)
the Phoenician a"#haet is the inscri#tion on the sarco#ha(us
o) Hin( Ahira' o) B6"os, 1=== BCE. This s6ste'atiDed
a"#haet o) ++ characters had co'e into use around 1+== BCE,
one -ersion o) the -arious character sets used around the
eastern end o) the Mediterranean at that ti'e.
.t is thou(ht that a"thou(h the6 used the cu'erso'e
hiero("6#hic s6ste' o) !ritin(, the ancient E(6#tians ori(inated
the 'one sound, one si(n' #rinci#"e o) !ritin(. B6
the'se"-es, E(6#tian heiero("6#hs !ere a'i(uous. A hiero(I6#h
cou"d re#resent the o>ect that it de#icted, a corres#ondin(
sound, or a 'a(ica" corres#ondence. But, as !ritten, it !as
unc"ear !hether o>ect, sound or ana"o(6 !as 'eant, and so
additiona" characters !ere needed to indicate the !a6 that the
hiero("6#hs !ere intended to e read. <sua""6, it !as necessar6
to indicate sound and, e-entua""6, a s6ste' o) +1 consonanta"
si(ns !as )or'a"iDed. These eBtra characters !ere used in
co'ination !ith hiero("6#hs. ut (radua""6. as 'ore and 'ore
)orei(n !ords and na'es, )or !hich there !ere no hiero("6#hs.
$
'a(ical Alphabets
cre#t into the E(6#tian "an(ua(e, this s6ste' !as used to !rite
these a"ien !ords. The E(6#tians the'se"-es did not use the
+1.character consonanta" s6ste' as an a"#haet ho!e-er, ut
it is c"ear that these characters had so'e in)"uence on the t!o
!ritin( s6ste's that #receded PhoenicianA the '#rotoCanaanite'
!ritin(, kno!n )ro' the Canaanite to!n o) 0ea",
and the ':inaitic' scri#t, kno!n )ro' the E(6#tian 'ines at
:erait e".Hhede' in :inai .
The standardiDed scri#t o) Hin( Ahira' o) B6"os !as
disse'inated !ide"6 6 traders and co"onists. It reached a"on(
the coast o) 8orth A)rica, !here it eca'e the Punic scri#t,
and )urther !est !here it in)"uenced the Tartessian scri#t o)
:#ain. A Phoenician inscri#tion is kno!n )ro' a Cretan
0eo'etric to' at Hnossos. In Ita"6, it 'a6 ha-e een the
startin(.#oint )or the Etruscan a"#haet, and it !as certain"6
the in)"uence )ro' !hich the 0reek a"#haet !as de-e"o#ed
durin( the 'idd"e o) the ei(hth centur6 BCE. The Here!
scri#t, !hich is a consonanta" s6ste' !ith ++ characters, is #art
o) this )a'i"6 o) a"#haets, ased u"ti'ate"6 u#on the Phoenician
scri#t.
%ABA;I:TIC :PEC<;ATI58:
The Here! scri#t !as )or'a"iDed around the sa'e ti'e as the
ear"6 0reek, ut the characters took a di))erent )or'. Here!
!as, and sti"" is, !ritten )ro' ri(ht to "e)t, and the 'handin(' o)
the "etters is in this direction. @or eBa'#"e, 3esh, !ith the
#honetic -a"ue '3', rese'"es the "o!er case 3o'an 'r', !ritten
the o##osite !a6 round. The 'a(ica" connotations o) the
Phoenician a"#haet are uncertain, ut 'an6 o) the eBoteric
and esoteric 'eanin(s o) the Here! "etters are #ara""e"ed 6
those in 0reek, and so'e in runic. But, 'ore than 0reek,
runic and other co'#ara"e s#iritua""6 ased s6'o"ic a"#haets,
the '6steries o) the Here! a"#haet are (rounded in a
coherent #hi"oso#hica" s6ste', de-e"o#ed o-er a "on( #eriod .
the %aa"ah. The ook kno!n as the Sepher ,et-irah is
considered 6 'an6 ,aa"ists to e the cornerstone o) the
%aa"ah. Eatin( )ro' so'e!here et!een the third and siBth
centuries CE, it detai"s a doctrine !hich is said to ha-e een
recei-ed )irst 6 Araha'. This is an inner.initiated teachin(.
The rainica" tradition he"d that these teachin(s !ere to e
ke#t secret, a!a6 )ro' the kno!"ed(e o) #ro)ane #eo#"e . In
&
The Hebrew Alphabet
K~.:Jli1~~ntj
123+6"67!"
~)?b)bY~~
1# $# 3# !!f% &# 6# 7# # so
-r'(nlb)$7r
1#D 1M 31* !!! - "$" $+1%" !'
@i(. *. The Here! a"#haet , !ith its nu'erica" -a"ues.
the 'inds and hands o) the #ro)ane, the6 cou"d on"6 destro6 a
si'#"e )aith in 0od, and (i-e the' access to the techni,ues o)
"ack 'a(ic. :o the kno!"ed(e !as #assed ora""6 )ro' 'aster
to #u#i".
The esoteric Je!ish conce#tion o) the nature o) eBistence is
not the sa'e as that asserted eBoterica""6 6 rainica"
Judais'. Esoteric e"ie) states that the 0od o) the Bi"e !ho
created 'ateria" thin(s is not transcendent. This (od is a
"i'ited ein(, suordinate to a hi(her )or' o) eBistence, the
'Ain.:o#h', !hich is trans"ated as '!ithout end'. In the
,aa"istic tradition, it is the na'e o) the ine))a"e. Its
transcendence 'eans that it cannot e "oca"iDed in ti'e or
s#ace. The Ain.:o#h eBists e6ond the rea"'s o) cause and
e))ect, e6ond desire, e-en e6ond the rea"'s o) ein( and
non.ein(. Its nature is thus e6ond hu'an understandin(. As
the 0od o) creation is on"6 an a(ent o) the Ain.:o#h, the
creation o) the uni-erse itse") has co'e direct"6 )ro' the Ain:o#h
throu(h a co'#"eB #rocess, achie-ed 6 the o#eration o)
certain e'anations o) the Ain.:o#h, the ':e#hiroth'. A##earin(
in the %aa"ah, the :e#hiroth are the "ink et!een the
'ateria" uni-erse and the Ain.:o#h.
;ike 'an6 other cu"tura""6 ound esoteric traditions, the
Je!ish %aa"ah is ased not on the outer eB#eriences o) the
)i-e senses, ut on an inner, -isionar6 eB#erience, eB#ressin(
that direct access to kno!"ed(e that under"ies the 'ost
/
'a(ical Alphabets
#o!er)u" o) the kno!n 'a(ica" a"#haets. The Sepher ,et-irah
dea"s !ith Je!ish cos'o(on6 and cos'o"o(6. .t is di-ided into
t!o #arts, the )irst o) !hich dea"s !ith the esoteric '6steries
o) the ten nu'ers, !hi"st the second co-ers the ++ "etters o)
the Here! a"#haet. Accordin( to the )irst cha#ter o) the
Sepher ,et-irah.
J H/H" throu(h the $2 paths" inscribed his name usin( the
three forms of e0pression called letters" numbers and sound.
There are ten sacred Sephiroth. The foundation of thin(s
are the 22 letters. Of these" three are mothers1 se!en double
and twel!e simple are the remainder. The sacred Sephiroth
are ten in number. They are the ten fin(ers of the hands"
fi!e correspondin( with fi!e . ..
;ater on, the Sepher ,et-irah te""s usA
The Sephiroth re!eal the ten numbers. &n the first" the spirit
of the (od of life" more resplendent than the Li!in( #od.
The sound of the !oice" of the spirit and of the word are of
this spirit. The second. #od produces air from this spirit
and con!erts it into 22 sounds" the letters of the alphabet.
.. 2ut e!en abo!e these does the spirit stand in
!alue . ..
@ro' the "etters o) the a"#haet, !hich !ere 'ani)estations o)
the Ei-ine Breath (kno!n in -arious traditions as Hi, Pneu'a,
nd, 8!6-re, etc.G, 0od chose three as his Ma(ni)icent 8a'e.
These !ere IH7A
2y him" with this name" was the uni!erse sealed in the si0
directions. The fifth. hei(ht was sealed with &H/" this he did
while loo%in( upwards. Si0th. depth was sealed with &/H.
This he did while loo%in( downwards. Se!enth. the east was
sealed with &/H. This he did while loo%in( forward.
3i(hth. the west was sealed with &/H. This he did while
loo%in( behind him. 4inth. the south was sealed with &/H.
This he did while loo%in( ri(htwards. Tenth. the north was
sealed with &/H. This he did while loo%in( leftwards. Loo%!
The spirit of the air" water" fire" hei(ht" depth " east" west"
north and south emanate out of the ten di!ine Sephiroth!
1=
The Hebrew Alphabet
@i(. 1. The Here! ' rose' sho!in( the *.$.1+ arran(e'ent o) characters. 9ith the
addition o) a cross at the centre. this is the ad(e o) so'e 3osicrucian (rou#s.
The creati-e #o!er that (a-e rise to the cos'os is thus seen as
(i-in( rise si'u"taneous"6 to the nu'ers and "etters. Accordin(
to the Sepher ,et-irah" the )oundation o) a"" thin(s is
co'#rised o) the ++ "etters o) the Here! a"#haet. 5) these
++ characters, three are considered to e the ''others' , se-en
are 'dou"es' and t!e"-e are 'si'#"es' . The three 'others
co'#rise the "etters A"e#h (AG, Me' (MG, and :hin (:hG,
!hich re#resent the three e"e'ents o) air, !ater and )ire
res#ecti-e"6. A"" o) creation !as e"ie-ed to e'anate )ro'
these three e"e'ents. The earth is co'#osed o) !ater, and the
hea-ens o) )ire . Bet!een these #o"es, air s6'o"iDes the s#irit
!hich 'ediates et!een the'. As 'icrocos'ic re)"ections o)
the 'acrocos', the #arts o) the hu'an od6 !ere connected
!ith these three "etters. A"e#h ru"es the chest (the reathG,
Me' the sto'ach, and :hin, the head ()ire, the inte""ectG.
These three #ri'a" e"e'ent "etters are a"so connected !ith
ti'eA A"e#h re#resents the seasons o) s#rin( and autu'n, the
ti'e o) the e,uinoBesA :hin s6'o"iDes the su''er, !hi"st
Me' is !interti'e. There are three c"asses o) "etters in the
Here! a"#haetA as#irates, 'utes and sii"ants. The three
11
'a(ical Alphabets
''other' "etters are su##osed to e the ke6 characters o) each
o) these three c"asses. The )irst, A"e#h, is #ronounced !ith
si"ent reathin( as an as#irate, so it s6'o"iDes the e"e'ent o)
air. Me' is a 'ute character, 'ade 6 #uttin( the "i#s
to(ether, and :hin is a sii"ant, connected !ith the Here!
!ord 'Esh', )ire .
The conce#t that the uni-erse e'anates )ro' the three
''other' "etters is a"so #resent in the ardic tradition o) 9a"es.
In the Here! a"#haet, a)ter these three ''others', the se-en
'dou"es' are 'ost i'#ortant. The6 are thus na'ed as the6
s6'o"iDe the #airs o) o##osites !hich co'#ose eBistence, and
as the6 si(ni)6 t!o #honetic -a"ues, a hard and a so)t sound.
These "etters are Beth (BG, 0i'e" (0G, Ea"eth (EG, Ha#h (HG,
Pe (PG, 3esh (3G and Tau (TG. Beth si(ni)ies "i)e.deathA 0i'e",
har'on6.con)"ict ? Ea"eth, kno!"ed(e.i(noranceA Ha#h,
aundance.scarcit6A Pe, (race.sinA 3esh, )erti"it6.arrennessA
Tau, #o!er.#o!er"essness. In addition to s#eci)ic dua"ities o)
,ua"ities, the6 si(ni)6 the se-en directionsA the )our directions
o) north, east, !est and south, ao-e and e"o! and the centre.
Pe 'arks the north , Ea"eth the east , 3esh is at the south, Ha#h
is to the !est, Beth "ies ao-e, 0i'e" e"o!, and Tau is at
the centre. Accordin( to the Sefer ,et-irah" the se-en #"anets
and the da6s o) the !eek !ere a"so )or'ed )ro' these "etters
6 0od. Microcos'ica""6, the se-en '(ates o) the sou"',
corres#ondin( !ith the #"anets, !ere deri-ed )ro' these
"etters. These are the 'outh, the t!o ears, t!o e6es and t!o
nostri"s.
The re'ainin( 1+ Here! characters are the 'si'#"e "etters'.
These ha-e corres#ondences to the si(ns o) the Dodiac, and to
certain )acu"ites inherent in the hu'an od6. He (HG, Aries, is
associated !ith the si(htA 7au (< and 7G, Taurus, the )acu"t6
o) hearin(A Iain (IG, 0e'ini, the sense o) s'e""A Cheth (CHG,
Cancer, the #o!er o) s#eechA Teth (THG, ;eo, the tasteA Yod
(YG, 7ir(o, seBua"it6A ;a'ed (;G, ;ira, the ai"it6 to !orkA
8un (8G, :cor#io, the #o!er o) 'o-e'entA :a'ekh (:G,
:a(ittarius, and Ain (=G, Ca#ricorn, the ,ua"ities o) an(er and
hu'our res#ecti-e"6A TDaddi (TIG, A,uarius, the #o!er o)
i'a(inationA and %o#h (%G, Pisces, the ai"it6 to s"ee# . These
characters are a"so assi(ned to the directions o) the co'#ass
roseA ho!e-er, un"ike the se-en 'dou"es', the6 are "aid out
on"6 on one #"ane . The direction corres#ondences o) the
1+
The Hebrew Alphabet
!l ,bo-.
~ west
.l b.lo(
@i(. 2. The se-en 'dou"e' Here! "etters in their re"ationshi# to the se-en
directions o) s#ace , !hich the6 are e"ie-ed to ha-e )or'ed.
'si'#"e "etters' are co'#osed o) t!o di-isions, an inner and an
outer. The inner di-ision o) )our characters re#resents the
cardina" directions, Yod, Cheth, %o#h and Ain . The outer
di-ision !ith ei(ht characters re#resents the cardina" and
intercardina" directions, the "etters Teth, He, Iain, 7au,
TDaddi, ;a'ed, :a'ekh and 8un. In the inner Done, north is
connected !ith YodA the east, ChethA the south, %o#h, and the
!est Ain . 5n the outer Done, north is TethA north.east is HeA
east is IainA south.east, 7auA south, TDaddiA south.!est,
;a'edA !est, :a'ekh, and north.!est, 8un.
/0E 1E2NING %3 0E45E6 LE//E57
:e-era" esoterica""6 ased a"#haets share a co''on )eature ,
in !hich each indi-idua" character has a na'e and re#resents
a s#eci)ic o>ect or ,ua"it6. This conce#t is de-e"o#ed to a -er6
so#histicated "e-e" in 0reek, the Ce"tic o(ha's, and, 'ost
nota"6, in the 8ordic runes. At the 'ost asic hu'an "e-e",
the6 are a"" "inked to the )unda'enta" neuro#h6sio"o(ica"
#atterns !ithin our hu'an constitution . our asic io"o(ica"
ai"ities that inter#ret our #erce#tion o) the uni-erse. 5n a
1*
'a(ical Alphabets
cu"tura" "e-e", this conce#t 'a6 deri-e )ro' the su##osed
ancient E(6#tian ori(in o) the #honetic a"#haet. E,ua""6, it
'a6 e an assi'i"ation o) ear"ier #icto(ra#hs into the #articu"ar
a"#haetic s6ste'. .t is #articu"ar"6 un)ortunate that )or the
startin(.#oint o) a"" !estern a"#haets, the Phoenician one o)
*=== 6ears a(o, !e ha-e no kno!"ed(e o) the "etters' 'eanin(s.
Each o) the characters o) the Here! a"#haet is na'ed a)ter
a corres#ondin( o>ect. In Here!, the a"#haet has a"'ost
the sa'e order as the )a'i"iar 3o'an a"#haet in !hich this
ook is set. The )irst "etter is A, the second B, and so on. As
!ith the 0reek, 5(ha' and 0ae"ic a"#haets, each Here!
character a"so has a nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent.
@i(. 4. %aa"istic inter#retation o) the character A"e#h. )ro' Oedipus Ae(ypriacus
6 Athanasius Hircher. 142+.
The )irst "etter o) the Here! a"#haet is A"e#h, the e,ui-a"ent
o) the 3o'an "etter =A=3 This has the eBoteric 'eanin( o)
'catt"e' or 'oB', and the esoteric 'eanin( o) '!ea"th'. Proa"6,
the "etter's sha#e is deri-ed )ro' the #icto(ra' )or a co!'s or
u""'s horned head. As the )irst character, it re)"ects the
concerns o) a #astora" societ6 !ith the 'ain source o) !ea"th
. catt"e. In traditiona" societ6, the co! !as the ani'a" u#on
!hich a"" hu'ans de#ended, as )ro' her co'es 'i"k, horn,
hides and 'eat. The esoteric 'eanin( o) A"e#h is thus aso"ute
inde#endence )ro' others, se").su))icienc6, ut reco(niDin(
that this condition can eBist on"6 in e,ui"iriu' !ith surround.
11
The Hebrew Alphabet
in( eBistence, oth on the 'ateria" and a"so on the s#iritua"
#"anes. Thus A"e#h 'a6 e taken as re#resentin( the Her'etic
'aBi', 'As ao-e, so e"o!'. Esoterica""6, as the )irst "etter,
it is a 'ani)estation o) the @ather, the ru"er o) the )a'i"6 in
#atriarcha" societies "ike ancient Israe". A"e#h has the nu'erica"
e,ui-a"ent o) 1, !hich is Achad, 'eanin( unit6. Astro"o(ica""6,
it is "inked !ith Taurus, and the conste""ation 5rion.
Beth is the second Here! "etter, !ith the e,ui-a"ent -a"ue o)
'B'. Its 'eanin( is 'house', and its sha#e is c"ear"6 deri-ed )ro'
a #icto(ra' o) a house. The house is that hu'an arte)act !hich
eB#resses the !i"" o) ha-in( arri-ed and 'eanin( to sta6. It
re#resents stai"it6, o!nershi# and continuit6 o) the )a'i"6 in
one #"ace. Beth is the #ossession o) one's o!n ancestra"
#ro#ert6. In its #osition as the Denith, Beth si(ni)ies the
enc"osure o) s#ace, the roo) that is the de)inin( nature o) the
house. It can a"so 'ean the )a'i"6, re#roduction and #ro(en6,
continuit6 o) the "ood"ine in the )a'i"6 ho'estead. In this
as#ect, it re#resents the Mother. 5n a hi(her "e-e", this "etter
is Beth.EI, the 'house o) 0od'. Here, it is the "etter o) creation,
the )irst "etter o) 0enesis. The nu'erica" -a"ue o) Beth is +,
:heni, that !hich re#eats, the essence o) creation. Astrono'ica""6,
Beth is a""ied !ith the conste""ation o) Cassio#eia.
0i'e" is the third. Its -a"ue is '0', and it has the 'eanin( o)
'ca'e"'. The ca'e" is the 'eans o) tra-e""in( throu(h the desert
!ith sa)et6. It can carr6 hu'ans and (oods )or -ast distances
una))ected 6 the hot, dr6 conditions. Thus the ca'e" si(ni)ies
the ai"it6 to (et throu(h ad #"aces or ad ti'es success)u""6.
It re#resents se").re"iance and inner stren(th throu(h ein( in
har'on6 !ith the #re-ai"in( conditions. An esoteric inter#retation
o) 0i'e" is thus 'nature', !hich, !ithout hu'an inter)erence,
is a"!a6s a se").re(u"atin( s6ste'. The nu'erica" -a"ue
o) 0i'e" is *, :ha"osh, the triad. Astro"o(ica""6, it is connected
!ith 7ir(o.
Ea"eth, the door, is the )ourth "etter, !ith a -a"ue o) 'E'.
<n"ike the !a""s o) a house or to!n, !hich cannot e
#enetrated, the door a""o!s access. But this access is se"ecti-e.
The door eBc"udes those !ho shou"d not enter, and ad'its
those !ho shou"d. The outco'e di))ers, de#endin( on !hether
12
'a(ical Alphabets
the door is shut or o#en. In this as#ect, Ea"eth there)ore
re#resents o#enin( and shuttin(, access and denia" o) access.
Esoterica""6, Ea"eth is thus 'authorit6'. .t is interestin( to note
that in oth the o(ha' and runic a"#haets the "etters !ith the
-a"ue o) 'E' (Euir and Ea(G ha-e an identica" 'eanin(. As a
dou"e "etter, Ea"eth re#resents kno!"ed(e and i(norance,
!e"" s6'o"iDed 6 the o#en or c"osed door. Ea"eth's nu'erica"
e,ui-a"ent is 1, Ara, )ours,uare.
He, 'H', the )i)th character, si(ni)ies a !indo!, that !hich
ad'its "i(ht into a ui"din(. <n"ike the door, the #re-ious
character, Ea"eth, !hich ad'its hu'ans, the !indo! ad'its
on"6 "i(ht and air. .t is the #"ace !hich "inks the inner !or"d o)
the house !ith the outer !ou"d surroundin( it. :i'i"ar"6, in
hu'an ter's, accordin( to the Sefer ,et-irah" He is the
')oundation o) si(ht'. :i(ht "inks the inner !or"d o) the
indi-idua" !ith the outer !or"d o) his or her surroundin(
en-iron'ent, ena"in( contro" to e eBerted. He is thus a "etter
o) "inkin( the inner !ith the outer, and one o) i""u'ination.
Esoterica""6. He is 're"i(ion', that !hich '"inks' #eo#"e to(ether
!ith each other, and !ith the di-ine outside the'. He has the
nu'er e,ui-a"ent o) 2, !hich is Cha'esh, 'ar'ed'. Asto"o(ica""6,
He is "inked !ith Aries.
7au, the siBth, !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) '7', re#resents a nai",
doorkno or s'a"" hook. The ri(ht head o) the nai" re)"ects
the "i(ht o) da6. Traditiona""6, nai"s ha-e een used in a )or'
o) di-ination in !hich the #atterns o) sun"i(ht re)"ected )ro'
the nai".head is inter#reted as a "etter or "etters, #ro-idin( the
ans!er to an6 ,uestion #osed. The nai" is a"so the #i-ot around
!hich the hea-ens circ"e, and 7au is thus connected !ith the
+1.hour da6 and ti'e. In the hu'an ein(, the character 7au
is connected !ith the hearin( and, esoterica""6, it has the
'eanin( o) '"iert6' . In this res#ect, the attriution o) 'doorkno',
that !hich o#ens the door, is a##ro#riate, 7au has the
nu'erica" -a"ue o) 4, :hesh, 'eanin( !hite or ri(ht.
Iain, the se-enth "etter, 'eans 's!ord' or 'ore (enera""6
'!ea#on' or 'decorated sta)). As the s!ord, it is usua""6
inter#reted as the s!ord in its scaard, at rest. Thus Iain has
the 'eanin( o) re#ose and )or(i-eness under the (uidance o)
14
The Hebrew Alphabet
authorit6. Esoterica""6, it has the 'eanin( o) 'o!nershi#', that
!hich needs to e de)ended. This "inks it !ith the !ho"e
co'#"eB '6th os o) the s!ord, the 'i"itaris' o) the ancient
!or"d, and "ater Euro#ean chi-a"r6. It has a -a"ue o) 'I'. Iain's
nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent is $, :hea6, 'at rest'.
The ei(hth character is Cheth or Heth. Its e,ui-a"ent is 'CH',
and it 'eans ')ence' or 'hurd"e'. The )ence is that !hich di-ides
the inner )ro' the outer. It is a arrier !hich ser-es an o!ner
o) so'ethin(. It kee#s those thin(s in !hich the o!ner !ants
ke#t in, and kee#s out those thin(s !hich 'ust e eBc"uded. It
is thus a "etter o) discri'ination, the se#aration o) thin(s o)
!orth )ro' the !orth"ess. Another re"ated inter#retation o)
Cheth is aundance and ener(6, the asic characteristics that
se#arate the "i-in( )ro' the dead. Esoterica""6, Cheth 'eans
'distriution', the #ri'ar6 )unction o) ener(6. It has the
nu'er.e,ui-a"ent o) &, :he'onah, )erti"it6, and is connected
astro"o(ica""6 !ith ;ira.
The ninth is Teth, the "etter T, the ser#ent. Teth re#resents
or(anic unit6. It is the raDen ser#ent o) the 5"d Testa'ent,
Aaron's 3od, a Je!ish #ara""e" !ith the 'a(ic sta)) o) Her'es,
the Caduceus and the Christian cross o) Christ. 5r(anic unit6
can on"6 eBist !hen the uni-ersa" )"o! o) ener(6 'aintains it,
and this is re#resented in a"" cu"tures 6 the ser#ent, dra(on,
8!6-re or 5r'. Esoterica""6, Teth si(ni)ies the ,ua"it6 o)
'#rudence', !ith the nu'erica" -a"ue o) /, Thsha6, 'the (ate'.
Yod or Jod is the tenth character, !ith the #honetic -a"ue o)
'1'. It 'eans the hand, and si(ni)ies co'#"etion and )u""ness.
The hand is the or(an 6 'eans o) !hich a"" hu'an inte""ectua"
in(enuit6 is trans"ated into #h6sica" rea"it6. Hu'an contro" o)
an6thin( is throu(h the #o!er and a(i"it6 o) the hands, and thus
Yod's esoteric 'eanin( is 'order', destin6 as directed 6 0od.
This 'eanin( #ara""e"s that o) the 0reek "etter Iota, !hich a"so
'eans 'destin6'. Yod's nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent is 1=, A6ser, a"".
Ha#h, the 11th, 'eans 'the #a"' o) the hand'. It has the
#honetic -a"ue o) 'H'. The #a"' is an i'#ortant #art o) the
od6, )or it is )ro' there that radiates the odi"6 ener(6 kno!n
-arious"6 as 'Pneu'a', 'ond', '5d6"e' and '8!6-re'. It is est
1$
'a(ical Alphabets
kno!n )ro' the orienta" 'artia" arts as 'Hi'. This is the sut"e
ener(6 that is in-o"-ed in hea"in( )ro' the '"a6in( on o) the
hands', and in the s#ectacu"ar )eats associated !ith the 'artia"
arts. In Christian s6'o"is', the #a"'s o) Jesus are #ierced
!ith the cruci)6in( nai"s, destro6in( his ai"it6 to radiate
ene)icia" hea"in( ener(6. The radiation o) ener(6 )ro' the
#a"'s is de#icted so'eti'es in i'a(es o) the 7ir(in. Esoterica""6,
Ha#h has the 'eanin( o) ')orce', and the nu'ere,ui-a"ent
o) +=. Astro"o(ica""6, Ha#h is a""ied !ith ;eo.
;a'ed, the 1+th "etter, !ith the -a"ue o) ';', re#resents the
too" kno!n as an oB.(oad or catt"e.#rod. This is the character
that enca#su"ates the ,ua"it6 o) '(ettin( thin(s (oin('. This
#ara""e"s its co'#anion "etters in 0reek and 3unic, !here the
"etters !hich stand )or ';', ;a'da and ;a(u, are a"so to do
!ith )"o! and #ro(ress. ;a'ed is the directed ener(6 that one
re,uires to initiate an6 action, and the sacri)ices that one 'ust
ine-ita"6 incur in the #rocess. The esoteric si(ni)icance o)
;a'ed is thus 'sacri)ice'. ;a'ed's nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent is *=.
Me', the 1*th, has a -a"ue o) 'M'. EBoterica""6, Me' si(ni)ies
!ater. This re#resents )"o!, )"uB, 'ore esoterica""6, the
chan(es rou(ht aout 6 death. As the thirteenth character,
it ears the sa'e esoteric si(ni)icance as the thirteenth "etter
in the other 'ain a"#haets. It is re"ated 6 its co''on
Phoenician ori(in to the 0reek "etter Mu, a"so ori(ina""6 the
thirteenth "etter o) the 0reek a"#haet. .t can si(ni)6 the )iBed
stars, and hence re#resents the )ata"istic astro"o(ica" inter#retation
o) hu'an destin6. Its astro"o(ica" corres#ondence is the
conste""ation o) Eraco. Me' has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) 1=, a
nu'er o) co'#"etion in Je!ish tradition.
8un, the 11th, re#resents 'a )ish'. It has the -a"ue o) '8'. This
is another "etter !hich ears so'e re"ationshi# to the #recedin(
one (such as Ea"eth/He and Yod/Kaph. The )ish is an ani'a"
that "i-es in an en-iron'ent hosti"e to hu'ans. .t has
s6'o"iDed oth the #rinci#"e o) e-i". and a"so, throu(h the
He""enistic inter#retations o) Poseidon and Jesus, sa"-ation. In
this res#ect, it si(ni)ies the astro"o(ica" si(n o) A,uarius.
Esoterica""6, 8un si(ni)ies re-ersii"it6. This #ara""e"s the
'eanin( o) the runic "etter 86d, !hich 'eans 'necessit6', the
1&
The Hebrew Alphabet
,ua"it6 o) turnin( round a #ro"e' and )indin( the so"ution that
"ies, unseen, !ithin it. 8un has si'i"ar connotations. .t has the
nu'er e,ui-a"ent o) 2=.
The 12th character is :a'ekh, ':'. This si(ni)ies a #ro# or
su##ort. 9ithout a su##ort, 'an6 thin(s cannot stand u#, and
so this "etter re#resents the co'#"e'entar6 ,ua"ities that so'e
#eo#"e or so'e thin(s need in order to eBist. The #ro# and the
o>ect su##orted ha-e a 'utua" need )or one another. 9ithout
the #ro#, the #erson or thin( )a""s. 9ithout the thin( to e
su##orted, the #ro# has no )unction. :a'ekh thus si(ni)ies
'utua" inde#endence that eBists et!een #eo#"e, thin(s or
0od and hu'anit6. Esoterica""6, it si(ni)ies uni-ersa" ein(. .t
has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) 4=.
The 14th is A6in or A6n, !ith the -a"ue o) =*=3 This si(ni)ies
the e6e. In hu'an ter's, A6in is the #h6sica" e,ui-a"ent o) He.
.t is throu(h the e6e that !e see, and A6in there)ore re#resents
the ai"it6 to #ercei-e a"" thin(s. .t is a character o) -ision,
esoterica""6 re#resentin( ')oresi(ht', the #o!er to see the
#rocesses at !ork !ithin e-ents. A6in #ara""e"s the 0reek "etter
5'icron, !hich re#resents the sun and its "i(ht, creatin( the
necessar6 conditions )or us to see. Astro"o(ica""6, A6in is
re"ated to the conste""ation 5#hiucus, and the si(n o) :cor#io.
It has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) $=.
:e-enteenth co'es Pe, the "etter 'P', 'eanin( ''outh', the seat
o) s#eech, so this "etter is one o) e"o,uence and co''and. Just
as a #erson's !ords 'a6 out"i-e his or her #h6sica" od6, the
esoteric si(ni)icance o) this character is 'i''orta"it6'. .t is the
ori(in o) the '!ord', the #ri'a" -iration )ro' !hich e'anated
'ateria" eBistence. In this res#ect, Pe is e,ui-a"ent to the runic
"etter Peorth. This character has the esoteric 'eanin( o) the
!o' o) the Cos'ic Mother, )ro' !hich e'anates eBistence
itse"). Astro"o(ica""6, Pe corres#onds !ith the conste""ation o)
Andro'eda and the Dodica" si(n o) Pisces, Pe's nu'erica"
e,ui-a"ent is &=.
TDaddi, Tsade or :adhe is the 1&th "etter, !ith the -a"ue o)
'TI', re#resentin( a )ish hook or a >a-e"in. The hook is the
'eans J 6 !hich the terrestria" hu'an can catch the a,uatic
1/
'a(ical Alphabets
)ish. This character there)ore re#resents the instru'ent )or
!hich thin(s in one e"e'ent 'a6 e taken into another
e"e'ent, "inkin( t!o se#arate !or"ds . the #enetration o) one
6 another in order that so'ethin( 'a6 e re'o-ed )ro' it.
:6'o"ica""6, TDaddi re#resents the shado! or re)"ection o) an6
(i-en thin(, the necessar6 o##osite that an6 state o) ein( 'ust
rin( !ith it. .t has the nu'er e,ui-a"ent o) /=.
%o#h, the 1/th, si(ni)ies the ack o) the head, the #art o) the
od6 !hich it is not #ossi"e )or the indi-idua" to see direct"6.
Esoterica""6, %o#h si(ni)ies the "i(ht, that inner i""u'ination
that cannot e eB#erienced direct"6 throu(h the )i-e senses. .t
is the resu"t o) 0od's co''and, 'Yehre aurK' . ';et there e
"i(htK'. %o#h re#resents the sound '%', and its astro"o(ica"
corres#ondence is 0e'ini. .t has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) 1==.
3esh is the +=th Here! character !hich has the #honetic
-a"ue o) '3' . .t is another o) those "etters !hose 'eanin( is
re"ated to the #re-ious one. In this case, it is the 'idd"e o)
three. Technica""6, it can e considered to incor#orate oth the
#recedin( and suse,uent "etters, )or 3esh re#resents the head
and, esoterica""6, 'reco(nition', !hich in an6 hu'an is #ri'ari"6
ased u#on the a##earance o) so'eone's )ace . This "etter
has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) +==.
T!ent6.)irst co'es :hin, ':H', !hich re#resents the teeth, the
'eans 6 !hich !e can 'ake )ood edi"e. 9hen the od6
deca6s, and e-en the ones are reduced to dust, it is the teeth
that re'ain as the "ast 'ateria" traces o) #h6sica" ein(. Yet
the6 can e "ost !hi"st the od6 6et "i-es. In oth their as#ects
o) eatin(, "oss and "on( eBistence, :hin as the tenth is connected
!ith co'su'#tion and trans)or'ation . Esoterica""6, it is the
di-ine )ire that trans)or's one state into another. In Christian
,aa"istic ter's it is the i""u'inatin( )ire o) the Ho"6 :#irit,
trans)or'in( the 'ateria" into the s#iritua". Added to the )our"etter
na'e o) 0od, it rin(s into ein( the Messiah . :hin's
nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent is *==.
The )ina", ++nd, Here! character is Tau, !ith the -a"ue o)
'TH' . This re#resents oth the #ha""us and the si(n o) the cross,
the 'ark o) the 'chosen ones'. As a s6'o", it is co(nate !ith
+=
The Hebrew Alphabet
the ancient E(6#tian si(n o) "i)e, the Ankh or CruB Ansata.
Accordin( to so'e Christian ,aa"istic thou(ht, a"" those !ho
do not ear the 'ark o) the Tau are doo'ed to #erish. Tau
has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) 1==, the hi(hest sin("e.)i(ure
nu'er in the Here! countin( s6ste'. Esoterica""6, this
re#resents the 1== :e#hiroth o) the )our !or"ds, !hich is
's6nthesis'. .t is the co'#"etion o) the utterance o) 0od, and
thus enco'#asses creation.
%ABA;I:TIC ;ETTE3 MA8IP<;ATI58:
Accordin( to Je!ish tradition, !hen Moses ac,uired the
!ritten ;a! (kno!n as Torah she.i.kheta-G on the ho"6
'ountain o) :inai, he recei-ed a"so the ora" ;a!, the Torah
she.e.a".#eh. ;ater rainica" "ore asserts that these t!o
Torahs are #arts o) the sa'e !ho"e, co'#"e'entar6 to one
another. The !ritten Torah is the asis )or the ora" Torah in
that this "atter ;a! is co'#osed o) co''entaries and inter#retations
o) the !ritten one. This has een ui"t u# o-er the 6ears
6 the insi(hts and inter#retations o) "earned scho"ars and
rais. Je!ish '6stica" thou(ht asserts that !ithin oth the
!ritten and ora" Torahs is a 'a(ica" structure, the asis )or
,aa"istic s#ecu"ation and research. As !ith a"" 're"i(ions o) the
ook', ,aa"istic doctrine states that the Je!ish scri#tures are
"itera""6 the 9ord o) 0od, containin( !ithin the'se"-es
so'ethin( o) the di-ine essence. The :#anish co''entator
Moses en 8ah'an (11/1.1+$=, a"so kno!n as 8ah'anidesG
stated that the !ho"e Torah !as co'#osed o) the na'es o)
0od. @urther'ore, the -er6 !ords in the Torah can e
inter#reted as 'ani)estations o) occu"t na'es. @ortunate"6, or
6 0od's #ro-idence, this hidden 'eanin( is not e'edded so
dee#"6 that it cannot e deci#hered. 9ithin the sacred
scri#tura" !ords is an encr6#ted 'eanin( !hich, 6 the use o)
certain esoteric techni,ues, it is #ossi"e to re-ea". In Je!ish
tradition there are three techni,ues 6 !hich these hidden
'eanin(s 'a6 e disco-ered. The6 are kno!n as '0e'atria',
'8otarikon' and 'Te'urah'.
0e'atria is a techni,ue in !hich each "etter o) the a"#haet
denotes a nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent. Each !ord there)ore can e
re#resented as the nu'ers o) each "etter added to(ether.
Then, this nu'er is "inked 'a(ica""6 !ith an6 other !ord
+1
'a(ical Alphabets
!hich has the sa'e nu'er. An6 nu'er thus 'a6 "ink a series
o) !ords, each !ith the sa'e -a"ue, a"" 'a(ica""6 inter#retati-e
o) one another. In (e'atria there is a"so the con-ention o)
'co"eI' !hich a""o!s a discre#anc6 o) one et!een an6 t!o !ord
tota"s, a""o!in( a "itt"e "ee!a6 in inter#retation. The Here!
a"#haet has a nu'erica" corres#ondence )or e-er6 character.
5) course, in )or'er ti'es, these !ere used in e-er6da6
arith'etica" !orkin(s e)ore the 'ore )unctiona" 3o'an and
then Araic nu'era"s ca'e into use. The nu'ers are
arran(ed in (rou#s. The )irst nine characters re#resent 1 to /?
then the neBt nine stand )or 1= to /=? !hi"st the re'ainin( )our
ha-e the -a"ues o) 1== to 1==. A si'i"ar s6ste' !as de-e"o#ed
in #ara""e" )or the 0reek a"#haet. In Here!, A"e#h has a
-a"ue o) 1? Beth, +? 0i'e", *? Ea"eth, 1? He, 2? 7au, 4? Iain,
$? Cheth, &, and Teth, /. The neBt (rou# has e,ui-a"ents in the
tensA Yod, 1=, Ha#h, +=? ;a'ed, *=? Me', 1=? 8un, 2=?
:a'ech, 4=? Ain, $=? Pe, :5, and TDaddi, /=. The )ina"
characters are nu'ered in the hundredsA. %o#h is 1==? 3esh
is +==? :hin is *==, and Tau is 1==. B6 co'inin( these "etters,
an6 nu'er can e (enerated. A si'i"ar s6ste' eBists in the
0reek a"#haet, thou(h the nu'ers rise to a hi(her "e-e".
Because o) this nu'ero"o(ica" asis o) the a"#haet, Je!ish
scri#tures can e inter#reted in ter's o) nu'er. Passa(es,
!ords or na'es !ith the sa'e nu'er are he"d to e
re#resentati-e o) one another, '6stica""6 "inked and 'utua""6
inter#retati-e. @or eBa'#"e, throu(h (e'atria, 0enesis 1/A1=
!as taken 6 ,aa"ists as a #ro#hec6 o) the MessiahA 'The
.sce#tre sha"" not de#art )ro' Judah, nor a "a!(i-er )ro'
et!een his )eet, unti" :hi"oh co'e? and unto hi' sha"" the
(atherin( o) the #eo#"e e'. In (e'atria, 'unti" :hi"oh co'e'
(IBA :hI;HG has the nu'er *2&. :i'i"ar"6, the nu'er *2&
is the 0e'atria -a"ue o) 'Messiah', s#e"t M:hICh. A"so the
nu'er *2& occurs in the ook o) 8u'ers +1A/. This readsA
'And Moses 'ade a ser#ent o) rass, and #ut it u#on a #o"e?
and it sha"" co'e to #ass, that i) a ser#ent had itten an6 'an,
!hen he ehe"d the ser#ent o) rass, he "i-ed .' This Mosaic
ser#ent, in Here!, 8achash (8Ch:hG a"so has the 'Messiah'
nu'er o) *2&. Christian Here! (e'atria"ists sa! this
connection as e-idence that the raDen ser#ent o) Moses !as
the 'antit6#e' that #re)i(ured their Messiah, Christ, on the Tausha#ed
cross.
++
The Hebrew Alphabet
@i(. $. Here! tetra(ra''aton and other inscri#tions on the round to!er o)
Co#enha(en Cathedra". Een'ark. 141+.
Another i'#ortant eBa'#"e o) Here! (e'atria !as
#ointed out 6 the ,aa"istic co''entator Menesseh en
Israe". He noted that the )irst !ord o) the Mosaic Pentateuch,
'B3A:HITH', has the nu'erica" -a"ue o) /1*. B6 (e'atria,
this is e,ui-a"ent to the !ords in Here!, 'He created the
;a!'. This is a #er)ect eBa'#"e o) the !orkin(s o) (e'atria,
thou(h 'ore usua""6 it is restricted to the cross.re)erencin( o)
2$
Magical Alphabets
indi-idua" !ords and na'es. Accordin( to tradition, the ;a!
o) the Je!s !as !ritten do!n in its entiret6 6 Moses, )ro' the
)irst "etter to the "ast. This )irst "etter is Beth (BG o) the !ord
'Brashith', the )irst !ord in 0enesis, and the "ast "etter is
;a'ed (;G, the "ast "etter o) 'Israe"', the )ina" !ord o)
Eeuterono'6. Esoterica""6, the !ho"e )aric o) the Mosaic "a!
is inc"uded et!een these t!o "etters. 'Brashith' has the
(e'atria" -a"ue o) /1*, !hi"st 'Israe"' co'#utes at 211. Added
to(ether, these nu'ers 'ake 1121, one "ess (co"e"G than the
(e'atria" e,ui-a"ent o) 'Ada' Had'on', the 'icrocos'ic 'an
!hose od6 enco'#asses a"" thin(s. This a"#haet )ro'
)unda'enta" Je!ish tradition a##ears to ha-e had an in)"uence
as )ar a!a6 as ancient Ire"and, !here the o(ha' and other
esoteric a"#haets e(in !ith the "etters B, :3 It is #roa"e
that this !as rou(ht to Ire"and )ro' E(6#t 6 Co#tic 'onks,
a'on( !ho' 'an6 8ear Eastern esoteric traditions )"ourished.
The idea that a"" o) creation can e inter#reted in !ords
!hich ha-e nu'erica" corres#ondences 'a6 see' a stran(e
one. A serious #ro"e' is that the "o(ica" conc"usion o) this
a##ears to e that a"" thin(s are #redeter'ined in ad-ance, that
is, there is no )ree !i"". This )ata"istic idea !as re>ected oth
6 Je!ish and Christian '6stics as 'akin( a 'ocker6 o) the
!ho"e idea o) 0od's creation and the hu'an ein('s #"ace
!ithin it. The )ounder o) the Hasidic sect o) Judais', Baa":he'
To-, o-erca'e this o>ection 6 'eans o) an in(enious
eB#"anation. He su((ested that the Torah had eBisted ori(ina""6
as a disordered co""ection o) "etters. There !as a )inite nu'er
o) these, a certain nu'er o) each character. Thus the
nu'erica" content o) the Torah, the di-ine ener(6, !as )iBed
in ad-ance, re)"ectin( the nature and secret "i)e o) 0od hi'se").
But on"6 !hen an e-ent took #"ace !ere these "etters )or'ed
into !ords, #hrases and sentences that 'ake u# the !ritten
Torah. Thus the "etter content and, hence, the s#iritua" content
re#resented 6 the "etters, !as )iBed, ut the descri#ti-e
content cou"d on"6 e !ritten !ith these "etters !hen it took
#"ace. Thus Baa".:he' To- reconci"ed these t!o see'in("6
o##osite conce#ts, o) a content )iBed in ad-ance 6 0od that
a""o!ed )or )ree !i"" and the natura" un)o"din( o) e-ents.
As !ith e-er6thin( on the 'ateria" #"ane, an6 s6ste' !hich
continues in use )or a "on( #eriod o) ti'e 'ust de-e"o#, and it
!as in Euro#e that Je!ish ,aa"ists continued their ne-er.
+1
The Hebrew ALphabet
endin( search )or )urther esoteric )acts. An i'#ortant ste# in
this #rocess !as the a##earance in :#ain around 1+&2 o) the
5ohar" !hich united the s#ecu"ati-e and o#erati-e as#ects o)
,aa"is'. The eB#u"sion o) the Je!s )ro' :#ain in 11/+ "ed to
the esta"ish'ent o) a ,aa"istic schoo" at :a)ed in Pa"estine.
Its 'ost )a'ous 'e'ers !ere Moses Cordo-ero (12++.12$=G
and Isaac ;uria (12**.12$+G. Cordo-ero !as #ri'ari"6 a
theorist, !hi"st ;uria's !ork !as on the #ractica" a##"ications
o) the '6stic kno!"ed(e o) the %aa"ah. ;uria's ,aa"istic
'ethods inc"uded 'an6 techni,ues in-o"-in( nu'erica" and
ta"is'anic 'a(ic. His authorit6 !as )e"t outside the Je!ish
co''unit6, in)"uencin( the 3osicrucian tradition, !hich ca'e
to #ro'inence in 0er'a6 durin( the se-enteenth centur6. This
'a(ica" e"ie) s6ste' incor#orated Je!ish ,aa"istic techni,ues
and s#ecu"ations into a Christian conteBt. The Christian
%aa"ah !riters "ike Jako Boh'e and Hnorr -on 3osenroth
continued and eB#anded the use o) (e'atria and other occu"t
"etter s6ste's into the area o) Christian '6thica" eBe(esis.
:o'e intri(uin( eBa'#"es o) this tradition sti"" sur-i-e to this
da6. @or eBa'#"e, the (reat ,aa"istic #aintin( ke#t in the
Trinit6 church at Bad Teinach in Baden.9tirtte'er(, 0er'an6,
is a rare se-enteenth.centur6 eBa'#"e o) the Christian
%aa"ah in #ictoria" )or'. It !as #ainted in 14$* )or Princess
Antonia o) 9tirtte'er( (141*.$/G. Eesi(ned 6 the '6stica"
#rincess in association !ith Christian ,aa"ists, it is a re'arka"e
!ork, in oth artistic and s6'o"ic ter's (!hich,
un)ortunate"6, cannot e descried hereG in !hich the connections
et!een the 'anti.t6#e' o) the 5"d Testa'ent and the
't6#e' o) the 8e! Testa'ent are 'ade eB#"icit. A'on( other
thin(s, the raDen ser#ent o) Moses is co'#ared !ith Christ on
the cross, the (e'atria" "ink o) *2& descried ao-e. A"so
!ithin the #aintin( are a nu'er o) Here! !ords that
descrie s6'o"ica""6 the -arious as#ects o) the s6ste' o)
Christian %aa"ah. In ter's o) Here! (e'atria, it is one o)
the )e! eB#"icit eBa'#"es. :urroundin( the #aintin( is an
architectura" )ra'e that ears inscri#tions in Here! "etters.
These are ,uotations )ro' the #sa"'s. 5ne )ro' Psa"' *1A+=A
IThou sha"t hide the' in the secret o) th6 #resence )ro' the
#ride o) 'anA thou sha"t kee# the' secret"6 in a #a-i"ion )ro'
the stri)e o) ton(ues'. 8eBt to this ,uotation is the nu'er
+2/=, the (e'atria e,ui-a"ent o) the Here! !ords o) this teBt.
+2
'a(ical Alphabets
The other teBt is )ro' Psa"' *$A1A 'Ee"i(ht th6se") a"so in the
;ord? and he sha"" (i-e thee the desires o) thine heart'. The
nu'er o) this ,uotation is +==2 .
The second s6ste' o) cr6#tic inter#retation o) scri#ture is
notarikon, o) !hich there are t!o -ersions. The )irst creates a
ne! '!ord' )ro' the )irst and "ast "etters o) an6 !ord, !hi"st
the second techni,ue e'#"o6s the "etters o) one !ord as ein(
the )irst or "ast "etters o) each !ord in a sentence. These
techni,ues are re"ated to the 'odern osession, e"o-ed o)
trade unions and (o-ern'ent a(encies, )or acron6's co'#osed
o) the )irst "etters o) other !ords, such as As"e) )or the
'Association o) ;oco'oti-e En(ineers and @ire'en'. In Here!
notarikon , the su>ect 'atter is )ar 'ore "o)t6. @or
eBa'#"e, the endin( o) #ra6ers, 'A'en', is deri-ed 6
notarikon )ro' the Here! #hase 'eanin( 'The ;ord and
@aith)u" Hin(' . As !ith (e'atria, "inks et!een t!o se#arate
!ords, na'es, #hrases or teBts cou"d e discerned 6 'eans o)
the techni,ues o) notarikon . As !e"" as in Je!ish esotericis' ,
oth (e'atria and notarikon !ere used eBtensi-e"6 in the
0reek tradition, es#ecia""6 !ith re(ard to the na'es o) 0od
the @ather and Christ.
The third -ariet6 o) inter#retation, kno!n as te'urah, is a
)or' o) cr6to(ra#h6 !hich sustitutes one "etter, or se-era", )or
another. As !ith other 'a(ica" a"#haets, cr6#to(ra#h6 !as
one 'eans o) encodin( in)or'ation 'eant on"6 )or initiates. In
the runic and Ce"tic s6ste's, it !as used !ide"6 in northern
Euro#e. Man6 si'#"e s6ste's !ere used 6 Here! cr6#to(ra#hers,
such as !ritin( the a"#haet in t!o ha"-es, one in the
re-erse order, and #airin( the "etters. A co''on )or' isA
k th ch D - h d ( b a
m n s o p th 5 r sh
Certain oscure i"ica" na'es !ere deri-ed )ro' other,
etter.kno!n ones, 6 te'urah, such as :heshak )or Bae".
:o'e o) the na'es o) 0od used in 'edie-a" ,aa"istic 'a(ic
!ere deri-ed 6 'eans o) te'urah. But the sacred na'e or
na'es o) 0od are shrouded in '6ster6 and con)"ictin( c"ai's
'ade 6 -arious occu"tists o-er the centuries. 5ne i'#ortant
e"ie), ho!e-er, is that the 'true' na'e o) 0od is in so'e
+4
The Hebrew Alphabet
'6sterious !a6 direct"6 encoded !ithin scri#ture, or actua""6 is
the sacred !ritin(s the'se"-es. @or eBa'#"e, the :#anish
,aa"ist Moses de ;eon eB#anded the idea #ut )or!ard 6
Moses en 8ah'an that the entire Torah !as 'ade )ro' the
na'es o) 0od. Ee ;eon stated that the !ho"e Torah !as the
na'e o) 0od. But, o) course, it !as scarce"6 #ossi"e to use
the entire Torah !hen ca""in( u#on 0od in #ra6ers or 'a(ica"
!orkin(s. In an6 case, the true na'e o) 0od !as e"ie-ed to
e so sacred and to contain such a!eso'e inherent #o!er, that
e-en to #ronounce it out "oud !as considered to e a
"as#he'ous act that 'i(ht #roduce disastrous conse,uences.
Accordin( to "e(end, it !as this !ord that Moses had used to
cause the 3ed :ea to #art, so usin( it )or an6 "esser needs !as
considered un!ise. The on"6 eBce#tion to this !as the annua"
e-ent !hen the Hi(h Priest #ronounced it in the Ho"6 o) Ho"ies
o) the Te'#"e at Jerusa"e'.
The di-ine na'e !as ascried )our "etters o) the Here!
a"#haet, kno!n 6 its 0reek na'e o) the 'tetra(ra''aton'.
Technica""6, an6 )our."etter !ord is a tetra(ra''aton , ut it is
restricted usua""6 to the s#eci)ic )our."etter na'e o) 0od. The
Here! tetra(ra''aton has its ori(in in EBodus *.11A 'I a'
that I a''. This has een !ritten in )our di))erent !a6s, o)
!hich the )irst is 6 )ar the 'ost co''on. The )irst !a6 is the
)our Here! characters JH7H, the "etters Yod. He, 7au and
He. This is e"ie-ed to e the )irst and true na'e o) 0od.
A"thou(h its true #ronunciation is unkno!n no!, the na'e
deri-ed )ro' this is Yah!eh. This has een Euro#eaniDed as
Jeho-ah, and contracted into the Jah !orshi##ed in the
3asta)arian re"i(ion. There are 'an6 '6steries that centre
u#on this tetra(ra''aton. In (e'atria, the "etter Yod, He,
7au and He add u# to the nu'er +4. This nu'er is
i'#ortant in the esoteric '6steries, and has een used
s#oradica""6 in Je!ish and Christian sacred ui"din(s. @or
eBa'#"e, it is the (uidin( nu'er o) Hin('s Co""e(e Cha#e" at
Ca'rid(e, ui"t et!een 1114 and 1212. This is 'ade eB#"icit
6 the 1412 !ood.car-in( o-er the !est door, !hich has the
Here! tetra(ra''ation inside a 14.ra6ed so"ar disc.
The Here! "etters JH7H a"so corres#ond to so'e o) the
:e#hiroth in the tree o) "i)e . Yod corres#onds !ith Chok'ah,
the su#erna" !isdo'. He is ascried to Binah, ine))a"e
understandin(, co'#rehendin( a"" as#ects o) "i)e. 7au is said
+$
'a(ical Alphabets
@i(. &. Tetra(ra''aton on the !est end o) Hin('s Co""e(e Cha#e" , Ca'rid(e.
9ood car-in(, 1414.
to corres#ond !ith the siB :e#hiroth )ro' Chesed to Yesod,
!hi"st the )ina" He re#resents Ma"kuth, the Hin(do', co'#rehendin(
the unit6 o) 0od. 9ritten -ertica""6 )ro' to# to
otto', the JH7H tetra(ra''aton stands )or the hu'an
od6, the i'a(e o) 0od. The other three tetra(ra''atons are
secondar6, ein( '6.na'es' o) 0od, three o) the $+ 'eB#"icator6
na'es' kno!n as ':he' ha.'e#horash' or ':he'aha'#horash'.
These are said to e deri-ed )ro' a $+.s6""a"ed
na'e o) 0od, co'#osed o) +14 characters. Esoterica""6, this
'na'e' !as deri-ed 6 !ritin( do!n the "etters o) -erse 1/ in
the correct order? then those o) -erse += !ere !ritten in re-erse
order? )ina""6, the characters o) -erse +1 !ere !ritten in the
correct order. @ro' these, $+ three."etter na'es !ere deri-ed,
a"" o) !hich can e co'ined to 'ake a sin("e na'e.
@urther'ore, to each three."etter na'e !ere added the "etters
I0 or A;. These then )or'ed the na'es o) the $+ an(e"s
(uardin( Jaco's "adder. The tradition o) 0od ha-in( 'an6
s6'o"ic na'es eBists in Is"a', !hose '6stics state that 0od
has // na'es. :i'i"ar traditions a"so eBist in other re"i(ions,
)or eBa'#"e !ith the custo'ar6 1+ 6.na'es o) 5din in Asatru .
But, o) course, the correct 'a(ica" #ronunciation o) this $+.
s6""a"e ine))a"e na'e o) 0od !as co'#"eB, and !as "ost.
Accordin( to ,aa"istic "ore, it !as redisco-ered 6 certain
rais around the 6ear *== CE, !ho s6ste'atiDed it into the
tetra(ra''aton used toda6, JH7H, The reduction to )our
"etters !as achie-ed 6 a -ariant )or' o) (e'atria. B6
(e'atria, the tota" -a"ue o) the tetra(ra''aton is +4. Yod
e,ua"s 1=A He,: and 7au, 4. The -a"ues o) the "etters are added
as )o""o!sA Yod (1=G, #"us Yod and He (12G, #"us Yod, He and
7au (+1G, #"us Yod, He, 7au and He (+4G . 1= E 12 E +1 E +4
+&
The Hebrew Alphabet
@i(. /. Christian ,aa"istic heart.trian("e o) the na'e o) 0od. incor#oratin( Je!ish
and Christian na'es. @ro' !ibri Apologetici 6 Jaco Boh'e.
L $+. the nu'er o) s6""a"es o) :he' ha.'e#horash. These
nu'ers occur a"so in 0reek 'a(ica" tradition. !here the
nu'erica" -a"ues o) Ieus and A#o""o (41+ and 1=41 res#ecti-e"6G.
ha-e the #ro#ortion o) 12A+4. The t!o -ariant s#e""in(s
o) Eion6sos ha-e the sa'e ratio to one another. The
tetra(ra''aton JH7H !as used eBtensi-e"6 in 'edie-a" and
3enaissance cere'onia" 'a(ic. The in-erted heart.sha#ed
'6stica" tetrac6ts i""ustrated in @i( / )ro' Jaco Boh'e's Libri
Apolo(etici. #u"ished in ;ondon in 1$41. has the )"a'in(
characters o) JH7H arran(ed in a trian("e. Beneath. the
addition o) the 'idd"e "etter. :hin. trans)or's Jeho-ah into
Jehoshua . The 3o'an "etters )or 'I''anue"' and 'Iesus'.
surrounded 6 'ChristusJ. sho! that Boh'e !as !orkin( in the
tradition o) Christian %aa"ah.
The second tetra(ra''aton is AE8I, !ith the 'eanin( o)
';ord'. This is (enera""6 #ronounced in Euro#ean tradition as
Adonai. Hnorr -on 3osenroth. in his 6abbala 7enudata.
stated that the AE8I tetra(ra''aton is the di-ine na'e that
is c"osest to the 'ateria" !or"d o) created thin(s. The third
tetra(ra''aton is AHIH. This re#resents the #ure ein( o)
0od. #ronounced 6 !estern ,aa"ists as 'Eieie'. .t re#resents.
+/
'a(ical Alphabets
6 notarikon, the !ords re"ated to Moses (EBodus *.11GA 'And
0od said unto Moses, I a' that I a'A and he said, Thus sha"t
thou sa6 unto the chi"dren o) Israe", I A' hath send 'e unto
6ou'. The )ina" tetra(ra''aton is A0;A. This is an i'#ortant
!ord in Christian ,aa"is' and !estern 'a(ic in (enera". In
his 7e Arcanis 8atholicae /eritatis" Petrus 0a"atinus stated that
A("a re#resents the in)inite #o!er o) the Ho"6 Trinit6.
Accordin( to E"i#has ;e-i, A("a contains hiero("6#hica""6 a""
o) the '6steries o) the %aa"ah. A("a re#resents unit6,
s6'o"iDed 6 the )irst A"e#h, "eadin( ack to unit6, re#resented
6 the )ina" A"e#h. It is a tetra(ra''aton o) the #ri'a"
nature o) 0od, the )ountain o) truth. It a"so si(ni)ies the
(enerati-e #rinci#"e inherent in 8ature. ;e-i sa! A("a as the
#er)ect !ord, !hich, i) #ronounced in the correct ,aa"istic
'anner, !ou"d de'onstrate the 'a(ician's ai"it6 to #ass a""
tests o) initiation and acco'#"ish the 0reat 9ork.
Athou(h these three tetra(ra''atons and the :he' ha'e#horash
are the est.kno!n 'na'es o) 0od' in ,aa"istic
"ore, there are others. These are co'#osed o) a s6'o"ic
nu'er o) "etters, 'ost co''on"6 11, ++ and 1+ characters.
The na'e o) 11 characters is deri-ed 6 te'urah )ro' the
':he'a'. This is the dec"aration in the ook o) Eeuterono'6
(4.1GA 'Hear, = Israe", the ;ord is our 0od, the ;ord is one'.
This s#ecia" na'e o) 0od !as used a"'ost eBc"usi-e"6 in door#rotection
'a(ic. It !as !ritten on the ack o) the MeDuDah,
attached to the ri(ht door#ost in order to eBc"ude har')u"
in)"uences )ro' the househo"d. @urther detai"s o) this #ractice
can e )ound in the author's 3arth Harmony (3ider, 1/&$G. The
nu'er )ourteen "etter eca'e associated, in Christian usa(e,
!ith the :tations o) the Cross, each o) !hich can e considered
so'e sort o) (ate!a6 in the Passion o) Christ.
The na'e !ith ++ "etters, the sa'e nu'er as the characters
in the Here! a"#haet, !as #u"ished )irst in the Sepher
Ra-iel. This ook, ascried to E"eaDar o) 9or's, !ho "i-ed in
the thirteenth centur6, is the ook o) the An(e" 3aDie". The
++."etter na'e o) 0od is e"ie-ed to e deri-ed 6 so'e
techni,ue )ro' the "etters o) the B"essin( o) the Priests in the
Je!ish Authori-ed 7aily rayer 2oo%. 'The ;ord "ess and
kee# theeA The ;ord 'ake his )ace to shine u#on thee and e
(racious unto theeA The ;ord turn his )ace unto thee and (i-e
thee #eace'. The na'e is 'Anakta' Past a' Pa#asin Eionsi'',
*=
The Hebrew Alphabet
!hich in Here! "etters !ou"d e A85TM P:TM P:P:YM
EY878:YM. These !ords ha-e no 'eanin( in Here!. But,
durin( the se-enteenth centur6, this na'e !as -er6 #o#u"ar
a'on( the Je!s o) centra" Euro#e. At one ti'e, it !as
introduced into the B"essin( o) the Priest's #ra6er !hen it !as
said in s6na(o(ue.
@ina""6, the na'e !ith 1+ "etters !as a "itt"e 'ore un!ie"d6.
This na'e !as said to e co'#osed o) the )irst 1+ "etters in the
Bi"eA AB0 YT: 53A :TY 80E YC: BT3 :T0 C5B T8A
Y0; PI% :57 :IT. Each tri#"et o) "etters !as e"ie-ed to
e a #otent )or'u"a in its o!n ri(ht. There are 11 tri#"ets,
re#eatin( the '6stic dou"e se-en o) the MeDuDah )or'u"a. In
Christian '6sticis', each o) these tri#"ets a##"ies to one o) the
11 :tations o) the Cross. Its !ho"e nu'er, 1+, is a traditiona""6
si(ni)icant one. There !ere 1+ >ud(es o) the dead in the
E(6#tian 2oo% of the 7ead" and, "ater, Christian ,aa"ists
#ointed out the 1+ (enerations et!een that o) Ada' and that
o) Christ. In the t!entieth centur6, the 0er'an (eo'ant
Jose#h Heinsch )ound that the nu'er 1+ !as an i'#ortant
'easure in 'an6 o) the 'ore i'#ortant ancient and 'edie-a"
sacred ui"din(s o) Euro#e. And, in his The Hitchhi%er's #uide
to the #ala0y" Eou("as Ada's ascried the nu'er 1+ as the
ans!er to '"i)e, the <ni-erse and e-er6thin('.
HEB3E9 MA0IC :%<A3E: A8E 03IE:
A"" 'a(ica" traditions ha-e used sacred (rids, either #h6sica""6
on the (round, or as a conce#tua" fr!"#$r~ u#on !hich to
han( and sort certain as#ects o) their s6ste's. An esoteric
arran(e'ent o) the Here! A"#haet kno!n as 'Ai, Beker',
or the '5aa"ah o) 8ine Cha'ers' is the Je!ish counter#art
o) the sacred (rid used 6 the sha'ans and !ise !o'en o) the
8orthern Tradition o) Euro#e. The Here! (rid arran(es the
"etters o) the Here! a"#haet into the nine.s,uare (rid !hich
is a"so the asic )or' o) indi(enous Euro#ean 'a(ic. In this
(rid, are arran(ed the ++ characters o) the standard Here!
a"#haet, !ith additiona" )ina" characters !hich ha-e s#eci)ic
characteristics. This %aa"ah o) 8ine Cha'ers arran(es three
"etters in each o) the s,uares. The three "etters in each s,uare
are re"ated nu'erica""6, ein( the unit, ten and hundred. The
arran(e'ent is as )o""o!sA
*1
'a(ical Alphabets
:hin ;a'ed 0i'e" 3esh Ha#h Beth %o#h Yod A"e#h
*== *= * +== += + 1== 1= 1
Me' :a'ekh 7au Ha#h 8un Heh Tau Me' Ea"eth
()ina"G
4== 4= 4 2== 2= 2 1== -* -
TDaddi TDaddi Teth Pe Pe
()ina"G
Cheth 8un A6in Iain
()ina"G ()ina"G
/== /= / &== &= & $== $= $
This arran(e'ent (i-es nine nu'erica" -a"uesA 111, +++, ***,
111, 222, 444, $$$, &&& and ///, a tota" o) 1//2. :e-era" o) these
nu'ers are #ro'inent 'a(ica""6. In 'akin( ta"is'ans, the
Ai, Beker is a 'eans o) reducin( each "etter's nu'erica" -a"ue
to a unit. Thus, )or the #ur#oses o) this t6#e o) co'#utation,
each character in the )irst s,uare, A"e#h, Yod and %o#h,
usua""6 e,ui-a"ent to 1, 1= and 1== are counted as 1. :i'i"ar"6
!ith the other s,uares o) the (rid. B6 this 'eans, a"" o) the
Here! "etters are (i-en a -a"ue et!een one and nine . This
esoteric arran(e'ent o) characters is i'#ortant in the creation
o) si(i"s )ro' the na'es o) #"anetar6 s#irits. .t is a )or' o) "etter
'a(ic c"ose"6 re"ated to nu'erica" 'a(ic s,uares and in the
,aa"istic tradition o) 'akin( ta"is'ans, #"anetar6 'a(ic
s,uares are used in con>unction !ith the Ai, Beker (rid. The
construction o) Here! 'a(ic s,uares re#resents the e'anation
o) the Ain.:o#h, the ,ua"ities o) e-o"ution )ro' the 'onad
into the 'acrocos', and o) its 'irror.i'a(e, the in-o"ution o)
the 'acrocos' to the 'onad. <"ti'ate"6, the construction o)
these s,uares is an atte'#t to )aci"itate the )ina" reunion
et!een the 'icrocos' and the 'acrocos'. Traditiona""6,
there are se-en nu'erica" ''a(ic s,uares', each ascried to one
o) the se-en astro"o(ica" '#"anets' . In the Here! and 0reek
a"#haets, !here "etters stand )or nu'ers, the 'a(ic s,uares
are co'#osed o) !ords, inte""i("e or uninte""i("e. Each 'a(ic
s,uare or 'Ha'ea' is direct"6 re"ated to the sacred (rid. Each
*+
The Hebrew Alphabet
contains a s#eci)ic nu'erica" '6ster6 !hich under"ies the
#h6sica" )or' that it re#resents. ;ike (e'atria. notaikon and
te'urah. the creation o) a 'a(ic "etter s,uare is a trans)or'ati-e
o#eration in !hich thou(hts and conce#ts are trans'uted
into "itera" )or's o) sustance. and thence into na'es and
!ords. These na'es and !ords are a direct #ara""e" !ith the
''antras' o) Indian '6sticis'. !hich are chanted in order to
create a"tered states o) consciousness !ith the u"ti'ate ai' o)
the reuni)ication o) the indi-idua" !ith the cos'os. or !ith
0od.
The se-en standard 'a(ic s,uares are assi(ned to -arious
#"anetar6 #o!ers. (radin( u#!ards in siDe )ro' the outer'ost
to the inner'ost. The s,uare o) three is assi(ned to the
outer'ost o) the traditiona" astro"o(ica" #"anets. :aturn. 8eBt.
the s,uare o) )our is that o) Ju#iter? )i-e is o) Mars. siB o) the
:un. and se-en o) 7enus. The ei(ht 6 ei(ht s,uare is assi(ned
to Mercur6 and the nine 6 nine to the Moon. In a 'a(ic
s,uare. the nu'ers o) the s'a""er s,uares !hich co'#ose the
@i(. 1=, The arran(e'ent o) the #"anetar6 co"ours in the Di((urat at Hhorsaad.
**
'a(ical Alphabets
"ar(er are arran(ed in such a 'anner that, takin( an6 ro!, the
su' o) the nu'ers !i"" e the sa'e. In Here! 'a(ic, each
#"anet can e seen as a s6'o" o) one o) the :e#hirah on the
tree o) "i)e. :aturn si(ni)ies Binah, the third :e#hirah, !hi"st
Ju#iter, corres#onds !ith the )ourth :e#hirah, Chesed. Mars
#ara""e"s the )i)th :e#hirah, 0eurah, !hi"st Mercur6 is the
ei(hth :e#hirah, Hod. This #"anetar6 sche'e !as the asis o)
Ass6rian and Ba6"onian Di((urats, o) !hich the i"".)ated
To!er o) Bae" !as an eBa'#"e. In their #urest cos'o"o(ica""6
de)ined )or', each o) the Di((urats' se-en sta(es or
#"at)or's re#resented one o) the se-en #"anets. The 'a(ic
s,uares are arran(ed in a se,uence that starts !ith the s'a""est
(rid at the outer'ost. @or structura" reasons, the outer'ost
s,uare on a Di((urat !as the "ar(est. Ho!e-er, it !as ru"ed 6
the corres#ondin( 'a(ic s,uare, and #ainted in the corres#ondin(
co"our. The en(ra-in( o) the Hhorsaad Di((urat,
re#roduced in @i(. 1=, (i-es a (ood idea o) the #rinci#"e.
The si'#"est 'a(ic s,uare is the s,uare o) three 6 three,
ascried to :aturn, in !hich each "ine adds u# to 12 and the
tota" o) a"" the nu'ers added to(ether is 12. This is the s,uare
'ost co''on"6 used 6 Euro#ean 'a(icians. Its traditiona""6
assoCiated co"our is "ack, si(ni)6in( the outer'ost #"anet and
the otto' tier o) the Di((urat.
1
*
&
/
2
1
+
$
4
A )our.6.)our ka'ea is assi(ned to the #"anet Ju#iter. Each
rank or )i"e o) nu'ers adds u# to *1, and the su' o) a"" the
nu'ers is 1*4. The traditiona" co"our o) this s,uare is ta!n6
or oran(e .
1
/
2
14
11
$
11
+
12
4
1=
*
1
1+
&
1*
But )ro' the )our.6.)our (rid u#!ards, there are 'an6
a"ternati-e 'a(ic s,uares )or each nu'er. But on"6 one o)
these is re"ated to a corres#ondin( #"anet, the others ha-in(
*1
The Hebrew ALphabet
di))erent ascri#tions. @or eBa'#"e, the )o""o!in( )our.6.)our
'a(ic s,uare, !hich is not the 'a(ic s,uare o) Ju#iter, !as
used 6 A"recht E<rer in his en(ra-in( 'eLancholia.
1
&
1+
1*
11
11
$
+
12
1=
4
*
1
2
/
4
But, o) course, the tota" )or each "ine is sti"" *1, and the su'
tota" o) a"" o) the nu'ers 1*4. This ru"e o) e,ua" "ine and su'
tota"s a##"ies to a"" 'a(ic s,uares. Another )our.6.)our (rid,
a(ain not the 'a(ic s,uare o) Ju#iter, ut a Hindu 'a(ica"
)or'u"a, is car-ed on a stone in the )ort at 0!a"ior in IndiaA
12
1
11
1
1=
2
11
&
*
14
+
1*
%
/
$
1+
@ro' these eBa'#"es, it is c"ear that there are 'an6 #ossi"e
arran(e'ents o) a"#haet "etters as nu'ers to 'ake 'a(ic
s,uares, each o) !hich !i"" ha-e their o!n esoteric readin(.
The )o""o!in( (rid o) +2 s,uares (2 6 2G e"on(s to Mars,
!hose co"our is red. Each "ine addin( u# to 42, 'akin( a tota"
o) *+2.
11
1
1$
1=
+*
+1
1+
2
1&
4
$
+2
1*
1
1/
+= *
& 14
+1 /
11 ++
+ 12
The siB.6.siB (rid o) *4 s,uares is that o) the :un. Its co"our
is (o"d or 6e""o!. Each "ine adds u# to 111, and the tota" is 444.
This nu'er is the contentious '8u'er o) the Beast' descried
in the Book o) 3e-e"ation o) :t John the Ei-ine, and a"so
the tota" o) one o) the nine cha'ers o) the Ai, Beker. (The
si(ni)icance and 'eanin( o) the nu'er 444 is discussed in
Cha#ter +.G
*2
'a(ical Alphabets
4 *+ * *1 *2 1
$ 11 +$ +& & *=
1/ 11 14 12 +* +1
1& += ++ +1 1$ 1$
+2 +/ 1* / +4 1+
*4 2 ** 1 + *1
The )i)th (rid is that o) 7enus, !hich 'easures se-en 6 se-en.
Its co"our is (reen."ue. Each rank or )i"e adds u# to 1$2,
'akin( a tota" o) 1++2 )or the entire s,uare .
++ 1$ 14 11 1/ *2 1
2 +* 1& 1$ 1+ 11 +/
*= 4 +1 1/ 1& *4 1+
1* *1 $ +2 1* 1/ *$
*& 11 *+ 1 +4 11 +=
+1 */ & ** + +$ 12
14 12 1= / *1 * +&
An a"ternati-e se-en.6.se-en (rid so'eti'es encountered isA
*= */ 1& 1 1* 1/ +&
*& 1$ $ / 1& +$ +/
14 4 & 1$ +4 *2 *$
2 11 14 +2 *1 *4 12
1* 12 +1 ** 1+ 11 1
+1 +* *+ 11 1* * 1+
++ *1 1= 1/ + 11 +=
This s,uare is not ascried to 7enus. The )o""o!in(, siBth, (rid
is a""ocated to Mercur6, !hose co"our is "i(ht "ue. This is the
)a'i"iar checkeroard (rid, u#on !hich such (a'es as chess
and En("ish drau(hts are #"a6ed, 'easurin( ei(ht 6 ei(ht. The
"ines add u# to +4= each, 'akin( a tota" o) +=&=Jor the !ho"e
(rid.
& 2& 2/ 2 1 4+ 4* .
1/ 12 11 2+ ** 11 1* 24
11 +* ++ 11 1& 1/ 1& 12
*+ *1 *2 +/ +2 *& */ +&
1= +4 +$ *$ *4 *= *1 **
*4
1$
/
41
1$
22
+
The Hebrew Alphabet
14
21
*
+=
1+
41
+1
1*
4=
1*
21
4
1+
2=
$
+1
14
2$
The )ina" 'a(ic s,uare nor'a""6 co'#uted is that o) the Moon,
the inner'ost o) the astro"o(ica" #"anets and the to# #"at)or'
o) the Di((urat. This 'a(ic s,uare 'easures nine 6 nine. The
traditiona" co"our associated !ith the Moon is si"-er or #ure
!hite. The added nu'ers o) each "ine o) this (rid are *4/,
'akin( a (rand tota" o) **+1. This s,uare is es#ecia""6
i'#ortant, ecause it is the )irst s,uare !hich is a s,uare o) a
s,uare (*1A *B*B*B*G.
*$ $& +/ $= +1 4+ 1* 21 2
4 *& $/ *= $1 ++ 4* 11 14
1$ $ */ &= *1 +2 +* 22 12
14 1& & 1= &1 *+ 41 +1 24
2$ 1$ 1/ / 11 $* ** 42 +2
+4 2& 1& 2= 1 1+ $1 *1 44
4$ +$ 2/ 1= 21 + 1* $2 *2
*4 4& 1/ %* 11 2+ * 11 $4
++ +& 4/ += 41 1+ 2* 1 12
In the nineteenth centur6, the @rench 'a(us E"i#has ;e-i
assi(ned each o) the se-en #"anetar6 'a(ic s,uares to one o)
the ancient :e-en 9onders o) the 9or"d. The 'a(ic s,uare o)
:aturn, !hich has / )i(ures !as re"ated to :o"o'on's Te'#"e
in Jerusa"e', !ith the '6stic nu'er o) 12. The s,uare o)
Ju#iter, co'#risin( 14 nu'ers, corres#onded !ith the i'a(e
o) Ieus at 5"6'#ia, !hose '6stic nu'er !as thus 1*4. The
neBt s,uare, !ith +2 nu'ers, is that o) Mars, !hich re#resented
the Han(in( 0ardens o) Ba6"on, !ith the '6stic
nu'er o) *+2. The *4.)i(ure 'a(ic s,uare o) the :un, !hose
nu'er is the o'inous 444, corres#onded !ith the (iant e))i(6
o) A#o""o, kno!n as the Co"ossus o) 3hodes. @or the 'a(ic
s,uare o) 7enus, !ith 1/ nu'ers and a tota" o) 1++2, the
To' o) Mauso"us !as the corres#ondin( '!onder'. The
P6ra'ids !ere re"ated to the neBt 'a(ic s,uare, the 41.)i(ure
s,uare assi(ned to the #"anet Mercur6. Their nu'er !as +=&=.
@ina""6, the 'a(ic s,uare o) the Moon, !ith a tota" o) **+1 and
&1 nu'ers, si(ni)ied the Te'#"e o) Eiana at E#hesus.
*$
'a(ical Alphabets
0E45E6 LE//E5 7,825E7 2ND %/0E5 218LE/7
3e"ated to these nu'erica""6 ased 'a(ic s,uares are the "etter
arra6s used 'ain"6 in ta"is'anic 'a(ic. Man6 o) these had a
nu'erica" asis throu(h (e'atria, and a"'ost a"" o) the',
(enera""6 used in #rotecti-e 'a(ic, re)erred in so'e !a6 to the
unit6 o) 0od. @or eBa'#"e, :a'aritan a'u"ets carried the
na'e o) 0od, such as 'E"ohi'' , read )ro' the centre o) !hat
a##ears to e a 'a(ic s,uare. The :a'aritan a'u"et #attern
re#roduced in @i(. 11 reads ';ord, (reat 0od' , 'E"ohi''. These
a'u"etic inscri#tions are taken )ro' the ook o) Eeuterono'6
4.1A 'Hear, = Israe"? The ;ord our 0od is one ;ord' *Shema
&srael. Adonai 3lohim Adonai Ahat) . The )or'u"a Aracadara,
no! reduced to use in the re#ertoire o) #er)or'in(
con>urors, !as ori(ina""6 used a(ainst )e-er. This )or'u"a has
a dou"e deri-ation. .t is said to re)er to the di-init6 AraBas,
b @ it
@ M ,
n ~ ~
't it ,
E @ i1
~
!
~
n
@
*
@
n
@
C
9) P llJ 1"
JJ ?MG ll1 +"
Y M ll9 Y iFJ
,
~ ~ ~ ~ J ~ ~ ~ 8
, Fl , FJ ~ ~ ~ ~
'J , AJ ~ ., Fl ~
~ GFH ~ 3, Fl ~
FJ ~ 33, Fl 0
~ 3, Fl ~
.., J 0
~ l=@
~
@i(. 11. Medie-a" Here! "ette r."ar6inthsA *top left) s, uare ased u#on 'E"ohi'',
read )ro' the 'idd"eA *top ri(ht) 9attish'ka tri an("e, a ta"is'an a(a inst )ireA
*be/ow) Aracadara )or'u"a.
*&
The Hebrew Alphabet
!hose nu'er in (e'atria, *42, 'akes this entit6 the "ord o)
the 6ear. But the !ord 'Aracadara' is #roa"6 deri-ed )ro'
the Cha"dean !ords, abbtida %e daabra" !hich 'eans '#erish
"ike the !ord', a"thou(h traditiona""6 it is ascried to :erenus
:a''onicus, #h6sician o) the E'#eror Caraca""a (rei(ned
+11.1$ CEG. This )or'u"a !as !ritten as a do!n!ard.#ointin(
trian("e, !ith the 'edica" )unction o) 'a(ica""6 su##ressin(
)e-ers. Its re"ation to AraBas is that, as (od o) the !ho"e 6ear,
his na'e !i"" he"# to restore !ho"eness. A si'i"ar, thou(h
s'a""er, do!n!ard.#ointin( trian("e )or'u"a !as used a(ainst
)ire. This used the Here! !ord '9attishk'a' (and the )ire
d!ind"edG, re)errin( to a #assa(e )ro' the ook o) 8u'ersA
And when the people complained" it displeased the Lord.
and the Lord heard it1 and his an(er was %indled1 and the
fire of the Lord burnt amon( them" and consumed them
that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people
cried unto 'oses1 and when 'oses prayed unto the Lord"
the fire was :uenched.
MEEIE7A; HEB3E9.EE3I7EE A;PHABET:
There are a nu'er o) 'a(ica" a"#haets used )ro' the
'edie-a" #eriod on!ards that are deri-ed )ro' ear"ier Here!
characters. These !ere 'ost #re-a"ent in those Euro#ean
countries !hose esoteric cu"ture !as 'ost in)"uenced 6 the
Je!ish ,aa"istic tradition in centra" and eastern Euro#e,
thou(h, o) course, the6 !ere trans'itted readi"6 to students o)
the arcane sciences in other "ands. The 'ain -ersions o) these
ha-e na'es !hich re)er to so'e as#ect o) Je!ish tradition A
Ce"estia" Here!, Canaanean, Moaite, :a'aritan, Ma"achi',
:o"o'onian, etc. :o'e o) these are >ust a"ternati-e, cursi-e,
-ariants o) standard 's,uare' Here!. These ha-e "etters !hich
rese'"e, 'ore or "ess, those cursi-e Here! scri#ts used to
!rite Yiddish in 0er'an6 and Po"and in the da6s e)ore
Hit"er's in)erno. As these scri#ts de-e"o#ed, -ariations and
a"terations took #"ace, and ne! -arieties e-o"-ed )ro' ear"ier
ones. In (enera", these 3enaissance scri#ts are co'#"icated
ecause their creators and users !ere con-ersant !ith not on"6
Here!, ut a"so !ith the 0reek and 3o'an a"#haets. Thus
!e )ind 'a(ica" a"#haets that ha-e either Here!, 0reek,
*/
'a(ical Alphabets
;atin or -ernacu"ar e,ui-a"ents. The Je!ish %aa"ah concurs
in 'an6 !a6s !ith the #hi"oso#h6 o) the P6tha(orean, 0nostic,
neo.P"atonic and Her'etic schoo"s, and so it !as natura", as it
de-e"o#ed, that it shou"d ha-e in)"uenced and 'er(ed !ith
these 'edie-a" and 3enaissance #hi"oso#hica" tendencies. The
e'e""ished and a"tered )or's o) Here! "etters on 3enaissance
#aintin(s in centra" Euro#e dis#"a6 )or's that ha-e c"ose
#ara""e"s !ith so'e secret scri#ts. There are se-era" interestin(
inscri#tions in -ariant Here! on the 'a(ni)icent )our#ane""ed
a"tar#iece o) the Herrener(er A"tar, #ainted in 121/
6 the i"".)ated '6stic artist Jer( 3at(e, no! in the :taats(a"erie
in :tutt(art. These )or's rese'"e c"ose"6 the st6"e o)
"etters in such "etter.ro!s as the A"#haet o) the Ma(i,.
There are t!o asic )or's o) Here! deri-ations. 5ne takes
the characters and a"ters the' s"i(ht"6 or drastica""6, ut
re'ains asica""6 a #en.!ritten scri#t. This st6"e can e seen in
3at(e's #aintin(. The other t6#e 'akes the "etters into
orna'enta" si(i"s 6 dra!in( a s'a"" circ"e at the end o) each
"ine, and at the >unctions o) "ines. H.C. A(ri##a's Ce"estia"
scri#t o) 12*1 is a (ood eBa'#"e o) this. The scri#ts recorded
in 14$2 6 J3 Barto"oDDi and c.J. I'onati are a"so t6#ica". In
his ook The 'a(us (1&=1G, @rancis Barratt "isted se-era" o)
these orna'enta" 'a(ica" a"#haets, inc"udin( -ersions o)
Ce"estia", Ma"achi' and Crossin( the 3i-er *Transitus ;lu!ii).
In 'odern ti'es, 'an6 -ariants o) the e!i"derin( #"ethora o)
such 'Heraic' scri#ts ha-e een recorded 6 @red 0ettin(s in
his eBce""ent co'#i"ation 7ictionary of Occult" Hermetic and
Alchemical Si(ils *<=><).
Con-entiona""6, these scri#ts are c"assi)ied under certain
na'es, a"" o) !hich reca"" their ori(ins !ith Here! connotations.
A"thou(h it has a ;atin na'e, Transitus ;lu!ii (Crossin(
the 3i-erG is one o) the 'ost ce"erated occu"t a"#haets. .t
has een used 6 se-era" nota"e 'a(i, and #u"ished in se-era"
c"ose"6 re"ated )or's. It is a Heraic scri#t in the 'orna'enta"
si(i"' tradition, !here asic Here! "etters !ere taken,
'odi)ied and orna'ented. In The 'a(us" @rancis Barratt "isted
this !ith a "etter order that is di))erent )ro' that used in
standard Here!, ein( re"ated to a s#ecies o) Te'urah. <sin(
his s#e""in( o) the "etters, his order readsA ;a'ed, Ca#h, Jod,
Theth, Cheth, Iain, 7au, He, Ea"eth, 0i'e", Beth, A"e#h,
Tau, :chin, 3esh, Huss, Iade, Pe, Ain, :a'ech, 8un, Me'.
1=
The Hebrew Alphabet
:o.ca""ed Cha"dean scri#t is another Here!.deri-ed -ariant.
The ancient Cha"deans used the Cunei)or' scri#t, !hich has
no re"ationshi# to scri#ts ased on the Phoenician a"#haet. In
the 'edie-a" #eriod, the !ord 'Cha"dean' !as taken to re)er
to the 'a(i and astro"o(ers o) anti,uit6, as in such teBts as The
8haldean Oracles of 5oroaster. This a"#haet is re"ated to
Here! 6 its order, and 6 'an6 o) its characters ein(
e'e""ished -ersions o) standard 's,uare' Here! characters.
:e-era" o) these "etters are a"tered Here! characters turned
round 6 /= de(rees.
The scri#t kno!n as :a'aritan is thou(ht to e a #ara""e"
-ersion o) Here!, deri-ed )ro' the ancient :a'aritan ook
scri#t, one o) the o"d se'etic a"#haets deri-ed direct"6 )ro'
Phoenician. In 'edie-a" and 3enaissance 'a(ic, this ter'
a##"ies to a (rou# o) re"ated a"#haets. :o'e rese'"e c"ose"6
the historic :a'aritan scri#t, !hi"st others are 'odi)ications
that de#art 'ore stron("6 )ro' the ori(ina" )or's. 5ne )or',
(i-en in the 14$2 ook 2iblioteca 'a(na Rabbinica 6
J. Barto"oDDi and c.J. I'onati, )o""o!s the historic "etters
c"ose"6. Another :a'aritan scri#t !as recorded 6 0. Poste" in
12*&. :o'e o) the characters o) this a"#haet are a"'ost the
sa'e as the historic :a'aritan, !hi"e others de#art 'arked"6
)ro' it, ein( )ro' the t6#ica" re#ertoire o) 3enaissance
'a(ica" a"#haet characters. A 'ore distant"6 re"ated :a'aritan
scri#t is recorded 6 B. de 7i(nere in his 12&4 co'#i"ation
Traicte des 8hiffres" ou Secretes 'anieres d'3scrire. This is an
e'e""ished 'orna'enta" si(i"' a"#haet that has s'a"" circ"es or
dots at the ends and >unctions o) 'an6 o) the characters'
strokes.
As !ith a"" o) these 'iBed and rather #ersona" a"#haets,
there are a nu'er o) scri#ts !hich ha-e een (i-en the na'e
Canaanean. 5ne -ariant o) Canaanean is deri-ed direct"6 )ro'
Cha"daean, or #ara""e"s it. 5thers are re"ated to the secret
scri#ts attriuted to the :#anish In,uisition and the secret
0er'an 7eh'(ericht societies. These scri#ts !ere de-e"o#ed
as secret codes used on"6 6 'e'ers o) these #ernicious
or(aniDations. .t is ironic that secret or(aniDations that nu'ered
Je!ish #eo#"e a'on( the 'heretics' !ho' the6 hunted
shou"d use secret a"#haets ased ori(ina""6 on Here!.
The a"#haet kno!n as Ce"estia", used 6 H.C. A(ri##a and
his conte'#oraries, is another -ariant o) Here!/:a'aritan.
11
'a(ical Alphabets
~)l1%n&rlll~'()1t%
11*~N)+tJ~)1
~ J AI 5J '7 O8 rrY<Hi)7t7 #
FE1AHF.Hr')HJ
,11~-l1<,*-,ElJ:J*,~-
JAiFiAAJ$;J
@i(. 1+. Three 'edie-a" Here!.deri-ed 'a(ica" a"#haetsA (top 10 hallam
Ce"estia". Ma"achi' and Transitus Hu-ii.
A(ain, A(ri##a's -ersion o) this a"#haet is o) the 'orna'enta"
si(i"' t6#e . As !ith so'e other 'a(ica" a"#haets he descried,
@rancis Barratt's Ce"estia" !as !ritten in his s#ecia" order. .t is
the sa'e as that in his Transitus @"u-ii, detai"ed ao-e. His
Ma"achi' a"#haet, ho!e-er, has another "etter.order, a(ain
di))erent )ro' the standard. :o'e !riters ca"" -ersions o) the
Ce"estia" scri#t, its #ara""e"s and deri-ati-es, 6 other na'es,
'ost co''on"6 'An(e"ic' or ':u#erce"estia"'. The inter#retation
o) these scri#ts has a"so under(one #eriodic u#datin( and
ada#tation to 'ake the' 'ore accessi"e under the chan(ed
conditions o) 'odern ti'es. In his Amulettes" Talismans et
entacles dans les Traditions Orientales. et Occidentales *<=?>)"
J. Mar,ues.3i-iere (a-e a -ersion o) this a"#haet, 'odi)ied
!ith 3o'an rather than Here! e,ui-a"ents. @red 0ettin(s
has #ointed out that 'an6 o) the "etters in Mar,ues.3i-iere's
Ce"estia" a"#haet are the sa'e as those in his An(e"ic.
:ee'in("6, there is no end to the #er'utations o) Heraic
'a(ica" a"#haets, and it is ine-ita"e that 6et 'ore -ersions
!i"" co'e into ein( as indi-idua"s )o""o! their #ersona" #aths.
1+
2
The Greek Alphabet
ytha(oras thou(ht that he" who (a!e thin(s their names" ou(ht
to be re(arded not only the most intelli(ent" but the oldest of the
wise men. +e then search the Scriptures accurately" since they
are admitted to be e0pressed in parables" and from the names
hunt out the thou(hts which the Holy Spirit" propounded
respectin( thin(s" reached by imprintin( His mind" so to spea%"
on the e0pressions. That'the names used with !arious meanin(s"
bein( made the sub@ect of accuratt. in!esti(ation" may be
e0plained" and that which is hidden under many inte(uments
may" bein( handled and learned" come to li(ht and (leam forth.
:E;ECTI58: @35M P35PHETIC :C3IPT<3E: FFFII, A8TI.8ICE8E
;1B3A3 Y, 75;. FFI7
Je!ish '6stics asserted that the Here! a"#haet !as an
e'anation o) the Ain.:o#h, ut )or the ancient 0reeks there
!ere se-era" '6ths concernin( the ori(in o) their a"#haet.
5ne -ersion o) the "e(end co'es do!n to us )ro' the 3o'an
!riter Caius Ju"ius H6(inus, !ho !as the curator o) the
Pa"etine ;irar6 and a )riend o) the #oet 5-id. In his ;ables"
he !rote that the @ates in-ented the )irst se-en o) the 0reek
"etters. These !ere A"#ha, Beta, Eta, Y#si"on, Iota, 5'icron
and Tau. A)ter this, Pa"a'edes, son o) 8au#"ius, in-ented
e"e-en 'ore. Then E#ichar'us o) :ici"6 added Theta and Chi
(a"ternati-e"6 Pi and PsiG. @ina""6, :i'onides contriuted the
"etters 5'e(a, E#si"on, Ieta and Psi (or PhiG to the a"#haet.
An a"ternati-e "e(end ascried the "etters to Her'es, !ho,
seein( a )"i(ht o) cranes, !as struck !ith the idea that si'i"ar
sha#es cou"d e used to re#resent !ritten sounds. Yet another
ori(in '6th, historica""6 the 'ost accurate, ascries the 0reek
a"#haet to Cad'us the Phoenician. As !ith the Here!
a"#haet, the Phoenician !as the 'ode" )ro' !hich the 0reek
-$
'a(ical Alphabets
a"#haet !as de-e"o#ed durin( the 'idd"e o) the ei(hth centur6
BCE. Man6 o) the ear"6 0reek characters are -er6 c"ose to
archaic Phoenician )or's. .t is #ossi"e that the 0reeks "earnt
the scri#t )ro' Phoenician traders !ho had sett"ed in such
strate(ica""6 i'#ortant #"aces as Cos. Crete and 3hodes.
At )irst. the 0reek a"#haet had se-era" -ariant )or's. ut
e-entua""6 the Ionic )or' eca'e standardiDed. and !hen
ado#ted )or'a""6 at Athens in the 6ear 1=* BCE. it !as the )or'
!hich sur-i-es to this da6. In that )or'a"iDation. the o"der
0reek a"#haet !as au('ented 6 se-era" ne! characters.
;ike 'odern 0reek and a"" other Euro#ean scri#ts eBce#t
Etruscan. this )or' o) 0reek !as !ritten )ro' "e)t to ri(ht. At
the sa'e ti'e. so'e o"der co'#ound "etters !ere discarded.
But so'e o) these o"der characters !ere retained as nu'era"s.
B6 the )i)th centur6 BCE. it !as taken )or (ranted in 0reece that
'a"e citiDens !ere "iterate. @ro' the outset. !ritin( !as used
)or the acti-ities !e associate !ith "iterac6 toda6A e-er6thin(
)ro' sho##in( "ists to "e(a" docu'ents. )ro' "iterature to
in-ocations o) the 0ods. ;ike Here!. ut in a sut"6 di))erent
!a6. the 0reek A"#haet attained a hi(h "e-e" o) de-e"o#'ent
around the third centur6 BCE. !hen the s6ste's o) (e'atria are
e"ie-ed to ha-e e'er(ed. The a"#haet has +1 characters.
each o) !hich has a co'#"ete s6ste' o) attriutions. s6'o"ic
and nu'erica". <n"ike the 3o'an a"#haet. ut "ike the
Phoenician and Here!. the 0reek characters a"so re#resent
ABfL1EZHI
123 + &731#
K/\MN=':O!
+JG ~ 1* "O 6# 7# 7o too
LTY<pXY..Q
.too *== 111= ~ ~$$ '91# ##
@i(. 1*. The 0reek a"#haet.
11
The #ree% Alphabet
nu'ers. This has (i-en the a"#haet a considera"e #otentia"
)or 'a(ica" use. Both the nu'erica" s6ste' o) the )o""o!ers o)
the Pa(an sa(e P6tha(oras and the nu'er.'a(ic o) Christian
'6sticis' are i'#"icit in the 0reek a"#haet. In addition, the
0reek a"#haet is a 'a(ica" s6ste' !ith a co'#"ete series o)
esoteric corres#ondences !hich (i-e it a #o!er)u" di-initor6
#otentia". In this there is a direct #ara""e" !ith the runes, !hich
are etter kno!n in this res#ect. ;ike the runes, each 0reek
"etter has a s#eci)ic na'e, a 'eanin( and a nu'erica" -a"ue
!hich can e used in di-ination. But !hi"st the )a'ous ancient
0reek orac"es o) Ee"#hi and Eodona are !e"" kno!n, the
di-inator6 'a(ic o) the 0reek a"#haet has sti"" to recei-e the
attention !hich is its due .
A 'a>or area o) 0reek sacred a"#haet s6'o"is' is in the
art o) (e'atria. As in the Here! tradition, this is an esoteric
s6ste' in !hich each !ord in 0reek "etters is con-erted into a
corres#ondin( nu'er. This nu'er is #roduced 6 addin( the
nu'erica" e,ui-a"ents o) the "etters to(ether. In the 0reek
tradition, these nu'ers are the hidden side o) scri#ture, in
oth the Pa(an and the Christian oser-ances. Ei))erent !ords
!ith the sa'e nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent can and are used to encode
'eanin(s !hich are then on"6 a##arent to #ractitioners o) the
art o) (e'atria. ;inear di'ensions and other associated
nu'ers in sacred ui"din(s can a"so ha-e a s#eci)ic 'eanin(
!hen decoded 6 (e'atria. In this re"ationshi#, it is si(ni)icant
that an a"ternati-e ancient 0reek s#e""in( o) the !ord (e'atria,
'(a'etria' ()AMETPIAG, !as a reco(niDed -ariant a"so o) the
!ord '(eo'etria' ()E5METPIAG, )ro' !hich the En("ish
!ord (eo'etr6 is deri-ed. In so'e instances, (e'atria !as a
s6ste' o) notation used to record the secret )or's and
re"ationshi#s o) sacred (eo'etr6. 0reek (eo'etria contains
'an6 eBa'#"es o) (eo'etrica" usa(es, oth eBtant in sacred
ui"din(s and enca#su"ated in esoteric "ore. Both its Pa(an and
Christian users sa! the 0reek a"#haet in (enera", and
(e'atria in #articu"ar as enco'#assin( the uni-ersa" creati-e
#rinci#"es. This enca#su"ation o) uni-ersa" #rinci#"es occurs
a"so in the Here!, runic, o(ha', 0othic and 9est#ha"Ian
a"#haets.
Be)ore Christianit6 !as i'#osed on a"" 0enti"es in the
3o'an E'#ire as the o))icia" and so"e re"i(ion, there !ere
'an6 ancient and -enera"e schoo"s o) #hi"oso#h6. The neo.
12
'a(ical Alphabets
P"atonists o) A"eBandria had their 'sacred succession', 6 !hich
the inner teachin(s o) the #hi"oso#h6 !ere de-e"o#ed and
trans'itted. The M6steries ce"erated at E"eusis and other
sacred #"aces o) #o!er "ike!ise !ere ased u#on (radua"
re-e"ation o) esoteric secrets. :i'i"ar"6, the P6tha(oreans had
a s6ste' o) #roation and #ro(ressi-e initiation into successi-e"6
hi(her (rades o) ade#thood, so that to eco'e co'#etent
in the s6ste', the candidate had to stud6 )or 'an6 6ears.
The sut"e esoteric interre"ationshi# et!een s6'o"s, nu'ers
and "etters !as the 'eans o) trans'ittin( !isdo', and, o)
course, the 0reek a"#haet !as the -ehic"e )or this. These
schoo"s o) #hi"oso#h6 and sacred initiation eBisted and de-e"o#ed
)or 'an6 centuries, ein( the re#ositories )or scienti)ic and
'athe'atica" kno!"ed(e as !e"" as the arts no! considered
'ore esoteric. But !hen Christianit6 !as introduced as the
esta"ished state re"i(ion, these schoo"s and centres !ere
c"osed. The ade#ts !ho esca#ed !ith their "i-es !ere co'#e""ed
to trans'it their arcane !isdo' 6 other 'eans. Pa(an te'#"es
and other sacred sites o) the e"der )aith !ere con-erted into
Christian churches. But the arcane ,ua"ities o) these #"aces
!ere not destro6ed . the6 cou"d not e . so the6 'ani)ested
the'se"-es in ter's o) the inco'in( re"i(ious s6'o"is'. This
took the )or' o) the use o) Pa(an a"tars in Christian churches,
and the assi'i"ation o) "oca" di-inities as saints. The i'a(er6
o) Athena !as trans)erred to :aint Mar6, the (oddess o)
7ictor6 eca'e :aint 7ictoria, the Eioscuri trans'uted into :t
Peter and :t Pau", He"ios trans'o(ri)ied into :t E"ias, the
,ua"ities o) A#o""o and Mithras !ere assi'i"ated into the
Christ.)i(ure, and so on. The Je!s, ho!e-er, eBc"uded )ro'
the "anket ChristianiDation o) the E'#ire, esca#ed the
s6ste'atic destruction o) esoteric cu"ture that e)e"" the
Pa(ans. Ees#ite #ersecution, their -er6 dis#ersa" throu(hout
the then.kno!n !or"d ena"ed the secret doctrines to "i-e on,
and eco'e re)ined )urther. Thus it !as that ,aa"istic
kno!"ed(e e'er(ed and cr6sta""iDed )ina""6 in the ke6 teBts o)
that schoo" o) #hi"oso#h6. But the Pa(an traditions, !hich
accessed the inner core o) hu'an and cos'ic ein( e,ua""6 as
success)u""6 as the Je!ish or Christian '6steries did, eca'e
assi'i"ated into esoteric Christianit6.
'The Christian e,ui-a"ent o) the !ord Caa"a', !rote the
nineteenth.centur6 En("ish '6stic 9i""ia' :tir"in(, '!as
14
The #ree% Alphabet
#nosis" %nowled(e" and )ro' innu'era"e re)erences in the
!ritin(s o) the @athers Pthe Church @athersQ it is e-ident that
the ne! sect, in the construction o) the 0os#e" and ritua" o) the
Church, #er#etuated the sa'e '6stica" tradition !hich the6
had recei-ed )ro' the Here!s'. The nature o) this kno!"ed(e,
:tir"in( te""s us, !as stated eB#"icit"6 6 C"e'ent o) A"eBandriaA
'And the 0nosis itse") is that !hich has descended 6
trans'ission to a )e!, ha-in( een i'#arted under!ritten 6
the A#ost"es' . A si'i"ar assertion !as 'ade 6 :t.Basi"A 'The6
!ere !e"" instructed to #reser-e the -eneration o) the '6steries
6 si"ence. @or ho! cou"d it e #ro#er, #u"ic"6 to #roc"ai' in
!ritin( the doctrine o) those thin(s, !hich no una#tiDed
#erson 'a6 so 'uch as "ook u#onC'
The e-idence o) these, and other, !riters, is that the
A#osto"ic succession, so >ea"ous"6 (uarded 6 the churches,
de#ended u#on the recei#t o) the ora" tradition, the 0nosis.
5n"6 throu(h this ora" tradition, co'#ara"e !ith the Mosaic
un!ritten Torah, cou"d the 0os#e"s e inter#reted #ro#er"6.
;ike the Je!ish %aa"ah, this 0nosis de#ended u#on secrets
'6stica""6 encoded !ithin the -er6 !ords o) scri#ture. But, as
e)ittin( a He""eniDed tradition, the !orkin( "an(ua(e and
a"#haet !as 0reek, not Here!. Ho!e-er, ecause o) the
ori(in o) the Christian re"i(ion in Je!ish #ractice, 'an6 o) the
techni,ues and actua" !ords !ere taken o-er )ro' the o"der
tradition. :i'i"ar"6, the (e'atria and s6'o"is' o) the Pa(an
0reek tradition !as incor#orated into the 0nostic s6ste'. As
!ith the rainica" #ractice, !here it !as considered that the
inner kno!"ed(e !as too #o!er)u" to e i'#arted to the
'asses, it a##ears that the Church @athers he"d the sa'e -ie!s.
A"thou(h ,aa"istic nu'ero"o(6 and astro"o(6 !ere conde'ned
#u"ic"6, there is #"ent6 o) e-idence that this !as a
#o"itica" 'o-e intended to kee# e-en the kno!"ed(e that there
!as an inner tradition a!a6 )ro' ordinar6 )o"k. Ade#ts and
#riests, !hether Pa(an, Je!ish or Christian ha-e a"!a6s ke#t
inner teachin(s a!a6 )ro' the uneducated and unititiated, "est
the6 e 'isused, or )a"" into heretica" hands, !hence the6 !i""
e #er-erted. @ro' this doctrine co'es the idea o) 'castin(
#ear"s e)ore s!ine', a conce#t considered e"itist and out'oded
6 so'e 'odern occu"tists. 9hether or not the6 !ere correct,
)or the (reater #eriod o) hu'an histor6, traditiona" doctrines
ha-e he"d such a -ie!. B6 this 'eans, certain truths ha-e een
1$
'a(ical Alphabets
#reser-ed. A"on( !ith the !ritten scri#tura" teBts, ora" tradition,
trans'itted necessari"6 )ro' 'aster or 'istress to disci#"e
has #ro-ided the 'eans o) inter#retin( the' correct"6.
The sur-i-a" o) this traditiona" kno!"ed(e throu(h catac"6s'ic
chan(es o) o))icia" (o-ern'ent re"i(ious doctrine can e
seen in the #ractice o) 0reek (e'atria. The use o) this
techni,ue !as continuous and unroken throu(h the Pa(an and
the Christian oser-ances, inc"udin( the 0nostic -ersion o)
Christianit6. This c"ai' to uni-ersa"it6 !as ecause, "ike the
Je!ish ,aa"ah, 0reek (e'atria o#erates at a "e-e" e6ond that
o) 'ere doctrina" or sectarian di))erences. The uni-ersa"
creati-e #rinci#"es are a##roached in 'an6 !a6s throu(h 'an6
re"i(ions. 0reek (e'atria dea"s !ith these #rinci#"es throu(h
s6'o"ic nu'ers. The inte(ra" #art o) the Christian 0nosis
!ith (e'atria is sho!n )ro' the -er6 !ord '0nosis', !hich in
0reek is 'H r8%III. This has a nu'erica" -a"ue o) 1+$1, the
sa'e -a"ue as the !ord :tauros (ITAYP5IG, the Cross.
Each o) the "etters o) the 0reek a"#haet has an associated
'eanin( !hich incor#orates a )u"" ran(e o) esoteric corres#ondences.
The6 re"ate to s#eci)ic di-inities in the ancient 0reek
#antheon, and a"so ha-e a Mithraic s6'o"is', !hich !as
assi'i"ated "ater into the Christian tradition. Thus the6 "ink the
Pa(an and Christian !or"d.-ie!s and their corres#ondin(
'a(ica" traditions. The "etters o) the a"#haet are associated
!ith the 't!ent6.)our M6steries' o) 0nostic tradition, !hich
!as a continuation and de-e"o#'ent o) the ear"ier Pa(an
tradition. The 0reek "etters ha-e the )o""o!in( 'eanin(s and
corres#ondencesA
J3 2l:;a' the )irst character, has the "itera" 'eanin( o) a u""
or, '5re (enera""6, catt"e. As !ith the corres#ondin( Here!
)irst character, this is inter#reted asica""6 as 'oi"e !ea"th in
a"" o) its as#ects, oth 'ateria""6 and s#iritua""6. 9hen coina(e
!as introduced, the -a"ue !as eB#ressed in ter's o) head o)
catt"e, and )ro' this co'es the En("ish !ord 'ca#ita"' ()ro' the
;atin, 'ca#ut', a headG. As !ith a herd o) catt"e, the esoteric
nature o) A"#ha 'eans that !ea"th shou"d e nurtured and
used !ise"6. ;i)e is transitor6, and , so that )uture (enerations
can ene)it, !ea"th shou"d e 'ana(ed in a !a6 that is o)
ene)it to a"" . A"#ha 'akes an interestin( #ara""e" !ith Here!
and runic, t!o other a"#haets !ith s6'o"ic e,ui-a"ents,
1&
The #ree% Alphabet
!here the )irst character has the sa'e 'eanin( as catt"e!ea"th
. In Here!, this is the "etter A"e#h, !hi"st in the runes
it is @eoh, !hich has the #honetic -a"ue o) =F=3 Yet, des#ite
these di))erences, catt"e !ea"th is seen as the #ri'ar6 asis o)
societ6, re)"ectin( the ori(in o) a"#haets in a certain #hase o)
hu'an de-e"o#'ent. 8u'erica""6, A"#ha is the nu'er !hich
s6'o"iDes the )irst and 'ost i'#ortant, the #ri'ar6 concerns
o) eBistence, 0nostic s6'o"is' te""s o) the 'tri#"e A"#ha',
s6'o"ic o) the Ho"6 Trinit6. In (e'atria, the nu'er o) A"#ha
is 2*+.
~ Beta, the second "etter, has cha""en(in(, #erha#s de'onic
connotations. 8u'erica""6 +, the second one, is a"!a6s seen as
the reaker o) unit6, and, in dua"istic re"i(ions, it eca'e
identi)ied !ith the de'onic cha""en(er to the unit6 o) 0od.
5)ten, this cha""en(er is ca""ed the '5ther 5ne', as in :!eden
toda6, ackno!"ed(in( the cha""en(in( as#ect o) the second that
a"!a6s threatens to eco'e the )irst 6 ri-a""in( or o-erthro!in(
it. In the Mithraic re"i(ion, the de'onic (od o) !ron(doin(,
An(ra Main6u, a"so has the e#ithet, 'the second' , a cha""en(e
to 0od and the destro6er o) his unit6. In Christian ter's, this
ne(ati-e as#ect !as #ersoni)ied as the Ee-i". But a"so, the
second rin(s !ith it the #ossii"it6 o) reuni)ication. 9ithout
the second, the 'onad, co'#"ete in itse"), is de-oid o)
re"ationshi#s, and there)ore there can e no eBistence. A""
re"i(ions !hich see the uni-erse as ha-in( a creator reco(niDe
this necessit6, s6'o"iDed here 6 Beta. :o'e reco(niDe that
this second ,ua"it6 is not necessari"6 in dia'etrica" o##osition
to the )irst #rinci#"e. B6 (e'atria, the na'e Beta is *=&.
r 0a''a, the third character, has the nu'er *, and the
'eanin( o) (od"iness, the sacred. @ro' out o) the 'onad and
the second co'es natura""6 the third, as )ro' the 'other and
)ather co'es the chi"d. 0enera""6, the "etter 0a''a re)ers to
the triadic (odhead, !hich is )ound e-er6!here. @or eBa'#"e,
the Tri#"e (oddess is kno!n throu(hout the Mediterranean
re(ion, as !e"" as across Euro#e to the north. The Ba6"onians
!orshi##ed the triad o) Anu, En"i" and Ea? the E(6#tians
re-ered Isis, 5siris and Horus? the An("o.:aBons !orshi##ed
9oden, @ri((a and Thunor, !hi"st the 7ikin(s -enerated
5din, Thor and Ba"der. In Christian ter's, 0a''a si(ni)ies
1/
Magical Alphabets
the trinit6 o) 0od the @ather, the :on and the Ho"6 0host. In
s6'o"ic ter's, 0a''a re#resents the three)o"d nature o)
#rocessA creation, continuance and destruction, e(innin(,
'idd"e and end? irth, "i)e and death. .t is the third, !anin(
#hase o) the 'oon, 'arkin( the )uture eBtinction o) the "i(ht,
and, 6 i'#"ication, the re.irth o) the neBt c6c"e. This is the
'chi"d', the third one that !i"" out"i-e its t!o #arents. More
s#eci)ica""6, in the 0reek conteBt, 0a''a is the "etter
associated !ith the Three @ates, C"otho, Atro#os and ;achesis,
their 3o'an counter#arts 8onna, Eeci'a and Morta, the
Three 0races, and e-en the three 9eird :isters o) 5"d En("ish
tradition. B6 (e'atria, 0a''a is e,ui-a"ent to &2.
~ Ee"ta, re#resents the c"assica" )our e"e'ents o) @ire, Air,
9ater and Earth. @or at "east $=== 6ears, since the construction
o) the te'#"es o) the archaic 5"d Euro#ean cu"ture in the
Ba"kans, )our.sidedness has een associated !ith hu'an
arte)acts. @our.sided structures, easier to 'ake than round
ones, re#resent the )our)o"d orientations o) the od6 that a"",
hu'an ein(s shareA ack, )ront, ri(ht and "e)t. Ee"ta is thus
the )irst e"e'ent o) the hu'an a"teration o) the !or"d )ro' its
#ri'a" state. .t is the nu'er 1, the )our directions, the )our
horses o) the chariot kno!n as the ,uadri(a, and (in Christian
eschato"o(6G, the @our Horse'en o) the A#oca"6#se. .t is a
s6'o" o) co'#"etion on the 'ateria" "e-e", the ,ua"it6 o)
!ho"eness. B6 (e'atria, Ee"ta is *1=.
E E#si"on, stands )or the s#iritua" e"e'ent !hich is contained
!ithin the 'ateria", and in so'e !a6s eBists se#arate"6 )ro' it.
It is the Aion, or ether, the )i)th e"e'ent kno!n as the
'%uintessence' in a"che'ica" "ore (the e,ui-a"ent to the
'8!6-re' o) the Bardic tradition o) the Ce"tsG . 9hate-er it is
ca""ed, this #o!er o) s#irit is the sut"e ener(6 o) "i)e, the
'reath o) "i)e' kno!n in 0reek as 'Pneu'a', u#on !hich a""
"i-in( eBistence is ased (!hose esoteric nu'er is 2$4G .
Traditiona""6, this e"e'ent is re#resented 6 the #enta(ra',
the )i-e.#ointed star. In 'a(ica" !ritin(, the #enta(ra' is thus
a sustitute )or the "etter E#si"on . .t contains !ithin it the
sacred ratios o) the 0o"den :ection, one o) the three ases o)
sacred (eo'etr6, used in the desi(n o) the 'ost sacred and
eauti)u" o) ancient 0reek te'#"es, such as the Parthenon in
2=
The #ree% ALphabet
Athens and the te'#"e o) Ieus at 5"6'#ia. Throu(h this
,ua"it6 o) 'athe'atica" ratio. E#si"on is "inked '6stica""6 !ith
;a'da. the e"e-enth character o) the 0reek a"#haet. In
0nostic tradition. E#si"on re#resents the second hea-en.
8u'erica""6. it is the nu'er 2. B6 (e'etria. E#si"on is 112.
I Ieta, the siBth "etter. 'eans an o))erin( or sacri)ice. This is
not to e taken as 'eanin( a destructi-e o))erin(. ut rather
the sacri)ice o) ener(6 in the )urtherance o) the #rocess o)
creation. Esoterica""6. Ieta is the se-enth "etter. the o"d siBth
character Ei(a''a (@G ha-in( een aandoned. eBce#t )or
nu'erica" uses. e)ore the C"assica" #eriod. As the se-enthut.
siBth. Ieta si(ni)ies the )or'ati-e #rinci#"e o) the cos'os.
In the i"ica" tradition. the uni-erse !as created in siB da6s.
!ith a se-enth rest da6 )or co'#"etion. 0eo'etrica""6. too. the
nu'er siB is the ru"in( #rinci#"e o) 'atter. the heBa(ona"
"attice !hich under"ies 'ateria" structure. The siB #oints o) the
heBa(ona" "attice are re,uired in order that the se-enth 'i(ht
e enc"osed. The )i(ure e,ui-a"ent to Ieta is thus the #attern
associated !ith the archan(e" Michae". siB e,ua""6 s#aced dots
around a c'entra" se-enth. This 'a(ic si(i" can sti"" e seen toda6
as a 'a(ica" #rotection on o"d houses in En("and and
0er'an6. 8u'erica""6. Ieta is e,ui-a"ent to the nu'er $.
and 6 (e'atria to *14.
H Eta, as the actua" rather than the conce#tua" se-enth
character. re#resents the ener(6 inherent in the ,ua"ities o) >o6
and "o-e. .t is a character o) a"ance. that ,ua"it6 o) ein( in
har'on6 !ith the !or"d. ein( in the ri(ht #"ace at the ri(ht
ti'e to achie-e one's )u"" #otentia". More s#eci)ica""6. as Eta
this is 'ani)ested as the di-ine har'on6 o) the se-en #"anets
and se-en s#heres o) #re.Co#ernican cos'o"o(6. .t can thus
si(ni)6 the 'usic o) the s#heres. The 0nostic Marcus connected
Eta !ith the third hea-en A 'The )irst hea-en sounds A"#ha. and
the one a)ter that E (E#si"onG. and the third Eta . . .' In
Christian nu'ero"o(6. Eta re#resents the tendenc6 to!ards
#er)ection. re(eneration and sa"-ation. But nu'erica""6. Eta is
the nu'er &. !hich is the asic so"ar nu'er. B6 (e'atria.
the "etters o) Eta are e,ui-a"ent to *=/, the nu'er o) the (od
Ares, the #"anet Mars.
21
'a(ical Alphabets
?$ Theta, the ei(hth character, has the #honetic -a"ue 5)'TH'.
Theta s6'o"iDes the ei(hth, cr6sta" s#here, u#on !hich, in the
)or'er cos'o"o(6, the )iBed stars !ere e"ie-ed to stand.
There)ore, it is the s6'o" o) a"ance and inte(ration. As the
ei(hth, Theta re#resents the ei(ht)o"d di-ision o) ti'e and
s#ace o) traditiona" Euro#ean custo'. 8u'erica""6, ho!e-er,
Theta is the nu'er /, !hich si(ni)ies the esoteric "inkin(
et!een & and / !hich under"ies the 'a(ic o) sun and 'oon.
Theta's nu'er 6 (e'atria is *1&, the nu'er o) the so"ar
deit6 He"ios.
I Iota, a"thou(h the s'a""est "etter, re#resents destin6, ein(
sacred to the (oddess o) )ate Ananke, and thus a"so to the
Three @ates. Ananke is "inked 6 (e'atria to the 0reat 0od
Pan, the nu'er o) Ananke ein( 1*= and Pan 1*1. Thus,
a"thou(h the s'a""est "etter, it is a 'icrocos' o) the' a"",
"inkin( !ith the co'#"eB (e'atria" nu'ero"o(6 associated !ith
Pan. Thus, s6'o"ica""6, the s'a""est #art o) the uni-erse
contains !ithin it the !ho"e in 'icrocos'. The "etter Iota is
e,ui-a"ent to the nu'er 1=, considered to e the )ourth
hea-en o) the 0nostic ranch o) the Christian )aith. B6
(e'atria, Iota is *&1, the nu'er o) Aio"os, the !inds. As a
character o) destin6, the connection !ith the )ick"e !inds o)
)ate is -er6 a##ro#riate. .t is a"so a s6'o" o) insi(ni)icance,
!hen so'ethin( 'akes 'not an iota o) di))erence', ut !hen
so'eone te'#ts )ate 6 'not carin( a >ot' aout so'ethin( that
shou"d e i'#ortant to the', this see'in( insi(ni)icance 'a6
sho! itse") 6 ack)irin( u#on the te'#ter and rin(in(
disaster.
H Ha##a, is said to e the rin(er o) ad "uck, disease, o"d
a(e and death. A##ro#riate"6, it is sacred to the (od Hronos.
In Mithraic tradition, as the tenth 0reek "etter, it is associated
!ith the ad (od An(ra Main6u, !ho is associated !ith 1===
?lK> lK> 1=G death.rin(in( de'ons. An(ra Main6u !as said
to #ossess 1=,=== t6#es o) disease !ith !hich he -isited the
hu'an race. 5n a 'ore astract "e-e", Ha##a is a "etter o) ti'e,
the rin(er o) ine-ita"e, ineBora"e #rocesses. In this res#ect,
it is "inked !ith the rune Hen, !hich re#resents the ineBora"e
#rocess o) urnin(. Ha##a is e,ui-a"ent nu'erica""6 to the
score, the nu'er +=. B6 (e'atria, Ha##a is e,ui-a"ent to 1&+.
2+
The #ree% Alphabet
@i(. 11. The ;a'da as a (eo'e"ric 1==1 )or 'akin( Ihe 0o"den :ec"ion .
A3 La<b=a is connected !ith #"ant (ro!th. and the 'athe'atica"
#ro(ressions associated !ith the )i(ure in c"assica"
(eo'etr6. u#on !hose #rinci#"es or(anic (ro!th #roceeds. It
is "inked '6stica""6 !ith the (eo'etric ratio kno!n as the
0o"den :ection. As the 11th "etter o) the 0reek a"#haet.
;a'da re#resents the ascent to a hi(her "e-e". Mathe'atica""6.
this is de'onstrated 6 the t!o #ro(ressions o) ;a'da.
the (eo'etric and the arith'etic. the )unda'enta" se,uences
o) ancient 0reek 'athe'atics. 5n a 'ore astract "e-e".
;a'da si(ni)ies the )"o! o) nu'erica" se,uences that "ie
!ithin a"" #h6sica" #rocesses. In the runic a"#haet. there is a
direct continuation o) this 0reek "etter throu(h the character
ca""ed ;a(u. !hich a"so has the ,ua"ities o) (ro!th and the
#honetic "etter o) ';J. :i'i"ar characteristics are orne 6 the
Here! "etter ;a'ed. 8u'erica""6. ;a'da si(ni)ies *=. !ith
a (e'etria -a"ue o) $&.
M Mu, the 1+th 0reek character. re#resents the sacred
nu'er 1=. .t is connected !ith the trees. the 'ost "ar(e.
#o!er)u" and sta"e o) (ro!in( thin(s. The tree is s6'o"ic o)
the cos'ic aBis. .t is the "ink et!een the under!or"d. the
'idd"e!or"d and the u##er!or"d . Its roots (ro! in the (round
. the under!or"d o) Hades. It #asses throu(h the sur)ace o) the
'idd"e!or"d u#on !hich hu'ans "i-e. and then u#!ards
to!ards the hea-en"6 E'#6rean o) the (ods and (oddesses.
2*
Magical Alphabets
Thus, as su((ested 6 its #h6sica" )or', the "etter Mu
re#resents )iBit6 and stai"it6, enc"osure and #rotection, and a
"ink et!een the three states o) ein(. 9ith the (e'atria -a"ue
o) 11=, this 'eanin( is rein)orced, as 11= is a"so the nu'er o)
the house ?=* 5IH5"AG, the #ri'e s6'o" o) #rotection a(ainst the
terrors and dan(ers o) the !or"d outside. Cos'ica""6, as the
1+th character, it su((ests the 1+ 'onths o) the 6ear, the
enc"osin( c6c"e o) a"" thin(s that "i-e u#on the Earth.
8 Nu is the 1*th character. As the nu'er 1*, it has so'e!hat
so're connections, in this case !ith the ha( as#ect o) the
0reat 0oddess, Hecate. Hecate is the 0reek (oddess o)
ni(htti'e and the under!or"d. There is a"so a connection here
!ith the E(6#tian (oddess 8ut, and the "ater 8orse ni(ht
(oddess 8ott. ;ike its runic counter#art, 86d, 8u is a character
o) un#"easant necessit6, the darkness that 'ust eBist in order
)or the "i(ht to e in ein(. 8u's nu'er is 2=, and its (e'atria
)i(ure 12=.
AAA >.i is the 11th 0reek "etter. Accordin( to the esoteric
inter#retation o) the a"#haet, this character re#resents the
stars, the 12th, the sun and the 'oon, and the 14th, Mithras
hi'se"). This 11th "etter can thus e inter#reted as the stars,
'ore s#eci)ica""6 the '12 :tars' those (i-en 'a(ica" si(i"s in
'edie-a" astro"o(6. These stars and asteris's are i'#ortant
ecause the6 ha-e een ascried traditiona""6 !ith certain
,ua"ities and . in)"uences. Ao-e a"" others, these )iBed stars
!ere e"ie-ed to eBert kno!n #o!ers. To 'edie-a" 'a(icians,
the indi-idua" #o!ers o) the 12 stars !ere the asis o) 'uch
ta"is'anic !ork. In the creation o) ta"is'ans, in addition to the
#re-ai"in( ,ua"ities e'anatin( )ro' the astro"o(ica" #"anets,
the in)"uence o) re"e-ant 'e'ers o) the 12 stars ha-e to e
taken into account. In standard astro"o(6, too, these stars ha-e
their o!n #ecu"iar ,ua"ities. Because o) this, the6 are treated
in eBact"6 the sa'e !a6 as the etter kno!n #"anets. The stars
areA The P"eiades, A"dearan, A"(o", Ca#e""a, :irius, Proc6on,
3e(u"us, A"(ora, :#ica, Arcturus, Po"aris, A"#hecca,
Antares, 9e(a and Eene A"(edi. This character's nu'er is
4=, the Ba6"onian astrono'ica" nu'er. Fei's nu'er in
(e'atria is 412 .
21
The #ree% Alphabet
o 5'icron is the enc"osed #o!er o) the sun, )ountain o) a""
ener(6 on Earth, its -arious as#ects s6'o"iDed 6 the (ods
He"ios and A#o""o. Its circu"ar )or' re)"ects the a##arent disc
o) the sun, and the eterna" nature o) its "i(ht !ithin the
darkness o) s#ace. As a "ater corre"ation, 5'icron a"so
s6'o"iDes the Christ in his as#ect o) the earer o) the "i(ht. In
another as#ect, 5'icron can re#resent the 'oon, the 'irror
o) the sun. It is the )i)th hea-en o) the 0nostics. It re#resents
the nu'er $=, and in (e'atria, '5'icron' has the -a"ue o)
1=/=.
n Pi a"so s6'o"iDes the sun in its ("or6, ut this ti'e not >ust
the disc, ut the round )or' surrounded 6 14 ra6s o) "i(ht,
identi)ied !ith the s#iritua" i""u'ination associated !ith so"ar
di-inities inc"udin( A#o""o, :era#is and Christ. More s#eci)ica""6,
it is associated !ith Mithras !ho !as !orshi##ed 'ost
)er-ent"6 on the 14th da6 o) each 'onth in the A-estish
ca"endar o) Persia. The 14 ra6s o) "i(ht )ro' the sun occur 'uch
"ater in Christian art, !here it is a"so associated !ith the na'e
o) 0od ()or eBa'#"e, at Hin('s Co""e(e Cha#e", Ca'rid(e,
see @i(. &G. Pi is e,ui-a"ent to the nu'er &=, and, 6 (e'atria,
it has the -a"ue o) 1=1.
P 3ho, the 1$th "etter o) the 0reek a"#haet, re#resents the
creati-e )e'a"e ,ua"ities that are #resent in a"" thin(s, oth
)e'a"e and 'a"e. More s#eci)ica""6, these are seen as ein(
)ruit)u"ness, the #o!er o) -e(etati-e (ro!th and re#roduction.
3ho eB#resses the ,ua"ities o) in)inite ada#tai"it6 and )"uidit6
that "ead to the 'co'in( into ein(' that is creation in a"" o) its
as#ects . This 'eanin( #re)i(ures the 'otion and )"uid ,ua"ities
ascried to its "ater runic counter#art, 3ad. Arith'etica""6,
3ho is e,ui-a"ent to the nu'er 1==, and the (e'atria -a"ue
o) 1$=, !hich, accordin( to con-ention is e,ui-a"ent to the
nu'er o) =* AMH8 ('A'en'G . 'so "et it e'.
! :i('a is the ;ord o) the Eead, in the 0reek #antheon
#ersoni)ied as Her'es, the Ps6cho#o'#. As the 1&th )i(ure, it
has conneBions !ith the '6sterious' 1&th rune' o) 8orse 'a(ic
and a"so the esoteric '1& "etter' o) the 0ae"ic a"#haet. In the
Mithraic tradition, it si(ni)ies 3ashnu, the second rother o)
22
'a(ical Alphabets
Mithras, !ho !as (od o) the under!or"d. Its nu'erica"
e,ui-a"ent is +==, and its (e'atria -a"ue is +21.
T Tau, re#resents the 'icrocos', 'ore s#eci)ica""6, the "unar
as#ects o) the hu'an ein(. The Tau cross has o)ten een
taken as ein( the asic #icto(ra#hic )or' o) the hu'an od6.
It a##ears to e deri-ed )ro' the ancient E(6#tian Ankh si(n
that re#resents eterna" "i)e, used 'a(ica""6 as an a'u"et a(ainst
arrenness. In Christian icono(ra#h6, Tau re#resents the cross.
This can e the Tau earin( the raDen ser#ent o) EBodus,
Aaron's 3od, the 5"d Testa'ent 'anti.t6#e' that #re)i(ures the
't6#e' o) Christ's cross. 8atura""6, Tau a"so re#resents the cross
o) Christ, )or the 'Tau' )or' is the true sha#e o) crosses used
)or cruci)iBion. Man6 'edie-a" and 3enaissance re#resentations
o) the Cruci)iciBion sho! the crosses o) Christ and the t!o
thie-es in this )or' . Esoterica""6, in Christian s6'o"is', its
three ar's s6'o"iDe the trinit6. Tau's arith'etic nu'er is
*==, 6 (e'atria e,ui-a"ent to the "unar (oddess :e"ene
.~E/010), !hose nu'er is *=1. The (e'atria -a"ue o) Tau is
$=1, corres#ondin( 6 con-ention !ith the nu'er o) the
'Chris'on', the 'ono(ra' o) Christ, the Chi.3ho, !hose
-a"ue is $==.
Y The +=th character, Y#si"on, stands )or !ater, and )"o!in(
,ua"ities. Here, un"ike the creati-e, (enerati-e, )"uidit6 o) 3ho,
the ,ua"ities are those connected !ith the e"e'ent o) !ater.
Y#si"on re#resents those thin(s !hich, a"thou(h di))icu"t to
de)ine, "ike runnin( !ater, are essentia" to the continuance o)
"i)e. In 0reek '6sticis' the nu'er += !as a"so connected !ith
!ater. In esoteric (eo'etr6, P"ato's so"id ca""ed the 'Icosohedron',
re#resentin( the e"e'ent !ater, has += sur)aces. 0nostic
tradition assi(ns Y#si"on to the 0nostic 'siBth hea-en'. Its
nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent is 1==. B6 (e'atria, the na'e 'Y#si"on'
adds u# to 1+4=.
RIS P;i is the #ha""us, the 'a"e (enerati-e #rinci#"e, Phi has a
nu'er o) 2==. B6 (e'atria, 2== si(ni)ies the '6stic (ar'ent,
(E8 ~ YMAG, the 'ani)estation o) the s#iritua" !or"d in the !or"d
o) )or'. .t a"so re#resents the !ords 'to Pan' (T5 nA8G, 'the
a""'. In 0reek tradition, this is #ersoni)ied in the (reat (od Pan,
he !ho "inks a"" thin(s to(ether in their ho"istic unit6. He ears
24
The #ree% Alphabet
the nu'er o) Phi and the <ni-erse ((e'atria nu'er 2=1G.
The (e'atria -a"ue )or the !ord 'Phi' is 21=.
F Chi, the ++nd character, si(ni)ies the cos'os, and on the
hu'an "e-e", #ri-ate #ro#ert6. The nu'er o) Chi is 4==, the
nu'er in (e'atria o) the 0reek !ord 'Hos'os' (H5"AM5"AG,
and a"so 'the (odhead' ?=* ESE5TH"AG, the di-ine counter#art
o) the cos'os. Chi is the 'ark o) #ossession, de"i'itin( that
!hich is a"read6 taken. It is a"so the (i)t s6'o", !hich, "ooked
at horiDonta""6, "inks hu'an to hu'an, and seen -ertica""6,
"inks the 0ods to hu'anit6. In )or', ut not #honetics, as it
re#resents 'CH', it is re"ated to the rune #yfu (!ritten 'F',
#honetica""6 '0'G, as a (i)t )ro' or to the 0ods. B6 (e'atria,
the !ord 'Chi' is e,ui-a"ent to 41=.
5t Psi, the +*rd, is the hea-en"6 "i(ht e'odied in the sk6.(od
Ieus. It has the secondar6 'eanin( o) da6"i(ht , 'ost s#eci)ica""6
the hi(h"i(ht o) 'idda6. Thus it is a character o)
i""u'ination, o) seein( c"ear"6 and #recise"6. It has a nu'erica"
-a"ue o) $==, !hich is e,ui-a"ent 6 (e'atria to the Christian
'ono(ra' Chi.3ho, re#resentin( the hea-en"6 "i(ht o) the
Christ. The (e'atria -a"ue o) the !ord 'Psi' is $1=, e,ui-a"ent
to the !ords '#iston' (nI"AT58G, 'eanin( ')aith)u"' , and '#neu'a
a(ion' (n8EYMA ArI58G, 'the Ho"6 :#irit'.
?JH 5'e(a, the +1th and )ina" character, stands )or riches and
aundance, a success)u" conc"usion to usiness. As an
a#otheosis, it is the se-enth hea-en o) the 0nostics. Its nu'er
is &==, !hich is the nu'er o) '#istis' (nI"ATI"AG, )aith and
'k6rios' (HYPI5"AG , "ord. B6 (e'atria, '5'e(a' is &1/, the
nu'er o) 'sche'a' ("AFHMAG, 'eanin( 'the #"an'. Thus,
5'e(a is a re#resentation o) )aith and the di-ine #"an, oth in
the Pa(an and Christian inter#retations o) 'the ;ord' , !hether
Ieus or Jesus.
03EEH A;PHABET T3AEITI58:
As a series o) uni-ersa" 'eta#hors to descrie the !or"d, it
)o""o!s that s#eci)ic "etters o) the 0reek a"#haet are re"ated
to s#eci)ic #arts o) 8ature. Thus, accordin( to Hi##o"6tus, it
!as re-ea"ed to Marcus the 0nostic that certain "etters o) the
0reek a"#haet re"ated to the #arts o) the hu'an od6.
2$
'a(ical Alphabets
Hi##o"6tus recorded the' in 2oo% &/ o) his !ritin(s? cha#ter
*/A
The Tetrad" after ha!in( e0plained these thin(s" spo%e as
follows . '4ow & wish also to e0hibit to you Truth herself"
for & ha!e brou(ht her down from the mansions abo!e" in
order that you may behold her na%ed" and become
a:uainted with her beauty1 nay" also that you may hear her
spea%" and may mar!el at her wisdom. Obser!e then first
the head abo!e" Alpha and Ome(a1 the nec%" 2eta and hi1
shoulders" alon( with hands" #amma and 8hi1 breasts"
7elta and hi1 diaphra(m" 3psilon and ,psilon1 belly" 5eta
and Tau1 pudenda" 3ta and Si(ma1 thi(hs" Theta and Rho1
%nees" &ota and i1 cal!es" 6appa and Omicron1 an%les
Lambda and Ai1 feet 'u and 4u' ... and he styles this
element 'an" and affirms it to be the source of e!ery word"
and the ori(inatin( principle of e!ery sound.
The 0reek a"#haet, then, 6 accessin( the asic structure
o) the uni-erse !hich under"ies e-er6thin(, #ro-ides a "ink
et!een the traditions o) the Pa(an !or"d and that o) the
Christian. E,ua""6, it "inks oth o) the' !ith the !or"d o)
scienti)ic en,uir6. There are a"so "inks !ith centra" and
northern Euro#ean Pa(anis' throu(h the 3unes, so'e characters
o) !hich #ara""e" 0reek "etters (see Cha#ter *G. This
connection 'a6 e seen in the so.ca""ed 'Per(a'u' o!"' ,
i""ustrated in @i(. 12. This is a 'di-ination.o!"' or #antac"e that
ears esoteric 0reek inscri#tions. .t dates )ro' around the 6ear
2oo CEo .t is in the )or' o) a disc earin( -arious si(i"s. The
outer #art o) the o!" is di-ided into three concentric Dones
di-ided 6 ei(ht radii . This 'akes +1 se#arate areas that
contain "etters, si(i"s and ("6#hs. These areas are re"ated
direct"6 to the three '5(doads' o) the 0reek a"#haet and the
three 'Aettir' o) the ear"iest runic ro! , kno!n as the E"der
@uthark. The inner #art o) this re'arka"e disc is di-ided
irre(u"ar"6 into se-en sectors, re#resentin( the se-en astro"o(ica"
#"anets. :i(urd A(re"", the :!edish eB#ert on 'a(ica"
a"#haets, sa! this di-inator6 #antac"e as a #ri'e eBa'#"e o)
the 'a(ica" ideas current in the "ate anti,ue #eriod o) the
3o'an E'#ire that eca'e assi'i"ated into rune.'a(ic. The
nu'erica" corres#ondences o) the hiero("6#hs and characters
2&
The #ree% Alphabet
@i(. 1A2. The Per(a'u' Bo!".
in this disc, he e"ie-ed, !ere an eBa'#"e o) a "ink et!een the
0reek 'a(ica" tradition and the a."#haet.'a(ic o) centra" and
northern Euro#e.
0reek "etter.'a(ic 'a6 e a##roached in a nu'er o) !a6s,
a"" o) !hich ho!e-er de'onstrate "inks et!een o>ects,
conce#ts or ein(s. The "inks 'ade throu(h nu'erica" -a"ues
are a -a"ua"e 'eans to understandin( the sut"e connection
et!een thin(s, and 'a6 e used as a !orth!hi"e #art o)
education. The 'odern conce#t o) '"atera" thinkin(' is c"ose"6
re"ated to this ancient !a6 o) "ookin( at thin(s. To the ancient
Pa(an 0reeks, nu'er !as the under"6in( asis o) the
uni-erse . This conce#t !as not aandoned !hen the Christian
re"i(ion !as introduced . In his &ntroduction to Arithmetic"
8icho'achus o) 0erasa eB#"ains this idea !e""A
3!erythin( in the uni!erse that has been arran(ed with
systematic method by 4ature seems both in part and as a
,9
'a(ical Alphabets
whole to ha!e been defined and set in order that conformity
with number" and by the thou(htfulness of the mind of him
that created all thin(s.
G5EEK GE12/5I2
In 0reek (e'atria, si'i"ar conce#ts are set in order in
con)or'it6 !ith nu'er, o)ten ha-in( the sa'e (e'atria
-a"ue. ;inked #h6sica" and s#iritua" ,ua"ities are a"so connected.
A (ood eBa'#"e o) this is the nu'er 12==, !hich is
the nu'er o) "i(ht '#hos' .<l23~), and the e6e 'o#s', ("#II.
:ound, the -oice, '#hone' (R"S%8EG is re"ated 6 (e'atria
throu(h its nu'er, 1*2&, to #er)ect kno!"ed(e, 'e#i(nosis'
.Enlr1O~I~)4 the 0reat Hno!"ed(e, 'e 'e(a Ie (nosis'
('H MErAAE r13~I~)4 and kno!"ed(e and truth, '(nosis kai
a"etheia' .r1O~I~ HAI AAHeEIAG.
8atura""6, the "inkin( o) conce#ts throu(h nu'er a""o!s
o##osites to ha-e the sa'e nu'er. Thus the nu'er -%
re#resents >ustice, 'dikaia' .~IK/I/). and a"so 'adikia'
./~IKI/), in>ustice. This is an eBa'#"e !here ana(ra's
re#resent o##osites. 5) course, ana(ra's a"!a6s ha-e the sa'e
nu'erica" -a"ue. The eBa'#"e o) the nu'er 12== (i-en ao-e
a"so contains its o##osite. The e6e and "i(ht ha-e the sa'e
nu'er as 'tu#h"os' .&YE2/O~), !hich 'eans "ind. The
tradition o) (e'atria a""o!s a discre#anc6 o) one et!een an6
t!o nu'ers. This is ca""ed colel. In this !a6, the (od Her'es
.,E56E~) has the (e'atric nu'er *2*, "inkin( hi', as (od o)
roads, !ith the !ord )or the road, 'odos' (H O~O~), !hose
nu'er is *2+. A(ain o##osites 'a6 e "inked in this !a6. An
eBa'#"e is 'de"os' .~E/O~), !hich 'eans 'ani)est, ha-in( the
-a"ue o) *1+, and 'ade"os' ./~E/O~), un'ani)est, e,ui-a"ent
to *1*.
The hu'an #erce#tion o) the !or"d is o)ten 'ani)ested
throu(h (e'atria, as !ith the nu'er 1*=, !hich si(ni)ies
'arith'os' ./5I"6O~), nu'er. This nu'er is a"so the
(e'atria )or 'no'os' .1O6O~), the ;a!. :o'eti'es. (e'atria
"inks thin(s in another !a6. @or eBa'#"e. the nu'er 4/1.
!hich 'eans #o!er, 'kratos' (HPA &O~) a"so stands )or the
#o!er)u" north !ind. Arktos .,/5K&O~). its ana(ra'. Another
#o!er nu'er, the cos'ic )i(ure o) ener(6 and creation, $1=,
is es#ecia""6 interestin(, )or it is e,ui-a"ent to the c6c"e or circ"e
o) eBistence, 'kuk"os' .KYK/O~)4 creation, 'ktisis' .K&I~I~)4
%*
The #ree% Alphabet
heat. 'ther'otes' ('H "E56O&0~)4 the 'usic o) the s#heres,
'aitheros 'e"os' ./I"E5O~ 6E/O~) and the de'i(od Adonis
./I781EY~). P"ato's na'e )or the di-ine creator, '= e#i#asi
theos' ('= 'EnI n/~I "EO~) is a"so $1= 6 (e'atria. The
trans'utationa" #o!er o-er 'atter re#resented 6 Her'es
Tris'e(istos .,E560~ &5I~6EfI~&O~), dei)ied )ounder o)
the a"che'ica" arts is "inked !ith the ru"er o) the cos'os,
'kos'okrator' (= KO~6OK5/&35), )or the6 oth share the
(e'atria nu'er 1$/1. These connections o#erate at 'an6
"e-e"s, es#ecia""6 in #ersona" na'es. There, uneB#ected "inks
'a6 e'er(e. @or eBa'#"e, t!o de'i(ods o) 0reek '6tho"o(6,
5r#heus and Achi""es ha-e a "ink throu(h their nu'ersA
Achi""es .,/(I//EY~) has the nu'er 1+$4, and 5r#heus
.,O5912EY~) is 1+$2. Ar(os ./prO~), !ho ui"t the Ar(onauts'
shi#, Ar(o, is identi)ied throu(h (e'atria !ith the "o-e.(od
Eros .E5O~), as their nu'ers are *$1 and *$2 res#ecti-e"6.
Eros a"so has a connection !ith the 0reat 0od Pan, throu(h
the 'Pan series' (see e"o!G.
Throu(h the '6stica" 'ediu' o) (e'atria, it is #ossi"e to
trace connections !hich 'a6 not e i''ediate"6 a##arent.
B6 co"e", the aode o) the (ods, 5"6'#us .E/Y6nE~),
!hose nu'er is &/=, is "inked !ith the hea-ens, '5uranos'
.OY5/1O~), &/1. The connections that (e'atria rin(s us
is es#ecia""6 interestin( !ith re(ard to the Cretan "a6rinth
'6th. The "a6rinth in !hich Theseus s"e! the Minotaur.
'Ia6rinthos' .//BY5I1"O~ , -a"ue &$+G, is sho!n 6 (e'atria
to e a s#ecies o) chaos .(/O~). &$1, !hose nu'er is a"so that
o) )oa', 'a#hros' ./9125O~). The na'e o) the ho'icida" 'anu""
at the centre o) the "a6rinth, as s#e"t on the )ourth.centur6
"a6rinth 'osaic at Hato Pa#hos in C6#rus, is Meinotauros
.6EI13&/Y5O~). This has the (e'atria nu'er o) 1&$1,
!hich is e,ui-a"ent to 'tauros', the u"", 1=$1, #"us the nu'er
&==. !hich is 'k6rios' .KY5IO~), '"ord'. Thus the Minotaur is 6
(e'atria, '"ord o) the u""s'. The na'e o) the Minotaur.s"a6er,
Thesus .E2E~EOS) is 1&/ 6 (e'atria. This, throu(h co"eK, is
e,ui-a"ent to Tro6 (TP5IHG, !hich is 1&&. .t is interestin( to note
that, a"" o-er northern Euro#e, !here the6 are cut in tur) or
'ade )ro' "ar(e stones, c"assica" "a6rinths are kno!n as
'Tro6', 'Tro6.to!n' or the '!a""s o) Tro6' .
:acred (eo'etr6 and architecture, too, are "inked in the
esoteric tradition o) (e'atria. The )o""o!in( eBa'#"e is t6#ica".
41
'a(ical Alphabets
The 'acrocos', ''akrokos'os' :6/K5OKO~6O~), has the
nu'er &*1. This is a"so the nu'er o) the '6stic (eo'etrica"
)or', the #6ra'id, '#6ra'is' .llY5/6I~), and the #ha""us,
'#h a"ios' :<I2///O~). These three de'onstrate the esoteric "ink
et!een three 'ani)estations o) the (enerati-e #rinci#"e.
0e'atria #ro-ides nu'erica" connections et!een di-inities
and their attriutes. Their nu'ers !ere used to de)ine the
"en(th, !idth and hei(ht o) te'#"es, and the di'ensions o)
sacred o>ects used in the !orshi# o) the (od or (oddess.
:6'o"ic car-in(s on the te'#"es re#resented, throu(h their
e,ui-a"ent nu'ers, the na'e or attriutes o) the deit6
!orshi##ed there. C"ear"6, these a"#haet.'a(ic techni,ues
can e a##"ied to an6thin(, 'akin( #ossi"e a hi(h"6 cr6#tic
s6'o"ic art. In a #aintin( or scu"#ture, see'in("6 eBtraneous
o>ects, #"ants or ani'a"s 'a6 actua""6 encode the na'es o)
#rinci#"es, ,ua"ities or deities. The #ossii"ities are "i'it"ess.
Throu(h (e'atria, the #arts o) a ui"din( s6'o"ica""6 re#resented
re"ated ,ua"ities. 'P6"e' (""Y AHG, the (ate!a6, has a -a"ue
o) 21&. This is a"so the nu'er o) 'oi k"eito' ?*1 HAHT5IG, 'the
e"ect' and a"so on a 'ore #rosaic "e-e" , 'thura' C'H /YPAG, the
door. Thus the (ate o) the te'#"e is the door throu(h !hich
the e"ect 'a6 enter the sacred te'enos o) the (ods. This
nu'er "ater eca'e asored into Christian usa(e, ein( the
nu'er o) !ords 'drink and "i-e' ("""E ;0~0~) once inscried
u#on the cha"ices used in the 0reek Eucharist. A##ro#riate"6,
this Christian rite !as seen as a 'eans 6 !hich the e"ect
entered into eterna" "i)e. The te'#"e itse"), 'naos' .1/O~), !ith
the nu'er *+1 , is 'ka"os' :K//O~ , *+1G, eauti)u".
5n a 'ost asic "e-e", the cos'os, .KO~6O~), !ith the nu'er
4==, is e,ui-a"ent 6 (e'atria to 'theotes' ?=* E2EO&0~),
the (odhead, !ho is i''anent in the cos'os. In turn, the
cos'os is re"ated to #aradise, '#aradeisos' .ll/5/~EI~O~),
!hose nu'er is 4$1, the cos'os, !ith the de)initi-e artic"e
?=* KO~6O~) ein(4$=. 8ous :1OY~) , the di-ine inte""i(ence,
has the nu'er $+=, the sa'e as that o) 'to#os' .&OllO~), the
aode o) the deit6, and 'iereus' .,IE5EY~), a #riest o) the te'#"e
o) truth. This is an eBa'#"e o) the sort o) "ink that the ancient
0reeks sou(ht and )ound, de'onstratin( a co'#"eB and
)unda'enta" connection et!een "an(ua(e and eB#erience.
The na'es o) Ieus (0odG, the 0reek tetra(ra''aton, 'Eios'
and Theos' .~IO~ and "EO~) oth add u# to +&1. The (reat
4+
The #ree% Alphabet
'other (oddess C6e"e (HYBEAEG, !hose nu'er is 122 has
the e#ithet o) 'Mother' (MHTHPG, !hose nu'er is 124. The
(oddess Arte'is (' /5&E6I~) has the sa'e nu'er, 424, as the
sa-iour, ''essias' .6E~~I/~). The nu'er 1==1 is associated
!ith Eion6sos .~IO1Y~O~) , !hose na'e is an ana(ra' o)
'8ousEios' .1OY~ ~IO~), the'indo)0od. .t is a"so the nu'er
o) 'the a#tis'', (T5 B/rI&I~6/) and the di-ine attriute,
':aao' .~/B/3) , a 0reek -ersion o) a Here! !ord 'eanin(
'ar'ies' and hence te'#ora" #o!er. The na'e o) the '(ent"e
(oddess' , ;eto (AET%G, !hose nu'er is 11*&, is e,ui-a"ent to
the !o', 'de"#h6s' .~E/:5YS). :he is sho!n there6 to e she
!ho re#resents the )e'inine essence o) creation, !orshi##ed
as an e'odi'ent o) the 'atter o) the uni-erse. The 'arine
di-init6 Poseidon .rIO~EI~O1), has the nu'er o) 1+1/, !hich
is that o) the )ish , 'icthus' .l<"+~), his sacred s6'o". The
)ish !as a##ro#riated "ater 6 the Christians as a s6'o" o)
Christ. Another na'e )or Christ is the Cos'ocrator, ('=
KO~6OK5/ T%3G 'ru"er o) the Cos'os', !ith the (e'atria
nu'er o) 1$/1. 8ot sur#risin("6, this is a"so an e#ithet o)
the di-ine ein( Her'es Tris'e(istos, ,.E560~ &5I~6ErI~&
O~), "e(endar6 )ounder o) the science o) a"che'6. A"che'6
(i-es its #ractitioners the #o!er to ru"e the 'ateria" cos'os
throu(h 'ani#u"ation o) the sut"e as#ects o) 'atter, the
#o!er o) the Pantocrator.
The (reat (od Pan
The 'ost i'#ortant series o) (e'atria corres#ondences )ocuses
on the nu'er o) the (reat (od Pan (rIA8G . In 0reek Pa(anis',
Pan, the #ersoni)ication o) !ho"eness, !ho "inks the di-ine !ith
the hu'an and ani'a" !or"ds, has the nu'er 1*1. This is the
startin(.#oint o) a 'a>or series o) (e'atria inter#retations. The
(enerati-e #o!er o) Pan, the #ha""ic (od, is e'#hasiDed 6 t!o
corres#ondences. Pan and the ser#ent (drakon, ~5/KO1, +12G
#roduces the sa'e (e'atria" -a"ue o) Eros (*$2G. The di-ine
source o) this (enerati-e #o!er is eB#"ained 6 the addition o)
the nu'er o) creation ('H rE1E~I~, 1&1G, and that o) Pan
(1*1G, !hich 'akes 41+, the nu'er o) the su#re'e (od, Ieus.
Pan and the nu'er &==, !hich can 'ean 'the ;ord', '@aith',
'the 0reat Po!er' and a"so Pasi#hae, a 6.na'e o) the (oddess
Arte'is, 'akes the nu'er o) A''on (,AMM%8G, an e#ithet
o) Ieus, /*1. @urther'ore, !hen a(ain added to /*1, the 1*1
4*
'a(ical Alphabets
Pan 'akes 1=4+, 6 the con-ention o) co"eK, the nu'er o)
A#o""o (' An5AA%8G, 1=41. Pan !ith the 'oon (oddess :e"ene
.~E/010, *=1G 'akes the (e'atria -a"ue o) 1*+, !hich
is HATAB5AH, conce#tion. Pan !ith 8ous, the conscious !i"",
(1*1 E $+=G 'akes &21, the nu'er o) sustance .Yn/5:::I~).
Added to the nu'er o) Te"eion' ('the #er)ect nu'er',
TEAEI58, 1$=G, the nu'er o) Pan 'akes the nu'er 4=1,
!hich is T5 = 85MA, 'the 8a'e' , e,ui-a"ent 6 co"eK to Cos'os
and 0odhead, 4==. As e)ittin( his uni-ersa" status, the
nu'er o) Pan !ith the E'#6rean (nA8 E 'EMnYPEI58,
1*1 E $4=G #roduces the nu'er o) the hea-ens, 5uranos
(5YPA85:, &/1G. @ina""6, !hen the nu'er o) Pan and that
o) the (ar'ent o) "i(ht, End6'a .E1~ YMA, 2==G are added
to(ether, the nu'er o) death, Thanatos .E2/1/&O~, 4*1G is
#roduced. The #anic o) those !ho ha-e seen ri""iant a##aritions
o) the (reat (od Pan in his terri"e as#ect is !e"" kno!n,
resu"tin( in the death o) the un)ortunate #ersonsK
C05I7/I2N G5EEK GE12/5I2
These Pa(an (od.connections !ere continued, eB#anded and
re)ined in the "ater Judaeo.Christian 'a(ica" tradition o)
0nostic (e'atria. As in ear"6 Christian art, !here Christ !as
o)ten de#icted as A#o""o, 5r#heus or Eion6sos, there are
connections et!een the na'e o) Christ and the ear"ier
di-inities and heroes. @or eBa'#"e, 6 (e'atria, the nu'er
o) 'Christos' .(5I~&3~) is 11&=. This is e,ui-a"ent to the 11$/
o) 5d6sseus .O~ Y~~EY~) . There are se-era" (e'atria nu'ers
associated eB#ress"6 !ith Christ. These are $==, the 'Chi.3ho'
'ono(ra' (see @i(. 14G? &&&, Jesus, .I0~O&I)4 11&=, Christos
.(5I~&3~)4 1//&, '#h6sis Jesou' (the nature o) Jesus, =TY~I~
I0~OY~), and +*4&, Jesus Christ .,I0~OY~ (5I~&O~).
These na'es are o)ten co'#osed o) nu'ers that, !hen
co'ined, eB#ress di-ine or cos'ic ,ua"ities. Jesus, &&&, )or
eBa'#"e, is co'#osed o) Ether and E'#6rean ('AIESHP and
'EMnYPEI58, $4= E 1+& L &&&G.
The 0reek tradition o) ind."etters or 'ono(ra's eca'e
hi(h"6 de-e"o#ed to eB#ress the na'e o) Christ. The est
kno!n o) these si(i"s is the Chris'on or 'Chi.3ho' 'ono(ra'.
This is a indin( to(ether o) the characters Chi (Ch, !ritten FG
and 3ho (3, !ritten PG to 'ake a si(i" co'#osed o) the )irst
t!o "etters o) 'Christ'. .t has the (e'atria -a"ue o) $==. This
41
The #ree% Alphabet
@i(. 14. Christian 'ono(ra's in the 0reek traditionA *top row) (iG standard Chi3ho?
(iiG A"#ha, 5'e(a and cross? (iiiG IH:? (i-G -ariants o) A"#ha and 5'e(a?
*second row) (iG -ariant Chris'on, Jesus :oter (sa-iourG and Jesus Christ
co'ined? (iiG Mother o) 0od? (iiiG -ariant Chi.3ho? *third row) (iG A"#ha.Tau5'e(a?
(iiG Chris'on and Ichth6s? (iiiG Chris'on )ro' 0reek 5rthodoB
co''union !a)er, Jesus Christ . Con,uer? (i-G short -ersion o) the #recedin( si(i" .
si(i" is c"ear"6 a -ersion o) o"der, so"ar, s6'o"s, such as the
circ"e !ith a cross eneath it, !hich re#resents the risin( sun.
It is a"so c"ose"6 re"ated to the ancient E(6#tian si(n kno!n as
the 'Ankh' or 'CruB Ansata', s6'o" o) eterna" "i)e. The
'ono(ra' o) Jesus Christ used the )irst three 0reek "etters o)
the na'e Jesus, I0~ . ;ater, the 0reek "etter Eta (HG, !ith a
#honetic -a"ue o) 'E', !as 'istaken as re#resentin( the 3o'an
"etter 'H', and so the 'eanin( ascried to the 'ono(ra'
eca'e &n hoc si(no (In this si(nG. This reca""ed the ce"erated
drea' o) the E'#eror Constantine. Accordin( to "e(end, in
this drea' the Chris'on si(i" a##eared to hi', acco'#anied
6 a -oice that said, 'In this si(n thou sha"t con,uer'.
Inter#retin( the drea' as a di-ine #rediction, Constantine
there)ore used the si(n on his #ersona" !ar anner, the
;aaru'. 7ictorious, he i'#osed Christianit6 on the 3o'an
E'#ire. In its 3o'an 'isinter#retation, the 'ono(ra' IH:
has a"so co'e to re#resent 9esus Hominem Sal!ator (Jesus,
'ankind's redee'erG . A 0er'an inter#retation o) this 'ono(ra'
is 9esus Heil und Seli(macher (Jesus, sa-iour and
redee'erG . The ori(ina" 0reek 'ono(ra' I0~ has a -a"ue o)
+1&. B6 co"e", this is #art o) the 'Pan series', !here a nu'er
o) the (reat (od Pan is added to other si(ni)icant (e'atria
e,ui-a"ents. Here, the na'e o) 7ictor6, '8ike' &&, added to
42
'a(ical Alphabets
1*1 'akes +1/, re#resentati-e o) IH;. :6'o"ica""6, this can e
inter#reted as '-ictor6 o-er a""'.
Another 0reek "etter corres#ondence !ith Christ is throu(h
the )irst and "ast "etters, A"#ha and 5'e(a. This co'es )ro'
the ook o) Re!elation ++.1*A 'I a' A"#ha and 5'e(a, the
e(innin( and the end, the )irst and the "ast.' There, Christ is
associated !ith the 0reek "etters A"#ha, A, and 5'e(a %, the
)irst and the "ast "etters o) the a"#haet. Esoterica""6, this
si(ni)ies eterna" continuance, the )irst and the "ast enco'#assin(
a"" that is et!een the'. The6 a"so re#resent the
(enerati-e and re(enerati-e #o!er ascried to the Christ. This
is sho!n 6 the )or'u"a 'A"#ha and 5'e(a' (A HAI %G, !hich
has the (e'atria -a"ue o) &*+. B6 co"e". this #hrase is e,ua" to
'Pha""us' (RR"SAAA5;, &*1G.
E-en 6 the'se"-es, the t!o "etters A"#ha and 5'e(a
de'onstrate the !onder)u" -ersati"it6 o) 0reek (e'atria. The
nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent o) A% is &=1. 'ade u# o) A"#ha's 1 and
5'e(a's &==. These "etters are !ritten so'eti'es in connection
!ith the cross, )or eBa'#"e, in the rite o) consecretion o)
a church. 9hen !ritten !ith the "etter Tau, as a re#resentation
o) the cross, the nu'er o) AT% 'ono(ra' is 11=1, 6 co"e"
e,ui-a"ent to the nu'er o) the na'e :i'on, 11==. The use o)
this 'ono(ra' !as an esoteric si(n used 6 those !ho e"ie-ed
that :i'on o) C6rene died on the cross as a sustitute )or Jesus.
Another i'#ortant Christian s6'o" is the do-e, '#eristera'
(nEPI;TEPAG, so'eti'es used eB#"icit"6 as a s6'o" )or Christ
as rin(er o) #eace, !hose (e'atria nu'er is &=1. Thus,
throu(h (e'atria, the do-e s6'o"iDes A"#ha and 5'e(a,
!hich itse") is a ci#her )or Christ. The connection et!een &==
and Christ is ecause it is the nu'er o) #o!er and do'inion.
si(ni)6in( o'ni#otence, 'autod6na'is', (H /Y&O~ Y8AMI;G.
.t is a"so the nu'er o) '"ord', 'k6rios' (HYPI5;G? and )aith,
'#istis (nI;TI;G. Thus, A"#ha and 5'e(a to(ether s6'o"iDe
o'ni#otent #o!er, "ordshi#, )aith and #eace. Another co''on
s6'o" o) Christ is the )ish, !hich is deri-ed not 6
(e'atria, ut 6 notarikon. Here, the 0reek !ord )or ')ish' is
'ichthus'. @ro' this, 6 notarikon co'es the sentence '/esous
CHristos THeou 7ios :oter (Jesus Christ, :on o) 0od. the
:a-iourG. The use o) the )ish as a s6'o" )or Christ connects
hi' !ith Poseidon, 6et another "ink et!een Christ and the
o"der (ods.
44
The #ree% Alphabet
Esoteric 0reek tradition re"ates the 1+ a#ost"es o) Christ to
the 1+ si(ns o) the Dodiac. B6 (e'atria, each o) the na'es o)
the si(ns o) the Dodiac has a nu'er, and si'i"ar"6 !ith the
a#ost"es. The corres#ondences o) the Dodiaca" si(ns take the
order o) the a#ost"es as "isted in the (os#e" accordin( to :t
Mark *.14.1/G. Takin( :i'on Peter as the e(innin( o) the
Dodiac, the si(n o) Aries, the corres#ondences are as )o""o!sA
Iodiac 0reek 0e'atria
:i(n na'e -a"ue
Aries HPI5"A 1==
Taurus TAYP5"A 1=$1
0e'ini ~I~Y6OI 2*&
Cancer HAP"RI85"A 1$1
;eo AE58 &&2
7ir(o nAPESE85"A 212
;ira FHAAI 41/
:cor#io "AH5#nI5"A $2=
:a(ittarius T5AAAE8TH"A 1*1*
Ca#ricorn A")5HEP5"A 1+=/
A,uarius Y~5O(Ol: 1211
Pisces IFESYE"A 1++1
Tota" 1=24/
A#ost"e 0reek 0e'atria
o) Christ na'e -a"ue
:i'on Peter nETP5"A $22
Ja'es Boaner(es IAH5B5"A 11=*
John Boarner(es I5A8H"A 1=4/
Andre! /1~5E/l: *41
Phi"i# ctSIA"nn5I /&=
Bartho"o'e! BAP&=A5MAI5"A 4=*
Matthe! MAES=AI5"A *1=
Tho'as ES5MA"A 1=2=
Ja'es A"#haeusson IAH5B5"A 11=*
Thaddaeus 8/~~/IOl: +//
:i'on Canaanite "AIM58 11==
Judas Iscariot "5Y ~/l: I"AHAPI5ES 1&*2
Tota" 1=2/&
4$
'a(ical Alphabets
The su' tota" o) the 1+ si(ns is 15,24/,!hi"st that o) the 1+
a#ost"es is 1=,2/&, a -er6 c"ose #ara""e". The di))erence is +/.
:6'o"ica""6, the Dodiac has een s6nthesiDed !ith the a#ost"es
o) Christ, and 'er(ed #er)ect"6 !ith their na'es throu(h
(e'atria. As !ith the 1+ tries o) Israe", the a#ost"es o) Christ
each re#resent so'e as#ect o) the 6ear"6 and thus a"so the
uni-ersa" c6c"e. The necessit6 o) the rene(ade a#ost"e, Judas
Iscariot, is thus 'ade a##arent. Christ stands at the centre o)
this 6ear"6 circ"e, #ara""e"in( the #osition o) so"ar deities in the
Pa(an inter#retation o) the cos'ic order. A 'a>or 'oti) in
Princess Antonia's se-enteenth.centur6 ,aa"istic #aintin( at
Bad Teinach sho!s Christ at the centre o) the Dodiac circ"e o)
the 1+ tries K# Israe", de'onstratin( the "on(e-it6 o) this
i'a(e. As 'aster o) the 1+ disci#"es and 1+ 'onths o) the 6ear,
Christ can e seen as #ara""e"in( Mithras, !hose nu'er *4= is
that o) the de(rees in the circ"e. Man6 Mithraic scri#tures
sur-i-e in !hich the deit6 is sho!n !ithin a circ"e de#ictin( the
si(ns o) the Dodiac. This #ara""e"s c"ose"6 the conce#t o) the
deit6 AraBas, !hose *42 sho!s hi' as ru"er o) the da6s o) the
6ear, !ith a (e'atria e,ui-a"ent to 'Meson', the second o) the
)i-e tetrachords o) 0reek 'usica" har'on6. Each o) the
co'#onents o) 0reek har'onics ha-e their o!n na'es !hich
are re"ated 6 (e'atria to the na'es o) re"ated ,ua"ities and
di-inities. B6 this 'eans, the Her'etic 'aBi' 'As ao-e, so
e"o!' o#erated throu(hout 0reek science, art and re"i(ion
a"ike.
The connection et!een the Eucharist !ords and the
(ate!a6 has een 'entioned a"read6. Inscri#tions in 0reek on
Christian to's in the 3o'an cataco's o) the !ord 'Ieses'
(IH;E; . ''a6 6ou "i-e'G is actua""6 an encr6#tion o)the nu'er
o) the E(6#tian 'other (oddess, Isis, re.'e'erer o) the s"ain
(od 5siris. Both !ords ha-e the nu'er 1+=. Here, as
e"se!here, oth the Pa(an and the Christian inter#retations are
as one. This denotes the uni-ersa" nature o) rea"it6 under"6in(
a"" e"ie), )or there can e no re"i(ion hi(her than the truth. In
0nostic 0reek (e'atria, a 'ost i'#ortant nu'er is 1&1, )or
it re#resents the e(innin(, '0enesis' (H rE8E;I;G. It is the
nu'er o) the 0reek tetra(ra''aton used 6 C"e'ent o)
A"eBandria, I/~ Y, re#resentin( the na'e o) 0od. The
(e'atria nu'er )ro' the three "etters o) the Trinit6, n, Y, A,
!hich si(ni)6 '#ater' (nA THPG, the Ho"6 :#irit is 1&1. @urther.
4&
The #ree% Alphabet
tJ m !L~
~.~.0t>.~
?"r@i,~, ~ J ~
#t#=3=6 U
@i(. 1$. :ecu"ar 'ono(ra's in the 0reek tradition . The B6Dantine and Ho"6
3o'an E'#erors. )o""o!ed 6 other ear"6 'edie-a" kin(s. dukes and church
#re"ates. "iked to use #ersona" si(i"s deri-ed )ro' 0reek "ettersA (f$p line) (iG
Justinian? (iiG 5tto I? (iiiG ;othar III? (i-G ;ouis 7I o) @rance? *second line) (iG
3oert o) @rance? (iiG I!entio"d -on ;othrin(en? (iiiG ;othar I? (i-G ;ouis II?
*third line) (iG Henri I? (iiG ;ouis the Pious? (iiiG Phi"i# I? (i-G Har"'ann? *fourth
line) (iG Hu(o o) Pro-ence? (iiG Char"es I7? (iiiG Bisho#' Arethras o) Caesarea? (i-G
Char"'a(ne.
'ore, it is a"so the nu'er o) 'e#isko#e' ('H EnI~KOn0),
the ;ord's -isitation, and the ,ua"it6 o) o-erseein(,
'e#isko#eia' .EnI~KOnEI/), e'#hasiDin( oth the attriutes
o) the @ather and the Ho"6 :#irit. There are a nu'er o) other
i'#ortant "inks in this area o) (e'atria. The nu'er 1=&=, the
Ho"6 :#irit (T5 ArI58 n8EYMAG, is a "unar nu'er,
associated !ith the 7oid (or a6ssG, 'H /BY~~O~ (1=&1G.
The cross, 'stauros' .~&/ Y5O~), has the nu'er o) 1+$1. This
is a"so the nu'er o) 'the kno!"ed(e o) 0od', the 0nosis, ('H
r1O~I~). This is a"so the nu'er o) 'the kno!"ed(e o) 0od',
the 0nosis, ?=7 r1O~I~).
/;. nu<b.r of t;. east
The nu'er 444 'ust )i(ure "ar(e in an6 discussion o)
(e'atria, )or it is on"6 throu(h this esoteric art that #eo#"e ha-e
4/
'a(ical Alphabets
stri-en to unra-e" this (reat '6ster6. This nu'er. iike the
others deri-ed )ro' the Here! Ai, Beker (rid. is a 'u"ti#"e
o) the nu'er *$. and is thus re"ated to the nu'er o) Jesus.
&&&. In the Bi"e, 444 is descried as 'the nu'er o) the east'
in the 3e-e"ation o) :t John the Ei-ineA 'Here is !isdo'. ;et
hi' that hath understandin( count the nu'er o) the eastA )or
it is the nu'er o) a 'an? and his nu'er is :iB hundred
threescore and siB.' *Re!elation 1*.1&G. This has "ed to the
nu'er ein( (i-en an e-i" connotation. This su#erstitious )ear
has een #"a6ed u#on 6 certain 'a(icians. such as A"eister
Cro!"e6, !ho actua""6 ca""ed hi'se") the 0reat Beast and used
the nu'er 444 as a kind o) #ersona" si(i". .t is ("ee)u""6
ce"erated 6 certain #ractitioners o) 'odern Hea-6 Meta"
rock 'usic. ut usua""6 on"6 )or theatrica" e))ect or sensationa"ist
#ur#oses. Those !ho )ear this nu'er. or use its su##osed
ne(ati-e ,ua"ities do so ecause it is seen as the nu'er o) the
Antichrist. Accordin( to Christian eschato"o(6. the Antichrist
is the ne(ati-e re)"ection o) the di-ine. #ositi-e. ,ua"ities o) the
Christ. But is is a 'istake to connect a nu'er. !hich. at the
dee#est "e-e". is neutra". so"e"6 !ith the ,ua"ities o) e-i".
8u'ers cannot ha-e a dua"istic inter#retation. ;ike an6 other
nu'er, it #ossesses certain #h6sica" and s#iritua" ,ua"ities
!hose e))ect de#ends on its use. A"so. des#ite its ad #ress.
this nu'er 'a6 not e !hat it at )irst a##ears to e. In the
ori(ina" 0reek. the #hrase )ro' 3e-e"ation 'and his nu'er is
:iB hundred threescore and siB' has the (e'atria -a"ue o) +*4&.
the nu'er o) Jesus Christ. The nu'er 444 !ithin this #hrase
is a necessar6 #art o) the entire co'#utation. indicatin( that
the 'nu'er o) a 'an'. the (e'atria o) the entire sentence. is
that o) Jesus Christ.
B6 0reek (e'atria. 444 is the nu'er o) Teitan. a 0reek
o##onent to the (ods o) 5"6'#us. (enera""6 he"d to si(ni)6 the
#o!er o) o##osition and destruction o) the esta"ished order.
Ho!e-er. accordin( to 7ictorinus. Bisho# o) Petau at the end
o) the third centur6A 'As the6 ha-e reckoned )ro' the 0reek
characters. as the6 )ind it a'on( 'an6 to e TEIT A8. )or
Teitan has this nu'er. !hich the 0enti"es ca""ed :o" and
Phoeus' . The 'asonic !riter 9i""ia' :tir"in( sa! this as
associatin( it !ith the 'ark o) the sun', !hich contained the
)i(ure o) the Microcos'. In his ooks The /iew O!er Atlantis
(1/4/G and 8ity of Re!elation (1/$+G, John Miche"" corroo.
$=
The #ree% Alphabet
rated this -ie! that 444 itse") is #redo'inant"6 a so"ar nu'er.
It a"so corres#onds !ith the Pto"o'aic.#eriod E(6#tian deit6
:era#is, !ho co'ined so'e o) the characteristics o) 5siris and
Ieus. In his ooks 'a(ainst heres6', the second centur6 CE
!riter Irenaeus s#ecu"ated on the 'eanin( o) 444? he su((ested
three na'es.
The first was Teitan. A second contender was the une0plained
3!anthas. The name 3!anthas contains the re:uired
number" but & ma%e no alle(ation re(ardin( it. Then also
Lateinos has the number si0 hundred and si0ty$si0" and it
is a !ery probable solution" this bein( the name of the last
%in(dom *of the four seen by 7aniel).
In Iraneus's e6es, ;ateinos, 'eanin( the ;atin 5ne, 'eant the
3o'an E'#ire, the 'ost #o!er)u" 'ani)estation o) earth"6
#o!er and o##ression. ;ater, anti.Catho"ic co''entators ha-e
seen this as indicatin( the Po#e, the ;atin 5ne, to e the east
o) the A#oca"6#seA 444 is the nu'er o) T5 MEr AESEPI58 (the
0reat BeastG. This anti.church inter#retation is rein)orced 6
the )act that in 0reek, 'E ;atein Basi"eia' (the ;atin ChurchG,
and 'Ekk"esia Ita"ika', (the Ita"ian ChurchG a"so ha-e the
(e'atria -a"ue o) 444. But there are 'an6 other inter#retations
o) the nu'er 444. B6 co"e", it is e,ui-a"ent to R"S1V5rr5I, the
nu'er descriin( the 1& notes o) the 0reek 'usica" sca"e,
s6'o"ica""6 an i'a(e o) !ho"eness. This is one o) the nu'ers
connected !ith the (reat (od Pan (1*1GA added to 'EurekaK'
(EYPHHA, 2*1G, the nu'er 442 is )or'ed . Thus this ke6
nu'er can e inter#reted as the rea"iDation o) the ,ua"it6 o)
!ho"eness i'#"icit in the Pan !hose tota"it6 "inks the !or"ds o)
(ods, hu'ans and easts.
But since ear"6 ti'es, it has een #o#u"ar to identi)6 'the
east' !ith the current arch.t6rant or #o#u"ar ene'6. Thus, in
Here!, the !ords 8eron Caesar, the E'#eror 8ero, scour(e
o) ear"6 Christians, add u# to 444. In 'edie-a" ti'es, Christian
a#o"o(ists sa! Maho'et as addin( u# to 444, and durin( the
3e)or'ation, Catho"ic co''entators 'ade Martin ;uther )it
the nu'ero"o(6 o) 'the east' . More recent"6, others ha-e een
connected !ith the nu'er . 8a#o"eon Bona#arte is one o)
the' . John Miche"" has e-en sho!n ho! i) A L 1==, B L 1=1,
C L 1=+ and so on, then the nu'er o) Hit"er is 444. 9ritten
+1
'a(ical Alphabets
.n. 13# =@= RA1 e .$S ~ ()G
~ ~r=JOj(&
6 ~ W Y i)i, At.~ #
@i(. 1&. The Pa(an sa(e A#o""onius o) T6ana (c. 1./= CEG , !ith the 0reek.order
a"#haet ascried to hi', 'A#o""onian'.
in 0reek !ith the de)initi-e artic"e, the na'e o) another
notorious t!entieth.centur6 dictator, :ta"in. has the nu'er
444. The 'nu'er o) the east' is certain"6 )"eBi"e in its
a##"ication. and it is certain that in the )uture, t6rants not 6et
orn !i"" e assi(ned this nu'er 6 esoterica""6 'inded
co''entators.
The esoteric tradition o) the 0reek a"#haet has continued
in use in the 'odern era. In 'athe'atics. -arious 0reek "etters
are used to denote standard constants or irrationa" nu'ers,
such as n (Pi. the -a"ue o) *.1114G ti'es the dia'eter o) a circ"e
)or the re"ationshi# et!een the circu')erence and the
dia'eter. In 'a(ic. too. A"eister Cro!"e6's '6sterious The"e'ic
'/* Current' used the nu'er that denoted the 0reek
(e'atria )or ESEAHMA (The"e'aG. !hich is /*. This is the sa'e
as. ArAnE (a(a#eG. "o-e . Cro!"e6 !as usin( the c"assica"
+2
The #ree% Alphabet
techni,ue !here6 a sin("e nu'er can stand )or t!o or 'ore
re"ated conce#ts. As !ith a"" o) the other 'a(ica" a"#haet
traditions descried in this ook, the 0reek tradition is a"i-e
and !e"", and sti"" ca#a"e o) -a"id de-e"o#'ent.
THE ET3<:CA8 :C3IPT
The Etruscan or 8orth Ita"ic scri#t is another o) the a"#haets
deri-ed )ro' the Phoenician. In this it #ara""e"s the ear"6 )or's
o) 0reek and 3o'an a"#haets, and, indeed, se-era" o) the
characters rese'"e the' c"ose"6. But, un"ike the 0reek and
3o'an scri#ts, !hich continue in use toda6, the Etruscan
a"#haet !ent out o) use. At the hei(ht o) Etruscan ci-i"iDation,
Etruscan traders tra-e""ed north!ards to the shores o) the
Ba"tic :ea in search o) a'er. :o it !as that these traders
carried the "etters )ar and !ide into centra" and northern
Euro#e. But durin( the stru(("es )or the 'aster6 o) Ita"6, the
3o'ans #ro(ressi-e"6 de)eated the Etruscans, and )ina""6
sudued the'. Much o) Etruscan 'a(ic and (eo'anc6 !as
asored into 3o'an usa(e, ut the Etruscan a"#haet !as
not. Ho!e-er, its use in trade is "ike"6 to ha-e in)"uenced the
e-o"ution o) the runes, and so'e o) the ear"iest )or's o) runes
are a"'ost indistin(uisha"e )ro' this 8orth Ita"ic scri#t.
A"thou(h it is kno!n that 'a(ic !as an e-er6da6 #art o) "i)e
in the Etruscan ci-i"iDation, the 'eanin(s o) the "etters o) the
a"#haet are not kno!n. This is un)ortunate as these !ou"d
(i-e us the ke6 to the re"ationshi# et!een the 3unic and the
Etruscan a"#haets.
BJC~~D2<~ISt~ln
/B.C@DE :ltl~ 1 i/"
~E~BrF1~1~
G~~* e!l J..o
1Kr~2H~r1
~ %' M %&' ~, M= e( I8.' l'
@i(. 1/. The 8orth Ita"ic or Etruscan a"#haet. Co'#are this !ith the rune.ro!s
i""ustrated "ater (@i(s. +=, +*, +1, +4G.
$*
$
The "unes
,ou will disco!er runes and ima(inati!e sta!es $
/ery (reat sta!es" !ery stron( sta!es $
+hich a powerful thule painted" and (reat (ods created"
8ar!ed by the prophet of the (ods.
HA7AMA; (THE 953E: 5@THE 05E 5EI8G
3unic is the 'a>or 'a(ica" a"#haet o) centra" and northern
Euro#e. ;ike 0reek "etters, the runes are )ar 'ore than >ust
characters desi(ned )or the trans'ission o) in)or'ation. As
!ith 0reek "etters, the6 enca#su"ate s6'o"ic 'eanin(s that (o
)ar e6ond 'odern 'ateria"istic considerations o) in)or'ation
theor6. The i'#ortance o) the runes toda6 "ies in the re-i-a" o)
interest in the runes !hich has taken #"ace durin( the t!entieth
centur6. The co'ined a##"ication o) scho"arshi# and esoteric
techni,ues has 'ade the runes into a 'a>or )ie"d o) esoteric
stud6 and #ractice. :o'e acade'ic runic scho"ars ha-e
de#"ored this 'odern de-e"o#'ent. Their -ie!#oint is that
there is insu))icient e-idence )or the 'a(ica" or s6'o"ic use o)
the runes in )or'er ti'es )or the' to e reinstated toda6. But
as the6 re#resent a certain 'odern, 'ateria"istic !or"d.-ie!
!hich denies the -a"idit6 o) other, a"ternati-e -ie!s o) rea"it6,
it is di))icu"t )or the' to co'e to ter's !ith conce#ts outside
their eB#erience . E-en i) the6 !ere correct, this does not
in-a"idate 'odern esoteric research and #ractice.
The connotations o) the !ord rune itse") sho!s that e-en in
ancient ti'es, the runes !ere #art o) a '6ster6 in its s#iritua"
'eanin(, connected inti'ate"6 !ith the inner secrets o) 'a(ic.
This 'eanin( is a##arent in northern Euro#ean "an(ua(es,
!here it connects direct"6 !ith !ords 'eanin( 'to !his#er' A the
5"d Ce"tic !ord 'run'? the Midd"e 9e"sh 'rhin'? the 5"d En("ish
-er to 'ro!n', and the 'odern 0er'an 'raunen'. In 'odern
$1
The Runes
@i(. +=. The +1 characters o) the E"der @uthark.
Irish, the !ord 'run' 'eans 'secret', or 'a reso"ution',
'rundia'ahair' is a '6ster6, !hi"st a 'runai' is a secretar6 and
a 'runc"eireac' is a con)identia" c"erk. As the 'odern Irish
!ords sho!, traditiona""6 the runes !ere used )or di-ination
and decision.'akin(. The counse""ors o) An("o.:aBon En("and
ca""ed their discussions 'runes'. In such 'eetin(s, the runes
!ou"d ha-e een consu"ted !hen #ro"e's arose. The traditiona"
:cottish s6ste' o) )ar'in(, kno!n as 3un.3i(, used "ots
(runesG to deter'ine !hich #easant shou"d )ar' !hich 'ri(' or
"ot o) "and .
The ori(in o) the runic a"#haet, or 'ore correct"6, @uthark,
has "on( een the cause o) keen contention a'on(st students
o) ancient Euro#ean cu"ture. Theories ha-e co'e and (one
!ith the )ashions o) the ti'es, and scho"ars ha-e deri-ed the
runes )ro' the Phoenician, :a'ian, c"assica" 0reek, ;atin,
Etruscan and 0othic scri#ts. In so'e cases, chau-inistic
nationa"ists and e-en racists ha-e used runic theories to o"ster
their c"ai's to the su##osed su#eriorit6 o) their causes. In these
cases, the runes ha-e een #resented as ha-in( s#run(
indi(enous"6, !ithout #recedent, )ro' !hiche-er ethnic or
nationa" (rou# to !hich the c"ai'ant e"on(ed. E-en toda6,
des#ite a considera"e a'ount o) research and s#eC<"ation,
there are sti"" a nu'er o) -ia"e contenders. .t has een
esta"ished to 'an6 #eo#"es' satis)action that as an a"#haet
the characters o) the runes !ere deri-ed )ro' the 8orth Ita"ic
scri#t, used 6 the Etruscans. Historica""6, it !as used 6
Etruscan 'erchants !ho carried it )ro' Ita"6 across centra"
Euro#e to the Ba"tic !hen tradin( )or a'er. A"so, there is
$2
'a(ical Alphabets
archeo"o(ica" e-idence )or a "ink et!een the 8orth Ita"ic scri#t
and the runes. An eBca-ation at 8e(au in Austria.Hun(ar6 in
1&1+ re-ea"ed +4 ri''ed he"'ets o) ronDe. datin( )ro' the
)ourth centur6 BCE. En(ra-ed on the he"'ets !ere inscri#tions
in 0er'anic !ords. inc"udin( the na'e o) a !ar deit6. But
!hat is si(ni)icant aout these he"'ets is that the !ords !ere
!ritten in 8orth Ita"ic scri#t. Ho!e-er. des#ite this e-idence.
so'e students consider the runic a"#haet to e a direct
'odi)ication o) the 3o'an one. :tatistica""6. it can e seen that
ten "etters o) the Etruscan a"#haet are identica" in )or' and
sound -a"ue to the "etters o) the E"der @uthark. !hi"st ei(ht
3o'an "etters )u")i" this criterion. But the ar(u'ent is c"ouded
6 )i-e )urther "etters o) the 3o'an a"#haet !hich are si'i"ar
ut not identica" !ith runes. But. e,ua""6. se-era" "etters in the
0reek. Etruscan. 5"d ;atin. 3o'an and 3unic a"#haets are
a"'ost identica" !ith one another. sho!in( their co''on
deri-ation )ro' the Phoenician Ahira' a"#haet o) circa 1===
BCE. As this ook sho!s. there are -ariant )or's o) "etters in
an6 a"#haet !e 'a6 choose to eBa'ine. .t is a 'atter o)
o#inion to de)ine the #oint at !hich there are so 'an6 -ariants
in an a"#haet that then it 'ust e c"assi)ied as a 'ne!'.
di))erent. one. Eout"ess the ar(u'ents !i"" ra(e as "on( as
#eo#"e are interested in runesK
Throu(hout the histor6 o) a"#haets. 'a(ica" and other!ise.
indi-idua" scho"ars. '6stics and ru"ers ha-e #"a6ed an i'#ortant
#art in )or'a"iDin( ne! a"#haets. :o'e researchers
consider this to e the case !ith the runes. .t can e sur'ised
that the6 !ere )or'ed !hen so'e o) the si(i"s #re-ious"6 used
in rock car-in(s and di-ination 'a(ic eca'e identi)ied !ith
certain transa"#ine a"#haetic characters. This act o) s6nthesis
is recorded in the '6th o) 5din's se").sacri)ice. Accordin( to
this, the re-e"ation o) the runes )or hu'an use ca'e aout as
the resu"t o) a se").torturin( ritua". In the 8orse Hti!amtil.
stanDas 1*& and 1*/, !e readA
& %now that & was han(in( on the wind$blasted tree"
Throu(h nine days and nine ni(hts"
& was wounded with a spear" and (i!en to Odin"
'yself dedicated to myself"
On that tree" which nobody %nows"
;rom which roots it (rows.
$4
The Runes
4either with bread"
4or with the drin%in( horn
did they assist me.
& accepted the runes.
Screamin(" & too% them"
Then & fell bac% from that place.
This '6th reca""s the #ractices o) sha'ans in the northern #arts
o) the !or"d. @ro' :candina-ia and Centra" Asia to 8orth
A'erica. this archaic 'a(ico.re"i(ious tradition !as #ractised
as an essentia" #art o) hu'an cu"ture. In the '6th o) the
disco-er6 o) the runes. 5din. the counter#art o) the 0reek
Her'es. "ike!ise is the (od o) 'a(ic. #oetr6. di-ination and
ins#iration. !ho undertakes sha'anic #ractices. In )or'er
ti'es. sha'ans #ractised ecstatic 'ethods o) (ainin( a"tered
states o) consciousness. tra-e""in(. the6 e"ie-ed. to the !or"ds
e6ond this 'ateria" one. Their techni,ues inc"uded >ourne6s
to !i"d #"aces. )astin(. the takin( o) natura" ha""ucino(enic
#"ant sustances and #h6sica" se").torture. The '6th o) 5din's
sha'anic (ras# o) the runes a##ears to ha-e in-o"-ed se")cruci)iBion
on a tree )or the traditiona" 'a(ica" #eriod o) nine
da6s and ni(hts. A)ter this ordea" a tor'ented )"ash o) insi(ht
ena"ed 5din to rea"iDe the )u"" #otentia" o) the runes )or
hu'an use. This a##ears to ha-e een the a'a"(a'ation o) the
intuiti-e. oracu"ar. use o) the #re.runic si(i"s !ith the rationa".
#honetic a"#haet. This !as a rare 'o'ent o) a(on6 and
ecstac6 !here the t!o sides o) the rain . intuiti-e and rationa"
. !ere in)"uenced in their res#onse to a sin("e si(n.
The concurrence o) certain characters in ancient Euro#ean
rock car-in(s and Mediterranean a"#haets 'akes it #"ain that
'an6 o) the runes !ere deri-ed initia""6 )ro' t!o asica""6
se#arate sources. The creator o) the runes. an earth"6 5din.
a'a"(a'ated the t!o s6ste's. This !as acco'#"ished usin( a
dee# understandin( that (a-e access to the co''on. under"6in(
"e-e"s o) the t!o hitherto se#arate s6ste's. Just as the
!ritten characters 'a6 ha-e 'ore than one source so.
si'i"ar"6. the indi-idua" 'eanin( o) each rune 'a6 a"so e
deri-ed )ro' and a'a"(a'ate the t!o sources. 0reek. )ro'
!hose ear"6 )or' ca'e the 8orth Ita"ic scri#t. has a co'#"eB
series o) 'eanin(s as detai"ed in Cha#ter +. Because o) this. it
is -er6 #roa"e that the Etruscan and Ce"tierian a"#haets
$$
'a(ical Alphabets
a"so #ossessed si'i"ar esoteric corres#ondences !ith each
"etter. 3e(ard"ess o) )ro' !hich source so'e o) the runic
characters !ere deri-ed, co""ecti-e"6 the runic "etters, as !e
kno! the', !ere not >ust taken en masse )ro' an6 other scri#t.
<n"ike the other a"#haets deri-ed u"ti'ate"6 )ro' Phoenician
scri#ts, the runic "etters !ere arran(ed in a di))erent order @,
<, Th, A, 3, 93 Because o) this order, the runic a"#haets are
o)ten ca""ed @utharks. But the ne! arran(e'ent, seen 6 'an6
as the #ri'e e-idence )or a sin("e creator o) the scri#t, is not
irrationa" as 'an6 ha-e )e"t . 9hen the 'eanin(s o) the runes
are taken into account, this order is rationa", and re"ated to the
c6c"e o) the 6ear. It is the incor#oration o) Mediterranean,
A"#ine and northern Euro#ean si(i"s into a ne! s6ste' that is
the 'ost i'#ortant as#ect o) the runes' (enesis. As "on( a(o
as $=== 6ears, #otter6 o) the 7inca cu"ture in the Ba"kans ore
si(ns, so'e o) !hich are identica" !ith the )or' o) runes )ro'
o-er )i-e 'i""ennia "ater. A"so, 'an6 si(i"s !hich are kno!n
no! as runes a"read6 eBisted as )or's used 6 rock car-ers. In
-arious #arts o) Euro#e, 'ost nota"6 durin( the "ate BronDe
and ear"6 Iron A(es (1*==.&== BCEG, #icto(ra#hic rock car-in(s
!ere 'ade at -arious "ocations. The (enera" t6#e is o)ten
kno!n as Ha""ristnin(ar )ro' those in :candina-ia, a"thou(h
si'i"ar eBa'#"es are kno!n )ro' Britain, Ire"and, :#ain and
those A"#ine re(ions no! ad'inistered 6 0er'an6, :!itDer"and,
Ita"6 and Austria. These Ha""ristnin(ar contained a
-ariet6 o) si(i"s !hich can e reco(niDed in the ear"iest runic
a"#haets.
This co""ection o) #re.runic si(ns, si(i"s and s6'o"s is
so'eti'es ca""ed 6 the a"ternati-e na'e o) the 3une.Hoard.
E-en in their 'ost de-e"o#ed )or', 'an6 o) the runes ha-e a
#icto(ra#hic nature. The )irst rune, @eoh, !hich has the
'eanin( o) catt"e, is said to rese'"e the horns o) the co!,
!hi"st the second, <r, is sha#ed "ike the stron( odi"6 )or' o)
the !i"d oB. The third rune, Thorn, is sha#ed "ike a thorn.
:i'i"ar"6, the siBth rune, HennaD or Cen, is in the sha#e o) an
ear"6 )or' o) "i(htin(, the %ienspanhalter. The ei(hth rune,
96n, is sha#ed "ike the !eather -ane o) its na'e. The rune
86d, !hich 'eans 'need' rese'"es a )ire.o! used to kind"e
the sacred need.)ires o) o"d, !hi"st the attriute o) ice, Is, the
"etter '1', is sha#ed "ike an icic"e. E"haD or Eo"h re)ers to the
E"k, !hose ant"ers are echoed in its )or'. Eh!aD rese'"es the
$&
The Runes
@i(. +1. The rune Man. as it a##ears in traditiona" 0er'an fachwer% ti'er.)ra'e
ui"din(s. 3unes sho! E"der @uthark and "ater -ersion o) the Man character. and
its structura" re"ationshi# to the hu'an ein( and the ui"din( )or' .
od6 o) the horse !hich is its na'e. ;a(u is sha#ed "ike the
"eek or o-er)"o!in( !ater that it s6'o"iDes, !hi"st 5da" is in
the sha#e o) an enc"osure. Yr is in the sha#e o) the o! !hich
is its corres#ondence. :tan is in the )or' o) a stone or #"a6in(
#iece used in a oard (a'e, !hi"st 9o")san(e" is in the )or'
o) the '!o").hook' used in )or'er ti'es. The rune Iiu
re#resents the thundero"t o) the e#on6'ous sk6.(od. Erda,
"ike 5da", enc"oses the Earth, :o" is the so"ar disc !ith a ra6
o) "i(ht.
9e kno! )ro' three eBtant ancient teBts that each o) the
runes had a s#eci)ic 'eanin( )ro' the ear"iest ti'es. These
3une Poe's . An("o.:aBon, 8or!e(ian and Ice"andic . te"" us
that certain s#eci)ic o>ects or conce#ts !ere used to descrie
each indi-idua" sta-e or character. Because o) this, each rune
is a #recise conce#t in its o!n ri(ht, each rune enca#su"ates a
certain as#ect o) eBistence !hich eB#resses #art o) the
)unda'enta" nature o) the inner structure o) rea"it6. In this
!a6, "ike Here! and 0reek , each rune sta-e is a s6'o"ic
storehouse o) kno!"ed(e and 'eanin( !hich eco'es a##a.
$/
'a(ical Alphabets
rent !hen it is studied in de#th. Accordin( to this conce#t,
e-er6 indi-idua" rune is an eB#ression o) a ,ua"it6 that is
re-ea"ed to the !or"d o) our eB#erience as the s#eci)ic thin(s
or #rocesses that are characteriDed 6 the rune. But, un"ike
'an6 ancient 'a(ica" disci#"ines, !hose conce#ts !ere )or'u"ated
ri(id"6 in the distant #ast, rune "ore is sti"" de-e"o#in(.
This characteristic 'akes rune "ore a -er6 d6na'ic and creati-e
area. Essentia""6, the 'eanin( o) each o) the runes is )iBed, as
descried in the rune #oe's. But ecause, !ith each ne! da6,
ne! thin(s are 'ade, ne! eB#eriences are (ained, ne!
de-e"o#'ents take #"ace and ne! re"ationshi#s are )or'ed,
these see'in("6 )iBed runic 'eanin(s !i"" take on a )resh
si(ni)icance in re"ation to the ne! circu'stances. 8o ti'e or
#"ace can e-er e identica" to an6 other, and corres#ondin("6
the action o) the runic archet6#es 'ust e !ith re)erence to the
s#eci)ic conditions o#eratin( then and there.
Eue to the s#eci)ic re"ationshi# o) each rune to so'e thin(
or ,ua"it6, 6 usin( co'inations o) runes, e-er6 as#ect o)
eBistence can e descried or in-esti(ated. In their s6'o"ic
use the runes are seen as ana"o(ues o) rea"it6 in !hich each
character descries a set o) e-ents. It is ecause o) the eterna""6
)"uid nature o) eBistence that it is i'#ossi"e )or an6one to
'ake a de)initi-e state'ent aout the 'eanin(s o) the runes.
In the "i(ht o) this )"eBii"it6, the co'#"eB o) conce#ts and
corres#ondences that 'ake u# the essence o) the runes ha-e
een de-e"o#ed 6 'odern rune 'asters into a detai"ed and
#recise s6ste'. This is a #rocess !hich is continuin( toda6.
<n)ortunate"6, this as#ect is shunned 6 'ost acade'ics, !ho
e"ie-e, !ron("6, that runic de-e"o#'ent ceased in the 'edie-a"
#eriod, and conse,uent"6 is a c"osed ook. Er :te#hen
@"o!ers, !ho has !ritten se-era" eBce""ent ooks on traditiona"
and 'odern rune "ore, is a nota"e eBce#tion to this de#"ora"e
tendenc6. A )e! other !riters, in oth the 0er'an and En("ish
"an(ua(es, ha-e 'ade -a"ua"e contriutions and o#ened u#
ne! -istas in rune.research oth on the #h6sica" and s#iritua"
"e-e"s. 3une "ore is a "i-in( s6ste', rec"ai'ed, restored,
reinstated and re)ined into a -ita" od6 o) kno!"ed(e !hich sets
it on a #ar !ith an6 other 'a(ica" s6ste' in use toda6.
Historica""6, there ha-e een a considera"e nu'er o) runic
a"#haets, so'e o) the' c"ose"6 "inked to one another, ut
others considera"6 di))erent. There are a"so so'e runic
&=
The Runes
@i(. ++. 3unestone )ro' Een'ark. The "ines s6'o"iDe the !or"d aBis.tree
Y((drassi". The runes are read )ro' the otto' to the to#, then do!n the ri(hthand
#ane"J, and )ina""6 u# a(ain on the "e)t.
&1
'a(ical Alphabets
characters that !ere ne-er inc"uded in )or'a"iDed rune ro!s.
In addition, in the t!entieth centur6, !ith the resur(ence o)
runes, ha-e co'e se-era" ne! -ariants ased on one or other
o) the ear"ier a"#haets. The o"dest co'#"ete -ersion o) the
rune a"#haet kno!n is ca""ed the E"der @uthark or Co''on
0er'anic @uthark. The ear"iest co'#"ete rune ro! o) this
)uthark is car-ed on a 0othic stone )ro' H6"-er, on the is"and
o) 0ot"and, :!eden. .t dates )ro' the ear"6 )i)th centur6. This
rune ro! has +1 characters. Traditiona""6, these are co""ected
into three (rou#s o) ei(ht, !hich is #ara""e"ed 6 the 0reek
#ractice o) di-idin( the a"#haet into the three 5(doads !hich
re)"ect the three #arts o) the uni-erse . Each (rou# o) ei(ht
runes is kno!n as an aett" a 8orse !ord !hich has a nu'er
o) 'eanin(s to do !ith #"ace, direction and "inea(e . In its 'ost
)unda'enta" 'eanin( it descries the ei(ht directions and is
co(nate !ith the :cots !ord airt" and the Irish !ord aird
('eanin( a direction, 'ore s#eci)ica""6, one.ei(hth o) the
horiDonG. Aird has the additiona" 'eanin( o) 'attention' .
Accordin( to 'odern rune researchers, each o) these three
runic aettir is ru"ed o-er 6 a (od and a (oddess )ro' the
#antheon o) the 8orthern Tradition. The )irst aett, !hich
e(ins !ith the rune @eoh, the "etter =F=, is dedicated to or
ru"ed 6 the deities o) )ecundit6 and increase, @re6 and @re6>a.
The second aett, !hich e(ins !ith the rune Ha(a", the "etter
'H', is connected !ith the !atcher.(od Hei'da"" and the
under!or"d (uardian (oddess Mord(ud. The third aett, !hich
e(ins !ith the rune T6r, the "etter =6=, is sacred to the o"d
north Euro#ean sk6 (od, TI!aD, (T6r or IiuG and his consort,
the (oddess Iisa.
The order o) the E"der @uthark, a"thou(h di))erent )ro' that
o) the 0raeco.3o'an a"#haets, is )iBed. The #recise order in
!hich the runes are arran(ed can e seen as si(ni)icant !hen
one eBa'ines the runic 'eanin(s in detai". Then, the !ho"e
rune ro! can e seen to e a coherent se,uence. To a"ter the
order !ou"d e to disru#t and render the #attern 'eanin("ess,
)or there is a #recise se,uence direct"6 re"ated to the c6c"es o)
ti'e. The on"6 eBce#tion to this )iBed order o) runes is !ith the
)ina" t!o characters, the +*rd and +1th, 5da" and Ea(.
:o'eti'es, Ea( co'es e)ore 5da".
Historica""6, the runes did not re'ain )iBed in nu'er.
A"thou(h their order re'ained a"'ost una"tered, the @risian
&+
The Runes
1 ~ * ~ J 1 * )It
I' ~ t1 1 #= , I' ~ t ~
u h h n n ~~
th ~ Jl .NO o ~ 1
a ~ ~ ~ ~ l M ~
,3 ~ tt ~ ~ 1 ~ r
@ R .<= r ~ o ~
( I P ~~ A
w )S $# ? h 8 E P X #+
n ~ ~ .= ~ fl$ ~
i . . . t * ! r
+ 9@ at ~
e .r ~ < p ~ ~~
B l= Q - ~ ~
s ~ . , t= *~
t t 1 1 t u.'fl
b ~ ~ ~ s =
.1 6 r' I!
M P1 t @ =.=
@i(. +*. 3unic #a ra""e "sA I. The E"der @uth ark and addit ionsA +. 3unes )ro' the
stone at 3ok. :!edenA *. Eanish ''iBed' runesA 1. 'Eotted' runes. c. <?FF$<GFF.
&*
'a(ical Alphabets
#eo#"e, in !hat is no! north.east Ho""and and north.!est
0er'an6, )ound it necessar6 to create )our additiona" runes.
This +&.character runic a"#haet !as )or'u"ated c. 22=.42= CEo
:e-era" @risian runic sta-es are kno!n inc"udin( one, datin(
)ro' C. &== CE, inscried !ith a runic )or'u"a to (i-e its o!ner
#o!er o-er the !a-es o) the sea. The @risian @uthark !as
en"ar(ed in En("and 6 the addition o) a )urther rune. @ina""6,
it !as eB#anded into the runic a"#haet de-e"o#ed in ninthcentur6
8orthu'ria, !hich !as the "on(est, ha-in( **
characters. In the An("o.:aBon rune ro!s, the )ina" aett
contains runes !hich sho! so'e Ce"tic in)"uence. As !e"" as
these characters, there are "ater, additiona", runes, !hich
a"thou(h used, do not )it into these s6ste's.
In En("and, !ith the stron( in)"uence o) the Church, the
3o'an a"#haet eca'e the nor', and the runes !ere no
"on(er used o))icia""6. But, o) course, the6 sur-i-ed in the rura"
tradition. Throu(hout the histor6 o) the runes, there has een
continuous de-e"o#'ent? runic has not een a static a"#haet,
)iBed at a certain ti'e in histor6. A"#haets ha-e de-e"o#ed
accordin( to the needs o) the ti'e and #"ace in !hich the6 ha-e
een used. Historica""6, the runes under!ent their 'ost radica"
de-e"o#'ent in :candina-ia, #arts o) !hich re'ained Pa(an
unti" the t!e")th centur6. There , the6 !ere in e-er6da6 use )or
Ch"#.F. =/ ST A;;OR7$SH&R3 HI~
no Huch.Hiero(lyphical 8haraaers con)u)ed"6 #"actAd,.asthe6 )te.'
at "ir)t )i(ht, ut ha-e a 'ore rationa" order"6 teFture than the
RunIJ u#on the 7anifo Rimt@ioc%.s" .or the S'*&iedi@h or 4orwe(ian
rim@9a!es"where the )iBceen.)i'#"e RJJIl=~ R the three co'#ound
ones in cheiralphabelical order, )rand as !e"" )or the (olden
nBllll'er o) . /, as the ft!cn "ir)r did, )or )o 'an6 9)ominical Lel$
1m% P ;rey ein(#ut )or 11 /r = )or +. Thon )or *. $sl )or 1.
ReidR )or s. 6aun p )or 4. Ha(lK )or $. 4aud ... )or &. &Slfor = L
.Ar A )or 1=. Sun 11 )or II. l@r l= )or 1+. 2iar%.. B )or 1*?
Lau(ur l= #or 11. 'adur =.= )or I s . .Aur dS )or 14. Aurlau(r 1. )or 1$.
Twimadurt. )or 1&. 2el(t-hor ;lS )or 1/. 9hich three "a)t are
co'#ound 8har9aers" and rather S)'l&ables than le9lers d % chan
@i(. +1. EBtract )ro' Er 3oe rt P"o t's ook. The 4all/ral Hi.wory o@ Sla99ord$shire"
14/=, eB#"ainin( the use o) :candina-ian runes as ca"enda r.nu'ers.
&1
The Runes
a"" kinds o) #ur#oses, ran(in( )ro' )ar'ers' and trades#eo#"e's
'arks, the 2umer%er and 'er%eiapper" to church inscri#tions
and 'a(ica" )or'u"ae on ta"is'ans and a'u"ets. The runes a"so
eca'e an inte(ra" #art o) ca"endar.'akin(. :candina-ian
a"#haets )irst shed ei(ht o) the ori(ina" +1, ut "ater, o"d ones
!ere reinstated and ne! ones !ere added. These runes, !hich
re'ained in e-er6da6 #ractica" use unti" the "ate ei(hteenth
centur6, ha-e a di))erent order )ro' the E"der @uthark and its
eBtensions. In the ca"endar, the necessit6 )or 'arkin( the 1/.
6ear so"ar."unar c6c"e #roduced a s#ecia" ca"endar rune ro!.
Three ne! runes, t!o !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) 'B' and one
!ith '6' , !ere added to the custo'ar6 :candina-ian 14.
There are thousands o) sur-i-in( eBa'#"es o) ancient runic
usa(e. 5-er a #eriod )ro' around +2= CE unti" the ei(hteenth
centur6, 'an6 e-er6da6 o>ects eBist earin( runic inscri#tions.
:o'e state the )unction o) the o>ect? others ear the
na'e o) the 'aker or o!ner, !hi"st others ha-e 'a(ica"
inscri#tions. 3une 'a(ic !as -er6 i'#ortant in the northern
'artia" arts o) the )irst 'i""enniu', and there are 'an6
sur-i-in( arti)acts. :in("e runes !ere )ound cut on the sha)ts o)
arro!s )ound in a o( at 86da' in Een'ark, datin( )ro'
around the 6ear 1== CEo .t !as custo'ar6 to (i-e na'es to
ar'our and !ea#ons o) a"" kinds. These na'es had 'a(ica"
'eanin(s, and !ere en(ra-ed in runes. A nu'er sti"" eBist.
The ear"iest eBtant runic !ea#on inscri#tions are on s#ears. A
s#ear earin( the na'e 3auni>ar, 'the Tester', )ro' =-re:tau,
Een'ark, dates )ro' around the 6ear 12= CEo Another
s#ear )ound at Eah'sdor), Brandenur(, 0er'an6, datin(
)ro' a centur6 "ater, ore the re"ated na'e 3ann>a, 'the
Assai"er', and another o) A"e'annic ori(in, disco-ered at
9ur'"in(en, south 0er'an6, datin( )ro' around the 6ear
4== CE, had the runic na'e Eorih, 'eanin( '#o!er)u" in
coura(e' . 5ther kno!n runic s#ear na'es inc"ude 0aois,
e"ie-ed to 'ean 'the arker' or 'the roarer'. In 7ikin( and
8or'an ti'es, the att"e aBe !as the 'ost )or'ida"e o)
!ea#ons, and so these, too, recei-ed na'es to e in"aid in
runes. A'on( those recorded are '@iend o) the :hie"d', 'the
9ound's 9o")' , 'Batt"e.9itch'. '@iend' and '9itch' !ere the
'ost #o#u"ar na'es )or att"eaBes.
More than an6 other !ea#on, the s!ord has a"!a6s had a
'6sti,ue, and in the ear"iest !ritin(s s!ord na'es are in
&2
'a(ical Alphabets
e-idence. The ancient An("o.:aBon #oe', 2eowulf" na'es
oneA
4ot the least or worst of his weaponry
+as the sword Hroth(ar's herald lent him
&n his hour of need . named Hruntin(An
ancient heirloom" trusty and tested1
&ts blade was made of iron" with en(ra!ed desi(n
Tempered in the blood of many battles
4e!er in combat had it failed the hand
That drew it" ris%in( the dan(ers of war"
The enemy's onslau(ht. 4ot the first time then
That its ed(e must be !entured in deeds of !alour.
:!ord na'es eB#ressed the ,ua"it6 o) the !ea#on on oth a
#h6sica" and 'a(ica" "e-e". The 'eanin( o) so'e o) the' is "ost
no!, ein( #art o) the as 6et undeci#hered 'a(ica" cr6#to"o(6
o) runes. Thus, the s!ord o!ned 6 the t!o kin(s na'ed 5))a,
s6'o" o) :aBon and Mercian kin(shi#, !as ca""ed :kre#. The
na'es o) se-era" )a'ed s!ords are recorded in the 8orse sa(as,
'a(nus 2arefoot's Sa(a recounts that Hin( Ma(nus '!as (irded
!ith a s!ord ca""ed ;e((itr P;e(.iterQ. Its (uards !ere o)
!a"rus i-or6, and its hi"t !as sheathed !ith (o"d. It !as one o)
the est !ea#ons'. 6ormac's Sa(a te""s o) the 'isuse o) the
)a'ed s!ord kno!n as :k5)nun(. A #assa(e in J(ils Sa(a"
!hich re#orts the Batt"e o) Brunanur(h, )ou(ht in northern
En("and in the 6ear /*$, te""s o) the runic s!ord na'esA
'Thoro") had a !ide and thick shie"d, a -er6 stron( he"'et on
his head and a s!ord !hich he ca""ed ;an( P;on( 5neQ, a "ar(e
and (ood !ea#on .. . E(i" had the sa'e e,ui#'ent as Thoro"),
he had a s!ord !hich he ca""ed 8adr PAdderQ, !hich he had
otained )ro' Hur"and? it !as an eBce""ent !ea#on ... ' :!ord
na'es recorded in :a(as inc"ude the )o""o!in(, a"" o) !hich are
kennin(s, so'e o) the' runicA 5din's @"a'e, the Ice o) Batt"e,
the @ire o) the :hie"ds, the :ea.Hin('s @ire, the Batt"e.@ire,
Torch o) the B"ood, :er#ent o) the 9ound, :nake o) the
B6rnie, the B6rnie's @ear, Har'er o) 9ar.Hnittin(s, the Eo(
o) the He"'et, Ton(ue o) the :caard. This runic s!ord
tradition continued !e"" into the A(e o) Chi-a"r6. @or eBa'#"e,
a s!ord )ound in a stone co))in at K$r~$+JK"n , near 5s"o, has
no !ritin( on the "ade, ut the u##er )i""et on the (ri#, 'ade
&4
The Runes
o) ronDe, has a runic inscri#tion, !hich 'a6 e as "ate as 1*==,
and the s!ord itse") is #roa"6 thirteenth centur6.
.t !as not on"6 !ea#ons that had runes car-ed u#on the'.
EBca-ations conducted in 1/&= 6 @. 9a""ace at the 8orse site
at @isha'"e :treet in Eu"in re-ea"ed other runic o>ects.
5ne !as a s"i-er o) !ood earin( a rune ro! kno!n as the
Eu"in @uthark , t!o s"i(ht"6 -ariant -ersions o) the :candina-ian
Youn(er @uthark o) 14 characters. Another i'#ortant )ind
!as a deer ant"er !ith the runic inscri#tion 'Hurn Hiartar' .
'the horn o) the Hart', #roa"6 a 'a(ica" in-ocation to the
'ateria" !hich !as 'ade e)ore it !as used. Another inscri#tion
on the ant"er, ';a Ausar' re'ains undeci#hered.
Ees#ite its !ides#read use as a 'eans o) co''unication and
record, runic is est kno!n as a 'a(ica" a"#haet. 5) course,
it is used )or 'a(ica" #ur#oses toda6, ut there are 'an6
ancient eBa'#"es o) rune 'a(ic sti"" eBtant. The6 ran(e )ro'
the 'a(ic )or'u"ae o) Pa(an ti'es, throu(h Christian uses to
the dua" )aith Pa(an.Christian inscri#tions o) so'e 'edie-a"
'a(ic. The runic Canterur6 char' a(ainst in)ection in
!ounds, dated 1=$*, contains the !ords 'Thor ha""o! 6ou'. An
interestin( 'iBture o) re"i(ious traditions . Is"a'ic, Christian
and Pa(an . eBists in the intri(uin( coin disco-ered in an
e"e-enth.centur6 (ra-e on Bornho"' in the Ba"tic. .t !as a
Cu)ic coin )ro' :a'arkand, datin( )ro' et!een the 6ears
/=$.1*, o-er !hose Is"a'ic Araic inscri#tion runic )or'u"ae
had een en(ra-ed. This 'a(ica" runic inscri#tion !as a
Christian )or'u"a in ;atin, )or the eterna" "i)e o) the uried
#erson .
;o-e a'u"ets !ere another !a6 in !hich rune 'a(ic
)"ourished. EBca-ations at the Aee"ho"t 'onaster6 in :>ae""and,
Een'ark, ha-e 6ie"ded "ead "o-e a'u"ets earin( runic
inscri#tions, and an ancient stick )ro' 7ior(, 8orth Jut"and,
car-ed !ith a 'iBture o) crosses and runes has "on( een
kno!n as the 7ior( '"o-e stick' . Centuries "ater, this 'a(ica"
a##"ication sti"" )"ourishes toda6K But one o) the 'ost s#ectacu"ar
sur-i-a"s o) 'edie-a" rune 'a(ic is the 'hea"in( stick' )ro'
3ie in Een'ark. This is a s,uare.section #ine sta-e aout a
)oot "on( !hich is inscried !ith a runic s#e"" a(ainst 'the
Tre'"er' . 'a"aria . Eatin( )ro' around the 6ear 1*==. it
contains the dua" )aith in-ocation A 'Earth I #ra6 (uard . and the
hea-en ao-e. :un and :1. Mar6 and Hi'se") the ;ord 0od .
&$
'a(ical Alphabets
That he (rants 'e hands to 'ake !ho"e and hea"in( ton(ue,
to cure the Tre'"er !hen treat'ent is needed'. The )or'u"a
)irst in-okes the #o!er o) the di-ine . the ;ord 0od and the
Mother 0oddess, as :t. Mar6, the so"ar #o!er o) the hea-ens,
and the Earth. A)ter this co'es an eBorcis', a )or'u"a to
terroriDe and anish the de'on o) sicknessA 'A stone is ca""ed
:!art, it stands out in the sea. 5n it "ie nine 8eeds. The6 sha""
neither s"ee# nor !ake !ar' unti" 6ou are etter o) it' . @ina""6,
the runic )or'u"a ends !ith 'Thoet se' . :o 'ust it eK
Ma(ica" )or'u"ae continued to use runes throu(hout the
'idd"e a(es, es#ecia""6 in :!eden. The to'stone o) Bisho#
0isike at ;osen has an inscri#tion in runes, datin( )ro' 1*1=
or 1*11. ;und cathedra", in :kane #ro-ince, contains a "ater
runic inscri#tion car-ed around 12==. .t !as 'ade 6 Ada'
7an Euren at the ase o) a scu"#tured #i""ar, statin( in ;o!
0er'an '0ot he"#' (0od he"# PusQG. E-en a)ter the o))icia" use
o) runes 6 the :candina-ian Church had eB#ired, runes
con)nued to e used )or corres#ondence. In 121*, the Eanish
ad'ira" Mo(ens 06"denst>erne !rote his #ersona" >ourna" in
runes. Eurin( the Thirt6 Years 9ar (141&.14G, a :!edish
(enera", Jaco de "a 0ardie, used runes as a 'secret' code. In
Ice"and, ho!e-er, the runes !ere out"a!ed in 14*/ as '!itch.
@i(. +2. Consu"tin( the runestocks in siBteenthJcentur6 :candina-ia.
&&
The Runes
cra)t'. @or !nt'( in runes, #eo#"e !ere urnt a"i-e. The
'a(ica" runic )or'u"ae kno!n as Hotru-ers, in-ocations o)
saints and kin(s to he"# the #"a6er !in at chess or ack(a''on,
!ere inc"uded in this #roscri#tion. The "a!s !ere
en)orced !ith se-erit6. @or eBa'#"e, in 14&1, Arni Petursson
!as urnt at the stake in the #resence o) the Ice"andic A"thin(
(#ar"ia'entG )or ha-in( used Hotru-ers. But e"se!here in
:candina-ia runes continued to e used in ca"endars unti" the
"ate #art o) the ei(hteenth centur6.
Toda6 there is a rene!ed interest in the runes !hich has
s#read the' throu(hout the !or"d, and to a "ar(er nu'er o)
#ractitioners than e-er e)or.e. In their 'odern usa(e, the6
o#erate at a dee# s6'o"ic "e-e" . at the "e-e" o) the archet6#a"
under"6in( rea"it6 !hich is acti-e in a"" our "i-es, !hether or
not !e reco(niDe the )act. The E"der @uthark and its de-e"o#'ents,
the An("o.:aBon and 8orthu'rian, descrie a"'ost a""
o) the runes !hose na'es are kno!n. There are a"so a nu'er
o) others !hich !i"" e descried e"o! !hich are no "on(er
#art o) the re#ertoire o) the rune.user. The )o""o!in( detai"s
these 'eanin(sA
The )irst rune o) a"" runic a"#haets is @eoh, the #ri'ar6 rune
o) the )irst aett. As the )irst character, this rune has the
'eanin( o) 'catt"e', !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) '@'. It has the
sa'e 'eanin( as the )irst characters o) the Here! and 0reek
a"#haets, thou(h in runic its #honetic -a"ue is '@'. ;itera""6,
'catt"e' re)ers to 'o-a"e !ea"th. In traditiona" no'adic and
a(rarian societies, the 'ain si(n o) !ea"th o) an indi-idua",
)a'i"6 or c"an, !as the catt"e o!ned. In the ancient Euro#ean
tradition, un"ike the ho'estead. !hich !as inherita"e #ro#ert6
!hich cou"d not e so"d or artered, catt"e re#resent
ne(otia"e !ea"th. :6'o"ica""6, the catt"e rune si(ni)ies !ea"th
that can e traded or eBchan(ed . ne(otia"e #ro#ert6.
Conse,uent"6, in 'odern En("ish, the rune na'e a##ears in
the !ord fee" a #a6'ent.
Traditiona" societ6 re"ied hea-i"6 u#on the co!, )or 'i"k,
'eat, hide and horn. This asic nature o) the co! is
)unda'enta" in Indo.Euro#ean tradition. The 8orse creation
'6th te""s o) the #ri'a" co!, na'ed Audhu'"a, !hose
)or'ati-e )unction !as to "ick the cuic "ock o) cr6sta""ine sa"t
!hich contained the #ro(enitor o) hu'ankind, the #ri'a" ein(
&/
'a(ical Alphabets
Buri. In runic ter's, the rune @eoh re#resents that #ri'a"
co'in( into ein( )ro' !hich !e a"" ori(inate. In the c"assica"
Mediterranean tradition, too, the steer 'arks a startin(.#oint.
To the ancient E(6#tians, the u""'s horns s6'o"iDed the
e(innin(. 7ir(i"'s account o) the irth o) 'an co''encesA
'The !hite u"" !ith his (i"ded horns o#ens the 6ear' , and the
de-otees o) Mithras asserted that the u"" !as the )irst thin( in
or(anic creation .
Materia""6, the rune @eoh re#resents the accu'u"ation o)
#o!er. .t si(ni)ies the ai"it6 to contro". This is a t!o.)o"d
#o!er, #h6sica""6 in ter's o) contro""in( the catt"e herd itse"),
and econo'ica""6 throu(h its eB#"oitation. This s6'o"is' o)
contro" contains !ithin it the res#onsii"ities that o!nershi#
rin(s. 5!nershi# and 'ana(e'ent o) catt"e, indeed an6
'ani)estation o) !ea"th de'ands that the o!ner shou"d sho!
res#onsii"it6 . A##ro#riate ste!ardshi# is ca""ed )or i) the -a"ue
is not to e "ost. To 'ana(e the herd or other !ea"th in a
!aste)u" or (reed6 'anner !i"" soon rin( disaster and #o-ert6.
In the 'odern.da6 conteBt, the rune @eoh si(ni)ies 'one6 and
the ai"it6 and o##ortunit6 to attain !or"d"6 success and
!ea"th, and the inte""i(ence to kee# it. The o"d renderin(s o)
the rune !arn us a(ainst a-arice and the conse,uences to
societ6 o) 'iser"6 conduct. The 8or!e(ian rune #oe' !arns
that !ith stresses the #ro"e's o) !ea"th 'a6 eco'e (reed
and en-6. This can cause di-isions !ithin the )a'i"6, c"an or
nation, resu"tin( in the do!n)a"" o) a""A '9ea"th causes )riction
et!een re"ati-es, !hi"e the !o") "urks in the !oods.' :i'i"ar"6,
under the ruric o) the )irst rune, the 5"d En("ish rune #oe'
te""s us that '9ea"th is a co')ort to e-er6od6, 6et a"" o) us
'ust (i-e it a!a6 )ree"6, i) !e !ant to (ain )a-our in the si(ht
o) the "ord.'
The second rune in a"" s6ste's is <r, #honetica""6 the "etter
'<'. 5ri(ina""6, it re#resented the enor'ous Euro#ean !i"d
steer kno!n as the Aurochs, *2os primi(enus) . Both its En("ish
and ;atin na'e 'eans 'the Pri'a" 5B'. A"thou(h in ancient
ti'es it !as !ides#read in northern and centra" Euro#e, 6 the
'edie-a" #eriod it eca'e an endan(ered s#ecies, and it !as
)ina""6 hunted to eBtinction in Po"and in 14+$. @ro' eBtant
ske"etons, it is #"ain to see that the Aurochs !as a )or'ida"e
ani'a". 'The Aurochs is o"d !ith horns standin( hi(h, a )ierce
/=
The Runes
horned )i(hter !ho sta'#s o-er the 'oor"ands, a strikin(
creatureK', the 5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us. <r s6'o"iDes
the i'#ersona" ra!, ta'e"ess #o!er o) !i"d catt"e. This
contrasts stron("6 !ith the #ersona""6 oriented, socia""6 contro""ed
#o!er o) #ro#ert6 eB#ressed 6 @eoh, the )irst rune. <r
denotes the "i'it"ess #o!er o) the uni-erse, the a!eso'e
e'odi'ent o) un"i'ited creati-e #otentia". <r's irres#onsi"e
'i(ht ensures that it can ne-er e restricted to an indi-idua"
"e-e", under the contro" o) one #erson. 9hen a##"ied to hu'an
endea-ours, <r re)ers to the #o!er o) the co""ecti-e !i"", 'our'
#o!er. <r's 'a(ica" in)"uence rin(s (ood )ortune, co""ecti-e
stren(th and #ersona" success 'easured in ter's o) the
co''on (ood.
The third rune is ca""ed Thorn or ThurisaD, #honetica""6 'th' as
in 'thorn' . This rune denotes the resistant and #rotecti-e
,ua"ities o) the thorn tree. The thorn is a #rotecti-e structure
!hich can o#erati-e #assi-e"6 or as a deterrent a(ainst attack.
.t a"so has the 'eanin( o) a (iant, de'on or tro"", a"" o) !hich
are ein(s ascried !ith the #o!er o) e))ecti-e o))ence and
de)ence. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us that 'The thorn
is -er6 shar#, an e-i" thin( to (ri#, -er6 (ri' )or an6od6 !ho
)a""s a'on( the''. Thorn hed(es are a #ractica" 'eans o)
#re-entin( access to a )ie"d , and custo'ari"6, sacred enc"osures
in northern Euro#e !ere surrounded 6 hed(es o) ha!thorn
and "ackthorn. M6tho"o(ica""6, Thorn si(ni)ies the de)ensi-e
#o!ers o) M>o""nir, the Ha''er o) Thor. M>o""nir 'eans 'the
crusher', and #rotecti-e a'u"ets in the )or' o) this ha''er are
#o#u"ar a'on(st )o""o!ers o) Asatru toda6. The )or' o) the
Thorn rune rese'"es the st6"iDed )or' o) Thor's ha''er.
Here, Thorn is the #o!er that resists e-er6thin( that threatens
the natura" order o) thin(s. @ina""6, Thorn a"so s6'o"iDes the
creati-e ener(6 o) the 'ascu"ine (ender, the !i")u" a##"ication
o) the (enerati-e #rinci#"e.
Thorn is the on"6 rune that sur-i-es in e-er6da6 use . It can
e seen a"" o-er En("and in its "ater )or' as the character 'Y'
in 'o"de !or"de' na'es such as 'Ye 5"de Tea :ho##e' . <nti"
the ei(hteenth centur6, it !as used in En("and a"on( !ith
3o'an a"#haet characters to denote the )irst 'th' o) !ords "ike
'the', 'that', and 'this' .
/1
'a(ical Alphabets
The )ourth rune o) the E"der @uthark is As. a"so kno!n as Asc.
Asa and AnsuD. This is the '(od rune'. si(ni)6in( the di-ine )orce
in action. Phonetica""6 it is 'A' and is the :anskrit '#ri'a" sound'
!hich rou(ht on the 'ani)estation o) this c6c"e o) the uni-erse.
.t is e,ui-a"ent to the 0reek 1V=r=1A ("o(osG,. !ith a"" that i!p1i"L~
As a rune. As is re#resented 6 the ash tree. one o) the 'ost
sacred trees in the 8orthern Tradition. In 8orse '6tho"o(6.
the !or"d tree Y((drassi"". the cos'ic aBis, is an ash. As is the
di-ine #o!er that o-ersees the 'aintenance o) order in the
cos'osA 'The Ash. e"o-ed o) hu'ans. stands hi(h. .t ho"ds
steadi"6 to its #"ace in a )ir' #osition, thou(h 'an6 )oes co'e
)or!ard to )i(ht it'. the 5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us.
The )i)th rune is 3ad, 3aed or 3it. !hich has the #honetic
-a"ue o) '3'. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us that '@or a
hero inside the ha"". ridin( is so)t. ut it is 'ore arduous !hen
he is astride a (reat horse ridin( the roads' "on( 'i"es'. The
rune re#resents a"" )or's o) )or'a"iDed directed acti-it6. The
#oe' re)ers to oth t6#es o) 'ridin('A seBua" intercourse and
horse'anshi#. Its na'e, ho!e-er, a"so indicates the !hee" (the
0er'an rad) and the road u#on !hich the ridin( takes #"ace.
In esoteric ter's. this rune re#resents the '-ehic"e' !hich !e
'ust e'#"o6 in order to achie-e an6thin(. 3ad si(ni)ies the
necessit6 to channe" our ener(ies in an a##ro#riate 'anner i)
!e !ish to achie-e the resu"ts !e desire. The e'#hasis o) 3ad
is thus the necessit6 to e in the ri(ht #"ace at the ri(ht ti'e to
#er)or' the a##ro#riate act. In this !a6, 3ad si(ni)ies the
ritua" nature o) acti-ities. In a ritua". there is a trans)or'ation
o) ener(ies. a trans)erence o) s#irit, 'atter or in)or'ation )ro'
one #"ace to another. But the 'ain e'#hasis is u#on #ersona"
trans)or'ation. 3ad there)ore s6'o"iDes our conscious
atte'#ts at contro""in( the )acts !hich a))ect our !e"".ein(. It
is our #ositi-e, conscious interaction !ith our #osition on the
!hee" o) )ortune, a situation !ith !hich !e 'ust interact
har'onious"6 i) !e are to "i-e success)u""6.
The siBth rune is ca""ed Hen, Cen or HennaD, !hich has the
#honetic -a"ue o) 'H'. Its ear"6 )or' is an an(u"ar -ersion o)
the 3o'an "etter 'C'. ut in its "atter )or' it re#resents the
%ienspan. the chi# o) #ine !ood !hich !as urnt to i""u'inate
houses in )or'er ti'es. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us
/+
The Runes
that 'The torch is "i-in( )ire, ri(ht and shinin(. Most o)ten, it
urns !here no"e #eo#"e are restin( indoors'. The "ater )or'
o) the rune is in the )or' o) the %ienspanha/ter" the stand into
!hich the urnin( #ine chi# !as inserted. These de-ices !ere
used in countr6 districts o) southern 0er'an6 unti" the
nineteenth centur6 . As a rune, Hen there)ore re#resents
i""u'ination. Its )or' is o) a ranch )ro' a strai(ht sta-e,
re#resentin( the acti-e #rinci#"e. .t is the #o"ar o##osite o) the
e"e-enth rune, Is, a sin("e stroke !hich si(ni)ies the static
#rinci#"e. :6'o"ica""6, Hen is the rune o) the '6ster6 o)
trans)or'ation, Hen re#resents that '6stica" creation achie-ed
6 the union and trans'utation o) t!o se#arate entities,
'akin( a third !hich did not eBist e)ore. 9ith the %ienspan"
the resinous #ine !ood is destro6ed, ut is trans)or'ed into
heat and "i(ht. Hen thus rin(s "i(ht in the darkness. 5n a""
"e-e"s, it s6'o"iDes those thin(s that #er'it us to see. Thus
Hen is the rin(er o) the inner "i(ht o) kno!"ed(e. The rune
na'e Hen is co(nate !ith cen" a Ce"tic !ord !hich 'eans
'#o!er)u"'. In :cots and so'e En("ish dia"ects %en 'eans
'kno!"ed(e'. Esoterica""6, it si(ni)ies re(eneration throu(h
death.
The se-enth rune is 06)u or 0eo, !hich has the #honetic -a"ue
o) a hard '0M and the 'eanin( o) a (i)t. :ha#ed "ike the 3o'an
"etter 'FM 06)u's )or' is the 'sacred 'ark', used to denote thin(s
dedicated to the (ods. 9ith re(ard to this rune, The 5"d En("ish
rune #oe' te""s us that 'To #eo#"e, (i-in( is an orna'ent o)
-a"ue, and to e-er6 outsider !ithout an6 other, it is sustance and
honour' . 06)u re)ers to a (i)t and the act o) (i-in(/recei-in(.
:6'o"ica""6, it descries the (i)t o) one's o!n ai"it6 or ta"ent
in the ser-ice o) another. Ai"it6 itse") . ta"ent . is -ie!ed as
a (i)t to the indi-idua" )ro' the (ods. 9hen an6thin( is (i-en,
a re"ationshi# is esta"ished et!een the (i-er and the recei-er.
06)u si(ni)ies the uni)6in( e))ect that a (i)t 'akes et!een the
donor and the reci#ient o) the (i)t. 06)u eB#resses the ,ua"ities
o) "inkin( see'in("6 se#arate #eo#"e in a co''on ond, or
e-en the hu'an !ith the di-ine. In 'odern usa(e, 06)u is the
si(i" used to re#resent a kiss on "o-ers' "etters. Esoterica""6,
06)u is the ,ua"it6 #ersoni)ied in the 8orse (oddess 0e)n or
0e)>on, the ounti)u" (i-er, the e,ui-a"ent o) the (oddess
Aundantia, )or'er"6 !orshi##ed in centra" Euro#e.
/*
'a(ical Alphabets
The ei(hth rune is 96n, 9unnaD or 9un>o, !ith the #honetic
-a"ue o) '9'. This is the "ast rune o) the )irst aett. In the )or'
o) the !ind.-ane, 96n re#resents >o6. .t si(ni)ies the ai"it6 to
re'ain in har'on6 !ith the )"o! o) e-ents, as the !ind.-ane
'o-es !ith the chan(in( reeDes, !inds and (a"es. The 5"d
En("ish rune #oe' eB#resses it thusA 'Jo6 is )or so'eone !ho
kno!s "itt"e o) sadness. 9ithout sorro! the6 !i"" ha-e ri(ht
)ruits and ha##iness and houses enou(h' . 96n thus si(ni)ies the
ha##6 'ediu', that #oint o) a"ance that !e need to seek in
order to "ead a sane and ha##6 eBistence. 96n is "ieration
)ro' the t!in t6rannies o) shorta(e or eBcess. But in this, 96n
re#resents the )u")i"'ent o) our !ishes and desires in a sane
!a6, the trans)or'ation o) "i)e )or the etter. As this can est
e achie-ed in concord !ith others, 96n is the rune o)
)e""o!shi#, shared ai's and (enera" !e"".ein(.
At the e(innin( o) the second aett co'es Ha(a" or Hae(", a
rune !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) 'H'. Ha(a"'s na'e "itera""6
'eans 'hai"', that )roDen !ater !hich )a""s )ro' the sk6 in
(ranu"ar )or'. Hai" is !ater trans)or'ed )or a short !hi"e into
ice, durin( !hich ti'e it can )a"" )ro' the sk6 and destro6 cro#s
or #ro#ert6. 9hen it has done its da'a(e, it 'e"ts, chan(in(
ack into har'"ess, e-en ene)icia", "i,uid. :6'o"ica""6,
Ha(a" is the ic6 #ri'a" seed o) structure and trans)or'ation,
#atterned in accordance !ith the #ri'a" sacred (eo'etr6
!hose )or's under"6 the uni-erse. In this 'anner, Ha(a"
si(ni)ies the #rocesses !hich are necessar6 )or an6thin( to e
acco'#"ished, and ecause o) this it is so'eti'es inter#reted
as indicatin( or rin(in( a de"a6. 5-ious"6, Ha(a"'s e"e'ent
is ice, the )i)th e"e'ent in the 8orthern Tradition.
Ha(a" is a "ink et!een the u##er !or"d and Midd"e Earth,
u#on !hich !e "i-e. .t is the rune o) the nu'er nine, the 'ost
sacred nu'er o) the 8orthern Tradition, and, as such, is the
Mother 3une. Ha(a" is associated !ith the (uardian deities o)
the #assa(es !hich "ink the !or"d o) hu'an consciousness !ith
other #"anets. These di-inities are Hei'da"", the !atcher (od
!ho "inks Midd"e Earth on !hich !e "i-e !ith the u##er !or"d
6 !a6 o) the 3aino! Brid(e, Bi)rast? and Mord(ud, the
(oddess !ho (uards the rid(e to the under!or"d . Ice cr6sta"s
in the sk6 so'eti'es cause raino!.hued ha"oes, such as those
seen around the 'oon on ic6 ni(hts. :i'i"ar"6, the chi""in(
/1
The Runes
rid(e to the co"d under!or"d is ic6 in nature. The rune is a"so
associated !ith <rd, the e"der 8orn, 'that !hich !as'. It is the
rune o) :a'hain, the 'odern Ha"o!e'en.
The ninth rune re#resents those #atterns o) ein( !hich, a"thou(h
ori(inatin( in the #ast, sti"" re'ain acti-e and a))ect the #resent
state o) thin(s. .t si(ni)ies #o!er)u" i) sut"e in)"uences,
accordin("6 re#resentin( the #o!er o) e-o"ution !ithin the
)ra'e!ork o) #resent eBistence. Ha(a" is the rune at the root
o) thin(s, oth on a #h6sica", 'ateria", "e-e", and in ti'e. .t is
one o) the 'a>or runes o) 96rdA those #atterns o) e-ents in
our #ast "i)e !hich 'ake the #resent !hat it is toda6.
3une readers o)ten ascrie a ad si(ni)icance to Ha(a",
-ie!in( its #resence in a shoat as a disru#tion in "i)e. The ad
as#ects o) the rune 'a6 occur as the resu"t o) #h6sica" accidents
or, 'ore di))use"6, as (enera""6 un)oreseen 'ad hick' . But
!hate-er the6 are, the e-ents indicated 6 the rune 'a6 co'e
sudden"6 and uneB#ected"6. In addition, the6 cannot e
a-oided, )or these e-ents are outside hu'an contro" or
inter-ention. Ho!e-er, the6 are not rando', )or the6 #roceed
accordin( to a"read6 esta"ished ru"es, such as in a court o) "a!.
:o the outco'e o) the e-ent !i"" e i'#ersona" and ineBora"e,
not su>ect to hu'an e'otions or #re)erences. In this as#ect,
Ha(a" si(ni)ies the action o) a 'echanica" #rocess rather than
the resu"ts o) hu'an creati-it6.
Ha(a" is the rune o) the #ersona" unconscious 'ind and o)
the )or'ati-e #rocess o) thou(ht. More s#eci)ica""6, it is a
disru#ti-e a(enc6 !orkin( in the unconscious, causin( a 'uch
needed chan(e. Ha(a" te""s us that these #ro"e's 'ust e
dea"t !ith no! i) !e are to #ro(ress. But, once reco(niDed, this
a!areness is #o!er)u". Ha(a" sho!s us that the est !a6 o)
"i-in( is to co'e into har'on6 !ith nature . !ith the natura"
c6c"es o) the seasons, !ith our o!n true nature. 9hate-er
ha##ens to us, the !a6 !e dea" !ith it is !ithin our o!n )ree
!i"". .# !e )o""o! the traditiona" teachin( !hich te""s us that the
'ost i'#ortant kno!"ed(e that !e can ac,uire is kno!"ed(e o)
ourse"-es, then !e can e(in to "i-e creati-e"6 !ithin our o!n
96rd.
The tenth rune is 86d or 8ot, #honetica""6 the sound '8'. This
rune 'eans 'need' . This is need in a"" o) its )or's. .t can re)er
/2
'a(ical Alphabets
to the usua" #erce#tion o) need, the kind o) need that is
occasioned 6 the scarcit6 or asence o) so'e re,uire'ent.
The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' descries this -ariet6 o) needA
'8eed is a ti(ht and across the chest, ut o)ten it can e
trans)or'ed into a he"#.rin(er, i) attended to ear"6 enou(h'.
It eB#resses the 'aBi' that the ai"it6 to e re"eased )ro' need
eBists and can e )ound !ithin the need itse").
86d ca""s )or caution in action, and the o"d ada(e 'kno!
th6se") is #articu"ar"6 a##"ica"e to this rune. This can e seen
as not stri-in( a(ainst our 96rd, ut usin( it constructi-e"6. In
8orse "e(end, 8ott !as the (oddess o) ni(ht. :he had had three
husands. B6 the )irst, 8a(")ari, she ore a son, Aud? 6 the
second, Annar, a dau(hter, Jord, the Earth (oddess? and 6
her third, Ee""in(er, a son, Ea( (da6G. Thus the rune 86d
(8ottG is the 'other o) the +1th rune, Ea(. The sha#e o) the
rune is taken )ro' the )ire.o! and "ock !hich !as used
custo'ari"6 to i(nite the need)ire. In this !a6, the o>ect is the
'other o) )ire"i(ht.
The 11th rune is Is or Isa, #honetica""6 the "etter T. Its
'eanin( is ice, re)errin( to the #rinci#"e o) static eBistence.
Ice is the resu"t o) a chan(e in state )ro' "i,uid to so"id, a)ter
a "oss o) ener(6. @"uid !ater eco'es resistant ice. As the
#rinci#"e o) inertia and antro#6, it is the #o"ar o##osite o) the
rune Hen. But, accordin( to the esoteric tradition o) the 8orth,
in con)"ict !ith )ire, ice rin(s )orth 'atter. But !ithin ice there
is the #otentia" o) 'e"tin(, and a(ain eco'in( )"uid. .t can
a"so 'o-e, as in a ("acier, eBertin( a #ain)u""6 s"o! ut,
ne-erthe"ess, irresisti"e, )orce. As an iceer(, Is is dece#ti-e,
)or on"6 one ninth o) the true 'ass is -isi"e ao-e the sur)ace.
The rune Is thus si(ni)ies cessation o) #ro(ress or the
ter'ination o) a re"ationshi#, accordin( to #o!er)u", ineBora"e
)orces. It is so'eti'es associated !ith death. The 5"d
En("ish rune #oe' te""s us thatA 'Ice is -er6 co"d and s"i##er6.
It s#ark"es "ike ("ass, >e!e"."ike. A )ie"d co-ered in )rost is
eauti)u" to see'.
The t!e")th rune is ca""ed Jera, 0er, Jara or Jer. Phonetica""6,
it is =1=, or so)t '0'. This rune has the esoteric 'eanin( o) '6ear'
or 'season'. .t re)ers to the c6c"es o) ti'e, the #rocesses !ithin
ti'e and their cu"'ination #oints. More s#eci)ica""6, Jara
/4
The Runes
s6'o"iDes the )ruit)u" resu"ts o) doin( thin(s in the correct
order and at the )ittin( ti'e. This is the a##ro#riate co'#"etion
o) an6 #rocess. More s#eci)ica""6, Jara si(ni)ies the ounti)u"
har-est that 'a6 e re#ated throu(h the a##"ication o) care)u"
husandr6. It de'onstrates that !hen hu'an acti-ities are
conducted accordin( to the correct #rinci#"es, that is !hen the6
are done in har'on6 !ith the natura" order, then the resu"t !i""
e ene)icia". The resu"t !i"" e 'a ri(ht aundance )or oth
rich and #oor'. Jera is the rune o) co'#"etion, 'arkin( the end
o) one c6c"e and the co''ence'ent o) a ne! one. This is
a##ro#riate )or the 1+th character o) the runic ro!,re#resentin(
the 1+ 'onths o) the co'#"ete 6ear. In oth its o"der and
6oun(er )or's, this rune 'irrors the '6stic 'arria(e et!een
earth and the cos'os, or the c6c"e o) the seasons.
The 1*th rune is kno!n as Eih!aD or Eoh. This re#resents the
6e! tree, and has the #honetic e,ui-a"ent o) 'E5', or 'I' . In
The 5"d En("ish rune #oe', it is descried as )o""o!sA '5n the
outside, the Ye! is a rou(h tree , stron( and )ast in the Earth,
(uardian a(ainst )ire, a >o6 to the ho'e' . A"" o-er Euro#e,
)ro' ancient ti'es the 6e! tree has een re-ered. It is the
"on(est."i-ed o) Euro#ean trees, and as such si(ni)ies "on(e-it6.
A #heno'enon o) so'e ancient 6e!s is that the6 'a6
re(enerate. 5"d trees !hich ha-e a"'ost died .and !hich ha-e
rotted a!a6 #artia""6, can e re(enerated 6 their o!n
dau(hter trees (ro!in( inside the'. Ma(ica""6, the 6e! is
re-ered as ein( a '"eedin(' tree, )or trees 'a6 e )ound in
!hich red resin ooDes incessant"6 )ro' a !ound "ike "ood.
These characteristics, reco(niDed in ancient ti'es, set the 6e!
aside as a tree o) death and reirth . hence its use in the
church6ard as a s6'o". Traditiona""6, the 6e! has the dua"
)unction o) #rotectin( the dead and o) (i-in( access to the
other!or"d. This access to other states has een acco'#"ished
6 'eans o)traditiona" sha'anic #ractices. Ye! #roducts, such
as incense 'ade )ro' the resin, "ea-es or ark, !hich are
eBtre'e"6 dan(erous, and cou"d #ro-e "etha", are #art o) these
rites. These ha-e 'ade Eoh the rune o) death. Because o) this,
Eoh is the 1*th character o) the runic a"#haet. But as a rune,
its #o!er is (enera""6 considered in a #ositi-e !a6, a))ir'ati-e
o) continuit6 and endurance.
The 'ost si(ni)icant traditiona" use o) 6e! !ood !as )or the
/$
'a(ical Alphabets
"on(o!. .t rin(s in another death as#ect to this rune, as a
'eans o) death in huntin( and in !ar)are. Be)ore )irear's !ere
in-ented, an6one !ho carried a "on(o! threatened #ossi"e
assai"ants, 'akin( 6e! a 'a(ica""6 #rotecti-e !ood. A"so,
'an6 ancient !ooden sta-es carr6in( runes !ere 'ade o) 6e!.
A nu'er o) ancient 6e! sta-es sur-i-ed )ro' siBth. and
se-enth.centur6 @risia. The est kno!n are the Britsu' sta-e
o) the siBth centur6, and the 6e! !and )ro' 9estere'den,
datin( )ro' c. &==.
The 11th rune is kno!n as Peorth, Peord or Perthro. This
rune's 'eanin( is #erha#s the 'ost contentious o) a"". Man6
runic !riters re)er to it as a 'dice cu#' , the 'shaker' in !hich
dice are tu'"ed e)ore ein( ro""ed on the (a'eoard.
5ccasiona""6, it is seen as a 'echaniDed re)ine'ent o) the dice
cu#, a 'echanis' )or castin( "ots. Another, re"ated, inter#retation
is o) Peorth the #a!n or (a'e#iece, !hose #"a6 u#on the
(a'eoard, "ike the dice, can e seen as a 'eta#hor )or the
-a(aries o) hu'an eBistence . 9hen Peorth is seen as a
(a'e#iece, then it is re)"ectin( the d6na'ic re"ationshi#
et!een the action o) conscious )ree !i"" and the constraints o)
eBistin( circu'stances. In an6 oard (a'e. the #ossi"e
'o-e'ents o) the #ieces are de)ined 6 the ru"es o) the (a'e.
Be6ond these inherent "i'itations, ho!e-er, the actua" 'o-e'ents
in an6 (i-en (a'e are not )iBed. The6 are the resu"t o)
the conscious ski"" o) the #"a6ers and their interaction durin(
the (a'e This is a (ood descri#tion o) ho! !e "ead our "i-es,
!here !e ha-e )ree !i"" !ithin our o!n 96rd. These 'ost
co''on inter#retations o) Peorth do not ta""6 !e"" !ith that
(i-en in the 5"d En("ish rune #oe'. This teBt descries PeorthA
';i-e"6 'usic rin(s "au(hter and #"a6 !here ra-e #eo#"e sit
to(ether in ha"", eer.s!i""in( so"diers to(ether.' Here. Peorth
is seen as "i-e"6 'usic. #erha#s a dance, !hich ears so'e
re"ationshi# to the (a'e#iece 'o-in( across the oard. @ina""6.
@re6a As!6nn's intuiti-e ana"6sis o) the runes. Lea!es of
,((drasil" te""s us that this rune can re)er to the !o' o) the
0reat 0oddess, the A"" Mother. Here, Peorth re#resents that
!hich rin(s into eBistence, as a )erti"e !o' rin(s a chi"d
into the !or"d. .t 'ani)ests that !hich )or'er"6 !as concea"ed.
Throu(h a"" o) the se-era" inter#retations o) this rune, Peorth
re#resents the #otenc6 o) )ate or destin6 )unctionin( in the
/&
The Runes
'ateria" !or"d, rin(in( )orth the hitherto.concea"ed #atterns
into eBistence.
The 12th rune is E"haD or Ei!aD, !ith the #honetic e,ui-a"ent
o) 'F' or 'I'. In its )or', it rese'"es the E"k, the de)ensi-e
'!ardin( si(n' o) the s#"a6ed hand, and the !ater #"ant kno!n
as the 'e"on(ated sed(e'. This #"ant is hard6 and resistant.
Accordin( to the 5"d En("ish rune #oe'A 'E"k.:ed(e (ro!s
'ain"6 in the )en"ands. @"ourishin( in the !ater, it (ri'"6
!ounds, runnin( !ith the "ood o) an6one !ho tries to (ras#
it'. EB#ressed as either the e"k or the sed(e, this rune denotes
#rotection. It is considered the 'ost #o!er)u" rune o) #rotection
a(ainst those in)"uences or )orces !hich !e )ind in con)"ict
!ith ourse"-es. Esoterica""6, E"haD denotes the hu'an as#iration
to!ards di-ine ,ua"ities.
The 14th rune (oes 6 the na'es o) :i(e", :i( or :o!i"o, !hose
#honetic -a"ue is':'. As the 'sun' rune, it re#resents the #o!er
o) the ho"6 so"ar disc, eB#ressin( -ita" ,ua"ities o) da6"i(ht.
:i(e" denotes the o-er!he"'in( ri""iance o) the "i(ht o) the
sun. :6'o"ica""6, this re#resents c"ear -ision and the read6
attain'ent o) one's ai's, 'ani)ested on either the #h6sica" or
s#iritia" #"anes. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' eB#"ains itA '9hen
the6 na-i(ate across the )ishes' ath, to sai"ors the :un a"!a6s
'eans ho#e, unti" the horse o) the sea rin(s the' to harour'.
In s6'o"ic ter's, the rune :i(i" re#resents the conscious
'a(ica" !i"" actin( in a ene)icia" 'anner throu(hout the
!or"d. It denotes a certain se")"ess s#iritua" ,ua"it6 !hich has
the stren(th to resist the #o!er)u" )orces o) death and
disinte(ration. This rune ce"erates triu'#hant"6 the ascendanc6
o) "i(ht o-er darkness, in-okin( the #o!er o) the sun )or
(uidance and hea"in(. It is thus the rune o) -ictor6.
The 1$th rune is ca""ed T6r, a)ter the centra" and northern
Euro#ean sk6 (od, a"so kno!n as Iiu, and TI!aD !ho is
considered to e the counter#art o) the 3o'an Mars. Its
#honetic -a"ue is =6=3 T6r is the )irst rune in the aett o) the sa'e
na'e, ru"ed 6 the 0od o) Justice. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe'
descries this runeA 'T6r is a s#ecia" si(n in !hich no"es ha-e
)aith. It is a"!a6s on its !a6 and ne-er )ai"s in the darkness o)
the ni(ht'. T6r re#resnts the ,ua"it6 o) stead6, re"ia"e, #ositi-e
//
'a(ical Alphabets
re(u"ation. As !ith the "e(end o) T6r, !ho (a-e u# his ri(ht
hand in order to ind the @enris.9o"), this rune acce#ts that in
order to ru"e >ust"6, one 'ust acce#t se").sacri)ice. .t denotes
the unit6 et!een the success)u" acco'#"ish'ent o) so'ethin(,
and the sacri)ice !hich 'ust e 'ade in order to succeed. In
its sha#e, '"ike an arro!', it si(ni)ies that to ha-e the (reatest
e))ect, !e 'ust tar(et ur ener(ies in the correct #"ace.
The 1&th rune is kno!n as Beorc, Birkana or Bar, !hose
#honetic e,ui-a"ent is 'B'. The 'eanin( o) this character is the
irch tree. This tree is the s6'o" o) #uri)ication and
re(eneration. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us thatA 'The
Birch ears no )ruit, 6et it (ro!s !ithout seedin(, has shinin(
ranches hi(h in its decorated he"'et, "aden !ith "ea-es,
scra#in( the sk6'. Here, it is a s6'o" o) re(eneration, the
do'ain o) the (reat Earth Mother (oddess 8erthus. This
as#ect is e'#hasiDed 6 the rune's sha#e, !hich rese'"es the
reasts o) the (oddess. Beorc is connected direct"6 !ith the
#ri'ar6 o(ha' character, Beth, the tree that s6'o"iDes the
s#rin(ti'e re(eneration o) the sun's -i(our. In oth the runic,
o(ha' and 0ae"ic traditions, the irch is the tree o) #uri)ication,
!hose t!i(s are used 6 !itches to )or' the rush #art
o) their roo'sticks. The irch is a"so the traditiona" tree cut
to 'ake 'a6#o"es. Bein( the 1&th rune, B"$r9~L nu'er is
dou"e the sacred nine o) Ha(a". This denotes ne! e(innin(s.
The 1/th rune is Eh!aD or Eh, !ith a #honetic -a"ue o) 'E'.
This rune has the "itera" 'eanin( o) a horse. 'The horse is the
#eers' >o6, ste##in( out !ith #ride !hen discussed a"" arouhd
6 !ea"th6 riders, and to the rest"ess, a"!a6s co')ortin(', sa6s
the 5"d En("ish rune #oe'. In its sha#e and its #oetic 'eanin(,
Eh!aD is a rune o) co'ination. .t is usua""6 associated !ith
t!ins, rother. or sisterhood and the intuiti-e ond et!een a
horse and its rider. The under"6in( ,ua"it6 o) Eh!aD is thus o)
trust and "o6a"t6. Eh!aD re#resents the 'otion that !e re,uire
to undertake an6 task, 'ore s#eci)ica""6 re)errin( to the 'task
o) "i)e' to !hich our destin6 has rou(ht us.
The +=th rune is Man or MannaD, !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) 'M'.
Man is seen as the hu'an ein(, not >ust the 'a"e (ender. It
re#resents the asic rea"it6 o) our hu'an nature, that ,ua"it6
1==
The Runes
!hich is #resent in e-er6 hu'an #erson. !hether the6 are 'a"e
or )e'a"e. Man si(ni)ies the shared asic eB#erience o) e-er6
#erson !ho is conscious o) their ein(. The 5"d En("ish rune
#oe' states this rea"it6A 'In ha##iness. a 'an is e"o-ed o) his
re"ati-es. 6et each 'ust de#art )ro' the other. ecause the (ods
!i"" co''it their )"esh to the earth'. In its sha#e. the 'an rune
re)"ects the archet6#a" hu'an ein( as that ancient conce#t o)
'an the 'icrocos'. The hu'an ein( in her or his s'a"" !a6,
is seen as the re)"ection o) societ6. the !or"d, and the cos'os.
The rune eB#resses the )u"" ran(e o) hu'an eB#erience, !ithout
!hich the tota" #otentia" o) our "i-es is not rea"iDa"e.
The +1st rune is ;a(u, !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) ';'. .t si(ni)ies
!ater in a"" o) its 'an6 as#ects. and the -e(eta"e kno!n as
the "eek. Pre.e'inent"6 the rune o) )"uidit6, ;a(u re#resents
the e-er.chan(in( nature o) eBistence. ;a(u re#resents the
stu#endous !aBin( #o!er o) (ro!th. The "eek is kno!n )or its
enor'ous #o!er !hen #ushin( its !a6 throu(h the soi", and
the rune eB#resses this as#ect o) irresistii"it6. This irresisti"e
#o!er o) (ro!th is a )unda'enta" charcteristic o) 'atter. The
5"d En("ish rune #oe' te""s us thatA 'To "and"uers, !ater
see's trou"eso'e i) the6 #ut to sea on a tossin( shi#, the
!a-es terri)6 the', and the horse o) the sea re)uses its rid"e.'
This re#resents the dan(erous as#ect o) )"o!, the #o!er o) the
sea. As !ater, ;a(u is the 'ediu' 6 !hich #assa(e 'a6 e
(ained, ut not !ithout risk. But, as !ith a"" thin(s, there are
t!o as#ects to ;a(u. A"thou(h hu'an "i)e cannot e sustained
!ithout !ater. 6et !e cannot "i-e in !ater )or 'ore than a short
#eriod. This a"ance, the "a! o) the unit6 o) o##osites, is
'ani)ested in the !a6 that (ro!th #roceeds in c6c"es. This is
e-ident in the (ro!th rin(s o) seashe""s and tree.rin(s,
'ani)ested in ;a(u as the e and )"o! o) the tide.
The ++nd rune, re#resentin( the (od "n(, is In( or In(!aD. Its
#honetic e,ui-a"ent is '8('. In the 8orthern Tradition, the (od
In( is the 'a"e consort o) the (oddess o) )erti"it6 and nurture,
8erthus. In( is the (od o) 'a"e )erti"it6 !ho (uards the hearth)ire,
the in("enook, and conse,uent"6 this rune has "on( een
used )or the #rotection o) househo"ds. 5n a 'ore (enera" "e-e",
In( is a s6'o" o) "i(ht. .t is the )ire eacon that trans'its a
'essa(e )ar and !ide. In(-i is a 6.na'e o) the 8orse )erti"it6
1=1
'a(ical Alphabets
(od @re6, c"ear"6 identica" !ith the (od In(. In Pa(an ti'es,
on certain ho"6 da6s, the i'a(e o) Yn(-i !as trans#orted
around his sacred enc"osures in a consecrated !a(on. This is
recorded in the 5"d En("ish rune #oe'A '5ri(ina""6, the eastern
Eanes sa! "n(, de#artin( across the sea !ith his !a(on. :o the
Heardin(s ca""ed this cha'#ion.' 5n a (enera" "e-e", the rune
In( re#resents #otentia" ener(6. The )or' o) the rune de'onstrates
its ca#ai"it6 o) "i'it"ess eBtension. As an as#ect o) the
ith6#ha""ic (od, @re6, it si(ni)ies the 'a"e or(as'ic )orce and
its conse,uences. It is an ener(6 !hich 'ust ui"d u# (radua""6
)or a #eriod o) accu'u"ation e)ore ein( e"eased as a sin("e
urst o) enor'ous #o!er.
The +*rd rune is ca""ed 5da", 5di" Ethi" or Ethe", !ith the
#honetic -a"ue o) '='. ;itera""6, 5da" 'eans ancestra" "and,
'ore s#eci)ica""6 the #ro#ert6 o) the )a'i"6 . the ho'estead.
In the @risian "an(ua(e, this rune is ca""ed 'Ee6en.eerde'A 'o!n
earth' or 'o!n "and'. The 5"d En("ish rune #oe' ca""s it
'horne', and te""s usA 'A"" hu'an ein(s "o-e horne, i) the6 can
#ros#er in #eace there and en>o6 )re,uent har-ests'. 5da"
re#resents the ,ua"ities o) e"on(in(, to(etherness, ancestra"
herita(e and the inde)ina"e 6et rea" )a'i"6 ,ua"ities that are
handed on )ro' (eneration to (eneration. 5n a "ess #ersona"
"e-e", this rune si(ni)ies the innate ,ua"ities o) an6thin(, its
'ateria" and s#iritua" herita(e. .t is a s6'o" o) resistance
a(ainst the intrusion o) the aritrar6 ru"e o) hu'an (o-ern'entsA
it si(ni)ies inte(rit6, !ise husandr6 o) resources and
the "iert6 o) the indi-idua" and c"an !ithin the )ra'e!ork o)
natura" "a!.
The +1th, and )ina", rune o) the E"der @uthark is Ea( or Ea(aD.
This has the #honetic e,ui-a"ent o) 'E'. ;itera""6, Ea( 'eans
'da6'. 'Ea6 is the 'essen(er o) 0od, the "i(ht rin(s conso"ation
and ha##iness to rich and #oor a"ike'. Ea( is the rune o)
the ri(ht "i(ht o) da6, es#ecia""6 at its Denith . Thus it is the
rune o) 'idda6 and 'idsu''er. 5-era"", Ea( is a ene)icia"
rune, o) "i(ht, hea"th and #ros#erit6. In the s#iritua" rea"', it
re#resents cos'ic consciousness, the di-ine "i(ht as the source
o) stren(th and >o6. As the rune o) 'idda6 and 'idsu''er,
the hi(h #oints o) da6 and 6ear, Ea( denotes the end o) one
c6c"e, and the e(innin( o) the neBt. In its sha#e, the rune Ea(
1=+
The Runes
s6'o"iDes the a"ance et!een #o"arities, es#ecia""6 those o)
"i(ht and darkness. Ea( has a 0ae"ic counter#art, 'Eoir' the
oak tree, and 5(ha' character 'Euir'. In 5(ha' tree
ca"endar, as in the runic 6ear circ"e, it si(ni)ies the #eriod
around 'idsu''er. This is the 'door' that "ies at the 'eetin(#oint
o) the ha") o) the 6ear !hen the "i(ht is risin(, and the
ha") in !hich it is dec"inin(. This 'door' as#ect is a"so the runic
counter#art o) the Here! "etter Ea"eth.
The )irst rune o) the )ourth aett is Ac. It has the #honetic
e,ui-a"ent o) the short ' A'. :o'eti'es, this aett is ca""ed 'the
aett o) the 0ods', sacred to the 8orse (rou# o) (ods kno!n as
the Aesir. Ee-e"o#ed in Britain, this (rou# o) runes has a
nu'er o) tree connections, !hich 'a6 e taken as indicatin(
Ce"tic in)"uence. ;itera""6, this rune 'eans the oak tree, !hich
is sacred throu(hout Euro#e to the Thunder 0od, !hate-er
na'e he 'a6 (o 6A Ieus, Eis#ater, Ju#iter, Thor, Taranis,
Ea(da, Perun or Perkunas. Esoterica""6, this rune re#resents
the acorn, s6'o" o) (reat #otentia"A ''i(ht6 oaks )ro' "itt"e
acorns (ro!'. This oak.)ruit is a natura" re#resentation o) the
cos'ic e(( !hich enca#su"ates the #ri'a" #otentia" o) co'in(into.
ein( and (ro!th. Because o) this, the rune Ac si(ni)ies
the #otentia" o) #o!er)u" (ro!th and continued, un)ai"in(,
su##ort.
5s 'ust e dea"t !ith as the neBt rune , a"thou(h it ne-er
a##ears in this #osition. It does not eBist in the +1.rune E"der
@uthark, ut a##ears in the "on(er rune ro!s o) +/ and **
characters. In these a"#haets, it occu#ies the #"ace o) the
)ourth rune. .t then eco'es the +4th rune. Phonetica""6, 5s
is the sound '='. The 'eanin(s o) As and 5s are c"ose to one
another. 5s 'eans 's#eech' or ''outh', and is s#eci)ica""6 the
rune o) ins#iration, connected !ith 5din as (od o) e"o,uence.
The sound o) 5s is taken to e the #ri'a" -iration o)
eBistence, the "o(os ./OrO~) o) the 0reek tradition . This rune
there)ore re#resents the creati-e #o!er o) !ords and thus
!isdo' itse"). 5n another "e-e", it s6'o"iDes the conce#t o)
in)or'ation. .t is throu(h in)or'ation that a"" o) the structures
and #rocesses o) "i)e take their ein(. In hu'an ter's, it
si(ni)ies cu"ture, that cor#us o) identit6.de)inin( in)or'ation
that is eB#ressed in #oetr6, son(, sa(a and "iterature.
1=*
'a(ical Alphabets
The +$th rune is ca""ed Yr. This has the #honetic -a"ue o) 'Y',
and the 'eanin( o) a o! )ro' !hich arro!s are shot. In
northern Euro#e, the est o!s !ere )ashioned )ro' the !ood
o) the )ate)u" 6e! tree. In addition to its use as a !ea#on )or
huntin( or !ar)are, the o! can e used as an instru'ent o)
di-ination. As !e"" as or instead o) usin( the )a'ous 'Y'.sha#ed
HaDe" ranches, traditiona" rhado' ants !ere kno!n to use a
tensioned o! o) 6e! as a do!sin( rod in their search )or
under(round !ater. In its )or' o) the o!, Yr re#resents the
creati-e cra)ts. .t is throu(h the action o) the kno!"ed(ea"e
ski""s u#on 'ateria"s taken )ro' the #h6sica" !or"d that hu'an
arte)acts co'e into ein(. In this !a6, the rune Yr si(ni)ies
de)ence, the indi-idua"'s #rotection at the e0pense of others"
and correct "ocation . ein( in the ri(ht #"ace at the ri(ht ti'e,
and s#ot on tar(etK
The +&th rune is "or, !hich, in its sha#e, is si'i"ar to the Ha(a"
o) the Youn(er @uthark. .t has the #honetic -a"ue o) '1='. "or
'eans 'a sea ani'a"'. 9hi"st so'e co''entators "ink this !ith
the ea-er, an ani'a" no! eBtinct in Britain, a 'ore a##ro#riate
ascri#tion is the '6tho"o(ica" east kno!n as the :ea
:er#ent. This east a##ears in 8orse '6tho"o(6 as the
Mid(ardsor', the 9or"d :er#ent !hose na'e is Jor'un(and.
;ike the dua" nature o) a'#hiious ani'a"s . earth"6 and
!ater6 . "or s6'o"iDes that dua" nature !hich eBists !ithin
'an6 thin(s. In the '6th o) Jor'un(and, the !or"d ser#ent is
de#icted natura""6 as a 'ost dan(erous ani'a". A"thou(h,
#eriodica""6, its 'o-e'ents threaten to destai"iDe the !or"d,
ne-erthe"ess it is an essentia" #art o) it. .# it !ere re'o-ed, then
that !ou"d "ead to a #er'anent chan(e. This !ou"d e 'ore
disastrous to hu'an "i)e on Earth than !ou"d e its continued
#re"'ence. The Mid(ardsor' and its rune "or thus s6'o"iDe
those #ro"e's and hardshi#s !ith !hich !e 'ust a"" co'e to
ter's i) !e are to continue to "i-e a to"era"e "i)e. The
occasiona" #aroB6s's o) nature s6'o"iDed 6 the or' are
inte(ra" #arts o) the hu'an natura" order. 8orse "e(end
eB#"ain this in the '6th o) Thor. @ishin( !ith an oB.head that
re#resents <r, the rune o) stren(th, Thor catches the Mid(ardsor'.
But the 'ora" o) this stor6 is )ar )ro' de'onstratin( the
c"e-erness o) the Thunderer. .t is sho!n as a )oo"hard6 atte'#t
to o-erride the a"ance o) 8ature, so'ethin( that e-en a (od
1=1
The Runes
cannot do !ithout dire conse,uences. @ortunate"6, e)ore Thor
can #u"" the or' )ro' the ocean ed, H6'ir, Thor's (iant
co'#anion, se-ers the "ine, and Jor'un(and sinks ack into
the a6ssa" de#ths o) the ocean. 9hi"st dan(erous, the )orces
re#resented 6 "or are reco(niDed as ein( essentia" co'#onents
o) "i)e. The res#onse o) 'odern societ6 to these
dan(erous )orces resu"ts in an atte'#t to eBtir#ate the'
co'#"ete"6. But in the 8orthern Tradition, there is a )unda'enta"
reco(nition o) the "a! o) the unit6 o) o##osites. ;ike
the Thor '6th, the conce#t under"6in( "or sho!s us that i) !e
atte'#t to eradicate one o) the #o"ar co'#"e'entar6 #arts o)
so'ethin(, it 'ust e doo'ed to )ai"ure. The eB#erience o)
'odern 'edicine de'onstrates the #rinci#"e that !hen one
disease has een e"i'inated, then another has e-o"-ed to )i""
the #"ace -acated 6 the o"der one. Ho!e-er, the iron6 o) such
a situation is that ne! diseases are 'ore -iru"ent than o"der
ones ecause the6 are so ne! and there is "itt"e resistance to
the'. The 'otto o) "or is thus '"ea-e !e"" a"one'.
The +/th rune is Ear, !hose #honetic -a"ue is 'Ea'. This rune
has the 'eanin( o) 'dust' , )ro' !hich our odies are 'ade,
and to !hich !e return at death. :6'o"ica""6 this is the (ra-e
and it re#resents the end o) one's "i)e. But it is not to e seen
as a ad rune, )or !ithout an end there cou"d ne-er ha-e een
a e(innin(. The -er6 eBistence o) "i)e re,uires that there e
death. Ear denotes this una-oida"e end, the ine-itai"it6 o)
the return o) indi-idua", "i-in(, hu'an ein(s to the undi))erentiated
'ateria" on !hich our odies are 'ade. To si(ni)6 the
end, Ear is the "ast character in the An("o.:aBon runic a"#haet
o) +/ sta-es.
Around the 6ear &==, the An("o.:aBons o) 8orthu'ria (the
#art o) En("and north o) the 3i-er Hu'erG added )urther
"etters to the +/.character rune ro!. This 'ade the "on(est
runic a"#haet, o) ** characters. This had the e))ect o) 'akin(
an additiona" co'#"ete aett, !ith one )urther rune !hich had
the s6'o"is' o) the centra" #oint. The )irst eBc"usi-e"6
8orthu'rian rune is C!eorth, nu'er *= in the rune ro!.
This has the #honetic -a"ue o) '%'. C!eorth si(ni)ies the
ascendin(, s!ir"in( )"a'es o) ritua" )ire. This can e the
ce"erator6 on)ire, the su##"icatin( need.)ire, or the )ire o)
1=2
'a(ical Alphabets
the )unera" #6re. 9hiche-er )ire is 'eant, the rune C!eorth
e'odies the conce#t o) ritua" c"eansin( 6 'eans o) )ire. A""
)ires are 'icrocos'ic re)"ections o) the sacred hearth.
The *1st rune is Ca"c, !ith the #honetic -a"ue 'H'. This is
another rune !hose 'eanin(s are not as c"ear as so'e o) the
others . <sua""6, it is said to 'ean a ritua" container or o))erin(
cu#. A"ternati-e"6, its na'e 'eans 'cha"k', the so)t rock used
in ui"din( and as a 'eans o) !ritin( on s"ate . 9hen seen as a
cu#, it can e -isua"iDed as an in-erted, drained one. A"thou(h
it !as )u"" once , it is e'#t6 no!. Its contents ha-e een used
or s#i""ed . Perha#s the drink has een drunk or s#i""ed out onto
the earth as a sacred "iation to the (ods. As oth an o))erin(
cu# and as a 'arker, Ca"c can si(ni)6 the reca"" o) asent
)riends or the dead in an act o) re'e'rance . The sha#e o) the
rune is an in-ersion o) E"haD, the 12th rune, a rune o)
#rotection . Because o) this, Ca"c can e inter#reted as
re#resentin( the indi-idua"'s death. Esoterica""6, the '6ster6
o) Ca"c denotes that !hich is )u"", 6et e'#t6. ;ike "or, it is the
enco'#assin( as#ect o) the unit6 o) o##osites. 5n a s#iritua"
"e-e", Ca"c denotes that as#ect o) the sacred !hich 'a6 a##ear
to e readi"6 accessi"e, 6et cannot e touched . the unattaina"e.
In 'edie-a" '6th, Ca"c is the rune o) the Ho"6 0rai".
The *+nd rune is :tan, !hich has the 'eanin( o) Jstone'. This
can e taken as descriin( stone in an6 o) its as#ects. It can
'ean 'the ones o) the earth', the edrock. 0enera""6, it can
'ean an indi-idua" ou"der, #e"e or stone. But it can a"so
re)er to a s#ecia" stone such as a 'e(a"ith or a dressed stone
)or ui"din(. A"so, it can e the 'stone' or (a'e#iece used in a
oard (a'e, )or the rune is sha#ed "ike traditiona" )or's o)
#"a6in( #ieces used in oard (a'es "ike Ta!"ort ()or detai"s
o) this and other (a'es, see '6 ook #ames of the #ods"
Centur6, 1/&&G.
9hate-er )or' the stone o) :tan takes. it si(ni)ies the "ink
et!een the #o!er o) the Earth, hu'an ein(s and the
hea-en"6 #o!ers. Just as a rock can "ock the road , or a
(a'e#iece can "ock another's 'o-e on the oard, the rune
:tan can either #ro-ide #rotection, or act to hinder our
#ro(ress. :tan has the #honetic -a"ue o) J:).
1=4
The Runes
0ar is the )ina", **rd, rune, o) the 8orthu'rian rune.ro!. .t
has the #honetic -a"ue o) '0'. The 'eanin( o) this character is
'a s#ear'. M6tho"o(ica""6, this re)ers to 0un(nir, the s#ear o)
5din. Traditiona""6, s#ears used sta-es 'ade o) ash !ood. As
2eowulf recordsA 'Their stout s#ears stood stacked to(ether,
:hod !ith iron and sha#ed o) ash.' <n"ike the #re-ious *+
runes, 0ar cannot e assi(ned to an6 o) the )our con-entiona"
aettir. As the s#ear o) 5din, !hich is a 'icrocos' o) the !or"d
ash tree, Y ((drassi", 0ar ser-es as the centra" #oint around
!hich a"" o) the other runes circ"e. Additiona""6, in the
8orthu'rian s6ste', 0ar is seen as a rune o) co'#"etion.
But, in addition to the ao-e ** runes, !ith their near standard
order, there are so'e other runic characters !hose 'eanin(s
are kno!n, ut !hich are rare"6 used. This is #roa"6 ecause
the6 are not #art o) an6 standard rune ro!. But #erha#s the6
are, !ith 0ar, the )ra('ents or nuc"eus o) a )i)th aett.
The 'ost !ide"6 sur-i-in( o) these additiona" characters is the
rune 9o")san(e", !hich has the #honetic renderin( o) 'Ai'. This
is the '!o").hook', a rune in the )or' o) a de-ice used in
'edie-a" ti'es to ca#ture and torture !o"-es. Because o) this,
9o")san(e" has the 'eanin( o) ca#ture and indin(. In its )or'
it is c"ose to the 6e!.rune Eoh, and, si'i"ar"6, it has a !oe)u"
,ua"it6. The 9o")san(e" !as a #attern so'eti'es used )or the
!a"".anchors in north 0er'an and East An("ian -ernacu"ar
ui"din(. .t a"so a##ears in north 0er'an ci-ic hera"dr6. .t can
e seen et!een the artist's initia"s on the 1211 #aintin( 6 'Eer
Meister H.0.' o) the 'art6rdo' o) :t Hatharina (in the
:taats(a"erie in :tutt(artG. As a !o").catcher, it sto##ed the
ani'a" )ro' doin( har' to hu'ans, and as a !a"".anchor, it
#re-ented the co""a#se o) the ui"din(. Pri'ar"6, then, 9o")san(e"
is a rune o) "ockin( and restraint.
Another i'#ortant non.standard rune is Iiu, !ith the #honetic
-a"ue o) 'I'. This can e taken as a ind rune o) T6r and :i(e",
ut its na'e indicates an ear"ier #ro-enance, )or Iiu is one o)
the ancient na'es o) the sk6.(od TI!aD or T6r, a -ersion o)
Ieus. The o"d na'e o) the 0er'an cit6 o) Au(sur(, ho"6
#"ace o) this (od, !as Iiusur(. As the rune o) the sk6.(od,
Iiu re#resents the thundero"t !hich is the attriute o) the
deit6. .t is a rune o) concentrated #o!er and ener(6, ao-e a""
1*+
'a(ical Alphabets
in the #ursuit o) >ustice. In 'edie-a" s6'o"o(6, this sta-e had
the 'eanin( o) the #ast takin( re-en(e u#on the #resent,
na'e"6 the !orkin( out o) >ustice o-er a "on( #eriod.
Erda is a rune !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) '5e'. .t re#resents
the Earth as the (oddess throu(h !hich she is #ersoni)ied. Erda
is thus a rune o) enc"osure and #rotection, as e)its its )or',
!hich is c"ose to 5da". Ho!e-er, the t!o additiona" 'tai"s'
!hich distin(uish Erda )ro' 5cta" re#resent a t6in(.in o) the
#rotecti-e enc"osure to the !ider uni-erse. This rune is
co'#osed o) ei(ht e,ua"."en(th strai(ht, "ines, and is thus
another rune s6'o"ic o) stai"it6 and !ho"eness.
The rune 7I is that o) the @risian sk6.(od 9a"dh or <a"dh,
re"ated in so'e !a6s to the 8orse deit6 7""r, (od o) !interti'e.
.t has the #honetic -a"ue o) '/e'. 7I is a rune o) #ersona"
stren(th, re#resentin( a"" those ,ua"ities si(ni)ied 6 the !ords
'to e stron('. .t a"so si(ni)ies turnin(.#oints, the 'u"' e"e'ent
in 6u"e, the '6oke o) the 6ear', the !inter so"stice, and the
'6stic #"ace ca""ed Thu"e, 'the #"ace !here one is )orced to
turn ack'. 5-era"", it is an e'odi'ent o) stren(th, and the
#o!er to co'e throu(h turnin(.#oints unscathed and e-en
e'#o!ered 6 the eB#erience.
Another ')i)th aett' rune is :o", !hich 'a6 e taken as a -ersion
o) :i(e", a"thou(h o) a co'#"ete"6 di))erent )or', ein( a circ"e
!ithin a -ertica" sta-e ao-e it, si(ni)6in( the risin( sun. This
rune has the #honetic -a"ue o) ':s'. .t re#resents the 8orse sun
(oddess :41, the #ro-ider o) ene-o"ent !ar'th and "i(ht to
the !or"d. :o" is a #o!er)u" rune o) hea"in( and ene-o"ence,
an e'odi'ent o) (ent"e (ro!th and the #o!er o) nurturin(.
As !ith a"" a"#haets, there are 'an6 -ariant )or's, ancient
and 'odern, and this a##"ies to the rune na'es. The
Abecedarium 4ordmannicum" a ninth.centur6 'anuscri#t )ro'
:t 0a""en in :!itDer"and, (i-es the na'es o) the Eanish sta-es
thusA '@eu )irst, ,r therea)ter, Thuris the third sta-e, 5s thereao-e,
3ait at the end !rite Chaion c"ea-es thereto, Ha(a",
8aut has Iss, Ar and :o", T, Bria and Man in 'idd"e, ;a(u the
"i(ht.)i""ed, Yr ends a"".' The 8orse ca"endar runs, deri-ed )ro'
the Eanish runes, ha-e so'e!hat di))erent na'es (their E"der
1*&
The Runes
@uthark e,ui-a"ent na'es )o""o! in rakcetsGA @re6 (@eohG? <r
(<rG? Thor (ThornG? 5s (5sG? 3eid (3adG? Haun (HenG? Ha("
(Ha(a"G? 8aud (86dG? Is (IsG? Ar (AsG? :un (:i(e"G? T6r (T6rG,
Biark (BeorcG? ;au(ur (;a(uG? Madur (ManG? Aur (YrG?
Aur"au(r (ind rune o) Aur and ;au(ur L Yr and ;a(uG?
T!i'adur (ind rune o) Aur and Madur, Man and YrG? and
Be"(tDhor ("araG .
In 'odern ti'es, the 'a>orit6 o) rune !ork has een done !ith
either the E"der @uthark o) +1 characters, or the Ar'anen
s6ste' (see @i(. +4G. Modern rune 'asters and rune 'istresses
ha-e #roduced their o!n -ersions o) the runes, s#eci)ic )or's
and orders !hich suit so'e #ersona" re,uire'ent or -ision.
:ince 1/&=, runic ta"is'ans and a'u"ets ha-e eco'e #o#u"ar.
IneB#"ica"6, those so"d 6 the Archaeo"o(ica" Trust at York
@i(. +4. 6he Ar'anen s6ste' o) 1& runes, as #ro#a(ated 6 0uido -on ;ist.
1=/
'a(ical Alphabets
inc"uded in-ented runes )or the "etters E, F and I. But !hi"st
these -ariants caused so'e recri'ination a'on(st rune users,
their eBistence is c"ear e-idence o) the 'odern -ita"it6 o) the
runic scene, and the continuin( de-e"o#'ent o) the runes
toda6. The #resent author )a-ours the eBtended rune ro!s,
such as the 8orthu'rian, ut it is rea""6 a 'atter o) #ersona"
#re)erence, as !ith #ractice #ractitioners !i"" )ind that s6ste'
!ith !hich the6 can !ork est.
The 'ost i'#ortant o) these 'odern -ariants is the 'Ar'anen'
s6ste' o) runes, !ide"6 used in 0er'an.s#eakin( countries.
This s6ste', !hich has 1& charcters, is deri-ed )ro' the
:candina-ian rune ro!s, !ith t!o added runes. It !as de-ised
6, or re-ea"ed to, the Austrian '6stic 0uido -on ;ist at the
e(innin( o) the +=th centur6. ;6in( in darkness, e6es
anda(ed a)ter an o#eration, the secrets o) the runes ca'e to
hi'. 9hate-er their ori(in, these runes ha-e a (eo'etrica"
asis on the rune Ha(a", !hich, in this a"#haet, is in the )or'
o) the siB.ranched 'star'. A"" o) the other runes )it into the
heBa(ona" "attice deri-ed )ro' this 'Mother 3une'. Most o)
the' ha-e )or's si'i"ar to or identica" !ith the :candina-ian
runes. The Ar'anen runes ha-e a s#eci)ic order, and the
nu'er corres#ondences 1.1&. The6 are @a (@G, <rsache (<G ,
Thor (ThG, 5s ?*H, 3it (3G, Ha (HG, Ha(a" (HG, 8ot (8G, Is
(IG, Ar (AG, :i( (:G, T6r (TG, Bar (BG, ;a) (;G. Man (MG. Yr
@i(. +$. @i(ures in runic #ostures )ro' a horn )ound at 0a""ehus. Een'ark. These
i""ustrations #ro-ided the i'#etus )or the de-e"o#'ent o) 'odern 3un.ic Yo(a.
11*
The Runes
(YG, Eh (EG, and 0ior (0G. A !ho"e schoo" o) rune 'a(ic,
di-ination and runic eBercises has (ro!n u# !ithin this s6ste'.
An i'#ortant #art o) this runic s6ste' is runic 6o(a, in !hich
the #ractitioner stands in a #ose rese'"in( the rune, ca""ed
stOdhur" and ca""s out the sound that it re#resents. This
techni,ue, de#icted on t!o ancient Eanish horns )ro' 0a""ehus,
!as e-o"-ed 6 :ie()ried Ado") Hu''er and @riedrich
Bernhard Mar6, and "ater de-e"o#ed )urther 6 Har" :#ieser(er,
is #ractised !ide"6 a'on( 0er'an rune users toda6.
THE 05THIC A;PHABET
The true 0othic a"#haet has nothin( to do !ith the -ariants
o) the 3o'an a"#haet used in the "ate 'idd"e a(es, such as
B"ack ;etter. A"on( !ith the #ointed.arch architecture, these
scri#ts !ere !ron("6 ca""ed '0othic' 6 ei(hteenth.centur6
co''entators !ho sa! the' as ararous in co'#arison !ith
0raeco.3o'an c"assicis'. <n)ortunate"6, this erroneous
e#ithet has re'ained as the descri#tion )or hi(h 'edie-a" art.
The true 0othic a"#haet, ho!e-er, is a scri#t used 6 the
'ararian' nation o) the 0oths, !hich ori(inated on the Ba"tic
is"and o) 0ot"and, and s#read, throu(h con,uest, throu(h east
Prussia, ;ithuania and Po"and, to the northern shores o) the
B"ack :ea. @ro' there, the 0oths 'i(rated !est, u"ti'ate"6 to
con,uer Ita"6, southern @rance and :#ain. 9hen the6 !ere in
their ho'e"and, the Pa(an 0oths used the runes. The o"dest
kno!n inscri#tion o) the !ho"e runic a"#haet, the H6"-er
stone on 0ot"and, !as car-ed 6 a 0othic runester. The
#ara""e" scri#t !as de-ised in the )ourth centur6 CE 6 Bisho#
<")i"as, !ho undertook the con-ersion o) the Pa(an 0oths to
the Arian sect o) the Christian re"i(ion. To 'ake the ne!
a"#haet, <")i"as took so'e 0reek cursi-e characters and
'odi)ied so'e eBistin( runes so that the6 cou"d e !ritten !ith
rush or #en rather than car-ed on !ood or stone. A)ter the
creation o) this ne! 0othic a"#haet, oth the ne! a"#haet
and the runes !ere used in #ara""e" !ith one another. The
7isi(oths in :#ain and the south o) @rance used the' unti" oth
!ere su##ressed as Pa(an 6 a ru"in( )ro' the Counci" o)
To"edo in 1=1&. Ees#ite the )act that the #ara""e" 0othic
a"#haet !as de-ised 6 a Christian isho#, this Church edict
caused the i''ediate destruction o) 'an6 i'#ortant ooks
!ritten in the 0othic scri#ts that unti" then had een ke#t in
111
'a(ical Alphabets
the cathedra" "irar6 at To"edo and other #"aces.
E-en i) it !ere not recorded historica""6, it !ou"d e c"ear
)ro' the na'es and order that the 0othic scri#t is the 6oun(er
o) the t!o. The ori(in o) the 0othic a"#haet in the runes is
de'onstrated 6 its "etter order, !hich is that o) the runes, and
not that o) the 0reek or 3o'an a"#haets. As !ith the runes,
the 0othic a"#haet e(ins !ith the "etter @e, !hich is
e,ui-a"ent to the 0othic rune @a)hu. @o""o!in( that is the "etter
'<', <raD (rune <rasG? 'Th', Th6th (ThaurisG? 'A', ADa
(AnsusG? '3', 3eda (raidaG? 'H', ChoD'a (Hus'aG? '0', 0e!a
(0iaG and '9', 9inne (9in>aG. This co'#"etes the )irst aett.
The second aett e(ins !ith Haa", the "etter H, !ith its rune
e,ui-a"ent Ha(". @o""o!in( this is '8', 8oicD (8authsG? '1', "iD
(EisG? '0', 0ear (JerG, )o""o!ed 6 'I', 9aer, in the )or' o)
the 0reek Theta (&G, the rune Aihus. 8eBt co'es Pertra, the
"etter 'P', in the )or' o) the 0reek Pi ?nH, !ith its runic
e,ui-a"ent, Pairthra. EDec (FG, )o""o!s, !ith its rune A"(s, then
I @ ttt J3 r ' ~ @@ II ,3
I $e%stHEN
., ~3 ,* ~~ ~~K66 J ~ GC Y tll@m
JC<~M
~ T ~ M
! o
@i(. +&. The 0othic a"#haet and the 0othic runes.
11+
The Runes
':', :u(i" (rune :aui"G ? =6=, T6D (Tei!sG? 'B' , Bercna (0othic
rune BairkanG ? 'E' , E6D (E(eisG and 'M', ca""ed Manna oth as
a 0othic "etter and as a rune. Manna is )o""o!ed 6 the "etter
';', ;aaD, rune ;a(us. Then co'es the e,ui-a"ent o) '8(',
En(uD, and its rune.e,ui-a"ent I((!s. The )ina" three characters
are <ta", re#resentin( '=', !ith its rune 5tha"? EaaD, the
"etter =*=, !ith rune 5a(s, and %uertra, '%', !hich has no
runic counter#art in the 0othic s6ste'. Each character o) the
0othic a"#haet thus has the sa'e 'eanin( as its runic
counter#art, and !as used 'a(ica""6 in a 'anner identica" to
the runes. But it a"so contains 11 0reek "etters in their cursi-e
and standard )or's . These are ADa, Bercna, 0e!a, EaaD, E6D,
EDec, ChoD'a, ;aaD, 8oicD, Pertra and T6D. The esoteric
'eanin(s are inherent in these 0reek characters in addition to
their runic e,ui-a"ent 'eanin(s. In this !a6, the 0othic
a"#haet contains !ithin itse") a !ea"th o) 'eanin( !hich "ies
unta##ed in 'odern esoteric #ractice. The techni,ues o) runic
di-ination a##"6 e,ua""6 to 0othic.
5un.A in 'a(ic
In )or'er ti'es, !hen runes !ere used )or 'a(ica" #ur#oses,
the6 !ere kno!n as 3a' runes, that is, stron( or itter runes,
!hich !ere cate(oriDed 6 their )unction. @irst !ere the Ma"
runes. This !ord co'es )ro' 'a" or 'aa" , !hich si(ni)ies
s#eech. Ma" runes are thus s#eech runes. The6 !ere used in
(ainin( "e(a" redress a(ainst in>uries, to e inscried u#on the
#i""ars, seats, etc., o) a #"ace !here a tria" !as to e he"d and
>ud(e'ent #ronounced. 8eBt !ere the :i( runes, the runes o)
-ictor6, to e used to (ain ad-anta(e in a"" contests. These
!ou"CI e dra!n on the indi-idua"'s c"othin(, ar'our and
!ea#ons to ensure success. In 'akin( :i( runes, the na'e o)
Thor had to e in-oked t!ice. The third t6#e !ere the ;i'
runes, used in hea"in(. These !ere car-ed on the south.)acin(
ark or "ea-es o) certain a##ro#riate 'edicina" trees. @ourth,
!ere the Brun runes, or @ountain runes. These !ere car-ed on
the stern, steerin(.oar or rudder o) a shi# in order to ensure a
sa)e #assa(e. 8eBt !ere the Hu( runes, the runes o) the 'ind.
Inscried on the reast and 'secret #arts' , these runes assisted
the user in eBce""in( in 'enta" a(i"it6. The siBth kind !as the
Biar( rune, that in-okes the Mother 0oddess to #rocure a sa)e
irth, and (enera""6 to #rotect !o'en and their aies. The
11$
'a(ical Alphabets
Fi(3 2=F13 Runic protection ?.n( and Ta( runesH 3 =4itch posts= 3 "n(land and
Uermany3
Fi(3 $*3 !a(ical bind<runesF (top r$il'. leJI 10 rig(' lon( lastin(F (ood luck F lo2e
rune 3 man #or 4omanF lo2e rune F 4oman #or man F (middle /'5i"'G P amF Alu ?po4erH F
success in le(al action F mind<po4erF (hallam r$il' bind<rune #rom )oest3 Uermany3
c. 4+2 (to.
111
The Runes
se-enth cate(or6 !as that o) the :!art runes or necro'anic
characters, used in in-okin( s#irits o) the dead. Connected !ith
these !ere the Tro"" runes, used )or di-ination and enchant'ent.
A"e runes !ere used 6 'en to counter the a""ure'ents
o) an6 stran(e !o'an. The6 !ere to e cut in the -esse" )ro'
!hich she drank, and on the ack o) the 'an's hand, !ith the
rune '86d' cut u#on his )in(er.nai".
9end runes !ere runes !ritten in re-erse, )ro' ri(ht to "e)t,
and in-erted, )or 'a(ica" #ur#oses. Bind runes or Band runes
!ere characters !hich incor#orated t!o or 'ore runes in a
sin("e )i(ure, creatin( a 'a(ica" si(i" )or a s#eci)ic #ur#ose. This
techni,ue !as -er6 si'i"ar to the "i(atures o) "etters used
so'eti'es in 3o'an inscri#tions, 0reek 'chris'ons' o) the
na'e o) Christ, and the 'ore co'#"eB 'ono(ra's used 6
'onarchs o) the B6Dantine and Ho"6 3o'an E'#ires. A""ied
to this, cr6#tic runes !ere an i'#ortant #art o) rune cra)t. Each
o) the t6#es o) cr6#tic rune had its o!n na'e. H-ist runes
(ranch runesG and T>a"d runes (Tent runesG !ere t!o -arieties
o) cr6#tic runes. Branch runes !ere ased on a si'#"e
nu'erica" #rinci#"e. The @uthark is di-ided into its three aettir,
!hich are (i-en nu'ers . These 'a6 e (i-en in a strai(ht)or!ard
or in an encoded se,uence. Then each rune o) each aett
is (i-en a nu'er, a(ain in a strai(ht)or!ard or an encoded
!a6. Each "etter is then re#resented 6 t!o nu'ersA the aett
nu'er, and the rune nu'er !ithin the aett. This is !ritten
as an u#ri(ht !ith side ranches. The ranches on one side
stand )or the aett )ro' !hich the "etter co'es, and on the other
side )or the nu'er o) the character !ithin it. As an eBa'#"e,
!e 'i(ht )ind a ranch rune earin( one stroke to the "e)t and
)i-e to the ri(ht. <sin( the 'ost strai(ht)or!ard s6ste', !here
e-er6 aett and rune are nu'ered se,uentia""6, this !i""
re#resent the )ourth rune o) the )irst aett, !hich !i"" e 3ad.
<sin( such a s6ste', !ho"e !ords and sentences can e ui"t
u#. Tent runes !ork on a si'i"ar #rinci#"e, ut the6 are ased
on F.sha#ed )or's, and read c"ock!ise , e(innin( at the "e)t.
5ther cr6#tic )or's are the '"is runes' , si'i"ar in #rinci#"e to
the Branch and Tent runes, ut usin( sin("e strokes unconnected
!ith a asic su##ort sta-e. These used short strokes to
re#resent the nu'er o) the aett, and "on(er ones )or the
character nu'ers . ';a(u runes' are another si'i"ar )or',
usin( se,uences o) the ;a(u rune, so'eti'es !ritten ack.
11,
'a(ical Alphabets
!ards to re#resent aett and character. @ina""6, H"a# runes or
H"o# runes !ere a kind o) )orerunner o) the Morse Code, in
!hich a series o) c"a#s or knocks on !ood re#resented s#eci)ic
runic characters. The detai"s o) this s6te' are "ost, ut it is 'ost
#roa"e (hat the #rinci#"e !as the sa'e as that used in the
Branch runes and other runic cr6#to(ra#h6.
@ina""6, there is the t6#e o) encr6#tion !here the 'eanin( o)
a rune is incor#orated in a #assa(e o) #rose or #oetr6 arran(ed
so that the "etters s#e"" out a hidden !ord or !ords. The An("o:aBon
#oe' 3lene" !ritten 6 C6ne!u") "ate in the ei(hth
centur6, incor#orates >ust such a runic encode'ent. .t co'es in
a #assa(e in Cha#ter 12 (author's inter#retation in racketsGA
Bntil then" the man had always been assailed by wa!es of
sadness. he was a burnin( torch M6en" -., thou(h in the
'ead$Hall he was (i!en treasures" apple$shaped (old. He
lamented the e!il M,r" ,N" he the brother of sorrow M4yd"
4N1 he suffered affliction" cruel secret thou(hts" thou(h for
him the horse M3hwa-" 3N" measured the mile$paths" ran
proudly" adorned with ornaments. 9oy M+yn" +N is
reduced" and pleasure too" as the years (o by1 youth has
(one and former pride. The (lory of youth was once ours
fBr" B@. 4ow" with time" the old days ha!e departed" life's
@oys ha!e slipped away" e!en as water MLa(u" LN drains
away" the shiftin( floods . +ealth M;eoh" ;N is transitory for
all people under hea!en. the ornaments of the earth
disappear beneath the clouds li%e the wind when it blows
loudly . . .
This An("o.:aBon #assa(e is t6#ica" o) the 'eans 6 !hich th ~
ancient northern ards and ska"ds encoded 'essa(es )or those
su))icient"6 educated to encode the'. Here, the runic e,ui-a"ents
s#e"" out the C6ne!u").
R80") A0T 6R"")
Modern rune research has redisco-ered the corres#ondences
et!een the runes and trees, each o) !hich eB#resses so'e
,ua"it6 o) the rune . This is an i'#ortant #ara""e" !ith the Ce"tic
o(ha' and 0ae"ic a"#haets, in !hich 'ost character na'es
and ,ua"ities are ased on re"e-ant trees. These s6ste's o)
corres#ondences ha-e een co""ated 6 se-era" runic eB#erts,
11%
The Runes
inc"udin( Edred Thorsson, @re6a As!6nn and the #resertt
author. In a )e! cases there are a"ternati-es, ut as the runes
sho! their di))erent as#ects under di))erent conditions, this
shou"d not e sur#risin(. There is no cos'ic "a! that restricts
corres#ondences to a one.to.one sche'e. The )o""o!in( are
those 'ost co''on"6 encounteredA
@eoh's tree is the e"der, *Sambucus ni(ra)" !hi"st that o) <r is
the '#ri'a" tree', the irch, *2etula pendula). Thorn's sacred
trees are the oak, *Ouercus robur)" the "ackthorn *runus
spinosa)" the "ackerr6 or ra'"e, *Rubus fruticosa)" and the
ha!thorn or 'a6 tree, *8rata(us mono(yna). Both As and 5s
corres#ond !ith the ash tree, *;ra0inus e0celsior). 3ad's ru"in(
trees are the oak, *Ouercus robur) and the o)ten.i(nored
!a6)arin( tree, */iburnum lantana). The trees associated !ith
the rune Hen are the dea" or #ine , *inus syl!estris) and the
i"err6, a"so kno!n as the !hort"eerr6 or "aeerr6, */accinium
myrtillus). 06)u has t!o re"ated treesA the ash, *;ra0inus
e0celsior) and the !6ch e"', *Blmus (labra) . :i'i"ar"6, 96n
has the ash as its tree . Ha(a"'s tree is the "on(est."i-ed
Euro#ean s#ecies, the 6e!, *Ta0us baccata). .t a"so has the
o'inous r6on6, *2ryonia alba)" the northern Euro#ean
'andrake, as its her. In traditiona" "ore, oth tree and her
are seen as "inkin( the under!or"d and the u##er!or"d 6
@i(. *1. A"rauns. 'edie-a" 'a(ica" )i(ures !ith runic inL9r~pti$nL .
11$
'a(ical Alphabets
'eans o) sha'anis' and death. 86d's trees are the eech,
*;a(us syl!atica) and the 'ountain ash or ro!an, *Sorbus
acuparia). The tree o) Is is the a"der, *Alnus (lutinosa) , and its
her is the henane, *Hyoscyamus ni(er). The oak, *Ouercus
robur) is the tree o) Jera.
Eoh's na'e 'eans '6e!', o) !hich it, !ith Yr and 9o")san(e",
are the 6e!.runes par e0cellence. Eoh is a"so "inked !ith
the her 'andrake, *'andra(ora officinarum)" !hose root has
'an6 !e"".kno!n 'a(ica" #ro#erties. .t is a"so connected !ith
the #o#"ar, *opulus canescens). The rune Peorth is a. direct
#ara""e" o) the Ce"tic o(ha' character Peith, !hose corres#ondence
is the (ue"der rose, */iburnum opulus). As a rune,
Peorth corres#onds !ith t!o trees. 5ne is the eech, *;a(us
syl!atica) , and the other is the as#en, *opulus tremula). As
!ith Ha(a" and Eoh, E"haD has the 6e!, *Ta0us baccata) )or
its sacred tree. But, a second, rarer, ascri#tion is the !i"d
ser-ice tree, *Sorb us torminalis)" !hich is traditiona""6 a tree
o) #rotection a(ainst !i"d thin(s. The her o) E"haD is the
sed(e, *8are0 elon(ata) , !hose )or' rese'"es the rune's
sha#e and its An("o.:aBon na'e, 3olc$Sec(. The neBt rune,
T6r, corres#onds !ith the oak, !hi"st the )o""o!in( one, Beorc,
has the tree sacred to the 0reat Mother 0oddess, the irch.
En!aD has t!o sacred trees, the oak and the ash. The sacred
trees o) 'an are the a"der, *Alnus (lutinosa) , ho""6, *&le0
a:uifolium) and the 'a#"in tree or )ie"d 'a#"e, *Acer campestre)
. The her corres#ondin( !ith 'an is i'#ortant, )or it is
the 'adder, *Rubia tinctorum)" )ro' !hich co'es the 'a(ic
#i('ent kno!n as 'ti-er', used traditiona""6 )or co"ourin(
runes. ;a(u, !hose e"e'ent is !ater, has as its sacred tree the
t6#e o) !i""o! kno!n as the osier, *Sali0 !iminalis) .
"n('s sacred tree is the a##"e, *'alus spp)" and the tree o)
5da" is the ha!thorn *8ratae(us mono(yna). Ea( is sacred to
Hei'da"", and has the 8or!a6 s#ruce, *icea abies)" as its tree.
Its her is a t6#e o) sa(e, *Sal!ia horminoides). Ac is the
na'esake o) the oak, !hi"st As or Aesc is the ash and Yr is
the 6e!. Yr's hera" connections are !ith the under!or"d root
#"ants. These are the r6on6, *2ryonia alba) and 'andrake,
*'andra(ora officinalis). In Britain, the root o) r6on6 is o)ten
used in )o"k 'a(ic as a sustitute )or the non.indi(enous
'andrake. The trees o) "or are the ;inden, *T+a platyphyllos)
and the i-6, *Hedera heli0) . The tree o) Ear is the 6e!, *Ta0us
11&
The Runes
baccata) , and its her is he'"ock, *8onium maculatum).
C!eorth's trees are the a6, *Laurus nobilis) and the eech,
*;a(us syl!atica)" Ca"c's trees are the 'a#"in, *Acer campestris)
, )ro' !hose !ood sacred cu#s !ere turned, and the
ro!an, *Sorbus acuparia) . :tan's trees are the B"ackthorn,
*runus spinosa) and the !itch haDe", *Hamamellis mollis).
0ar, is connected !ith its na'esake, the e-i".!ardin( her
(ar"ic, *Allium sati!um). Its trees are the ash, *;ra0inus
e0celsior) and the s#ind"e, *3uonymus europaea). The tree o)
9o")san(e" is the 6e!, *Ta0us baccata) , e)ittin( its connection
!ith Eoh, !hi"st Iiu, rune o) the sk6.(od, has the oak,
*Ouercus robur). The tree o) the Earth.0oddess rune Erda are
the e"der, *Sambucus ni(ra) and the irch, *2etula pendula).
That o) 7I is the sea uckthorn, *Hippophaif rhamnoices) ,
!hi"st the tree associated !ith the rune :o" is the >uni#er,
*9uniperus communis).
Di-ination (it; t;. run.A
The 3o'an author Tacitus *c . 1+= CEG #ro-ides us !ith the
ear"iest kno!n re)erence to runic di-ination. In his account o)
the 0er'anic nations o) northern Euro#e, #ermania" he !rote
that the #eo#"e there had the hi(hest #ossi"e re(ard )or
di-ination and castin( "ots. The6 !ou"d reak o)) a ranch )ro'
a )ruit tree and cut it into s"i-ers u#on !hich the6 cut runes.
These !ooden s"i-ers !ere then cast onto a !hite c"oth. .# the
di-ination !as o) #u"ic i'#ortance, the inter#retation !as
'ade 6 a state #riest, ut i) it concerned a #ri-ate 'atter, it
!as 'ade 6 the head o) the )a'i"6. Three s"i-ers !ere #icked
u#, one at a ti'e, and the 'eanin( inter#reted throu(h the
runes car-ed u#on the'. 5) course, Tacitus !as oser-in( as
an outsider !ithout the inner kno!"ed(e necessar6 to (i-e
'ore than a asic out"ine o) the #rocedure. Ho!e-er, se-era"
-ia"e 'ethods o) rune castin( ha-e sur-i-ed in ora" tradition,
#assed do!n )ro' ancient ti'es to the #resent da6 . Modern
rune castin( is done in a si'i"ar 'anner, usin( the stone,
!ooden or #"astic runic ta"ets 'anu)actured 6 -arious
#roducers. 5) course, it is #re)era"e 'a(ica""6 to use runes
'ade 6 the user.
A"thou(h it is #ossi"e to #u"" a sin("e rune stone out o) a
a(, or to dra! a card )ro' a rune card deck, it is #re)era"e
11/
'a(ical Alphabets
to conduct a rune.castin( cere'on6 i) one is to e in the ri(ht
)ra'e o) 'ind to ene)it )ro' a readin(. The cere'onia"
'ethod o) castin( runes is kno!n as '3aed 9aen'. ;itera""6,
this 'eans 'ridin( the !a(on' that is, #"acin( onese") in the
#osition o) the deit6 on the sacred !a(on )ro' !hich a"" thin(s,
#ast, #resent and )uture, 'a6 e -ie!ed. 3aed 9aen is a
cere'onia" act, in !hich the actua" castin( takes #"ace and,
a"thou(h associated !ith the runes, it can e a##"ied e,ua""6 to
the 0reek and Ce"tic a"#haets. 9hen #er)or'in( 3aed 9aen,
the 'atter o) (eo"ocation is considered )irst. This is the
orientation o) the roo' or s#ace outdoors at !hich the rune
castin( is to take #"ace. Indoors, the aBis o) the roo' is the
)irst thin( to e deter'ined. This is a "ine across the roo' or
(round !here the ener(ies o) the earth and hea-ens are at their
o#ti'a" #otenc6 )or rune castin(. Eeter'inin( this a"i(n'ent
is "ar(e"6 an intuiti-e 'atter, ein( a d6na'ic interaction
et!een the #re-ai"in( "oca" conditions and custo'ar6 ru"es,
ut there are si'#"e ru"es.o).thu' !hich can e used. In a
ui"din( or roo' correct"6 oriented to the cardina" directions
(i.e. !ith the !a""s )acin( the )our directions o) 8orth, East,
:outh and 9estG, the aBis shou"d "ie #ara""e" to the "on(er !a""
and di-ide the )"oor s#ace in t!o. Indoors, the shoat (the area
in !hich the runes !i"" e castG shou"d e 'ade to!ards the
east in da6"i(ht, and to the !est durin( darkness. Thus the cast
o) the runes !i"" e at ri(ht an("es to the '#resence' , the #"ace
o) the (ods in the north, !hich !i"" "ie to the "e)t o) the
rune'aster in da6ti'e, and to the ri(ht at ni(ht. The cast is
a"!a6s undertaken at ri(ht an("es to the #resence, as its
outco'e is a 'atter o) hu'an, and not di-ine, concern. 5ut
o) doors, the shoat shou"d e to!ards the sun. Accordin( to
the East An("ian tradition, the direction o) terrestria" ener(6
)"o! is a"!a6s to!ards the sun. Idea""6, the !ork shou"d e
a"i(ned to!ards the sun herse"). This direction can e deter'ined
6 dIrect oser-ation o) the sun, or 6 the use o) a
'a(netic co'#ass.
The #osition o) the shoat area a"on( this aBis can e
deter'ined no!. This is o)ten a !hite c"oth !hose di'ensions
are de)ined 6 the rune caster's o!n "en(th )ro' )eet to
)in(erti#s at )u"" stretch ao-e the head, and in !idth the
distance et!een the outstretched ar's. (The shoat is the od6
s#ace o) the runecaster in s#ace and ti'e.G Indoors, it is
1+=
The Runes
@i(. *+. 9hee" o) ti'e , sho!in( ti'e corres#ondences in the E"der @uthark.
arran(ed so that the '8o!I' or 'na-e"' #oint, the eBact centre
o) the shoat, is "ocated one third o) the !a6 a"on( the aBis. The
!a"" in )ront o) the runecaster is kno!n as the '#ositi-e' !a"",
and that ehind, the 'ne(ati-e'. 7arious cere'onia" o>ects are
arran(ed on the c"oth #rior to the rune castin(. These are the
'stoI', a cushion )or the runecaster to sit u#on. This is #"aced
at the ne(ati-e end. A s'a"" cere'onia""6 e'-roidered !hite
c"oth 'a6 e "aid at the o##osite end. 5n this is "aid a #ersona"
ta"is'an. At each o) the )our co'ers are "ocated consecrated
s6'o"s o) the )our e"e'ents. 9hen the #ara#herna"ia ha-e
een "ocated correct"6, the runecaster (oes throu(h a##ro#riate
#ersona" 'enta" c"eansin(s e)ore char(in( the runes 6
1+1
'a(ical Alphabets
s6'o"ica""6 #assin( the stones throu(h each o) the e"e'ents
in turn. @ina""6, the runes are cast a"on( the shoat to!ards the
#ositi-e end. There are se-era" !a6s o) castin( the runes, and
there is a considera"e "iterature on runic di-ination. 5ne
#o#u"ar 'ethod is to take a hand)u" )ro' the a( and to thro!
the' a"on( the shoat. Then, the runecaster eBa'ines !hat has
turned u#, "itera""6, as on"6 those runestones !hich )a"" )ace u#
are taken into account. 9hen the E"der @uthark runes are
used, these ha-e 're-ersed 'eanin(s' . .# the6 a##ear in-erted,
then the 'eanin(, (enera""6, is re-ersed. This a##"ies a"so to
the An("o.:aBon +/.rune s6ste'. But !ith the ** runes o) the
8orthu'rian s6ste', or the *& runes o) the eBtended s6ste',
there is on"6 one readin( )or each rune. The co'inations o)
#ossii"ities and co'#"eB inter#retations 'ake the runes an
idea" s6ste' o) di-ination or #ro"e'.so"-in(.
1++
1
The Celtic #$ha%s and
&ardic Alphabet
5(ha' is the na'e (i-en to the ancient ardic a"#haet used
in Ire"and and the !estern #arts o) ancient Britain. It is #ossi"e
that the scri#t dates ack as ear"6 as ++== BCE, a"thou(h this is
6 no 'eans certain. This datin( is ased u#on the 'arkin(s
on so'e s'a"" cha"k s"as )ound 6 A"eBander Hei""er durin(
eBca-ations at 9ind'i"" Hi"" in southern En("and. :e-enteen
o) these inscried #ieces o) cha"k !ere unearthed, and the
scratches on the' ha-e een inter#reted as an ear"6 )or' o)
o(ha'. But so'e acade'ics do not acce#t this. The o(ha'
eB#ert, Pro)essor Brendan 5'Hehir o) the <ni-ersit6 o)
Berke"e6, Ca"i)ornia, e"ie-es that the ear"iest datea"e o(ha'
inscri#tions co'e )ro' around the second centur6 CEo 9hate-er
their ori(in, there are se-era" hundred kno!n ancient
o(ha' inscri#tions, on rock )aces, stones, crosses, #orta"e
arte)acts and in 'anuscri#ts. In the 1/1=s, 3. A. :. Maca"ister
#u"ished *&2 kno!n inscri#tions )ro' the British Is"es. Most
are in Ire"and (&+ #er cent, !ith 2+ #er cent o) the' )ro'
Count6 Cork and Count6 Herr6G. The 'a>orit6 o) the others
are in :cot"and and 9a"es, !hi"st a )e! are kno!n )ro'
En("and, and 'ain"and Euro#e. A"thou(h 'ost o) the ancient
sur-i-in( inscri#tions are on 'e'oria"s, >ust (i-in( na'es, it is
c"ear that the o(ha' a"#haet a"so had a 'a(ica" e"e'ent. But
!hen the 3o'an a"#haet and the runes !ere introduced into
Ire"and, the6 took o-er the )unction o) 'e'oria" !ritin(, and
the use o) o(ha' !as 'ar(ina"iDed. There are 'onu'ents
u#on !hich oth o(ha' and 3o'an "etters co.eBist, ut once
the 3o'an a"#haet !as esta"ished, the use o) o(ha' eca'e
restricted to the secret and 'a(ica" rea"'s, !here it re'ains
toda6.
1+*
'a(ical Alphabets
The '6stica" asis o) the o(ha's is in the trees. The
)i)teenth.centur6 'anuscri#t kno!n as The 2oo% of 2allymote"
!hich is the 'ain source o) in)or'ation on traditiona" o(ha',
recounts the ori(in o) the Irish o(ha's, the '5(ai' na
n0adhe"'. In the ,uestion.and.ans!er 'ethod t6#ica" o)
custo'ar6 teachin( it asksA
;rom whence" what time" and what person" and from what
cause did the o(ham sprin(P PIt ans!ers,Q The place is
Hybernia's &sle" which we Scots inhabit1 in the time of
2reass" the son of 3lathan" then %in( of all &reland. The
person was O(ma" 'ac3lathan" the son of 7ealbadh"
brother to 2reass1 for 2reass" O(ma and 7ealbadh were
three sons of 3lathan" who was the son of 7ealbath.
The ori(inator !as thus one o) three rothers, "ike the 8orse
5din !ith his rothers 7iii and 7e re#roducin( the triadic
order o) thin(s so co''on in the 8orthern Tradition. The
2oo% of 2allymote continuesA
'O(ma" bein( a man much s%illed in dialects and in poetry"
it was he who in!ented o(ham" its ob@ect bein( for si(ns of
secret speech %nown only to the learned" and desi(ned to be
%ept from the !ul(ar and poor of the nation . .. &t is called
o(ham" from the in!entor" O(ma. The deri!ation is o(ham"
from E(huaim M, that is the E(uaimE or wisdom throu(h
which the bards were enabled to compose1 for by its
branches the &rish 2ards. sounded their !erses. ESoimE was
the first thin( written in o(ham. On a 2irch it was written"
and (i!en to Lu(h" the son of 3tlem ... '
In the Irish "an(ua(e s#oken toda6, the !ord 'o(ha'' 'eans
the ancient a"#haet. But the re"ated !ord 'o(hu'' in the
0ae"ic "an(ua(e re)ers to the occu"t sciences. The Irish na'e
)or the 'onth o) June, !hich contains the su''er so"stice, is
5('hios, )or the na'e 5('a is associated !ith an o"d Ce"tic
sun (od.
.t is c"ear that in )or'er ti'es the kno!"ed(e o) the o(ha's
!as seen as identica" !ith the kno!"ed(e that a ru"er needed
to (o-ern his or her su>ects. @or eBa'#"e, Mac;onan, the
chie) ard o) Ire"and, !ho died in the 6ear /1&, !roteA
1+1
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
8ormac of 8ashel and his champions"
'unster is his. may he en@oy it lon(1
Around the 6in( of Raith 2ieli are culti!ated
The letters and the trees
5(ha' is un"ike an6 other Euro#ean or 8ear Eastern
a"#haet. Instead o) ha-in( se#arate characters. the s6'o"s o)
o(ha' are arran(ed a"on( a "ine. This is the '#rinci#a" rid(e'
or 'ste' "ine', !hich is kno!n as the 'drui'J. The characters
are a"" in contact !ith this "ine, ein( scried ao-e, e"o! or
throu(h it. Con-entiona""6. o(ha' !as usua""6 !ritten -ertica""6,
)ro' e"o! to ao-e. 9hen !ritten horiDonta""6, as on
so'e ancient arte)acts. the u##er side o) the drui' is counted
as the "e)t.hand side, and eneath it, the ri(ht.hand side.
Conce#tua""6, then, the o(ha' scri#t is !ritten )ro' "e)t to
ri(ht. 9hen !ritten on a standin( stone, the6 are inscried
across the corner et!een )"at sur)aces, kno!n as the arris. 5n
stone, the -o!e"s are )or'ed 6 indentations or dots.
;ike other a"#haets, the o(ha's are arran(ed in a s#eci)ic
character order. But the actua" arran(e'ent is "ike no other.
Toda6, there are )i-e asic di-isions, each !ith )i-e characters,
'akin( +2 in a"", ut ori(ina""6 there a##ear to ha-e een on"6
)our di-isions, 'akin( += characters. This is a##arent in The
2oo% of 2allymote" !hich asks, 'Ho! and !hat are the
di-isions o) o(ha'C @ourA B and her )i-e? H and her )i-e? M
and her )i-e? and A, her )i-e .' The )i)th di-ision a##ears to e
a "ater edition to the o(ha' ro!, rin(in( in di#hthon(s. The
2oo% of 2allymote eB#"ains the asic )or' and deri-ation o)
the o(ha'sA
;rom whence come the fi(ures and namesa%es in the
e0planation of 2" Land 4 o(hamP ;rom the branches and
limbs of the Oa% Tree. they formed ideas which they
e0pressed in sounds" that is" as the stal% of the bush is its
noblest part" from them they formed the se!en chief fi(ures
as !owels" thus. A" *, /" 3" &" 3A" F< . .. and they
formed three others" which they added to these as helpers"
formed on different sides of the line" thus. /&" lA" A3 . ..
The branches of the wood (i!e fi(ures for the branches and
!eins of o(ham" chief of all. The tribe of 2 from 2irch" and
the dau(hter" that is the Ash of the wood" is chief1 and of
1+2
'a(ical Alphabets
@i(. **. A t6#ica" 5(ha' inscri#tionA at Hi"'akedar, Count6 Herr6. Ire"and.
12&
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
them the first alphabet was formed1 of L" from Luis" the
Ouic%en Tree of the wood1 ; from ;earn" the Alder" (ood
for shields1 : from Sail" a +illow from the wood1 4 in
o(ham from 4in" the Ash for spears1 H from Huath"
+hitethorn" a croo%ed tree or bush" because of her thorns1
7 from 7ur" the Oa% of ;ate from the wood1 T from Tine"
8ypress" or from the 3lder Tree1 C from 8oil" the Ha-el of
the wood1 J from Ouert" Apple" Aspen or 'ountain Ash1
' from 'ediu" the /ine" branchin( finely1 U from #ort"
&!y towerin(1 4# from 4(etal or #ilcach" a Reed. ST or A
from 7rai(hean" 2lac%thorn1 R" #raif /not e0plained
hereN1 A from Ailm" ;ir1 a from On" the 2room or ;ur-e1
/ from /p" Heath1 3 from 3dadh" tremblin( Aspen1 & from
&da or loda" the ,ew tree1 3A" 3abhadh" the Aspen1 a&"
air" the Spindle Tree1 /&" /inileann" Honeysuc%le1 la"
lfin" the #ooseberry1 A3" Amancholl" the +itch Ha-el1
ine O(ham" that is the di!ine ine from the wood" from
whence are drawn the four '&fins'" or /ineyard" thus Z, per
alios" the name of that branch.
Toda6, Tinne is (enera""6 acce#ted 6 #ractitioners o) o(ha'
to e the ho""6, and not the c6#ress. Ho!e-er, in Irish, the
na'e o) the ho""6 tree is Craoh Chui"inn, (i-in( a "etter.na'e
o) Cui"eann. A"so, in the 0ae"ic a"#haet, !here it is the 14th
and #enu"ti'ate character, it has an o-ious and direct
'eanin(, Teine" !hich in 0ae"ic 'eans )ire.
The 'ost !ide"6 acce#ted 'odern inter#retations o) the
o(ha' characteristics are those descried 6 the se-enteenthcentur6
Irish ard 3oderick 5'@"ahert6 in his ook O(y(ia. His
in)or'ation ca'e, he c"ai'ed, )ro' Eua"d Mac@iris, the c"an
ard o) the 5'Briens. :o'e o(ha' scho"ars, "ike 3.A.:.
Maca"ister, ha-e c"ai'ed that the ascri#tions o) the o(ha'
characters (i-en to the' 6 5'@"ahert6 and others !ere "ate
arti)icia"ities ha-in( "itt"e earin( on the 'ori(ina"' 'eanin(s. 5)
course, this is i'#ortant to those scho"ars !ho atte'#t to
deter'ine the ear"iest 'eanin(s o) a"#haets. But, e-en i) this
is a correct -ie! (and there is no !a6 o) te""in( i) it isG, then it
sti"" does not ne(ate the use o) o(ha' characters )or di-ination
at the #resent da6. 9e shou"d not )a"" into the tra# o)
i'a(in(in( that the o"der a s6ste' is, then the 'ore '#ure' it
'ust e. This is )unda'enta"is', the e"ie) that the 'odern
1+$
'a(ical Alphabets
!or"d is ut a de(enerate re)"ection o) a )or'er (o"den a(e.
E-er6thin( 'ust e-o"-e )ro' a(e to a(e , kee#in( itse") in tune
!ith the s#irit o) the a(e, other!ise it eco'es use"ess and
oso"ete, and is "ost. A"thou(h !e stud6 the #ast, !e shou"d
re'e'er that it is the re#ositor6 o) errors as !e"" as truths,
and en"i(htened #eo#"e o) the #resent da6 can 'ake a
contriution to the understandin( o) di-ination throu(h a"#haets
as !e"" as 'an6 a #ractitioner o) )or'er ti'es.
5'@"ahert6 "isted the o(ha' characters !ith their na'es asA
B, Boie"? ;, ;oth? @ (7G, @orann? 8, 8eia(adon? :, :a"ia? H,
7iria? E, Eaihaith? T, Tei"'on? C, Caoi? CC, Cai"e#? M,
Moiria? 0, 0ath? 8(, 8(oi'ar? Y, Idra?? 3, 3iuen? A, Aca?
=, 5se? ,, 7ra? E, Esu? I, Jaichi'. T!o -ersions o) this
a"#haet are (i-en 6 ;e!is :#ence in his ook The 'ysteries
of 2ritain (1/+&G, !here a"ternati-e !ritten characters are
(i-en. :#ence's a"#haets are not o(ha' at a"", ut Boi"eth
and Beth.;uis.8ion, !hich a##ear to e 'edie-a" 'a(ica"
a"#haets ased u#on the o"d Ce"tic "etter order.
Accordin( to the thou(ht o) the ti'e, the o(ha's !ere seen
as re"ics o) ancient Eruidis' !hich had een trans'itted ora""6
6 the ards do!n to the ti'e o) 5'@"ahert6. In "ater 6ears,
!ith the ado#tion o) Christianit6 and the associated 3o'an
a"#haet, o(ha' had een used on"6 )or di-ination and not )or
!ritin(. This is corroorated in 'odern Irish, !hose !ords )or
#eo#"e !ho dea" !ith !ritin( are a"" ased on the root run.,
such as 'n"na)', a secretar6 and 'runc"eireac' (rune.c"erkG, a
con)identia" secretar6. The root run. 'eans a rune, the !ritin(
used in 8orse.)ounded Eu"in a thousand 6ears a(o. E-en 6
then, the o(ha's !ere no "on(er used )or e-er6da6 !ritin(.
As used toda6 in 'a(ic and di-ination, the standard na'es o)
the "etters in the o(ha' a"#haet, "ike those o) the 0ae"ic
a"#haet, are ased u#on archaic tree na'es. In 'odern usa(e,
the first tree "etter o) the o(ha' a"#haet is the irch, *2etula
pendula). Its na'e is Beth, !hich in 'odern Irish is Beith
(#ronounced 'Be'G, and in 9e"sh, Bed!. Its #honetic e,ui-a"ent
is 'B'. Beth corres#onds !ith the second "etter o) the
0ae"ic a"#haet, Beath, !hich, "ike its o(ha' counter#art,
denotes the !hite tree o) #uri)ication sacred to the 0reat
Mother 0oddess. In e-er6 !a6, the irch is a #ioneer tree. It
!as the )irst tree to reco"oniDe the tree"ess !astes "e)t a)ter the
1+&
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
!J 3, k'u.. ~
L ,3
I .= 01. ~
I .. <
n 7 H I. 7
9 S .()i. A . t t
c ;
# ~
@, lit
( (..
I"Y ~
It -
r r
1 A
= ~
@ III
e ~
! Y
.D
@i(. *1. The standard Irish 5(ha' characters, co'#ared !ith their 9e"sh
Coe"ren counter#arts.
1+/
'a(ical Alphabets
retreat o) the ("aciers at the end o) the "ast Ice A(e. Each 6ear,
it is the )irst deciduous !ood"and tree to #ut out "ea-es in
s#rin(ti'e. In :candina-ian countr6 "ore, the a##earance o)
the )irst irch "ea-es 'arks the ti'e )or )ar'ers to e(in so!in(
their s#rin( !heat. To the Irish o(ha' tradition, a irch tree
#ro-ided the )irst !ood u#on !hich an o(ha' !ord !as
inscried. Accordin("6, it is c"assed as the )irst #easant tree,
!ith the sacred co"our o) !hite.
Beth is one o) the 'onth o(ha's, o) !hich there are 1*. This
1*.'onth 6ear is a re"ic o) the o"d !a6 o) reckonin( ti'e
accordin( to the #hases o) the 'oon, "ater )iBed into a 6ear
de)ined 6 the so"ar #heno'ena o) the so"stices. The Beth
'oon e(ins on +1 Eece'er in the 'odern ca"endar and runs
unti" += Januar6. This )iBes its e(innin( as >ust a)ter the
'odern !inter so"stice, on a )or'er 'id!inter's da6, a ti'e o)
#uri)ication and rene!a". In Ce"tic s6'o"is', hats 'ade o)
irch are associated !ith the dead. This is a -er6 ancient
tradition. 9hen the siBth.centur6 '" uria" 'ound o) a Ce"tic
"ord at Hochdor), near :tutt(art in south.!estern 0er'an6,
!as eBca-ated, a !onder)u""6 !orked conica" hat o) irch ark
!as )ound on the head o) the uried 'an. The o"d En("ish
a""ad The 9i)e o) <sher's 9e""' a"so re)ers to the irchen
hats o) her three dead sons.
Esoteric Irish nu'ero"o(6 ascries the nu'er )i-e to the
"etter Beth. 5ne o) these nu'erica" s6ste's ascries nu'er
e,ui-a"ents to 1$ o(ha' characters. Another, re)erred to in the
s6ste' kno!n as 5(ha' Consaine, an o(ha' a"#haet !hich
has on"6 consonants and no -o!e"s, (i-es 1+ o) the 1* nu'ers.
5ther corres#ondences o) Beth are the irch co"our, an
(!hiteG and the ird.o(ha' corres#ondence, esan, the
#heasant, 'the est ird that )"ies' . :6'o"ica""6 and 'a(ica""6
the irch and its corres#ondin( o(ha' character Beth ser-e to
#rotect one a(ainst a"" har', #h6sica" and s#iritua". .t a""o!s
ad thin(s to e dea"t !ith and c"eared a!a6 so that a ne!
e(innin( can take #"ace, unhindered 6 "e)t.o-ers, on."a6s and
un)inished usiness.
The second o(ha' character is ;uis, !hose #honetic e,ui-a"ent
is ';'. It is the ro!an or ,uickea' tree, *Sorbus acuparia"
the 'odern Irish, caorthann" the 9e"sh, cria/ol). Traditiona""6,
this tree, !hich a"so 'a6 e ca""ed the 'ountain ash, ,uicken
1*=
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
and 'tree o) "i)e', is a 'a(ica" #"ant. .t is the second #easant
tree, a tree o) hed(ero!s and !ood"and. This o(ha' corres#onds
!ith the 'a(ica" ninth "etter o) the 0ae"ic a"#haet,
!hich is a"so ca""ed ;uis. The o(ha' character ser-es to #rotect
its user a(ainst #s6chic attack and to de-e"o# the indi-idua"'s
#o!ers o) #erce#tion and #rediction. In a di-ination, it can
!arn that one is su>ect to inter)erence on the #s6chic "e-e",
ut a"so indicates that, i) one takes the a##ro#riate #recautions,
one !i"" not e har'ed 6 the eB#erience. In countr6
tradition, !hen #"anted outside the )ront door o) a house,
ro!an is e"ie-ed to !ard o)) har')u" s#irits, ener(ies and on"a6s.
Accordin( to a traditiona" :cottish rh6'eA
Rowan tree and red threid
#ar the witches tyne their speed.
Trans"ated into standard En("ish, this isA
Rowan tree and red thread
'a%e the witches lose their speed.
In this #ost.'edie-a" rh6'e, the !ord '!itches' re)ers to a""
har')u" #s6chic )orces, and not to ancient Pa(an #ractice, o)
!hich it is a #art, or the 'odern re"i(ion o) 9icca. In )or'er
ti'es, sacred (ro-es o) ro!an eBisted at #"aces o) sanctit6 as
'a(ica""6 #rotecti-e and oracu"ar trees. 5ne nota"e ro!an
(ro-e (re! on the Ba"tic sacred is"and o) 3<(en, and as "ate as
1$$$, in his ;lora Scotica " John ;i(ht)oot noted that this tree
!as #re-a"ent in the -icinit6 o) stone circ"es in :cot"and.
Another 'a(ica" attriute is in the s!itches or !hi#s o) ro!an
!ood that horse'en used to sudue 'e!itched' horses. 3o!an
!as a"so considered to ha-e an a))init6 )or 'eta"s, and !as used
)or 'eta" do!sin(.
In ird.o(ha', ;uis is lachu" the duck, !hich s!i's on "and
in this season o) )"oods. In Ce"tic #a(anis', the duck !as the
sacred ird o) ri-er (oddesses. An i'a(e o) :e,uana, (oddess
o) the 3i-er :eine in @rance, de#icts her ridin( in a duckheaded
ar(e, and the duck a##ears in se-era" ancient Irish
'anuscri#ts, u#on crosses and 'onu'ents. In )or'er ti'es,
ro!an.err6 >e""6 !as eaten !ith duck.
;uis's esoteric nu'er corres#ondence is 11. Its Ce"tic tree
'onth co-ers the #art o) the 6ear )ro' +1 Januar6 unti" 1$
1*1
'a(ical Alphabets
@eruar6. In this #eriod is the re"i(ious )esti-a" o) the co'in(
s#rin(, the )esti-a" o) I'oIc, Bri(antia or Cand"e'as, 1.+
@eruar6. This )esti-a" 'arks the ',uickenin( o) the 6ear',
!hen the da6s are noticea"6 "on(er a)ter the darkness o)
!inter, and the #ro'ise o) s#rin(ti'e eco'es a #ossii"it6.
5ne o) its co"our corres#ondences is '"iath', (re6, that inb~
t#""n co"our containin( !hite and "ack, the 'iBin( o) "i(ht
and Kr~n"LL, echoin( the (re6 skies o) this #art o) the 6ear.
But The 2oo% of 2allymote descries ;uis's #oetic na'e as
'Ee"i(ht o) the e6e, that is ;uisiu' . This co"our is )"a'e, the
'odern Irish luisne" a red ("are, !ith the additiona" 'eanin(
o) a sheen or "ustre. Ma(ica""6, this is a -er6 #o!er)u"
character, used )or the de-e"o#'ent o) the #o!er o) second
si(ht and #rotection a(ainst enchant'ent.
The third o(ha' "etter is @earn, !ith the #honetic renderin(
o) =F=3 This character corres#onds !ithe the a"der tree, *Alnus
(lutinosa" the 'odern Irish fearno( and the 9e"sh (wernen. .t
#ara""e"s direct"6 !ith @earn, the siBth "etter o) the 0ae"ic
a"#haet, !hose 'eanin( is a"so the a"der tree. But in the
0ae"ic a"#haet, the "etter '3', 3uis, is a"so associated !ith this
tree. In British '6tho"o(6, the a"der is the sacred tree o) the
Ce"tic (od.kin( Bran, !hose 'u''i)ied oracu"ar head !as
carried across Britain and )ina""6 uried at Br6n 0!6n . the
sacred 9hite Mount o) Trino-antiu', no! occu#ied 6 the
8or'an 9hite To!er o) the To!er o) ;ondon. 3oert 0ra-es
asserted that the 'sin(in( head' o) Bran !as the to#'ost ranch
. the 'head' . o) the a"der tree. This 'head' can e seen in !inter
as, a)ter "ea) )a"", the A"der retains its "ack cones and neBt
6ear's uno#ened catkins, (i-in( the tree a #ur#"e.tin(ed, dense
ero!n.
@earn is connected !ith the s#irit kno!n as the '@ear Eear('
(an("iciDed as @ar Earri(G, the '3ed Man' (the Irish !ord fear
or fir 'eans a 'anG. Accordin( to "e(end, these ein(s are
re#uted to he"# hu'an ein(s to esca#e )ro' the 5ther!oI"d.
But, "ike 'an6 Irish s#rites, the @ear Eear( is a"so a #rankster,
and in !interti'e !i"" ask #er'ission to !ar' h'se") 6 the
)ire. Bad "uck !i"" do( an6one )oo"hard6 enou(h to re)use.
@earn's esoteric nu'er corres#ondence is ei(ht, !hich is the
Ce"tic nu'er o) 'an, in a hu'an rather than a (ender sense.
This "etter is a"so re"ated to the !ord fearsad" !hich can 'ean
1*+
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
a sha)t, an aB"e, the u"na one or a narro! sea #assa(e . In its
)irst 'eanin( as a sha)t, it re)ers to the a"der #i"es !hich !ere
used traditiona""6 a"" o-er Euro#e )or the )oundations o)
ui"din(s in !et"ands. This use is uni-ersa", as a"der !ood is
the est ti'er )or this #ur#ose . The )oundations o) the cities
o) 7enice and 3otterda', cathedra"s "ike 9inchester, !ater'i""s
and the is"and cranno(s o) :cot"and and Ire"and !ere ui"t
u#on #i"es o) a"der. 5n a s'a""er sca"e, the !ood !as used )or
'akin( 'i"k #ans and other containers used in the dair6, and
c"o(s )or the )eet. This tree is connected a"so !ith s!ord'akin(.
The s'iths o) this cra)t #riDed a"der !ood )or (i-in(
the est charcoa" )or 'eta" s'e"tin(, and in "ater ti'es it !as
#riDed )or (un#o!der #roduction . The Son( of the ;orest Trees
descries a"der as 'The -er6 att"e.!itch o) a"" !oods, the tree
that is hottest in the )i(ht' . This second chie)tain tree o) Irish
tradition has the corres#ondin( co"our o) flann" "ood.red or
cri'son. This is ecause !hen an a"der tree is cut do!n , its sa#
turns red "ike "ood. ;ike the 6e!, the a"der is a '"eedin( tree'.
Because o) this, to cut do!n a sacred a"der tree !as he"d to e
a sacri"e(e !hich !ou"d rin( )ire u#on one's d!e""in( in
retriution. In #re.industria" ti'es, the a"der !as used )or
d6ein( )arics . The tree !as #riDed )or the three d6es !hich
cou"d e #re#ared )ro' di))erent #artsA red )ro' the ark,
ro!n )ro' the t!i(s and (reen )ro' the )"o!ers. These d6es
!ere the ases )or the ancient co"oured #"aid #atterns o)
:cot"and !hich e-o"-ed into the 'odern tartans !e kno!
toda6.
@earn is a tree o) )ire used to )ree the earth )ro' !ater. In
its use as #i"es in traditiona" ui"din(, a"der s6'o"ica""6 rid(es
the s#ace et!een the "o!er !or"d in the earth and the u##er
!or"d o) the air. :6'o"ica""6, its 'onth #ara""e"s this 6
rid(in( the dark and "i(ht ha"-es o) the 6ear, )or @earn ru"es
the Ce"tic 'onth !hich runs )ro' 1& March unti" 11 A#ri". The
a"der's )irst "oo'in( is around the e(innin( o) this 'onth
!hich inc"udes the -erna" e,uinoB. In ird o(ha', its corres#ondence
is faelinn" the sea(u"" . The (u""'s ca""s !ere i'itated
6 sea.!itches in their 'a(ica" su''onin( o) the !ind, and
si'i"ar"6, a"der can e used )or 'akin( 'a(ic !hist"es used in
!hist"in( u# the !ind. Ma(ica""6, this character is est used )or
#ersona" #rotection in con)"icts, and )or )reein( onese") )ro'
'a(ica" indin( o) an6 kind.
1**
'a(ical Alphabets
The neBt tree."etter is :ai""e, #honetica""6, ':' . It is the :a""6
tree or !hite !i""o!, *Sali0 alba" in 'odern Irish, saileach" the
9e"sh hely(en). This tree, !hose narro! cro!n is si"-er6.(re6
in co"our is associated !ith the (ro!th o) the "unar #o!er,
rootin( in !ater. The character corres#onds !ith the 12th "etter
o) the :cots 0ae"ic a"#haet, :ui". In Irish, its na'e is a""ied
!ith the !ord sail!" !hich 'eans ')at', re)errin( to its 'onth,
!hich e(ins on 12 A#ri" and ends on 1+ Ma6. It inc"udes the
Ma6 Ea6 )esti-a" o) ;a Bea"tane. Its ird.o(ha' character is
se(" the ha!k, 'entioned in one o) A'er(in's #oe's re)errin(
to this 'onthA 'I a' a ha!k on a c"i)). :ai""e is an o(ha' o)
"inkin(, a !ater6 s6'o"is' !hich rin(s itse") into har'on6
!ith the )"o! o) e-ents, 'ost nota"6 the #hases o) the 'oon.
It (i-es indications o) the states o) the tides, and, in traditiona"
'edicine, #ro-ided #rotection a(ainst the diseases o) da'#ness.
In di-ination, its #o!er is (reater at ni(ht than in
da6ti'e, eBce#t !hen the 'oon is -isi"e durin( the da6. Its
#o!er )"uctuates !ith the c6c"e o) the 'oon's #hases. The
#"ia"e, )"eBi"e nature o) the osiers 'ade it the #re)erred !ood
)or asket.'akin(. In ui"din( it !as a"so used as a indin('ateria"
in thatch and !att"e.and.dau !a""in(. Esoterica""6,
this e'inent )"eBii"it6 de'onstrates :ai""e's har'onious a'enai"it6
to the conditions to !hich it is su>ected. The !i""o!
is the third #easant tree, !hose co"our is 'sodath', ')ine' or
'ri(ht'. The Son( of the ;orest Trees. 'Burn not the !i""o!, a
tree sacred to #oets'. 8u'erica""6, its e,ui-a"ent is 14.
8uin or 8ion is the )i)th "etter o) the o(ha's. It has the
#honetic -a"ue o) '8'. Its tree is the )irst chie)tain tree, the (re6
and the "ack ash, *;ra0inus e0celsior) . This is the 9e"sh,
onnen" and the 'odern Irish, fuinnseo( . This o(ha' corres#onds
!ith the 11th character o) the :cots 0ae"ic a"#haet,
8uin, !hose 'eanin( is identica". 8ion is the third 'onth o)
the Ce"tic ca"endar, !hich eBtends )ro' 1& @eruar6 unti" 1$
March, a ti'e !hen the uddin( o) trees and the )resh (ro!th
o) hers eco'es a##arent. The ash is the tree o) reirth,
"inkin( that !hich is ao-e !ith that !hich is e"o!, the !or"ds
o) the s#irit and o) 'atter. It is the #assa(e et!een the inner
!or"d and the outer !or"d. In the 8orse tradition, it is eneath
the sacred ash tree Y((drassi", the cos'ic aBis "inkin( the
under!or"d !ith the 'idd"e and u##er !or"ds, that the three
1$-
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
8orns !ea-e the )ates o) hu'ans. The unches o) )ruits that
rese'"e ke6s si(ni)6 the #o!er to un"ock the )uture. But, >ust
as the seeds in these ke6s (er'inate on"6 in the second 6ear
a)ter )a""in( to the (round, un"ockin( o) the )uture 'a6 take a
considera"e ti'e. The co"our associated !ith 8ion is necht"
'c"ear', and its esoteric nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent is 1*. In irdo(ha',
it is naescu" the sni#e.
The siBth character o) the o(ha' a"#haet is Huath, so'eti'es
rendered as <ath. .t has the #honetic -a"ue o) 'H'. Huath is
the 0oddess's tree o) seBua"it6, the !hitethorn or ha!thorn,
*8ratae(us mono(yna" in 'odern Irish, sceach (heal" the
9e"sh, ysbyddaden or draenenwen). Another na'e )or it is the
Ma6 tree, and Huath's 'onth runs )ro' the 'idd"e o) the
'err6 'onth o) Ma6, 1* Ma6 unti" / June. The o(ha''s na'e
'eans 'terri"e', re)errin( to the 'ha(' or destro6in( as#ect o)
the Three)o"d 0oddess. Traditiona""6, it is un"uck6 to rin(
Ma6 "osso' into the house. It !as on a thorn ush at
Bos!orth @ie"d that the cro!n o) the s"ain kin( 3ichard III !as
)ound in 11&2. In )o"k tradition, this tree is considered a ')air6'
tree, and hence un"uck6 to an6one !ho is )oo"hard6 enou(h to
ta'#er !ith one. In Ire"and, it !as e"ie-ed uni-ersa""6 that
the destruction o) such a sacred thorn tree or sceo( !ou"d rin(
ad "uck to the indi-idua" !ho #er#etrated the act. The 'ost
recent eBa'#"e o) this !as the o"iteration o) such a tree to
'ake !a6 )or the i"".)ated Ee;orean car )actor6 in 8orthern
Ire"and. ;oca" #eo#"e ascried the disastrous co""a#se o) the
usiness to the i"" "uck attendin( the re'o-a" o) this ho"6 tree.
The death o) one's chi"dren or "i-estock and the "oss o) a"" one's
'one6 is the traditiona" )ate o) one ca-a"ier enou(h to destro6
a sacred thorn. 7au(han Cornish's !ork, Sacred Thorn Trees
in the 2ritish &sles docu'ents these sacred Ma6 trees, 'an6 o)
!hich are , sad"6, no! destro6ed. But it is sti"" custo'ar6, as
#art o) the re-erence due the ho"6 thorn, to tie ra(s to their
ranches as -oti-e o))erin(s to the 0oddess. In Christian ti'es,
this rite eca'e assi'i"ated into the cu"t o) :t Monica, !hose
na'e su#erseded that o) the Pa(an (oddess o) the thorns.
Ma(ica""6, Huath is the o(ha' o) #rotection a(ainst a"" i""s,
in-okin( the #o!er o) the 5ther!or"d. The ird o(ha'
corres#ondence o) Huath is hadai(" the ni(ht.cro!. .t is c"assed
as the )ourth #easant tree !hose co"our is huath " 'terri"e' or
1$,
'a(ical Alphabets
'ore 'odern"6, #ur#"e, the )oridden co"our o) the ha( as#ect
o) the 0oddess. As a dauntin( o(ha' o) the 5ther!or"d,
esoterica""6 it has no nu'erica" -a"ue, and no corres#ondence
in the 0ae"ic a"#haet.
Euir, the co''on or #eduncu"ate oak, *Ouercus robur" the
'odern Irish, dair and the 9e"sh derwen)" is the se-enth sacred
tree o) the o(ha's. This o(ha' corres#onds direct"6 !ith the
)ourth "etter o) the 0ae"ic a"#haet, Eoir. .t has the #honetic
-a"ue o) 'E'. A"" throu(h the Euro#ean s#iritua" tradition, the
oak is considered to e the 'ost #o!er)u" tree, ein( sacred to
the 'a>or Euro#ean sk6.(od !ho (oes 6 the na'es o) Ieus,
Ju#iter, Taranis, the Ea(da, Perkunas, Thunor and Thor,
a'on( others. In this as#ect, 5ur is re"ated to the Irish !ords
dur" 'eanin( hard, un6ie"din(, dura"e, and duranta" '6sterious.
Euir is the third no"e or chie)tain tree, !hose co"our is
dubh" "ack. In Eruidic ti'es, the oak !as (ro!n in sacred
(ro-es. To the Eruids, e-er6 #art o) the oak !as sacred, there
ein( ritua" uses )or its ou(hs, t!i(s, ark, "ea-es and acorns.
Its sacred 'onth, !hich eBtends )ro' 1= June to $ Ju"6,
incor#orates the su''er so"stice, the hi(h #oint o) the 6ear,
kno!n esoterica""6 as 'the door o) the 6ear'. A##ro#riate"6, the
na'e 7uir is co(nate !ith other !ords )or 'door' in -arious
Euro#ean "an(ua(esA the Irish doras" the En("ish 'door', the
0reek thura" the 0er'an /ar, etc. The 8ordic e,ui-a"ent o)
Euir, the rune Ea(, has the sa'e 'eanin(s. Euir 'arks the
centra" #oint o) the su''er, the cross.o-er #oint at !hich the
"on(est da6 a"so 'arks the e(innin( o) the shortenin( o) the
"i(ht and the u"ti'ate onset o) autu'n and !inter. It 'arks one
o) the t!o 'a>or turnin(.#oints o) the 6ear, the other ein( the
!inter so"stice. The sacri)ice o) the 5ak Hin( at 'idsu''er,
"ater assi'i"ated into the Christian ca"endar as the da6 o) the
si'i"ar"6 eBecuted :t John the Ba#tist, is co''e'orated 6
this "etter. Accordin( to tradition, the 5ak Hin( !as urned
a"i-e on the su''er so"stice, his #"ace ein( taken 6 the Ho""6
Hin(. This o(ha''s ird is droen" the !ren, s'a""est o) the
irds indi(enous to northern Euro#e, one o) the 'ost sacred
irds o) the ancient Eruids. Ma(ica""6, this i'#ortant o(ha'
si(ni)ies stren(th. It can e used as a door!a6 to inner
eB#eriences. Traditiona""6, it is the o(ha' that ena"es one to
see the in-isi"e, and to eco'e in-isi"e? to a""o! entr6 o)
1*4
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
those !ho shou"d enter and to eBc"ude those !ho shou"d not.
In a 'a(ica" !a6, it can a"so re)er to thin(s o) (reat stren(th
that are hidden )ro' -ie! at #resent, "ike the o( oaks uried
eneath the #eat in Ire"and and the )ens o).East An("ia. Euir's
5(ha' Consaine nu'erica" corres#ondence is 1+.
The ei(hth o(ha' "etter, Tinne, has the #hoentic -a"ue o) 'T'.
It is usua""6 associated !ith the ho""6 tree, *fle0 a:uifolium) "
a"thou(h The 2oo% of 2allymote (i-es a"ternati-e ascri#tions.
There, the C6#ress, *8upressus sp.) or 3o!an, *Sorbus
acuparia) " are 'entioned. But ro!an is identi)ied !ith ;uis,
*caorthann) " and 'ost o(ha' users #re)er to use the ho""6. But
the 'odern Irish !ord )or ho""6 is cuileann" co(nate !ith the
9e"sh, celyn. But, con-erse"6, the "etter's 'a(ica" na'e is
re"ated to the Irish !ords tine, 'eanin( )ire , and teann" stron(
or o"d. .t is this )ier6 'eanin( !hich is ascried to its
counter#art in the :cots 0ae"ic a"#haet, Teinne , the 14th
"etter. Ma(ica""6, the character Tinne rin(s stren(th and
#o!er, ut in a a"anced 'anner. It has a stron( 'a"e e"e'ent,
'ore s#eci)ica""6 connected !ith )atherhood and the conse,uent
ai"it6 )or sou"s to e reorn. .t is the o(ha' o)
uni)ication. Tinne's ird o(ha' is truith " the star"in(, a ird
!hich )or's enor'ous )"ocks. The ho""6 is the )i)th #easant
tree, !hose co"our is lemen " a !ord inter#reted as 'eanin(
(re6.(reen or dark (re6. Its esoteric consonanta" nu'er is 11.
The ninth tree "etter is Co"i, !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) 'H' or
a hard 'C' . .t si(ni)ies the haDe" tree, *8orylus a!ellana) " the
)ourth chie)tain tree. Its ancient na'e is the sa'e in 'odern
Irish, !hi"st in 9e"sh it is collen. In the 0ae"ic a"#haet it is
Ca"tuinn, the third "etter, a"so corres#ondin( !ith the haDe".
Its 'onth runs )ro' 2 Au(ust unti" 1 :e#te'er. In Bardic
nu'ero"o(6, Co"i is the 'a(ic nu'er nine, '6 the #o!er o)
three ti'es three', re"ated to the three o) its 0ae"ic counter#art.
Accordin( to countr6 "ore , the haDe" )ruits )irst a)ter nine
6ears' (ro!th.
HaDe" is associated !ith )indin( out thin(s. The druidic
hera"ds o) #a(an Ire"and carried !hite haDe" !ands as s6'o"s
o) o))ice, re#resentin( their ai"it6 to use !ords. In 7ikin(
ti'es, haDe" #o"es !ere used to de"i'it the sacred enc"osures
kno!n as the hoslur" or 'haDe""ed )ie"d' in !hich )or'a" co'at
1*$
'a(ical Alphabets
took #"ace. Both in sin("e co'at, holm(an(a" and in )u"".sca"e
)or'a" att"es et!een ar'ies, the area )or att"e !as
distin(uished )ro' the nor'a" !or"d o) e-er6da6 "i)e 6 haDe"
#osts !hich )or'ed a 'a(ica" oundar6 around it. In !ar)are,
haDe" !as used as a 'a(ica" shie"d. Accordin( to the ancient
Irish "e(end o) The Ancient 7rippin( Ha-el" this 'a(ic tree
dri##ed -eno', and !hen 'ade into a shie"d 6 @ionn
MacCu'hai"", #oisonous (ases e'anatin( )ro' it s"e! his
ene'ies. @ionn's :hie"d is a #oetic kennin( )or 'a(ica"
#rotection. It a""udes to the o#tica" i""usion indin( knots o)
Ce"tic inter"ace.#atterns kno!n as luaithrindi carried 6 Ce"tic
!arriors. It a"so 'eans a satirica" #oe' !hich carries a curse
on the su>ect o) the satire .
The 'edie-a" teBt kno!n as The 2oo% of St Albans te""s o) a
'a(ica" techni,ue )or in-isii"it6, !hich in-o"-es the use o) a rod
o) haDe", one.and.a.ha") )atho's in "en(th (/ )eetG, !ith a (reen
haDe" t!i( i'#"anted in it. Be)ore the recent use o) 'eta" !ires
-irtua""6 su#erseded it, the )orked haDe" t!i( !as the traditiona"
!and o) the !ater di-iner. Here, haDe" !as another 'eanin( o)
')indin( out'. Its co"our is cron" nut.ro!n, the sa'e !ord in Irish
as its ird o(ha' corres#ondence, cron" the crane.
%uert, the cra a##"e tree, *'alus syl!estris) , is the tenth
o(ha', the )ina" character o) the second ruic. It has the
#honetic -a"ue o) '%u'. %uert is a 'a(ica" na'e, as the #ro)ane
na'e o) the a##"e is aball in 'odern Irish, and afal in 9e"sh,
the se-enth #easant tree . It has no 0ae"ic corres#ondence.
Euro#ean s6'o"is' te""s o) the a##"e as the tree o) reirth
and eterna" "i)e. The 0reek tradition te""s o) the 0o"den A##"es
o) the Hes#erides, the 8orse s#eaks o) the (oddess Iduna and
the a##"es o) i''orta"it6, !hi"st Ce"tic tradition has the Is"e o)
A-a"on, to !hich Hin( Arthur is taken a)ter his "ast att"e, to
hea" his !ounds. %uert thus ce"erates the eternit6 o) "i)e. The
)i-e strokes to the "e)t o) the ste' o) the o(ha' "etter re)"ect
the )i-e.)o"d #eta"s o) the a##"e )"o!er, the )i-e rece#tac"es )or
the seeds !ithin the )ruit itse"). <n"ike the cu"ti-ated s#ecies
o) a##"e, the cra a##"e ears thorns, 'akin( %uert a
#rotecti-e tree "ike the ha!thorn and "ackthorn. %uert's
co"our is (i-en -arious"6 as a##"e.(reen and :uiar" 'ouseco"oured.
Its ird o(ha' ird is another -ersion o) ro!n,
:uerc" the hen.
1*&
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
Muin or Min is the 11th tree o) the o(ha's, !ith the #honetic
-a"ue o) 'M'. This o(ha' is usua""6 ascried to the (ra#e -ine
*/itis alba) . Ho!e-er, in the Irish "an(ua(e, the -ine is finium.
A"so, this #"ant is not indi(enous to the British Is"es, ut
e,ua""6 it 'a6 ha-e een introduced 6 the Ce"ts )ro'
'ain"and Euro#e. Ho!e-er, in the Irish "an(ua(e, muine
'eans a thicket o) an6 thorn6 #"ant, so the corre"ation o) this
o(ha' !ith the -ine 'a6 e a "ate connection. As a thorn6
thicket, it is nearer to a tree than a -ine, )or Muin is the )i)th
no"e, or chie)tain, tree. This 'eanin( is ascried to the tenth
character o) the 0ae"ic a"#haet, Muin. The thicket.'onth
incor#orates the autu'na" e,uinoB, ein( current )ro' +
:e#te'er unti" the +/th o) that 'onth. Its ird o(ha' is
min tan , the tit'ouse, a ird o) thickets, and Muin's co"our is
mbracht" -arie(ated. Its nu'er corres#ondence is siB. Ma(ica""6,
it si(ni)ies the ai"it6 to ran(e o-er a !ide area and (ather
to(ether those thin(s that 'i(ht e needed. 5nce (athered
to(ether, these thin(s are assi'i"ated, "eadin( to inner de-e"o#'ent.
0ort is the 1+th o(ha' character, !ith the #honetic -a"ue o)
'0'. In the 'odern tree.ased inter#retation o) the o(ha's, it
re#resents the nati-e -ine, the I-6 *Hedera heli0)" 'ost
#articu"ar"6 in its )"o!erin( season. In 9e"sh, the na'e o) this
'tree' is eiddew" eadhnean in 'odern Irish. But the Irish !ord
(ort 'eans a ti""ed )ie"d, not i-6. This corres#onds a"'ost
eBact"6 !ith the 'eanin( in the :cots 0ae"ic a"#haet )or the
"etter 0, the se-enth "etter, 0art, !hich si(ni)ies a (arden or
-ine6ard. As an o(ha' o) the )"o!erin( season, its a##earance
in a di-ination indicates the second har-est, that o) )ruits, as
its ti'e corres#ondence, *= :e#te'er unti" +$ 5ctoer,
indicates. Because the na'e o) this o(ha' is a"so re"ated to the
Irish (orta" !hich 'eans hun(er or )a'ine, in an un)a-oura"e
#osition in a di-ination, 0ort 'a6 e an indicator o) scarcit6,
the )ai"ure o) the ti""ed )ie"d to #roduce an ade,uate har-est.
#orm" "ue, is the co"our associated !ith 0ort, and its ird is
(eis" the 'ute s!an. Its esoteric nu'er is ten, the nu'er o)
co'#"etion o) the c6c"e. :6'o"ica""6 and 'a(ica""6, 0ort
re#resents the chan(es that are necessar6 )or (ro!th, and the
re,uire'ent that a"" thin(s e re"ated to the Earth. Just as it is
necessar6 to ti"" the )ie"ds in order to rea# a har-est "ater, so it
1*/
'a(ical Alphabets
is necessar6 to do the '(round!ork' in an6 thin(, and to
re'e'er that in a"" thin(s !e 'ust think o) Mother .Earth.
A"thou(h it (ro!s u#on other #"ants or on the !a""s o)
ui"din(s, the i-6 'ust re'ain rooted in the (round in order to
sur-i-e. But it is a tree o) trans)or'ation, startin( as a s'a"",
!eak, her."ike #"ant, !hich )ina""6, a)ter centuries o) (ro!th ,
eco'es an enor'ous"6 thick, !ood6, se#entine tree in its o!n
ri(ht.
8(eta" is the 1*th o(ha'. It has the #honetic e,ui-a"ent o)
'8('. ;ike the #re-ious character, 8(eta"'s 'tree' is not a tree
accordin( to 'odern otanica" de)initions. .t is the reed,
(iolcach in Irish, the 9e"sh cawnen. 8(eta" has no corres#ondin(
"etter in the :cots 0ae"ic a"#haet. Accordin( to the ardic
tree c"assi)ication, the reed is the )irst o) the ki"n or shru trees.
I,t a##ears that the reed !as c"assi)ied as a tree ecause the
scries o) ancient Ire"and used the hard, resistant ste's o) the
reed to 'ake #ens. The 'odern, scienti)ica""6 ased de)inition
o) !hat is and !hat is not a tree is re"ati-e"6 recent. As in 'an6
other areas o) io"o(6, the scienti)ic de)inition di))ers )ro' the
traditiona". In )or'er ti'es, an6 #"ant !ith !ood6 ste's, such
as a reed or i-6 !as ca""ed a tree. The reed !as a"so the 'ateria"
)ro' !hich a sort o) #a#er or #a#6rus, kno!n to the 9e"sh
scries as pla(awd !as 'ade. The reed !as a traditiona" rod
o) 'easure, used to de"i'it sacred enc"osures. In ardic
nu'ero"o(6, it si(ni)ies the nu'er 1. This o(ha' is e,ui-a"ent
#honetica""6 to the 8ordic rune "n(, !hich re)ers to the di-init6
"n(, !hose sacred enc"osure !as de"ineated 6 the i'a(e o) the
(od ein( carried around it. The traditiona" use o) reeds !as
in enc"osin( s#ace in co-erin( the roo) o) the house !ith thatch,
and the #atterns o) the rune In( are used in thatchin( to this
da6. Another use !as as a )"oor co-erin(, es#ecia""6 in !inter,
!hen reeds ser-ed as insu"ation. 8(eta"'s 'onth eBtends )ro'
+& 5ctoer unti" +1 8o-e'er. 8(eta" is the thus the o(ha'
o) ;a :a'hain, the )esti-a" o) the dead and the e(innin( o)
the ne! 6ear in the Ce"tic ca"endar. Traditiona""6, reed )or
thatchin( and other !ea-in(s is cut in 8o-e'er. Its ird
o(ha' corres#ondence is the (oose, the ird that !inters in the
reed"ands, its o"d Irish na'e ein( n(ei(h.
The (reatest #o!er o) 8(eta" is as a #reser-er. As a #en, the
reed #reser-es 'e'or6 and kno!"ed(e, as a rod, it #reser-es
11=
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
'easure, and as roo)in( it #reser-es the house. Ao-e a"" e"se,
8(eta" is the o(ha' o) !ritten co''unication, and there6
si(ni)ies conscious #recision and the 'aintenance o) order in
chaos. The 'an6 uses o) the reed in traditiona" societ6 are
re)"ected in its s6'o"ic 'eanin(s As !e"" as re#resentin(
#reser-ation, 8(eta" si(ni)ies )"eBii"it6 . That i~ the )"eBii"it6 one
'ust #ossess i) one is to co'e to ter's !ith the #re-ai"in(
circu'stances !ithout sacri)icin( one's inte(rit6. @ro' its use in
thatchin( and asket.'akin(, and as the co-ert in !hich irds
take re)u(e, it is the container and #rotector o) thin(s, >ust as
!ritin( is the container and #rotector o) thou(ht and cu"ture. Its
co"our is n(ias. This is another co"our !here traditiona" co"our
#erce#tion di))ers )ro' 'odern co"our descri#tions. .t is usua""6
thou(ht o) as '("ass (reen', a c"ear 6e""o!ish.(reen.
The 11th o(ha', !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) ':t', is :trai). This
is e,ui-a"ent to the "ackthorn or s"oe tree, Prunus s#inosa, the
se-enth #easant tree. The 'odern Irish na'e o) this #"ant is
draion or drai(hnean" the 9e"sh draenenwen. B"ackthorn is a
shru that #roduces suckers !hich can 'ake a sin("e #"ant the
nuc"eus o) an i'#enetra"e thorn6 thicket. .t is one o) the
'a>or trees o) 'a(ica" #o!er, a tree !hose na'e has the
connotations o) '#unish'ent' and 'stri)e'. :ta-es 'ade )ro' its
!ood, carried 6 !itches, !ar"ocks and !iDards, ha-e a"!a6s
een reno!ned )or their 'a(ica" #o!er. .t is no coincidence
that the Irish !ord )or a !iDard is draoi" and that o) a druid,
drai" oth re"ated to the 'antic turnin( #o!er o) the s"oe tree.
5n a #h6sica" "e-e", the thorns o) the "ackthorn ha-e #ro-ed
a -a"ua"e de)ence in hed(in(? !a"kin(.sticks, shi""e"a(hs and
cud(e"s 'ade )ro' the !ood are hard and dura"e. In 'a(ic
and di-ination, :trai) si(ni)ies #o!er in oth the -isi"e and
in-isi"e !or"ds. .t #ro-ides the stren(th one needs to resist and
de)eat ad-ersit6, and to contro" or !ard o)) su#ernatura" and
#aranor'a" #o!ers. :trai) is #erha#s the 'ost #o!er)u" o(ha'
)or o-erthro!in( a"" resistance to one's !i"". The once sacred
a"coho"ic e-era(e 'ade )ro' the "ackthorn's )ruit, s"oe (in,
is a re-i-er and #rotector on another "e-e". In ird o(ha', this
character is smolach" the thrush, a ird re#uted to i'#a"e snai"s
on the thorns o) the "ackthorn ush. Its corres#ondin( co"ours
are sorcha . 'ri(ht co"oured' and #ur#"e."ack, the co"our o)
the "ackthorn's )ruit , the s"oe.
111
'a(ical Alphabets
The neBt o(ha' character, the 12th, is 3uis, !ith the #honetic
-a"ue o) '3'. This is s6'o"iDed 6 the e"der or ourtree,
*Sambucus ni(ra)" in 'odern Irish, trom" the 9e"sh ys(aw. In
a"" o) northern Euro#e, it is another tree o) (reat 'antic #o!er,
the second ki"n or shru tree. 3uis is co(nate !ith the Irish
!ord ruisc, !hich 'eans a -io"ent attack, a "o!, or a thro!,
!hich eB#resses the #rotecti-e ut dan(erous nature o) this
ho"6 tree. The ark and )"o!ers ha-e hea"in( #ro#erties, ut
the -a#ours e'anatin( )ro' #"antations o) e"der are re#uted to
#roduce disease and e-en rin( death to those !ho 'i(ht "in(er
near6 )or too "on(. Hin( 9i""ia' II (3u)usG !as shot 6 an
archer !ho "urked eneath an e"der tree. East An("ian )o"k
tradition !arns a(ainst urnin( e"der !ood in the house, )or
ad "uck !i"" sure"6 )o""o!. But ranches o) the )"o!erin( e"der
!ere kno!n to e (ood )or kee#in( )"ies a!a6 )ro' sta"es and
6res. The e"der is sacred to the dark as#ect o) the Mother
0oddess, the Ha(. In connection !ith this, Irish !itches !ere
re#uted to ride u#on e"der sticks in #"ace o) the 'ore co''on
roo'sticks, hurd"es or stra!s.
:6'o"ica""6, 3uis si(ni)ies the three as#ects o) ti'e
#resent in the Three)o"d 0oddess, the @ates, the Parcae, the
8orns and the 9eird :isters. It re#resents the e-er.#resent
three)o"d as#ects o) eBistenceA e(innin(, 'idd"e and end. As
3uis, it denotes the acce#tance o) a"" three as#ects that is
necessar6 i) one is to "ead a a"anced "i)e. It is an o(ha' o)
ti'e"essness, or, rather, the unit6 o) a"" ti'e. ;ike the
"ackthorn, the e"der is the ori(in o) t!o other sacred
a"coho"ic e-era(es !hich !ard o)) the co"d and i""nessA
e"der)"o!er !ine, re!ed in June and Ju"6 )ro' the crea'6!hite
)"o!ers, and e"dererr6 !ine, )er'ented )ro' the
#ur#"6."ack )ruits that ri#en in Au(ust and :e#te'er. The
co"our ascried to 3uis is rocnat" one o) the 'an6 )or's o)
red )or'er"6 reco(niDed, descried in tartan o(ha' as
'roeuck red'. Its corres#ondin( ird is the rook.
Ai"', the e"' tree, *Blmus minor)" is the 14th o(ha', the )irst
character o) the )ourth ruric, !hose strokes are dra!n ri(ht
across the ste'. Ai"' is the third ki"n or shru tree, ein( 'ost
usua""6 the so.ca""ed 'Cornish e"'' *Blmus minor" -ar. stricta) ,
!hich (ro!s in Corn!a"", Ee-on and south.!estern Ire"and.
<n"ike 'ost e"'s, this is a !a6side tree that is not )ound in
11+
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
!ood"and. Ai"' has the #honetic -a"ue o) 'A'. But e"',
a"thou(h c"ear"6 the correct ascri#tion, is "ess co''on"6 used.
Because, in Irish, ailm 'eans #a"' tree, !hich is not
indi(enous to northern Euro#e, the 'odern inter#retation o)
this o(ha', ased on the !ork o) 3oert 0ra-es and Co"in
Murra6, is to associate it !ith the Euro#ean si"-er )ir, *Abies
alba). This is the ta""est Euro#ean nati-e tree, the tannenbaum
o) 0er'an.s#eakin( #eo#"es. Ho!e-er, this identi)ication
#roduces 'ore #ro"e's than it so"-es. This )ir tree is not
indi(enous to the British Is"es, and the Irish !ord )or a )ir tree
is (iuis. Ho!e-er, in the 0ae"ic a"#haet o) :cot"and, the )irst
"etter is the @hai"', e"', co(nate !ith this o(ha' character.
There)ore, I a' con-inced that the a##ro#riate ascri#tion )or
ai"' is the e"' tree.
A"thou(h the 14th character in the Irish o(ha' order, this
"etter 'A' corres#onds !ith the )irst characters o) other
i'#ortant a"#haets? the A"e#h o) Here! and A"#ha o) the
0reek. It a"so corres#onds !ith the eBtre'e"6 #o!er)u" '(odrune'
o) the 3unic @uthark. Ai"' re#resents the (od."ike
stren(th that one needs to rise ao-e ad-ersit6, "ike the e"'
tree, to create a -ie!#oint )ro' a hi(her "e-e"A the (od."ike
ca#ai"ities o) hea"in( and #erce#tion o) )uture trends.
3e(eneration, "ike the e"', can re.(ro! )ro' ne! shoots sent
out )ro' the roots. 9hen an e"' is cut do!n, and see'in("6
dead, ne! ste's (ro! )ro' the sti""."i-in( roots. Its corres#ondin(
co"our is usua""6 (i-en as "ue (ut, accordin( to @rank
Mc0au(h, the tartan o(ha' researcher, it is "ack and !hiteG.
Its corres#ondin( ird is the "a#!in(.
5n or 5hn is the 1$th o(ha', ein( the second -o!e". It has
the #honetic -a"ue o) '=' . Its corres#ondin( 'tree', the (orse or
)urDe *Ble0 europaeus) , is the se-enth chie)tain tree. The
'odern Irish !ord )or the (orse is aiteann" co(nate !ith the
9e"sh eithin. It corres#onds !ith 5)r, the 1+th character o) the
0ae"ic a"#haet. This is a #"ant !hich can e )ound in )"o!er
in a"'ost e-er6 'onth o) the 6ear. Thus it is an o(ha' o)
continuous )erti"it6. It re#resents the carr6in( on o) one's
acti-ities des#ite the surroundin( conditions, in this as#ect o)
'standin( out' a(ainst the ack(round, as does the (orse ush.
The !ord 'on' a"so 'eans a stain or "e'ish. The (orse (ro!s
on"6 in o#en countr6, not in !ood"ands. Ma(ica""6, 5n
1-$
'a(ical Alphnbets
re#resents the co""ectin( to(ether and reta''( o) one's
stren(th throu(h ad-ersit6. The co""ection and dis#ersa" o) the
(orse seeds 6 ants, eB#resses the necessit6 )or (atherin( s'a""
and se#arate thin(s to(ether. 5hn's "itur(ica" co"our is that o)
the #ea."ike (orse )"o!ersA (o"den.6e""o!, sa))ron, dun or sand,
accordin( to -arious descri#tions. Its corres#ondin( ird is a
sea.ird, the cor'orant.
The third -o!e", !ith the #honetic -a"ue o) ',', is ,r. This is
the heather *3rica sp. )" the 1&th o(ha' and the "ast o) the ei(ht
#easant trees. The 'eanin( o) this o(ha' is #ro"e'atica", )or
its corres#ondin( character in the 0ae"ic a"#haet is 7hr, one
o) the t!o 6e! tree connections there. Another #ro"e' !ith
this o(ha' is that the Irish !ord )or this #"ant is fraoch" and
the 9e"sh (ru(. 7r has the "itera" 'eanin( o) ')resh', 'ne!', or
''oist', !ith the associated 'eanin( o) the 'ornin( de!.
Ma(ica""6, , r rin(s this "uck and )reshness to an6 -enture to
!hich it is a##"ied. It eco'es the entrance.#oint to the inner
!or"ds. In e-er6da6 )o"k tradition, the heather is considered to
e an eBtre'e"6 "uck6 #"ant. To this da6 it is so"d in the streets
6 (6#sies as a "uck rin(er. Its traditiona" corres#ondin(
co"our is #ur#"e, the co"our o) its )"o!ers, associated !ith the
dark (oddess? a susidiar6 co"our, used in the tartan o(ha'
s6ste', is "i(ht (reen. Its corres#ondin( ird is the sk6"ark. The
"ate British druid Co"in Murra6 "inked this o(ha' !ith the
'ist"etoe as !e"" as the heather. This he sa! as a co'#"e'entar6
as#ect o) the o(ha', the hea"in( o) a"" and )resh
)erti"iDation on so"id )oundations.
Eadha is the 1/th o(ha' "etter, the )ourth -o!e", #honetica""6
'E'. This corres#onds !ith the as#en or !hite #o#"ar, *opulus
tremula) , the )i)th ki"n or shru tree. :cots 0ae"ic ca""s this
character Euh, !hose tree is a"so the as#en. The 'ode' Irish
na'e )or this tree is pobail ban" and the 9e"sh, aethnen. The
as#en is -er6 hard6, "i-in( in a ran(e o) haitats )ro' "o!."6in(
!et"ands to eB#osed 'ountain "ed(es. .t thus has the ,ua"it6
o) hard6 resistance to a -ariet6 o) see'in("6 inhos#ita"e
conditions. Ma(ica""6, it is seen as a #re-enter o) death. .t is a
)aci"itator o) the indi-idua"'s curati-e #o!ers, #ro-idin( access
to the rea" essence that under"ies the so'eti'es 'is"eadin(
outer )or'. It is the s#irit that ani'ates the )"esh. At its 'ost
111
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
#o!er)u", it si(ni)ies the #o!er o) one's !i"" o-erridin( destin6,
the #ossii"it6 o) the #o!er o) the 'ind o-erridin( the inertia
o) 'atter, o-erco'in( death. Its corres#ondin( co"our is
si"-er6.!hite, thou(h in the tartan o(ha' s6ste', it is ascried
"i(ht 6e""o!. Its ird is the !hist"in( s!an.
The +=th o(ha', "oho, Idho or "uhar, has the #honetic
e,ui-a"ent o) '1' . "oho is the 6e! tree *Ta0us baccata). a)ter the
:cots #ine, this siBth ki"n or shru tree is the other coni)er tree
indi(enous to the British Is"es. In 'odern Irish, the na'e o)
the 6e! tree is eo " in 9e"sh, yw. Its corres#ondence in :cots
0ae"ic is "uhar, the second 6e! o) that a"#haet. This
character has a direct connection !ith the rune Eoh o) the
E"der @uthark, !hich is the 'a(ic dou"e.ended sta-e o) death
and "i)e. Throu(hout Euro#e, the 6e! is the "on(est."i-ed tree,
(reen throu(hout the 6ear. Because o) this continuit6, it is a
tree o) eterna" "i)e, sacred to -arious di-inities and saints o)
death and re(eneration, )or eBa'#"e, Hecate in the eastern
Mediterranean. The o(ha' "oho has the 'eanin( o) the unit6
o) death and "i)e, the reirth !hich co'es, )i(urati-e"6 or
#h6sica""6, as the resu"t o) death. Ancient Irish tradition ca""ed
)or the 6e! 'the co))in o) the -ine' , )or it !as )ro' 6e! !ood
that !ine.arre"s !ere 'ade. The connection o) the 6e! !ith
the o! has a"read6 een 'entioned in the #re-ious cha#ter.
Euro#ean 6e!.'a(ic is concerned !ith the '6steries o) "i)e and
deathA "oho eB#resses those ,ua"ities. It re#resents the 'a(ica"
sta)) or s"i-er o) 6e!, cut at the a##ro#riate hour, !hich (uards
a(ainst a"" e-i". :hakes#eare' s 'acbeth te""s o) the '. . . s"i#s o)
Ye!, s"i-er'd in the Moon's ec"i#se' !hich is #art o) this
tradition. As a ti'e 'arker, it si(ni)ies the "ast da6 o) the 6ear.
A(ain, this eB#resses the dua" nature o) the endin( and
e(innin( ein( #resent at the sa'e ti'e. Its co"our is dark
(reenish ro!n, the co"our o) the tree's "ea-es, a"thou(h the
tartan o(ha' corres#ondence is (i-en as 'ro6a" scar"et' and
'"ood red', the co"our o) the under.ark and resin. The
corres#ondin( ird o) "oho is the ea("et.
"oho is the "ast -o!e" o) the con-entiona" ruric o) the o(ha'
scri#t. .t has the #honetic -a"ue o) '1'. The "ast )i-e characters
are di#hthon(s, and in 'odern usa(e, the6 can e ascried
di))erent 'eanin(s. Their 'a(ica" corres#ondences are "ess
112
'a(ical Alphabets
!e"" esta"ished than those o) the )irst += characters. The )irst
o) these "ast )i-e "etters is so'eti'es kno!n as Hoad, !ith the
#honetic -a"ue o) 'H', ut in so'e other inter#retations it is the
di#hthon( 'Ea', !hose e,ui-a"ent is that o) the Eadha, the
As#en tree *opulus tremula). But, as ' Ea', the )irst o) this
uncon-entiona" ruric can si(ni)6 Earth, corres#ondin( !ith
the An("o.:aBon rune 'Ear', !hich 'eans 'the (ra-e'. It has
the ardic nu'er o) 1*, the nu'er o) Eeath in the Tarot,
and the 6e!.rune, 'Eoh' is a"so associated !ith death.
Co"in Murra6 sa! this o(ha' as Hoad, !hich si(ni)ies the
unit6 o) a"" ei(ht )esti-a"s o) the traditiona" 6ear. Here it is
descried as the sacred (ro-e, the "ocation in !hich a"" thin(s,
hitherto se#arate, eco'e connected to(ether. At such a #oint,
a"" thin(s eco'e c"ear. The associated co"ours o) Hoad are a""
the ')ort6 shades o) (reen', descried in 'tartan o(ha'' as '"i(ht
(reen and s#eck"ed'.
5i or 5ir has the #honetic -a"ue o) '5i'. As 5i, it is the
(ooseerr6 ush, *Ribes u!a$crispa) . This #"ant is a cu"ti-ated
s#ecies, and it is #roa"e that the 0ooseerr6 is not
indi(enous to the British Is"es. The 9e"sh !ord )or this )ruit
ush is a na'e re"ated to 5ir, eirinen fair" ut in the Irish
"an(ua(e, it is spiontin. Eurin( the 1/$=s, in his teachin(s to
the druidic '0o"den :ection 5rder' ho!e-er, Co"in Murra6
so'eti'es ca""ed this o(ha' Tharan', !ith the #honetic -a"ue
o) 'Th', !hich !ou"d re"ate it to the thorn o(ha's, Huath and
:trai). This is associated !ith the s#ind"e tree, *3uonymus
europaeus)" the sacred tree o) the centra" #oint, as !ith the
rune 0ar. Traditiona""6, as 5i, this o(ha' is associated !ith
chi"dirth, ein( used 'a(ica""6 to ease the #assa(e o) the a6
)ro' the !o' into the !or"d. Its co"our is usua""6 !hite,
a"thou(h in his tartan o(ha' corres#ondences, @rank
Mc0au(h sees it as red, the co"our o) the s#ind"e tree's )ruits.
The +*rd o(ha' tree is <i or <in""ean, !hich has the #honetic
-a"ue o) '<i' . Accordin( to The 2oo% of 2allymote" this o(ha'
is associated !ith the hone6suck"e *Lonicera). Ho!e-er,
'odern o(ha' users connect it !ith the eech tree *;a(us
syl!atica)" a chie)tain tree. :o'eti'es this o(ha' is rendered
as 'Pha(os', !ith the #honetic e,ui-a"ent o) 'Ph' or '@'. The
Euro#ean eech is a "ar(e tree !hich )"o!ers in Ma6, and
114
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
#roduces its nuts in 5ctoer. Thus it 'arks the #eriod et!een
the )esti-a"s o) Be"tane and :a'hain (1 Ma6 and 1 8o-e'erG,
the 'arkers o) the su''er ha") o) the 6ear in the Ce"tic
ca"endar. The na'e o) this tree in 'odern Irish is fed" and the
9e"sh ffawyddean . ;ed is a -ersion o) the na'e o) the '@'
character in runes, '@eoh'. 9hate-er it is ca""ed, the 'a(ica"
characteristic o) this character is hardness and resistance, the
so"idit6 o) kno!"ed(e and tried.and.tested actions. .t re)ers to
the so"idit6 o) ancient !isdo', the cu"tura" or #h6sica"
)oundation !hich 'ust e in #"ace e)ore an6 constructions can
e 'ade, either in the #h6sica" or the )i(urati-e 'eanin(. Its
co"our is ta!n6, (the '"i(ht roeuck' o) tartan o(ha'G, the
co"our o) the "ea-es o) the co##er eech.
Petho" is the +1th o(ha' character, !ith the #honetic -a"ue
o) 'P'. Petho" is e,ui-a"ent to the (ue"der rose or sno!a""
tree, */iburnum opulus)" a c"ose re"ati-e o) the !a6)arin( tree,
!hich does not (ro! in Ire"and. ;ike its runic counter#art, it
is a character o) '6ster6, aout !hich "itt"e is co''on"6
kno!n. Peith has een connected !ith the rune Peorth, !ith
the 'eanin( o) 'a "i-e"6 tune', 'eanin( the dance o) "i)e. Co"in
Murra6 sa! it as a s#ecia" ste# !hich "eads into the "a6rinth
!hich is inner kno!"ed(e. This "inks it !ith the '6stic Crane
Eance, #er)or'ed u#on "a6rinths throu(hout Euro#e, and the
crane.skin ''edicine a(' !hich ancient sha'ans used to ho"d
their sacred #o!er.o>ects. Its 'a(ica" nu'er corres#ondence
is (i-en as * or 2 in the Irish ardic '6steries, and its co"our is
that -ersion o) red no! kno!n as #ink, a)ter the #a"e,
trans#arent red )ruits o) the tree, !hich are ri#e in :e#te'er
and 5ctoer.
The +2th o(ha' is (i-en -arious na'es . Peine, A'ancho"",
Fi and Mor. C"ear"6 this o(ha' is 6et another contentious
character. As the #honetic -a"ue o) 'Ae', A'ancho"", it has the
ascri#tion o) the !itch haDe", *Hamamelis !ir(iniana). As an
ancient ascri#tion, this is #ro"e'atica" ecause the !itch haDe"
is not indi(enous to Euro#e, ha-in( een introduced )ro' 8e!
En("and around the se-enteenth centur6. Thus it is not #ossi"e
that this tree is the ori(ina" corres#ondence. As [ Ae', this
o(ha' is a"so connected !ith the sacred (rid o) the )our o) ei(ht
' i)ins'. The tree o) this o(ha' is the e-er(reen :cots #ine,
11$
'a(ical Alphabets
*inus sy/!estris" 'odern Irish peine" and the 9e"sh, pinwydden).
9ith the 6e!, the :cots #ine is the on"6 other indi(enous
coni)er tree. In esoteric "ore, it is a tree !hich sho!s the !a6.
In the countr6side, it is a 'arker on the ancient track!a6s
kno!n as '"e6s', !here #ro'inent"6 -isi"e c"u'#s o) :cots #ine
'ark the #ath ahead. In the darkness, the #ine is the tree o)
i""u'ination, and, as the ei(ht i)ins co'#osed o) #ine, Peine
reca""s the traditiona" techni,ue o) i""u'ination e'#"o6ed in
centra" Euro#e unti" the ei(hteenth centur6. This used a
%ienspan " a chi# o) resinous #ine!ood, "it at one end. Peine is
thus the rin(er o) i""u'ination, oth on an inte""ectua" and on
a s#iritua" "e-e". This connection !ith the i""u'inatin( )ire is
a##arent a"so in the cere'onia" urnin( o) the sacred #ine
cone, the East An("ian 'Eea" A##"e' or the Irish buarcin. This
coni)erous )ruit si(n>)ies the container o) !isdo', the 'atriB
!hich ho"ds to(ether the 'ateria" !or"d accordin( to the
uni-ersa" "a!s o) eBistence.
This o(ha' character has su))ered 'ore inter#retation than
'ost. As the +2th, it (oes e6ond the con-entiona" +1.)o"d
di-ision o) thin(s custo'ar6 in the 8orthern Tradition (as, )or
eBa'#"e, the +1 hours in the da6, the +1 ha").'onths o) the
6ear, the +1 characters in the 9e"sh ardic a"#haet and the
+1 runes o) the E"der @utharkG. Because o) this, it is considered
to e outside the con-entions o) the other +1 characters. In
addition to its ascri#tions as !itch haDe" or #ine, this o(ha'
has t!o )urther inter#retations. The6 are 'Fi', s#irit, and 'Mor',
the sea, 'ore (enera" in descri#ti-e ter's. As Fi, this character
is seen as "ue.(reen (or sea (reenG in co"our, !hi"st in tartan
o(ha' it is '"ack, -arie(ated'.
C3YPTIC 50HAM: A8E 5THE3 7A3IA8T @53M:
In its treatise on o(ha', The 2oo% of 2allymote states that
there are 12= kinds o) the scri#t. Man6 o) these are cr6#tic and
#oetic s6ste's o) the "etters. The6 inc"ude 5(ha' Co"i, in
!hich the 'characters' are co'#osed o) s6'o"s that rese'"e
the 3o'an "etter ='=3
C . one C be(ins this O(ham fine.
'' < two 8's ri(ht @oined in *, you may combine in human
speech set out with taste and show.
11&
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
EJ\Ar"nn V.
***.+*, ,,,,,N,,~r r !! ''" . !!!
':('.('('.( ~ ) )))'(
.* I- ntt t. c,..
)9 ./0 YI1 ~1fW P l? M" M\ MI
'M 2 3 Ie,. "" u e i 1 '1' ""! '-
@i(. *2. 7ariations o) the 5(ha' scri#t.
1~N
'a(ical Alphabets
888 . three 8's well formed (i!e / in e:ual rows.
ecce . four C's ma%e fair seen by learnin('s eye.
88888 . fi!e 8's produce the ancient !owel &.
CC . two 8's thus placed" the &rish &fin O(ain.
(G (G . two C's in a (roo!e" /A in power retain .
%J < one C thus placed" AO in order ta%es.
(G. One C turned upside down F< bespea%s.
Thus it "a6s do!n in the Book o) Ba""6'oteA
A * 8 " . EA = <A =1 A5
c cc ccc cccc ccccc ' GHc ?@H?@H ?@H J
The o(ha' o) consonants. a -ersion o) consonanta" o(ha',
'5(ha' Consaine', !as another cr6#tic s6ste', ased on "etter
trans)erence. The 2oo% of 2allymote1 'Bh constitutes A? @t
ri(ht"6 )or' <? 8( ra-e"6 'ake I? ;" o) t!o ;'s 'ake "a? P#
in 5(ha' 1=? EI in-aria"6 =? :c 'ake E ? M' )ro' their
acks (i-e Ea? B o) t!o B's #roduce <a? and 0( as directed' .
5ne -er6 i'#ortant esoteric as#ect o) o(ha', 'entioned in
connection !ith the characters' descri#tions, is the use o)
certain o>ects or #"aces as descri#ti-e o) the "etters. Bird
o(ha' has a"read6 een dea"t !ith. In ;in o(ha' )or eBa'#"e ,
the #"ace.na'es o) #oo"s o) !ater are connected to their
initia"s, )or eBa'#"e , Bana (BG , ;ui'neach (;G , @eha" (@G.
:inaind (:G, 8earcnid (8G , etc. Ein o(ha' used ter's
connected !ith a hi"" to descrie the "etters. !hi"st Eean o(ha'
used #arts o) the hu'an anato'6. Cea"" o(ha' (Batt"e o(ha'G
(a-e each "etter to a !ea#on or other #iece o) 'i"itar6
e,ui#'ent, )or eBa'#"e B corres#onded !ith 'eanchor'. a
horn. 8u'erous other o>ects and descri#tions !ere used in
o(ha'. :ciences, Christian saints. hers. 'eats, etc. !ere
used, and the #rinci#"e is o#en to 'odern uses. 5ne cou"d
i'a(ine a 'odern countr6 o(ha', !here B !as re#resented 6
Be"(iu', ; 6 ;uBe'our(, @ 6 @rance. : 6 :#ain. 8 the
8ether"ands, etc. The #ossii"ities are un"i'ited. In )or'er
ti'es, 6 such 'eans. initiates cou"d co''uniate !ith one
another si'#"6 6 'entionin( the ani'a"s. irds. !ea#ons. etc.
that corres#onded !ith the "etters. <nsus#ectin( "isteners
cou"d not understand !hat !as ein( said. The sco#e in
s6'o"ic #rose and #oetr6 o) this sort o) esoteric corres#ond.
12=
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
ence is i''ense. An6 #iece o) "iterature can contain hidden
'essa(es ased u#on the na'es o) thin(s and #"aces.
:ecret -isua" co''unication !as a"so #ossi"e, i) )aci"itated
6 Muc o(ha' (co"our o(ha'G, !hich ascries a co"our
corres#ondence to each "etter. In this s6ste', B is eB#ressed
6 'an' (!hiteG? 8 6 'necht' (c"earG , and 8( 6 'n(ias'
((reenG, )or eBa'#"e 5ne thin( that co'#"icates the use o) the
Muc o(ha' toda6 is that the co"ours used are di))erent )ro'
those used in 'odern co"our taBono'6. In )or'er ti'es,
di))erent cu"tures ha-e had their o!n !a6s o) inter#retin(
co"our !hich 'a6 not e the sa'e as the 'odern !a6 o)
"ookin( at thin(s. But i) used #ro#er"6, Muc o(ha' can (i-e a
rich"6 s6'o"ic #ossii"it6 to artistic !ork, astract #atterns,
orna'ent, hera"dr6, )arics and c"othin( . a"" o) !hich can
#ossess hidden 'eanin(s. In recent 6ears, @rank Mc0au(h has
!orked on a s6ste' o) co"our o(ha' !hich he re"ates to the
tartans o) the :cots c"ans. Because each o) the o(ha' "etters
has a corres#ondin( co"our, he eB#"ains that the #atterns o)
:cots tartan ha-e co"our se,uences that s#e"" out the c"an na'e.
The ori(in o) the co'#"eB tartans !e kno! toda6 is re"ati-e"6
recent, 'ost datin( )ro' the ear"6 #art o) the nineteenth
centur6. It is un"ike"6, then, that the co"our.o(ha' corres#ondences
o) tartan (o ack to ancient ti'es. But it is ,uite #ossi"e
that the nineteenth.centur6 desi(ners o) tartans conscious"6
incor#orated a co"our s6ste' into their desi(ns. .t 'a6 ha-e
een ased on the o"d co"our o(ha's, or it cou"d ha-e een a
sur-i-a" !ithin the 0ae"ic tradition, #ara""e" !ith the 'eanin(s
o) the 0ae"ic a"#haet (see e"o!G.
In )or'er ti'es, there !ere a"" sorts o) in(enious a"terations
'ade to the o(ha' a"#haet in order to 'ake it uninte""i(i"e
to a"" ut those !ho he"d the secret ke6 . :o'e o) these 'ethods
#ara""e"ed the cr6#tic runes in their techni,ue. The 'ethod
kno!n as :"ua( o(ha' increased the nu'er o) strokes
three)o"d, 'akin( it into the o(ha' o) the Mu"titudes. There
!as the 9a"".@ern o(ha'? the Piercin( o(ha'? @ionn's &$$th~
@ionn's 9indo! and @ionn's :hie"d, the "ast three )or's o)
o(ha' ein( na'ed a)ter the "e(endar6 Irish (iant @ionn
MacCu'hai"" (@inn McCoo"G. @ionn's o(ha's are ased on
#osition !ithin a circu"ar or s,uare )ra'e!ork and, as such,
can a"so e re"ated to certain as#ects o) traditiona" cos'o"o(6,
such as the directions, ti'e o) da6, or s#iritua" states o) ein(.
121
'a(ical Alphabets
333 ,3
@i(. *4. 7ersions o) @ionn's 9hee" and @ionn's :hie"d.
Another cr6#tic o(ha' !ent 6 the na'e o) 'the Adder in the
Heath', a stran(e na'e )or snake "ess Ire"and, indicatin( that
this )or' o) o(ha' 'a6 ha-e ori(inated in 0reat Britain or
e-en on 'ain"and Euro#e.
In another )or', o(ha' !as e'#"o6ed as a )or' o)
se'a#hore or si(n "an(ua(e. This used the )in(ers to re#resent
the characters. @in(ers "aid across the centra" ste' o) the nose
to re#resent "etters !as ca""ed :ron o(ha', !hi"st Coir o(ha'
used the )in(ers a(ainst the )oot or shinone. Bar o(ha' !as
a hand si(n "an(ua(e !hich used the J )in(ers o) one hand "aid
across the other one to 'ake standard or cr6#tic o(ha'
characters.
12+
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
The 'a(ica" a##"ication o) o(ha' in-o"-ed certain )or'u"ae
!hose nature is oscure. Irish o(ha' inscri#tions ha-e 6ie"ded
se-era" unusua" )or'u"ae. An inscri#tion o) a 'a(ica" nature is
kno!n )ro' a stone at 0"en)ahan, !here the "etters ;MCBE7
are cut. Another inscri#tion !as )ound on an a'er ead,
descried as a 'a(ica" a'u"et )ro' Ennis, taken to the British
Museu'. This inscri#tion !as MTBCM;. This ead !as used
)or'er"6 as a cure )or sore e6es, and to ensure sa)e irths. In
1&&&, at a #"ace ca""ed Biere, near %ued"inur( in :aBon6,
eastern 0er'an6, a "ar(e nu'er o) "i'estone ta"ets !as
)ound 6 A. 3ae, a schoo"'aster. There !ere 1+== s#eci'ens
o) inscri#tions, inc"udin( se-era" in o(ha'. The car-in(s !ere
dated as co'in( )ro' the Mero-in(ian #eriod (se-enth
centur6G. The6 had re#resentations o) ha''ers, aBes, shie"ds,
s!ords, >a-e"ins, s#earheads, arro!s and o!s, acco'#anied
6 inscri#tions in un'istaka"e o(ha'. There !ere a"so other,
'ore cr6#tic, s6'o"s that 'i(ht e tent runes and nu'erica"
o(ha's. In his Studies in &rish 3pi(raphy" 3. A. :. MacA"ister,
the eB#ert on o(ha's, co''ented that the disco-er6 o)
these 'Biere stones' see'ed to sett"e, once and )or a"", the use
o) o(ha' as a 'ediu' o) 'a(ic.
A note on Ti)ina(
There is an a"#haet !hich one 'a6 encounter in connection
!ith the Ce"tic o(ha' a"#haet !hich rea""6 has on"6 een
B o! . , = *+ *** : * * * ,OO # " # (I (I
33 ! ! W.= k 24Jh II
### -. * * +) A n + )
). b r $111 J +! t ~
~' , --60
i i . n n p. th ~L
@i(. *$. The Ti)ina( scri#t.
12*
'a(ical Alphabets
associated !ith it in recent ti'es. This is the a"#haet kno!n
as Ti)ina(, !hich is said to ori(inate in ;i6a. .t has an a"#haet
co'#osed 'ain"6 o) dots or de#ressions !ith a )e! other
characters !hich )it in !ith the 'ainstrea' o) Phoenicianderi-ed
a"#haets. Ho!e-er, the connection !ith the o(ha's
is throu(h the 'an6 hi(h"6 contentious c"ai's that ha-e een
'ade )or the ori(in and 'eanin( o) rock car-in(s in 8orth
A'erica. There is a schoo" o) thou(ht !hich attriutes 'an6
o) these rou(h scriin(s to the ancient Ce"ts, inter#retin( the'
in ter's o) consonanta" o(ha', o(ha' Consaine . @e! o) these
'arkin(, ho!e-er, rese'"e the undouted o(ha' inscri#tions
o) the British Is"es, ein( irre(u"ar and i'#recise 'arks on the
rock. Cha'#ions o) the 'ancient A'erican o(ha' theor6' a"so
inter#ret other 'akin(s, )ound !ith or se#arate"6 )ro' the
"inear scriin(s, as 'Ti)ina(', an oscure scri#t said to e used
in ;i6a in ancient ti'es. The !ho"e o) this area is -er6
oscure, and 'an6 o) the #u"ished inscri#tions ear "itt"e
rese'"ance to either the o(ha' or Ti)ina( scri#ts.
/0E 425DIC 2LP024E/7
The de(rees and roll of wood$%now/ed(e"
The root of sciences" for the wea!in( of a son( of praise.
HA33I AP 3HY: 09I; YM (12*=G
The ardic tradition o) Britain, o)ten ca""ed druidis' toda6, is
o) (reat anti,uit6 and co'#"eBit6. 9ithin its '6steries are
contained se-era" s6ste's o) secret and 'a(ica" !ritin(.
;"e!e""6n :ion o) ;1an(e!6dd !as the #rinci#a" co""ector o)
in)or'ation on the ardic a"#haet kno!n as 'coe"ren' !hich
!e ha-e toda6. He !as orn ear"6 in the siBteenth centur6, and,
!hen o"d enou(h, eca'e one o) the disci#"es o) Tho'as
;"e!e"6n o) 3he(oes and o) Meuri( Ea-6dd o) ;1anisan. Both
o) these 'en !ere e'inent ards o) the 0"a'or(an Chair.
<nder their tuition, ;"e!e""6n :ian rose to e'inence as a
co'#oser o) e"e(ant -erse in the correct ancient 9e"sh
canonica" )or's. Throu(h his )a'e as a ard he eca'e a
!ea"th6 'an, se""in( transcri#ts o) 'anuscri#ts. @ortunate"6,
his !ork rou(ht hi' into contact !ith e'inent 'en !ho had
co""ections o) ancient 9e"sh 'anuscri#ts. It !as )ro' these that
;1e!""6n :ion !as a"e to 'ake co#ies, and thus to #reser-e
121
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
'uch kno!"ed(e !hich other!ise 'i(ht ha-e een "ost. These
teBts inc"uded ancient and rare ooks in the cast"e o) 3ha("an,
)ro' the co""ection o) :ir 9i""ia' Herert, !hich "ater
succu'ed to arson durin( the En("ish Ci-i" 9ar. In 124=,
;"e!e""6n :ion #resided in the Bardic Chair o) 0"a'or(an, the
seat o) his teachers. As a 'an o) (reat traditiona" "earnin(, :ion
!rote a ook, entit"ed At(ofion #wybodau yr Hen #ymry . a
'a>or treatise on ancient 9e"sh #oetr6, (eneo"o(6, 'e'oria"s,
a(ricu"ture, "a! , 'edicine, handicra)ts and che'istr6. <n)ortunate"6,
the 'anuscri#t !as sent to ;ondon )or #u"ication,
durin( !hich #rocess the author died at the a(e o) 1==.
IneB#"ica"6, on :ion's death, his (reat !ork !as destro6ed, an
a##a""in( "oss.
As !ith the other 'a>or sacred and 'a(ica" a"#haets, the
"etters o) coe"ren are said to e deri-ed )ro' the asic
structure o) eBistence . As !ith the '6th o) the disco-er6 o) the
runes, the ori(in o) ardic "etters is ascried to '6stic
b513Clnrl=!
:l. 1/ !!' 1 11 1& 1
<s '.
@i(. *&. The na'e 'Bri(antia' in the 0ae"ic a"#haet, co'#ared !ith the sa'e
na'e in Co.e"ren , :ta-e.5(ha' and standard 5(ha'.
122
'a(ical Alphabets
re-e"ation. The ori(in o) "etters is seen as si'u"taneous !ith
the creation o) the uni-erse. ste''in( )ro' the na'e o) (od.
The ardic tradition, #reser-ed in the ancient 9e"sh teBts.
co""ected to(ether as 2arddas" re"atesA
+hen #od pronounced his name" with the word spran( the
li(ht and the life" for pre!iously" there was no life but #od
himself. And the way if was spo%en was of #od's direction.
His name was pronounced" and with the utterance was the
sprin(in( of li(ht and !itality" and man" and e!ery other
li!in( thin(1 tht~iO to say" each and all spran( to(ether.
To the ards. the creation o) a"" thin(s !as seen as a
'ani)estation o) a #ri'a" -iration . in Ce"tic Christian ter's.
the !ord o) 0od. @ro' the "i(ht, the 'ost #er)ect 'ani)estation
o) the di-ine. ca'e the re-e"ation o) the conce#t o)
!ritin(A
'enw Hen ap y 'enwyd *'enw the A(ed" son of
'en wyd) , beheld the sprin(in( of the li(ht" and its form
and appearance . .. in three columns1 and in the rays of
li(ht" the !ocali-ation . for one were the hearin( and seein("
one in unison with the form and sound of life" and one
unitedly with these three was power" which power was #od
the ;ather. And by seein( the form. and in it hearin( the
!oice . not otherwise . he %new what form and appearance
!oice should ha!e . .. And it was on hearin( the sound of
the !oice" which had in it the %ind and utterance of three
notes" that he obtained the three letters" and %new the si(n
that was suitable to one and other of them. Thus he made
in form and si(n the 4ame of #od" after the semblance of
rays of li(ht" and percei!ed that they were the fi(ure and
form and si(n of life . .. &t was from the understandin( thus
obtained in respect of this !oice" that he was able to
assimilate mutually e!ery other !oice as to %ind" :uality and
reason" and could ma%e a letter suitable to the utterance of
e!ery sound and !oice. Thus were obtained the 8ymrae("
and e!ery other lan(ua(e.
As in the Je!ish tradition, the ho"6 na'e o) 0od, )ro' !hich
a"" thin(s !ere he"d to e'anate, !as rare"6 uttered )or res#ect
124
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
and )ear o) the conse,uences. Ho!e-erA
&t is considered presumptuous to utter this name in the hearin(
of any man in the world. 4e!ertheless" e!ery thin( calls him
inwardly by this name . the sea and land" earth and air" and
all the !isibles and in!isibles of t!.-e world" whether on the earth
or in the s%y . all the worlds of all the celestials and the
terrestrials . e!ery intellectual bein( and e0istence . . .
The 9e"sh na'e o) 0od !as s6'o"iDed 6 the A!en, a si(i"
!ritten as three "ines radiatin( )ro' ao-e. This s6'o" is
direct"6 co'#ara"e to the Je!ish tetra(ra''aton. Each o) the
three "ines o) the A!en ha-e a s#eci)ic 'eanin(A 'Thus are the6
'ade', 2arddas recountedA
the first of the si(ns is a small cuttin( or line inclinin( with
the sun at e!entide" thus /? the second is another cuttin(" in
the form of '" perpendicular" upri(ht post" . G and the third
is a cuttin( of the same amount of inclination as the first"
but in an opposite direction" that is" a(ainst the sun" thusE1
and the three placed to(ether" thus/&E.
This s6'o"iDes the three)o"d or tradic nature o) a"" thin(s.
Curious"6, this s6'o" is sti"" used toda6, ut in the (uise o) the
'road arro!' that denotes British 0o-ern'ent #ro#ert6. In its
#ro#er usa(e, it !as the ardic s6'o" )or !isdo', and hence
is the si(i" o) 'odern Eruidis'.
The A!en a"so has an a"ternati-e a"#haet )or' 5I7, e-en
c"oser to the conce#t o) the tetra(ra''aton, ut triadic in
t6#ica" ardic )ashion. Accordin('to tradition, the sense )or =
!as (i-en in the )irst co"u'n o) "i(ht, the sense o) I to the
second or 'idd"e "i(ht co"u'n, and the sense o) 7 to the third,
'akin( the !ord 5I7. 2arildas in)or's us thatA
it was by means of this word that #od declared his e0istence"
life" %nowled(e" power" eternity and uni!ersality. And in the
declaration was his lo!e" that is coinstantaneously with it
sprun( li%e li(htnin( all the uni!erse into life and e0istence"
co$!ocally and co$@ubilantly with the uttered 4ame of #od"
in one united son( of e0ultation and @oy . than all the worlds
to the e0tremities of Annwn Mthe underworldN.
12$
'a(ical Alphnbets
This is a conce#t identica" !ith the ''other' characters o) the
Here! a"#haet, A"e#h, Me' and :hin.
But, des#ite the "o)t6 ori(in o) this notation, three characters
!ere inade,uate )or the e-er6da6 uses o) record, "iterature and
'a(ic. A 'ore co'#rehensi-e s6ste' o) !ritin( !as re,uired.
The in-ention o) !ritin( is attriuted to Eini(an 0a!r (Eini(an
or Eini(ed the 0iantG. A)ter the death o) his )ather, Huon, son
o) A"ser, Eini(an in-ented !ritin( to #reser-e a 'e'oria" o)
!hat he did. This a##ears to ha-e ha##ened a'on(st the Ce"ts
o) 'ain"and Euro#e, as attested 6 the )o""o!in( )ro'
;"e!e""6n :ianA 'He ca'e to his )ather's kindred in the Is"e o)
Britain, and eBhiited his art, and the6 ad>u(ed hi' to e the
!isest o) the !ise and ca""ed hi' Eini(en 96ddon (Eini(an the
9iseG'. Because the )irst "etters !ere cut on !ood (the o"d !ord
'#ren'G, oth the "etters, and the ta"ets on !hich the6 !ere
inscried, !ere kno!n as coe"ren, 'the !ood o) credii"it6'.
This connection o) !ood.!ritin( !ith kno!"ed(e in the 9e"sh
tradition can e detected toda6 in a nu'er o) 9e"sh !ords
!hich are #ri'ari"6 concerned !ith !ood, wydd. These inc"ude
arwydd" a si(n? cyfarwydd" ski")u"? cyfarwyddyd" in)or'ation?
cywydd" a re-e"ation? dedwydd" ha-in( recei-ed kno!"ed(e?
derwydd" a druid? e(wyddawr" an a"#haet? (wyddon" a !ise
'an? and (wynwyddi(ion " 'en o) sacred kno!"ed(e.
@ro' their )or' , and )ro' the in)or'ation recorded in
ancient 9e"sh !ritin(s, these ardic "etters a##ear to ha-e a
dua" ori(in. ;ike the o(ha's and the runes, the6 are an(u"ar
"etters #ri'ari"6 intended )or cuttin( on !ood or stone.
Accordin( to 8yfrinach Y beirdd . Lluniad Llythyrenau *The
2ardic Secret . ;ormation of Lettters) , the ori(ina" "etters !ere
-er6 asic. .t is #ossi"e that o(ha' !as the 'ode" )or the
"etters cut on !ood ut, e,ua""6, so'e o) the characters sho!
the in)"uence o) the 3o'an a"#haet, !hi"st others are
un'istaka"6 runic. This #"aces the ardic "etters a'on( the
(rou# o) a"#haets, deri-ed u"ti'ate"6 )ro' the Phoenician,
!here -arious characters, a"thou(h di))erent )ro' one another,
ne-erthe"ess dis#"a6 the ')a'i"6 "ikeness'. Accordin( to tradition,
it !as )ro' three asic )or's o) the A!en, and the'
a"one , that the )irst 14 "etters !ere )or'ed. The6 !ere
constructed )ro' the #ri'ar6 co"u'ns, the three #rinci#a"
"etters in the )or' o) ra6s o) "i(ht. Accordin("6 the 'e'or6 o)
seein( cou"d thus take #"ace si'u"taneous"6 !ith the 'e'or6
12&
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
@i(. */. 7ersions o) Coe"ren Y BeirddA 1.*, a)ter ;"e!e""6n :ion? 1.2 , a)ter
Meuri( Ea)6dd.
o) hearin(? and, 6 'eans o) si(ns, e-er6 sound o) -oice cou"d
e rendered -isi"e to the e6e ... The indi-idua" characters o)
the ardic a"#haets !ere ca""ed llythyrau" )ro' lly" 'eanin(
-arious or 'ani)est? and tyr to cut. Another na'e !as
abcedilros " a #ara""e" !ith the !ords a"#haet or )uthark !hich
inti'ate the )irst )e! "etters o) an aecedariu'.
Accordin( to tradition, there !ere ten characters in the
#ossession o) the C6'r6 (the Ce"tic Britons, no! the 9e"shG
)ro' the e(innin(, e)ore the6 ca'e into the Is"e o) Britain,
!hich concurs !ith the stor6 o) Eini(an 0a!r. This continenta"
Ce"tic a"#haet is -er6 oscure, as it a##ears to ha-e een a
12/
'a(ical Alphabets
secret kno!n on"6 to the ards. E-en a)ter the coe"ren !as
de-ised, these ten characters !ere ke#t as a secret 6 the ards.
The 14."etter coe"ren !as de-ised durin( the rei(n o) the
British kin( E6)n!a" Moe"'ud a# E6)n-arth a# Pr6dain a#
Aeth Ma!r (Eun-a""o Mo"'utiusG . 1*=.*/= BCE, as recorded
in 0eo))re6 o) Mon'outh's Historia Re(um 2ritanniae *The
history of the 6in(s of 2ritain" c. 11*4G. In the rei(n o) Be""i
Ma!r a# Mano( (Hin( Be"i the 0reat, son o) Mano(anG, these
characters !ere 'di-u"(ed' to non.initiates, and each !as (i-en
a ne! )or'. Then it !as stated that there shou"d e no kin(,
>ud(e or teacher in the countr6 !ho cou"d not read and
understand the esoteric 'eanin(s o) this a"#haet. But a 14.
"etter coe"ren !as )ound to e insu))icient, and, 6 the ti'e
o) Ta"iesin Ben Beirdd (Ta"iesin, Chie) o) the Bards, siBth
centur6 CEG, it had een increased to 1&. It !as at this ti'e,
!ith the introduction o) the Christian re"i(ion, that 5I7 e(an
to e used )or the na'e o) 0od. Ta"iesin is su##osed to ha-e
)urther en"ar(ed the a"#haet to += characters. 'The "an(ua(e
o) t!ent6 "etters is in A!en', he !rote. But there is another
contender )or the creator o) the +=."etter coe"ren, Ithe" )e"6n
(Ithe" the Ta!n6G. This de-e"o#'ent took #"ace at the sa'e
ti'e that the runes !ere )or'a"iDed in northern Euro#e. These
+= characters continued in use unti" the kno!"ed(e and use o)
;atin ceased in Britain.
Ceraint )ardd 0"as (0eraint, the B"ue Bard, c. /==G, is
credited !ith en"ar(in( the a"#haet )urther 6 usin( 'auBi"iar6
s6'o"s'. This 'ade the coe"ren +1 characters in "en(th , the
a"#haet used )or '"ack and !hite' (i.e. in !ritin(G unti" the
"ate 'idd"e a(es. This +1.character coe"ren !as used )or secret
co''unication and a"so )or di-ination in the )or' o) dice.
Interestin("6, this -ersion has the sa'e nu'er o) characters
as the E"der @uthark runes and the 5"d En("ish a"#haet e)ore
the in-ention o) J and 9. The )u""6 de-e"o#ed )or' o)
coe"ren, such as that descried 6 the ard "euan ;"a!dden,
rector o) Mach6n""eth, !ho )"ourished around 111=.&=, has *&
characters, ut this !as on"6 used )or car-in( on !ood, +1
re'ainin( as the standard.
Throu(hout recorded histor6, at "east since the ti'e o) Ta"iesin,
the Bards o) the Is"and o) Britain ha-e used the 'eta#hor o)
'!ood' to descrie !ords, es#ecia""6 #oetr6. Ta"iesin hi'se"), !ho
"i-ed )ro' 2+= CE unti" 2$=, !rote o) hi'se")A
14=
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
& am the fund of son("
& am a reader"
& lo!e the branches and the ti(ht wattles.
The s#ri(s and co'#act !att"in( are the s"i-ers and asse'"a(es
o) !ood u#on !hich the British ards, "ike their Irish
counter#arts, used to !rite. EBtant ardic #oetr6 records that
this tradition continued unroken into the 'second 'i""enniu'.
@or eBa'#"e, 3h6s 0och a 3iccert, !ho "i-ed 111=.$=, !roteA
The wooden a0e of an unpolished bard"
Has been hewin( a son( to #wenllian.
Another )a'ous ard, 1=1= 0och (1*12.11=+G, "e)t the )o""o!in(
!ordsA
& will bear for Owain
&n metrical words" fresh and slow.
8ontinually" not the hewin( of Alder wood"
2y the chief carpenter of son(.
His conte'#orar6, Ea)6dd a 0!i"6' (1*==..4&G said, 'This
!i"" address the' on !ood', !hi"st another conte'#orar6,
//~%%1<~~2t2
c ch n(h cl
~EI,~~0I~%61
a b - m
e l .. ' n
o a : :; r rh s c thlt$t011
4
Fi(, 1=. ':tandard' Coe"ren Y Beirdd, a)ter Ieuan ;1a!dden.
141
'a(ical Alphabets
3h6s 0och Er6ri (1**=.11+=G? '8o "on(er !i"" e seen the 'ark
o) the aBe o) the )"o!er o) the car#enters on a son(."o-in( and
!ise one'. And a"'ost a centur6 "ater, Ieuan du'r Bi"!( (114=.
12(=GA 'Ma6 th6 #raise (o . thou art a so"dier . <#on !ood,
as "on( as da6 and !ater continue'.
A"thou(h characters !ere usua""6 car-ed onto !ood, a
s6ste' o) #6ro(ra#hic #rintin( usin( hot iron rands !as
de-e"o#ed 6 the ards. Perha#s it is the )irst eBa'#"e o)
''o-a"e t6#e' #rintin(, )or it is re#uted to date )ro' e)ore
the 3o'an occu#ation o) Britain .=~1O CEG.
&t was in the time of Llyr Llediaith MLlyr of 7efecti!e
Speech" father of 2endi(aidfran" or 2ran the 2lessedN that
the way of burnin( the 'cyr!ells' with an iron stamp was
understood" that is" there was an iron for e!ery letter" heated
red hot" with which they burnt on an 'ebill' or a board what
was re:uired1 and sometimes they formed letters on wood
with the small pric%in(s of a hot for%.
But a"thou(h !ood !as considered the true 'ediu' )or ardic
#oetr6, durin( the 3o'an occu#ation !ritin( on other 'ateria"s
!as introduced to Britain. Bendi(aid)ran, )ather o) the
)a'ed Ce"tic kin( Carado(, or Caractacus, is re#uted as ha-in(
rou(ht to Britain the techni,ue o) !ritin( on a scro"". He is
said to ha-e "earnt the techni,ue durin( his se-en 6ears'
ca#ti-it6 in 3o'e as a hosta(e on eha") o) his son. 5n his
re"ease, he tau(ht the British scries the 'anner o) dressin( the
skins o) (oats to 'ake #arch'ent. But its use !as not taken
u# 6 the 'ore conser-ati-e ards, !ho ke#t their !ooden
ta"ets. Because o) this, their !ritin(s eca'e kno!n as the
Coe"ren 6 Beirdd (the !oodscri#t o) the ardsG. Accordin( to
ardic tradition, #a#er !as )irst 'ade 6 Moran, a resident o)
Constantino#"e, !ho (round u# )"aB, and s#read it out thin"6
to 'ake sheets o) #a#er. But this )"aB #a#er, used 6 the British
ards, !as considered in)erior to pla(awd" !hich it rese'"edA
'P"a(a!d !as a #"ant o) the "i"6 kind, !hich !as rou(ht o-er
)ro' India? and on it the6 !rote !ith "ack, or so'e other
co"our. A)ter that, #"a(a!d o) skin !as 'ade, ein( 'anu)actured
6 art'. Accordin( to so'e ards, it ori(inated in E(6#t,
not India. Perha#s it !as identica" !ith #a#6rus.
But a"thou(h the use o) these !ritin( 'ateria"s "ar(e"6
14+
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
su#erseded the use o) !ood, kno!"ed(e o) the !ooden !ritin(,
coe"ren, re'ained #art o) the education o) the ardA 'The
three thin(s !hich a ard ou(ht to 'ake !ith his o!n hands
are the coe"ren, the ro"" and the #"a(a!d'. Ho!e-er, !ritin(
on !ood, )or'er"6 e'#"o6ed 6 a"" "iterate #eo#"e, !as
'ar(ina"iDed. 9hi"st the ards continued to teach the tradition,
in "ater ti'es on"6 a )e! o) the' actua""6 used !ood to !rite
u#on in the o"d !a6. But then, a)ter the de)eat o)the "ast 9e"sh
Prince, 5!ain 0"6nd!r (5!en 0"endo!er, 1*1/.1112G, as a
#unish'ent )or ree""ion, the En("ish kin( )orade the i'#ortation
o) #a#er or #"a(a!d into 9a"es, and its 'anu)acture
there. This !as to #re-ent "earnin( and !ritten co''unication
et!een 9e"sh #eo#"e, or !ith )orei(ners. Bards !ere )oridden
to tra-e" around their circuits, or to 'ake o))icia" -isits to
)a'i"ies, as in )or'er ti'es. aut this act o) #ersecution )ai"ed
to ha-e its desired e))ect. Instead, it caused a re-i-a" o) the
ancient coe"ren o) the ards o) the Is"e o) Britain. Perha#s it
!as this atte'#t at cu"tura" (enocide 6 the En("ish 'onarch
!hich actua""6 ensured the sur-i-a" o) the ancient "etters.
Instead o) usin( the no! )oridden #"a(a!d and #a#er, the
ards re-i-ed the ancient traditiona" 'ethods o) !ritin( on
!ood, !hich, thou(h sti"" re'e'ered, had (one out o) use 6
then.
Accordin( to ;"e!e""6n :ion, the !ooden )ra'e!orks !hich
carried the "etters !ere 'ade as )o""o!sA
They (athered rods of Ha-el or 'ountain Ash in the winter"
about a cubit in len(th" and split each into four parts" that
is" the wood was made into four splinters" and %ept them"
until by the wor%in( of time they became :uite dry. Then
they planed them s:uare" in respect of breadth and
thic%ness" and afterwards" trimmed down the an(les to the
tenth part of an inch" which was done Min orderN that the
cuttin(s of the letters" that is" the symbols" which were cut
with the %nife on one of the four s:uare surfaces" should
not encroach !isibly upon the ne0t face1 and thus on e!ery
one of the four faces. Then they cut the symbols" accordin(
to their character" whether they were those of lan(ua(e and
speech" or of numbers" or other si(ns of art" such as the
symbols of music" of !oice and strin(. And after cuttin( ten
such bars as were re:uired" they prepared four splinters" two
14*
'a(ical Alphabets
@i(. 11. 'Peith6nen' )ra'e!ork . as used 6 the 9e"sh ards.
and two" which were called 'pill'" planed them smooth"
placed two of them to(ether side by side across the frame"
and mar%ed the places for ten holes. After that" they cut the
holes" that is" half of each of the ten holes" in one splinter"
and the same in the other1 and they did the same with the
other two splinters1 and these are called 'pi/lwydd'. Then
they too% the symboli-ed or lettered bars" and made a nec%
at each of the two ends of e!ery bar" all round" the breadth
of a fin(er" alon( the bar. Then they placed the lettered
stic%s by their nec%s on the pillwydd at one end" and in li%e
manner at the other end1 and on that the other pillwydd at
each end" hole for hole. And on both ends of the two
pillwydden they made nec%s" as places for strin(s to tie them
firmly to(ether at each end of the symboli-ed stic%s. And
when the whole are thus bound ti(ht to(ether" the boo% that
is constructed in this manner is called 'peith ynen' because it
is framed1 the pillwydd at each end %eepin( all to(ether" and
the 'ebillion'" or lettered sta!es" turnin( freely in the
pillwydd" and thus bein( easy to read. That is" one face of
the ebill is read first" accordin( to the number of its face "
then it is turned with the sun" and the second face is read"
and it is turned so for e!ery other face" and thus from ebill
to ebill until the readin( is finished. A number from one to
ten bein( on the turnin( face of each of the ebillion" the
numbered face is the first that is to be read" ahd then the
others in the order of their course with the sun.
There are forty sides to the ebillion in e!ery eithynen1
after that" another eithynen is formed" until the conclusion
of the poem or narrati!e. And where more than ten ebillion
1&/
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
are re:uired" and less than a score" as many ebillion as are
re:uired are placed to(ether in one entire eithenyn. The
reason for assi(nin( ten as the particular number of
succession" is" that ten is the di!ision$point of number" and
under the number of" decades are all numbers arran(ed"
until lan(ua(e cannot (i!e them names.
8ineteenth.centur6 en(ra-in(s o) druids o)ten de#ict the
ancient Ce"tic #riests ho"din( these !ooden )ra'e!orks. 9hen
their use !as re-i-ed a)ter the de)eat o) the 5!ain 0"6nd!r.
the construction o) these '!ooden ooks' !as an act o) nationa"
resistance a(ainst the En("ish ru"in( c"assA
After reco!erin( the %nowled(e of the coelbrens" that is" the
one of the bards and the one of the mon%s" nearly e!ery
person" male and female" wished to learn and construct
them. ;rom thence" they became the trade of sie!e$ma%ers
and bas%et$ma%ers" and upon them was cut the record of
e!erythin( that re:uired the preser!ed memorial of letter
and boo%. And thus it was until the time of Henry the
Se!enth" who" bein( a +elshman" too% his countrymen
under the protection of his courtesy" and placed them" at his
own e0pense" under the instruction of mon%s" and furnished
them (ratuitously with as much paper and parchment as was
re:uired1 and they were tau(ht whate!er they would of the
two lan(ua(es" +elsh or 3n(lish" and many learned both.
On that account the %nowled(e of letters was more fre:uent
amon( the common people of +ales than of 3n(land.
As !ith the o(ha's in Ire"and, there !ere 'an6 -ariant
esoteric )or's o) coe"ren. and 'an6 !a6s o) usin( the'.
9hen the6 !ere used 6 initiates to co''unicate !ith one
another, -er6 s'a"" ei""ion !ere used 'a )in(er "on(, ha-in(
notches so that the6 'a6 e used 6 t!o #ersons or 'ore, !ho
are con)idants. .t is 6 #"acin( and >oinin( the' to(ether ...
that !ords and #hrases are )or'ed ... the6 are ca""ed The
Char's o) the Bards, or Bardic M6ster6'. These ardic char's
cou"d e used )or direct co''unication, 6 creatin( !ords
i""e(i"e to the co''on )o"k, or as a 'eans o) di-ination. The
di-inator6 as#ect is e-en stron(er in the 'coe"ren o) si'#"e
"etters'. This descries coe"ren characters cut onto indi-idua"
142
'a(ical Alphabets
#ieces o) !ood. A -ersion o) this used a set o) )our cuic diceA
3!eryone of the pieces was four sided" ha!in( si0 surfaces
to each" and a letter on each surface" differently coloured"
so that what was wanted mi(ht be obtained at first si(ht
without much searchin(. The arran(ement of twenty$four
was found to be the best for those coelbrens1 and for
obtainin( mutual %nowled(e by means of the said coelbrens
secrets were ascertained" which caused much astonishment
as to how it was possible.
Another na'e )or this is the Pa"' Coe"renA
that where twenty$four are cut on small dice" that is
inasmuch as each dice has si0 sides" and a letter on each
side" there will be on the four dice twenty$four letters"
besides what may be obtained otherwise" when the dice is
re!ersed" in order to show a different letter . .. by holdin(
some of these in the palm of the hand" and puttin( them
to(ether in the presence of a man of secrecy" dumb
con!ersation can be carried on.
Coe"ren is the na'e )or ardic "etters cut onto !ood. But
!hen the6 are cut onto stone, the6 are kno!n as 'coe"-ain'.
':ecret coe"-ains' !ere si'i"ar to the char's o) the ards, ein(
s'a"" stones earin( ardic "etters. These !ere 'o-ed around,
as necessar6, to 'ake !ords and trans'it in)or'ation. :o'eti'es,
cr6#to"o(6 !as used to )urther con)use the curious.
/0E G2ELIC 2LP024E/
The 0ae"ic a"#haet is another "itt"e.kno!n Ce"tic s6ste' that
stands in its o!n ri(ht. ;ike o(ha', each "etter corres#onds
!ith a tree, !ith the eBce#tion o) t!o, !hich are )ire and
(arden. 0ae"ic has 1$ )u"" characters, !ith an 1&th, the "etter
'H', !hich is considered as an accent and not a character in its
o!n ri(ht. As !ith 'an6 other aecedaries, each character
corres#onds !ith a nu'er. The "etter order is the sa'e as the
0raeco.3o'an s6ste', un"ike o(ha'. The corres#ondences o)
0ae"ic ha-e esoteric 'eanin(s, as !ith o(ha'. But the )irst
"etter o) the 0ae"ic a"#haet is A, ca""ed @ha"', the e"' tree,
!ith the nu'er o) one. The second "etter is B, Beath, the
144
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
@i(. 1+. Ei(hth.centur6 inscri#tions in the 0ae"ic a"#haet on Christian (ra-e.s"as
at C1on'acnois. Ire"and.
irch tree, !ith a -a"ue o) t!o, e,ui-a"ent to the )irst character
o) the o(ha's. The third is C, Ca""tuinn, the haDe" tree, -a"ue
three. @ourth co'es Eoir, the oak tree, !ith a -a"ue o) )our,
the "etter E. @i)th, and nu'er )i-e is Euh, the as#en tree,
the character E. :iBth is nu'er siB, the "etter @, !hich is ca""ed
@earn, the a"der tree . The neBt, se-enth, character is not
na'ed a)ter a tree. .t is the "etter 0, 0art, !hich 'eans a
(arden or -ine6ard, e,ui-a"ent to the nu'er se-en. The "etter
I co'es neBt, ein( ca""ed "uhar, the 6e! tree, !ith the
nu'erica" -a"ue o) ei(ht. 8inth is nu'er nine, the ro!an tree,
;uis, the "etter :3 Tenth is Muin, the -ine , e,ui-a"ent to the
"etter M and !ith a -a"ue o) 1=. This is )o""o!ed 6 8, 8uin,
the ash tree, !ith the nu'er 11. T!e")th is nu'er 1+, the
"etter =, 4ir, the )urDe , )o""o!ed 6 Beith.ho(, the #o#"ar
tree, !hich stands )or the "etter P and the nu'er 1*. 8eBt
co'es 11, 3uis, the a"der tree and the "etter 3. @i)teenth is the
"etter :, :ui", the !i""o! tree, nu'erica""6, 12. 8u'er 14 is
Teine , !hich 'eans )ire, the "etter T. and )ina""6, <hr. the 6e!
tree, the "etter < and the nu'er 1$. In the 0ae"ic a"#haet,
there are -ariations )ro' the o(ha' s6ste' . The 6e! tree is
re#resented t!ice , 6 the "uhar and <hr, the "etters I and <.
In o(ha', the character e,ui-a"ent to <, <#, corres#onds !ith
the heather. A"so, in 0ae"ic. the e"' tree. @hai"' . is the
14$
'a(ical Alphabets
@i(. 1*. Ce"tic cross at 8e-ern , !est 9a"es, !ith cr6#tic inscri#tion, tenth centur6.
#ri'ar6 character, not the irch tree, Beath, the e,ui-a"ent o)
o(ha''s Beth. The use o) @hai"' as the )irst "etter re)"ects the
8orse tradition that the )irst !o'an, E'"a, !as )ashioned
)ro' an e"' tree. As !o'an is the )ount o) a"" hu'an "i)e, this
is 'ost a##ro#riate. .t a"so re)"ects the 'atri)oca" nature o)
ancient northern Euro#ean societ6. Teine has its 'ore "o(ica"
ascri#tion o) )ire, un"ike its o(ha' counter#art, !hich is
assi(ned to the ho""6. 5-era"", the 0ae"ic a"#haet see's 'ore
coherent than o(ha', )or there are no a!k!ard corres#ondences
or hera" ascri#tions that disru#t the consistenc6.
A"thou(h "itt"e used toda6, the 0ae"ic a"#haet is a -er6 use)u"
s6'o"ic s6ste' !hen used )or di-ination or other esoteric
!ork.
7 25I2 /I%N7 IN N%5/0E5N E85%PE2N 2LP024E/7
;ike a"" s6ste's o) hu'an co''unication, o(ha', coe"ren
and the runes ha-e 'an6 -ariants. The asic )or' o) o(ha's
14&
The 8eltic O(hams and 2ardic Alphabet
is 'ore standardiDed than the other a"#haets, #art"6 ecause,
e)ore its #resent resur(ence, it had a 'uch 'ore "i'ited
currenc6 than the others. The 0ae"ic a"#haet is e-en 'ore
standardiDed, ein( a -ersion o) the 3o'an. Much has een
!ritten aout the '#urit6' o) 'a(ica" a"#haets, 'ost recent"6,
the runes. Prota(onists o) one or other o) the 'an6 -ariants
ha-e insisted that their -ersion is the true one, and that a""
others are 'corru#t' -ersions o) it. But in this conteBt, !e shou"d
note the -ie!#oint o) Prince ;.;. Bona#arte, !ho in the )irst
ha") o) the nineteenth centur6 !roteA
Lan(ua(e is a natural production" li!in( and (rowin(" as
much as a tree or flower1 and no natural de!elopment can
be called a corruption. The only corrupters of dialects" that
& %now of" are the "iterar6 'en who 'impro!e nature'" by
writin( them" not as they are" but accordin( to their notions
of what they ou(ht to be . i.e. in accordance with the 'rules
of (rammar' deri!ed from modern lan(ua(es.. . As
thou(h (rammar were anythin( but a systematic statement
of usa(e! +hat would be thou(ht of a botanist who should
mutilate his specimens of flowers and plants to impro!e their
symmetry" or ma%e them fit into pre$shaped artificial
systems" instead of followin( nature" and drawin( his laws
and systems from her!'
(%uoted 6 Ja'es A.H. Murra6 in his ook The 7ialect
of Southern Scotland).
@i(. 11. 7ariant characters )ro' Ce"tic 'anuscri#ts.
14/
'a(ical Alphabets
Bona#arte !as correct, o) course, there can e no other
criterion o) correctness than usa(e. The 'odern usa(e o) the
runes, coe"ren or o(ha' is the !a6 thin(s are now. 9hether
these usa(es corres#ond !ith the usa(es o) anti,uit6 does not
'atterA the usa(es o) anti,uit6 are the 'atter )or historians.
Toda6, !e do not s#eak An("o.:aBon, 0othic or 5"d Hi(h
0er'an. 5ur 3o'an a"#haet contains )or's and "etters that
!ou"d ha-e een uninte""i(i"e to Ju"ius Caesar. And our
'Araic' nu'era"s are ,uite di))erent )ro' those !hich !ere
ado#ted in Euro#e in the )i)teenth centur6. ;ike e-er6thin(
"i-in(, 'a(ica" a"#haets e-o"-e, and it is on"6 )or -er6 s#eci)ic
reasons that !e 'i(ht choose to use a certain )or' o-er
another.
1$=
2
5a$ical and Alche%ical
Alphabets
Just as in ear"ier ti'es, 'an6 secret a"#haets !ere used in the
'edie-a" #eriod )or 'a(ica" #ur#oses. 5) course, the #ri'ar6
reason )or usin( the', the en"i(hten'ent o) the indi-idua", !as
u##er'ost. Ho!e-er, the e'#hasis o) the #eriod, !hich co'es
do!n to us throu(h 'a(ica" !ritin(s, a##ears to ha-e een
'ore to!ards the o#erati-e side o) 'a(ic than so"e"6 the ai'
o) s#iritua" de-e"o#'ent. But the search )or the s#ark o)
i""u'ination, the ,uest o) the s#iritua" seeker throu(h the a(es,
!as sti"" an i'#ortant dri-in( )orce. This search !as eB#ressed
!e"" 6 the 0er'an '6stic, Meister Eckhart, !ho !roteA
Bpon this matter a a(an sa(e has a fine sayin( in discourse
with another sa(e. '& become aware of somethin( in me that
flashes upon my reason" & percei!e of it that it is somethin("
but what it is & cannot see. &t seems to me only" that" if &
could concei!e it" & would comprehend all truth.
In this #eriod, -arious )resh 'eans !ere de-ised so that this
#rocess cou"d e )aci"itated . 8e! 'a(ica" a"#haets !ere one
'ethod.
The Medie-a" #eriod has "e)t us a "ar(e nu'er o) secret
a"#haets, ste''in( 'ain"6 )ro' the occu"t and a"che'ica"
traditions. Medie-a" a"#haets are characteriDed 6 their o)ten
chaotic arra6 o) characters taken )ro' a nu'er o) dis#arate
sources. C"ear"6, 'an6 o) the' are the in-ention o) indi-idua"s,
de-ised )or the recordin( o) secrets. :o'e contain a 'iBture o)
characters that are -ersions o) si(i"s taken )ro' the a"che'ica"
and astro"o(ica" )ie"ds. 5thers are 'odi)ications o) kno!n
1$1
'a(ical Alphabets
@i(. 12. ;ate.Ce"tic 'a(ica" a"#haetsA W<2 and 2.4. )ro' 'edie-a" Irish
'anuscri#tsA *. Boi"ethA 1. Beth.;uis.8ion.
ancient scri#ts, such as Here!, 0reek and 3o'an. The
cr6#to(ra#hic traditions o) the 0reek, 3unic and Ce"tic
a"#haets !ere a"so continued in the 'edie-a" #eriod. These
!ere in use a"on(side 'standard' Here!, Yiddish, 'standard'
and cursi-e 0reek )or's, -arious runes and "oca" a"#haets,
such as 0ae"ic and 9est#ha"ian. The :"a-onic a"#haets o)
eastern Euro#e, es#ecia""6 C6ri""ic and 0"a(o"itic, a"so ser-ed
as a source )or certain "etters.
1$+
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
, r s D
@i(. 14. A"che'ica" a"#haet. 12$/ (top % 3o'an -ersion o) Canaanean (bottom.
Man6 o) these a"#haets can e )ound in ancient a"che'ica"
and 'a(ica" teBts, and occasiona""6 on to's and )oundation
stones. Perha#s the 'ost #u"ic o) these is in the cei"in( )resco
6 the 7enetian artist Tie#o"o in the 3esidenD o) the Bisho#
o) 9"irDur(, 0er'an6. This 'inscri#tion' !as #ainted on a
"ock o) stone standin( in a (rou# re#resentin( 'Asia'. .t
contains characters t6#ica" o) the 'a(ica" a"#haets current in
the 3enaissance and Baro,ue eras. Man6 o) these a"#haets
!ere e'#"o6ed in the #re#aration o) ta"is'ans and 'a(ic
circ"es used in the con>uration o) s#irits. Ma(ica" (ri'oires
o)ten i""ustrate the -arious #antac"es re,uired to con>ure and
co''and indi-idua" s#irits? these ha-e corres#ondin( inscri#tions
in one or other o) the 'a(ica" a"#haets then current.
5)ten , the -arious na'es o) 0od in the Here! and 0reek
traditions !ere !ritten in a##ro#riate occu"t characters in order
to #ro-ide the #o!er and #rotection that the 'a(ician needed
to acco'#"ish his or her !orkin(. These characters o)ten
inc"uded -arious astro"o(ica" si(i"s considered a##ro#riate to
the !orkin(, and 'ore #ersona" si(ns o) 'eanin( to the
'a(ician. In his The Tra(ica/ History of 7octor ;austus" the
c"assic #"a6 dea"in( !ith "ack 'a(ic and its su##osed conse,uences,
Christo#her Mar"o!e !rote o) the then current e"ie)s
1$*
'a(ical Alphabets
concernin( the con>uration o) the s#irits. This inc"udes the use
o) a"#haet 'a(icA
;austus" be(in thine incantations"
And try if de!ils will obey thy hest"
Seein( thou hast pray'd and sacrific'd to them.
+ithin this circle is 9eho!ah's name"
;orwards and bac%wards ana(rammati-'d"
Th'abbre!iated names of holy saints"
;i(ures of e!ery ad@unct of the hea!ens"
And characters of si(ns and errin( stars"
2y which the spirits are enforc'd to rise.
Then fear not" ;austus" but be resolute"
And try the uttermost ma(ic can perform.
A"'ost e-er6 !ork o) cere'onia" 'a(ic #u"ished since the
siBteenth centur6 has contained so'e use o) one or other o)
the co''on 'a(ica" a"#haets. :acred !ords !ritten in these
a"#haets !ere used as essentia" #arts o) the rite. Precise !ords
in #recise characters !ritten at #recise ti'es accordin( to
#recise #rescri#tions !ere he"d to e essentia" )or success. @or
eBa'#"e, The #rimoire of Honorius te""s o) the co'#"eB
techni,ues that the ritua" 'a(icians o) this era )e"t the6 had to
#er)or' in order to acco'#"ish their ends. As !ith 'an6 such
o#erations, e)ore the !orkin( teBt !as !ritten, a "on( #eriod
o) #re#aration !as re,uired. The #arch'ent u#on !hich the
teBt !as to e !ritten had to e #re#ared )ro' the skin o) a
"a' nine da6s o"d. This !as sacri)iced accordin( to certain
ritua"s, and s#eci)ic #arts o) it !ere o))ered u# urnt. The skin
!as then s#read on the (round )or nine da6s, and s#rink"ed
)our ti'es a da6 !ith ho"6 !ater. 5n the tenth da6, >ust eore
da!n, this skin !as co-ered !ith the ashes o) the urnt
o))erin(, and the ashes o) a cock sacri)iced )or the #ur#ose .
Then, on the )o""o!in( Thursda6, a)ter sunset, the )"esh o) the
"a' !as interred in a secret #"ace, and characters )ro' an
occu"t a"#haet !ritten on the earth o) the (ra-e, usin( the "e)t
thu'.
9hen this in-o"-ed #rocedure had een co'#"eted, the
"a'skin !as stretched )or a )urther 1/ da6s, and on the 1/th
da6, the )"eece !as re'o-ed, and uried !ith a si'i"ar ritua"
in-o"-in( another inscri#tion. @ina""6, the skin !as dried in the
1$1
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
sun )or three da6s, and )urther characters cut u#on it, this ti'e
usin( a ne! kni)e. 9hen this !as done, Psa"' $1 !as recited,
and 'ore characters cut. @urther #sa"'s and characters
)o""o!ed in due order, unti" the o#eration !as co'#"ete. <#on
this #arch'ent, then, the a##ro#riate #antac"es and si(i"s cou"d
then e !ritten so that the !ho"e cere'on6 cou"d e acco'#"ished
satis)actori"6. This in-o"-ed the usua" #rinci#"es o)
'in)erna" necro'anc6', in-o"-in( the con>uration o) ;uci)er,
Astaroth, @ri'ost and other de'onic entities, !hich !ere then
co'#e""ed to do the !i"" o) the 'a(ician. As !ith the Here!,
Is"a'ic and 5dinic traditions, Honorius's 'a(ic used a series
o) the na'es o) 0od. These $+ na'es are (i-en in A##endiB
&. Co'#"eB ru"es such as this !ere considered essentia" i) the
'a(ic !as to e e))ecti-e. An6 s"i(ht a"teration in the
inscri#tion. e-en an o'ission or addition to the cere'on6, !as
certain to end in )ai"ure.
Medie-a" and 3enaissance 'a(ic !as a s6nthesis o) -arious
traditions. At the ti'e, Je!ish ,aa"istic s#ecu"ations !ere
de-e"o#in( ra#id"6? the 'a(ica" traditions o) ancient c"assica"
#a(anis'? "oca" #re.Christian traditions, and ne! de-e"o#'ents
in #hi"oso#h6 and science !ere 'e"ded to(ether to
l1~~i,1*~,flf:1~~
,~ C 1 ~ i ~ i ~ ~~ ~ ~
@i(. 1$. The Thean a"#haet (l$p . and the A"#haet o) the Ma(i (i1000$Ill.
1$2
'a(ical Alphabets
create ne! s6ste's. :o it is that 'a(ica" a"#haets o) the era
'a6 e ased u#on an6 o) the kno!n secu"ar or sacred scri#ts
o) Euro#e, as !e"" as incor#oratin( a"che'ica", astro"o(ica",
(eo'antic and #ersona" si(i"s. A"#haets such as Thean,
!hich sti"" has a considera"e currenc6 in esoteric circ"es, !as
)irst re-ea"ed at this ti'e. 9hether or not the6 had ancient
antecedents, it !as custo'ar6 to assi(n their ori(in to anti,uit6,
#re)era"6 to so'e ancient and nota"e sa(e. 5ne such
is A#o""onian scri#t. This is a 'edie-a" a"#haet !hich
ne-erthe"ess is ascried to the (reat Pa(an #reacher A#o""onius
o) T6ana. .t !as recorded in 12&4 6 B. de 7i(nere in his
Traicte des 8hiffres" ou Secretes 'anieres d'3scrire. A#o""onian
is ased u#on the 0reek a"#haet, !ith a )e! characters that
rese'"e those in the 0othic a"#haet. A"on( !ith a )e! scri#ts
o) this era, A#o""onian has under(one de-e"o#'ent in 'ode'
ti'es. In his ook, Amuiettes" Talismans et entacles dans les
Traditions" Orientales et Occidentales (1/*&G, J. Mar,ues3i-iere
(a-e a -ersion o) A#o""onian that re)ers to the 3o'an
a"#haet, ut !ith the 0reek characters Theta, Psi and 5'e(a
as !e"". E-en in the t!entieth centur6, these 'a(ica" a"#haets
ha-e continued to de-e"o#.
In his Les Ori(ines de &'Alchimie (1&&2G, M.P.E. Berthe"ot
(i-es t!o other, re"ated, secret a"che'ica" a"#haets, !hich he
ca""s the 'He""enic' and the '0reek Astro"o(ic'. The6 are ased
u#on the 0reek a"#haet, ein( #ersona"iDed cursi-e )or's.
The co''on )eature o) 'ost o) these a"#haets "ies in the
'u"ti#"e sources o) their characters. In di))erent a"#haets, the
sa'e character can e )ound ser-in( )or di))erent #honetic
-a"ues. A"so, durin( the "ate 'edie-a" #eriod, the arri-a" o)
Araic nu'era"s in centra" Euro#e caused an a"teration in
secret a"#haets, !hich unti" then had used se-era" characters
!hich rese'"ed c"ose"6 the )i(ures, +, *, 1, 2, 4 and /. These
characters !ere dro##ed )ro' "ater 'a(ica" a"#haets, and
the6 are a"'ost co'#"ete"6 asent in -ersions used toda6. The
ease o) use o) these arith'etica""6 su#erior Araic di(its s#e"t
the death.kne"" o) the o"der s6ste's o) nu'erica" notation.
These o"der nu'ers sur-i-ed )or so'e centuries in the
!ooden sta-e.ca"endars o) Britain and :candina-ia, and in the
secret 'ono(ra'."ike 6ear.notation o) occu"tists.
1$4
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
=P = p r .. t
@i(. 1&. 3enaissance 'a(ica" a"#haetsA 1.* )ro' :o''erho))? 1. :ecret Etruscan?
2. 8oachite. accordin( to 3i-iere.
/0E CE01GE5IC0/' /0E IN,8I7I/I%N 2ND /0E
2LP024E/ %3 6E7/P02LI2
:ecret or(aniDations ha-e a"!a6s needed secret 'eans o)
#rotectin( their in)or'ation. Toda6, the secret #o"ice o) 'an6
countries kee# )i"es o) sus#ects in secure ui"din(s, or on
co'#uters that the6 ho#e are inaccessi"e to hackers. But, in
the #ast, records !ere ke#t on docu'ents !ritten in secret
1$$
'a(ical Alphabets
tDt$ff)+5 %fEFG ~<r~~ U.s
-.P("0~.L BQ~Yr
II @ @ r ) r 1 I( ! M Y .< t'9l ~ ~ .. == 0t~* l5$t 1l1l1
- bell ~ 2 , h i. Ie I 3,
&~-~1$l1j1Eh~R1S,-,f
II t' p! SI"" .. "!I H
J,lI:fJ'!*f-~<~<HH
1 b c 9 ~ ~ ., ZI i -3 ? 33
~-$l./T:,bS~St+lCll
II tG , M r ) I% @ 33, ~ Y ~ +'11 l' 7 <$? tf17l> l' >>+
.b c J ~*N1, i Ie till
tS,-J.J~J-iUR15tp/i?
11 t' +2 ~S t' 6 "" %.
@i(. 1/. 7eh'ic and In,uisitoria" a"#haetsA 1.*. 7eh'ic? 1. In,uisitoria".
a"#haets and ci#hers. In 'edie-a" Euro#e, there !ere t!o
'ain or(aniDations !hich used secret scri#ts to kee# their
unsa-our6 secrets to the'se"-es and the6 !ere t6#ica" o) the
(rou#s that ha-e )ound a need )or secret a"#haets. The6 !ere
the 7eh'(ericht and the In,uisition. The 7eh'(ericht or
:ecret triuna" !as a con)ederation o) -i(i"ante (rou#s. These
ands o) secret eBecutioners !ent aout their usiness in
0er'an.s#eakin( #arts o) the Ho"6 3o'an E'#ire. Accordin(
to tradition, the or(aniDation !as )ounded in the 6ear $$+ CE
6 the E'#eror Char"es the 0reat (Char"e'a(neG. Char"es,
a)ter ha-in( sudued the Pa(an :aBons in a **.6ear "on( !ar
o) attrition, instituted a rei(n o) terror a(ainst his su>ects.
1$&
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
Accordin( to tradition, in order to !i#e out resistance, he had
*=,=== :aBons de#orted !est!ards across the 3hine, and
re#"aced the' !ith an e,ui-a"ent nu'er o) Christian 0au"s.
This occu#ied district the' eca'e kno!n as 9est 0au" or
9est 9a"es (9est#ha"iaG. The heads o) the 0au"ish )a'i"ies
!ere encoura(ed to su##ress #a(anis' and kee# the :aBons in
su>ection.
5) course, tota" su##ression o) the su>ect :aBons !as
i'#ossi"e to achie-e. :o the s6ste' stai"iDed into one o)
o##ressor and o##ressed, !ith constant atte'#ts 6 the
con,uerors to !i#e out Pa(an sur-i-a"s. In order to #er#etuate
this t6rann6 in a s6ste'atic 'anner, the 7eh'(ericht or(aniDation
!as )ounded 6 )i-e kni(hts. The 7eh' thus ca'e into
ein(, ine-ita"6 )i(htin( an end"ess sectarian !ar in the
countr6side. Ees#ite its o-ert"6 Christian idea"s, the 7eh'
itse") contained !ithin it e"e'ents o) ear"ier, #a(an, tradition.
5ne c"ue "ies in its na'e. In 1&+1, Ja'es :kene, a :cottish
authorit6 on this or(aniDation, !rote that he thou(ht that the
na'e 7eh'(ericht !as 'deri-ed )ro' 2aeume #ericht PTree
;a!Q as the trees constituted the on"6 ostensi"e circu'stance
o) its eBistence, and a))orded the )irst and on"6 indication to
the !or"d o) its #roceedin(s, 6 unha##6 -icti's that !ere
)ound han(ed u#on the'.' A"so, the na'e '7eh'' has
connections !ith the )orest "a!, such as the ri(hts o) "ords to
#ut "i-estock there. There are c"ose connections, too, !ith the
)o"k traditions o) the out"a!s and su#ernatura" ein(s o) the
)orest, such as 3oin Hood, the 9i"d Man and the 9i"d Hunt,
a"" o) !hich ori(inated in Pa(an custo' and e"ie). More
s#eci)ica""6, there a##ears to ha-e een a connection !ith the
tree."etter '6steries o) Ce"tic 'a(ic usa(e. A#art )ro' this, the
other rites and cere'onies o) the 7eh' !ere certain"6 !ithin
the 'a(ica".(eo'antic #ractices o) the 8orthern Tradition.
At )irst the 7eh' a##ears to ha-e een "itt"e 'ore than a
,uasi."e(a" #ara'i"itar6 or(aniDation ut, in the )i)teenth
centur6, it !as institutiona"iDed 6 Hin( 3oert, !ho (a-e it
ne! constitutions. .t !as then that it !as or(aniDed into
re(iona" cha#ters and a""ied to the in,uisitors o) the Church.
5ne o) the tit"es o) the Archisho# o) H"n (Co"o(neG eca'e
':tadho"der o) the Ho"6 :ecret Triuna"', sho!in( the inti'ate
conneBion et!een Church and 7eh'. 5ne o) the chie) centres
o) the or(aniDation !as at Eort'und, kno!n as 7ie 6rumme
1$/
'a(ical Alphabets
#rafschaft (The Crooked Count6G. 0enera" cha#ters o) the
7eh' !ere he"d there, so'eti'es attended 6 the E'#eror
hi'se"). @ina""6, !ith chan(es in societ6, the 7eh' (radua""6
"ost its 'eanin(, and )aded out. The "ast @rei(ra) ("oca" chie)G
o) the 7eh', Iacharias ;oecke, died at the a(e o) // in
1&+4.
5stensi"6, #unish'ent at the hands o) 7eh'ic )unctionaries
!as conducted in de)ence o) the Catho"ic Church and the Ho"6
3o'an E'#ire. In #ractice. as !ith the In,uisition, and the
!itch hunts o) Protestant countries, the eBistence o) this
or(aniDation (a-e its 'e'ers a"'ost un"i'ited #o!ers to
torture and 'urder a"'ost an6od6. Me'ers o) the 7eh'
!ere a"e to eBercise a secret rei(n o) terror in !hich the6 cou"d
sett"e #ersona" scores, ki"" ri-a"s and eBercise #o!er o-er the
!eak. 9hi"e it !as in eBistence. the 7eh', a""ied !ith the
In,uisition, and !ith (enera" !itch., Je!. and 06#s6.hunters,
!as an instru'ent o) Church and state terror. In "ater 6ears,
on"6 certain cate(ories o) cri'e !ere #unished 6 the 7eh'.
These !ere connected 'ain"6 !ith the "a!s o) the Church.
The6 !ere heres6, a#ostac6, sacri"e(e, !itchcra)t, adu"ter6,
ree""ion, and roeries conducted in "ea(ue !ith Je!s. 5ther
non.re"i(ious cri'es #unished 6 the 7eh' !ere the)t, ra#e
and 'urder.
The 7eh' !as 'ost associated !ith 9est#ha"ia, a "and he"d
sacred, "ike the En("ish count6 o) 3ut"and, on account o) its
red earth. E-er6 'e'er o) the 7eh' had to e initiated on
this red earth, Bp Roder Jrde #ema%et. The kno!"ed(e o)
secret a"#haets !as #art o) this #er-erted tradition . In ear"6
ti'es, 9est#ha"ia had #ossessed t!o "oca" a"#haets, one o)
~ ) ~ E ! 2 ~ 3Ilt2.
?X1 ~ 3~ t: ;c+C2r
11.
@i(. 2=. The traditiona" 9est#ha"ian a"#haet.
1&=
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
!hich had "etter.na'es and corres#ondences in the 'a(ica"
tradition. The 9est#ha"ian '3unena"#haet' (!hich !as not
runic, a"thou(h so'e "etters are re"ated to oth runes and
0othicG had the characters A"'a, Bina, Ca"da, Eotta, E'era,
@a-eta, 0es, He""ed, Is, Cana, ;ida, Mis, 8on, 5ta, Ponta,
%uinon, 3orot. :isso, Tonta, <e(on, Yr and Ia. Each o) these
#ossesses a 'eanin(, as !ith the runes.
Ho!e-er, the ear"ier 9est#ha"ian a"#haets, !hich 'i(ht
ha-e een kno!n (enera""6, !ere not used 6 the secret order.
The 7eh'ic a"#haets and that used 6 the In,uisition are
di))erent, ein( a""ied 'ore to se-era" 'edie-a" 'a(ica"
a"#haets used e"se!here. Ironica""6, considerin( their attitude
to!ards Je!ish #eo#"e, so'e o) the "etters in their secret
a"#haets are c"ear"6 deri-ed )ro' Yiddish "etters. B6 usin(
these a"#haets, secret kno!"ed(e cou"d e retained and the
'6steries o) the order trans'itted to initiates. The e"e'ent o)
)ear (enerated 6 usin( so'ethin( occu"t 'ust a"so ha-e #"a6ed
a #art in the use o) these "etters. But, !ith the #assin( o)
7eh'ic acti-it6, these characters #assed )ro' acti-e use into
the rea"' o) anti,uarian and scho"ar"6 interest. The6 are ne-er
used toda6.
o #45 6 ~ RIS ~ ~ ....a ~ ) "
~~ ~ +. !.!'*. L. AI: lHl
3 t7$o8)) 'L) ~.L)%J
it fI~, r ~ ~.,# 37 Z
O"3)".'"O:OO@j~
8** Co -l.!3'Fr L ~ t.!
+Lrl#7<E+C3"1a
a op!r 9 C+9 ) :;
B <)C2~~~ C QOC><:>
3 II , III tl ./ J .t c.. Ie l 4I
(,-~/J2W~/~~~<:?,
11 = M ,.
,. .s
@i(. 21. 3enaissance 'a(ica" a"#haets. 1.+, a)ter :e"enus? *, Te'#"ar.
1&1
'a(ical Alphabets
0%87E' 0%LDING7 2ND 7/%NE127%N7$ 125K7
House'arks and ho"din(s 'arks !ere used in centra" and
northern Euro#e as a 'eans o) indicatin( the o!nershi# o)
#ro#ert6. These 'arks !ere randed onto catt"e, c"i##ed into
the coats o) horses and cut into the ears o) shee#. The6 !ere
cha"ked, #ainted or #rinted on sacks. The6 !ere sta'#ed,
car-ed and #ainted onto house )ronts, on oats and !a(ons,
and #"ou(hed into the sur)aces o) )ie"ds. The6 !ere sta'#ed
into ti'er )"oated do!n ri-er, so that the o!ner cou"d identi)6
his !ood !hen it reached its destination. 5)ten, the6 !ere
car-ed onto s'a"" 'ark.ta(s *mer%elapper) !hich tra-e""ed
!ith (oods carried 6 shi#. The6 !ere co''on#"ace in
'edie-a" trade. Perha#s the "ar(est e-er disco-er6 o) runic
eBa'#"es !as 'ade 6 As>orn Hertei( and his archaeo"o(ica"
tea' !hen, a)ter the disastrous )ire o) 1/22, the6 eBca-ated
Br6((en, the o"d 8or!e(ian hanseatic !har) district o) Ber(en.
5n each o) these, the o!ner's na'e !as !ritten in runes.
1. ))<t t 9rh.t~lh/
(?Ctt~~l:t~C(=*
*~*~~
FI:~tt(*(~HO
W =/ )' 5l 1C,~~
1l# i.H ~ 6 ~<. 3~
@i(. 2+. House'arks *top two lines) 8or!e(ian Bu'erker? *line *G trades#ersons'
'arksG? (iG Hirchente""ins)urt . 0er'an6? (iiG Peter 7ischer. (iiiG 9e"ser? (i-G Hans
Burk'air? (-G 9ea-ers' and E6ers' (ui"d. Bur6.:t.Ed'unds? *line 1G hera"dic si(ns
(i.i-G Po"ish, (-G :!edish? (-i.-iiG :!iss? (-iii.BG En("ish? *line 2G 'erchants' 'arks
(i.i-G Caste" Eurante, Ita"6, siBteenth.centur6? (-.-iG #otter's 'ark. @aenDa. 121&?
*line 4G #orce"ain 'arks (i.iiG :trasour(? (iiiG Ee")tA (i-G ;ud!i(sur(A (-G
Ans#ach? (-iG ;i'ach? (-iiG Taar6. :e-res? (-iiiG ;ou(hton Ha"".
1&+
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
:6'o"ic house 'arks are sti"" a )eature o) 'an6 o"d to!ns in
centra" Euro#e, !here the6 can e seen car-ed and #ainted
#roud"6 on house )ronts.
These house and ho"din(s 'arks contained esoteric 'eanin(s,
ein( deri-ed )ro' -arious si(ns, inc"udin( 3o'an,
0reek and 3unic "etters. 5ne recurrent 'oti) is a character
that rese'"es the Araic nu'era" 1, !hich is the ancient si(i"
o) Her'es, the deit6 o) trade. This si(i" is co''on in 0er'ans#eakin(
countries, and the 'edie-a" !ea-ers' and d6ers'
(ui"ds o) Bur6 :t. Ed'unds used it, too. This s6'o", a"on(
!ith others, !as incor#orated into the 'arks o) trades'en,
!hich are (enera""6 -er6 attracti-e si(ns in their o!n ri(ht.
E-en toda6, 'an6 'odern 0er'an trades#eo#"es' house
'arks retain the her'etic '1'. In so'e #"aces, in the 'anner
o) the ru"es o) hera"dr6, there !as a tradition o) addin( "ines
or other 'arks to the ori(ina" house 'ark. This !as done to
denote the son, (randson or other descen/ant o) the )ounder.
B6 this 'eans, -er6 co'#"eB and un!ie"d6 si(ns !ere ui"t u#.
:o'e continenta" Euro#ean hera"dr6 contains a nu'er o)
si(i"s o) the house.'ark t6#e !hich are #roa"6 deri-ed )ro'
house 'arks. In Po"and, the ar's o) the Hosieska, ;is and
Pi"a!a (rou#s o) )a'i"ies are nota"e in this res#ect, !hi"st the
:!iss :che"ter ar's are nota"e )or carr6in( the Her'etic '1'
-i(i" as #art o) a house 'ark.
As !e"" as trades#eo#"e, ur(hers and untit"ed noi"it6,
'e'ers o) -arious cra)ts a"so had their o!n #ersona" 'arks,
s'iths' and car#enters' si(ns ein( co''on#"ace. :o'eti'es,
these 'arks !ere ad'inistered 6 the authorities. @or eBa'#"e,
in 1$9&, the 'a(istrates o) Aerdeen issued an order that
e-er6 aker !ou"d ha-e to 'ark each ro"" and "oa) !ith their
#ersona" cra)ts'an's 'ark. <sua""6, the :cottish akers' 'arks
!ere circ"es o) dots or '#ricks'. This #ractice is reca""ed 6 the
nurser6 rh6'e 'Pat.a.Cake, Baker's Man'A
at$a$ca%e" at$a$ca%e" 2a%er's 'an"
'a%e me a ca%e
As fast as you can"
at it and pric% it"
And mar% it with . 2 '"
And put it in the o!en"
;or baby and me.
1&*
'a(ical Alphabets
The Co'#an6 o) Coo#ers had a s6ste' o) 'arks, ased on the
circ"e, e'"e'atic o) the casks and arre"s that the6 'ade. In
En("and, car#enters' and >oiners' 'arks !ent out o) use at the
end o) the siBteenth centur6, ut the #rinci#"e o) trade 'arks,
and ha"" 'arks )or si"-er and (o"d, continued, and is in use
toda6. I ha-e in '6 #ossession a nineteenth.centur6 co"d chise"
)or'er"6 e"on(in( to the 0reat Eastern 3ai"!a6 co'#an6. .t
ears a cra)ts'an's 'ark. @ro' the 'edie-a" #eriod, the
stone'asons, !ho ui"t churches, cast"es, cit6 !a""s and
rid(es, de-e"o#ed a co'#"eB and coherent s6ste' o) 'arks.
;ike the s'ith or car#enter, each stone'ason si(ned his o!n
!ork !ith his #ersona" 'ark. These !ere deri-ed #art"6 )ro'
house and ho"din(s 'arks, and a"so )ro' B6Dantine 'ono(ra's
and si(i"s. A #ro#ortion o) stone'asons' 'arks are
runes. @or eBa'#"e, in 0er'an6, the T6r rune can e )ound in
the @rauenkirche at Ess"in(en, a"on( !ith :i(e", "n(, 5da" and
9o")san(e". <r eBists as a stone'ason's 'ark in :trasour(
cathedra". In En("and, the rune Ear can e seen in E"6
Cathedra", !hi"st Eoh, Erda and 9o")san(e" are car-ed in
Hin('s Co""e(e Cha#e" at Ca'rid(e. In( can a"so e seen at
Be-er"e6 Minster. 8u'erous other eBa'#"es cou"d e cited
)ro' 'ost #arts o) Euro#e.
A"on( !ith the other 'edie-a" cra)ts, the stone'asons !ere
or(aniDed in a (ui"d !hich had its o!n ritua"s, cere'onies and
secret 'eans o) reco(nition . In the hi(h 'edie-a" #eriod, the
cra)t !as or(aniDed in "od(es !hich !ere under the >urisdiction
o) centra" authorit6. Each centra" "od(e o) o#erati-e 'asons
had its o!n ''other dia(ra'', a (eo'etrica" #attern )ro'
!hich !ere deri-ed a"" o) the 'arks used 6 its 'e'ers.
:tone'asons in 0er'an.s#eakin( countries had to s!ear an
oath that the6 !ou"d not -ar6 their o!n #ersona" 'ark, once
chosen . These indi-idua" 'arks had to con)or' to the
(eo'etr6 o) the ''other dia(ra''. In his ook, Hot$ und
Hausmar%en" #u"ished in 1&$=, Pro)essor Ho'e6er !rote that
aout 2= 6ears ear"ier, a Er. Parthe6 had (i-en hi' such a
''other dia(ra''. This !as )ro' the cathedra" o) :trasour(,
the centra" "od(e )or A"sace. This dia(ra' !as attriuted to an
ear"6 stone'ason, Arno"d -on :trassur(.
In the 6ear 1&+&, the 'ason Hirchner o) 8ure'er( !as in
#ossession o) a ook that recorded the deri-ation o) a"" the
indi-idua" 'asons' 'arks )ro' a co''on source. Pro)essor
1&1
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
@ranD 3Diha in his 1&&* !ork, #u"ished in 7ienna, Studien
iiber Steinmet-$5eichen *Studies on Stonemasons' 'ar%s)"
de'onstrated that a series o) ''other dia(ra's' !ere deri-ed
)ro' certain )unda'enta" (eo'etrica" #atterns. A"" kno!n
'asons' 'arks )itted into these ''other dia(ra's'. In the 7U~
#"ates that i""ustrated the ook, Pro)essor 3Diha )itted 1112
stone'asons' 'arks into their corres#ondin( dia(ra's,
de'onstratin( the uni-ersa"it6 o) the s6ste'. He sho!ed that
there are )our asic (eo'etrica" dia(ra's u#on !hich a"" o) the
stone'asons' si(ns !ere ased. The )irst t!o dia(ra's !ere
ased u#on the 'edie-a" s6ste's kno!n as ad :uadratum and
ad trian(ulum" the (eo'etr6 o) the s,uare and e,ui"atera"
trian("e res#ecti-e"6. The other t!o are 'ore co'#"eB.
Pro)essor 3Diha ca""ed the other t!o /ierpasse and 7reipasse.
7ier#asse corres#onded to the s,uare (eo'etr6 !ith added
)eatures, !hi"st Erei#asse used di))erent co'inations o)
e,ui"atera" trian("es and circ"es. A"" o) these dia(ra's are
ca#a"e o) "i'it"ess eBtension, and so a -er6 e"aorate and
esoteric (eo'etr6 is at the ase o) stone'asons' #ersona"
'arks.
Pro)essor 3Diha disco-ered the ''other dia(ra's' )or se-era"
'a>or centres o) 'edie-a" stone'asons, inc"udin( 8ure'er(,
@i(. 2*. :tone'asons' 'arks *top line" left to ri(ht)1 (i.iiiG :trasour( cathedra"?
(i-.-iG @rauenkirche, Ess"in(en.a'.8eckar, 0er'an6? (-ii.-iiiG :trasour(,
Bisho#'s #a"ace? *middle line) Hin('s Co""e(e Cha#e", Ca'rid(e? *bottom line) (iG
Me"rose Ae6? (iiG Brid"in(ton Prior6? (iiiG E"6 Cathedra"? (i-G :ton6hurst
Co""e(e? (-.-iiiG rai"!a6 'asonr6, En("ish, nineteenth centur6.
1&2
'a(ical Alphabets
Eresden, :trasour(, Co"o(ne, 7ienna and Pra(ue. Throu(h
the stone'asons' si(ns, 'an6 o) !hich !ere deri-ed )ro'
0reek and runic characters, the (eo'etr6 o) the 'acrocos'
!as re#roduced at the s'a""est "e-e". Throu(h this esoteric
(eo'etr6, the are"6 noticea"e 'arks car-ed on indi-idua"
stones enca#su"ated the transcendent structure o) the uni-erse.
The 'arks used 6 stone'asons !ere continued "on( a)ter the
centra" "od(es !ere c"osed o!in( to the chan(ed conditions
!hich ca""ed 'ost cathedra" ui"din( to a ha"t. Around the
second ha") o) the ei(hteenth centur6, the centra" authorit6
s6ste' roke do!n, and a)ter that o#erati-e stone'asons !ere
attached to indi-idua" #"aces. The s6ste' o) 'arks continued,
ho!e-er, and is sti"" in use at #"aces "ike 7i'. The stone'asons'
'arks -isi"e on o"d cana" and rai"!a6 rid(es a"" o-er
northern and centra" Euro#e attest to the continuation o) the
tradition outside church ui"din(s and re#air. That !as unti"
the ad-ent o) rein)orced concrete ter'inated the need )or the
cra)t o) the stone'ason.
The )ina" #arts o) this (eo'etrica" "etter stor6 ca'e !ith the
curious 'a"#haet' )ro' the duious Oera Linda 8hronicle"
!hose "etters !ere ased on a siB)o"d di-ision o) the circ"e (see
Cha#ter 2G. ;ast"6, in the ear"6 #art o) the t!entieth centur6,
the Austrian '6stic 0uido 7on ;ist and his )o""o!ers took this
ancient 'asonic deri-ation o) #ersona" si(i"s )ro' a asic
dia(ra' as the (eo'etrica" asis )or the Ar'anen s6ste' o)
runes (see Cha#ter *G. :i(ni)icant"6, "ike the curious 5era
;inda "etters? this !as a"so ased u#on the siB)o"d di-ision o)
the circ"e . ad trian(ulum.
12GIC G5ID CIP0E57
There !ere a nu'er o) secret a"#haets or ci#hers connected
!ith -arious Masonic and 3osicrucian orders, !hich a##ear to
ha-e arisen in the se-enteenth or ei(hteenth centuries, #erha#s
usin( the #rinci#"es that under"6 stone'asons' 'arks. 9hate-er
their ori(in, esoteric ci#hers o) this t6#e !ere -er6 #o#u"ar
around the 8a#o"eonic #eriod. Most o) the' are ased u#on
a #ositiona" or (eo'etric )or' that (i-es the #"ace o) a 3o'an
"etter !ithin a (rid o) nine s,uares, -er6 si'i"ar to the Here!
Ai, Beker, )ro' !hich it is #roa"6 deri-ed. 5ne such (rid
is as )o""o!sA
1&4
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
A C T " @ 0 H .
J 9 : ! 8 o P J R
: 6 u 2 ! B y D R
The characters o) this scri#t are created 6 dra!in( the
a##ro#riate #art o) the (rid . @or the )irst "etter, this is a"" that
is done. But )or the second "etter, the #art o) the (rid is dra!n,
a"on( !ith a sin("e dot. The second "etter in an6 #art o) the
(rid is 'arked 6 t!o dots !ithin the sha#e. The "etters so
#roduced ha-e an o-ious #ara""e" !ith the 'arks o) the
stone'asons in that #art o) an o-era"" (eo'etric )or' is taken
to 'ake the si(n. C"ear"6, !ith this ci#her, it is #ossi"e to -ar6
the orientation o) the (rid, and a"so the #"ace'ent o) "etters
!ithin it. .# this is done , it 'akes deci#her'ent -er6 di))icu"t
!ithout the ori(ina" (rid. These a"terations 'a6 e 'ade at
rando', or, i) a 'a(ica" content is re,uired, accordin( to a
'a(ic s,uare or so'e other reco(niDed s6ste'.
There are other -ersions o) this 'a(ica" ci#her. 5) these,
that kno!n as the 3o6a" Arch Ci#her is the est.kno!n
-ariant. .t has a (rid o) nine s,uares, each o) !hich contains
t!o "etters . The re'ainin( ei(ht "etters o) the a"#haet are
#"aced !ithin the ar's o) an 'F'.sha#ed )i(ure. Each o) the
"etter's #osition is thus denoted 6 the a##ro#riate #art o) the
(rid in !hich it is contained, the second "etter o) each ein(
'arked, as in the )irst s6ste', 6 a dot !ithin the )i(ure.
Partia""6 re"ated to these ci#hers is the :o-erei(n Princes' 3ose
1&$
'a(ical Alphabets
9. .' .:.= 0l:= L LG! :=:::= * lGl C GG -'
E"G 9-J")~h i.i~l.
-:,nr:Jrr:-,-//2'2<~
nopJr,%7 til /E$A.!9fL
+ . ..J ~ ~%R:.JWR ~ ~ 33J ~ ~V
8b c tle"."""$ ... il9.tlll
,,6 l: 6 #2 $l7-+nnnr (>
II F : @ r .s I 33 ! .., 0 3Y D
* . ...J 33iJ J1J 8 6+6 L 8! 8l .= ++ l++ #
aE t% I/1l.2.,,, ! .ilc illl
6%%CII9I lll<n<nnr If
II;I',r < Y~- M''''K" D
DG!!!+=Gl8l=lG=Lb. !!!+=a%
.M M Co t. ~ .@ ., .. i. J' @@ ! ,r ?I36l:e #@=@=tA0B@A
( .~ : II r , L .. ! + 0 .M D
3#3<t= < L O,l oBBLL= 3 ~.l r F
il.h ~ 1 eJ.=I1t i .i%Hm
NfIC!+GGIrb'P :J;
&tlll'lr : La. 0 .=if D
@i(. 21. 7ersions o) the 3ose Cross Ci#her.
Cross Ci#her, descried 6 He"ena B"a-atsk6 as a 3osicrucian
a"#haet. Ho!e-er, a"thou(h so'e o) the characters in this
'a(ica" a"#haet are re"ated to the "etters in ''a(ic (rid'
ci#hers, the others are not, ein( t6#ica" characters o)
a"#haets "ike Ada'ic, the A"#haet o) the Ma(i, the In,uisitoria"
and @e'(enossen (7eh'icG scri#ts. This t6#e o) cr6#tic
scri#t, #o#u"ar in the nineteenth centur6, has "ost )a-our in
recent 6ears, and is another historic oddit6.
MA0ICA; <:E: 5@ THE 35MA8 A;PHABET
Toda6, !ith standardiDed characters in a standardiDed a"#haet,
!e are not used to -ariant )or's o) "etters. 9hen !e see
1&&
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
a ca#ita" '8' !ritten the '!ron( !a6 round' on a 'edie-a"
inscri#tion, !e tend to think o) it as the !ork o) a se'i."iterate,
rura" #erson. 9e -ie! the "etter 'Y', the thorn rune 'Th' as an
a))ection !hen !e see it !ritten u# on si(ns such as 'Ye 5"de
Tea :ho##e'. In (enera", -ariant )or's o) "etters are seen toda6
as >ust #"ain !ron(. But this is an incorrect -ie!#oint. It is on"6
since the !ide disse'ination o) #rinted 'atter that the "etters
o) the a"#haet ha-e eco'e standardiDed co'#"ete"6. .# !e
take a "ook at historic 'anuscri#ts, #aintin(s and inscri#tions
on ui"din(s, soon !e !i"" )ind -ariant )or's o) the )a'i"iar
characters. And the )urther ack !e (o, the (reater -ariet6 !e
can )ind. <"ti'ate"6, this is the resu"t o) conce#tions o) !hat
constitutes "earnin(. @or eBa'#"e, the cos'o#o"itan scho"ars
!ho !rote the (reat i""u'inated to'es "ike the The 2oo% of
6ells" The 2oo% of 7urrow and The Lindisfarne #ospels !ere
educated to e con-ersant !ith se-era" "an(ua(es and scri#ts.
:o it is not sur#risin( that -ariant "etters a##ear in their teBts.
The 'ost scho"ar"6 o) the ecc"esiastica" acade'ics in the
#eriod o) The 2oo% of 6ells (the ei(hth centur6 CEG !ou"d ha-e
een con-ersant !ith the Irish, ;atin and 0reek "an(ua(es, and
#erha#s a"so 9e"sh, Here!, Co#tic and An("o.:aBon. A"" o)
these "an(ua(es had their o!n a"#haets. Bardic Irish !as
!ritten in o(ha', !hich itse") had 'an6 -ariant )or's . ;atin
!as !ritten a"'ost eBc"usi-e"6 in the 3o'an a"#haet, !hi"st
0reek, Here! and Co#tic !ere !ritten in their o!n scri#ts.
9e"sh used the ardic a"#haets kno!n as Coe"ren and
Coe"-ain, !hi"st the An("o.:aBons used runes and the 3o'an
a"#haet. Because o) this, an educated #erson in those da6s
!ou"d ha-e had access to a !ea"th o) scri#ts, and !ou"d ha-e
een a"e to use the' in !hate-er conteBt see'ed a##ro#riate.
:o it is to e eB#ected that !e can )ind the 0reek "etter
Ee"ta used )or '=' in The 2oo% of 6ells. 5ther characters
used in these teBts are -ersions o) "etters )ound in the ardic,
0othic or Co#tic a"#haets, the runes, and "ater 'a(ica"
a"#haets. :o'e o) the -ariant characters are unreco(niDa"e
to the 'odern reader. @i(. 11 sho!s a se"ection o) these
'a"ternati-e "etters' )ro' The 2oo% of 6ells" The 2oo% of
7urrow and The Lindisfarne #ospels). This interchan(eai"it6
o) characters, o-ious"6 done so'eti'es )or decorati-e e))ect,
is e-ident !ithin other secret or 'a(ica" a"#haets, such as the
9e"sh Coe"ren and Coe"-ain, !here di))erent ards and
1&/
'a(ical Alphabets
scries used their o!n )a-ourite )or's o) the "etters, and
so'eti'es added ne! ones. ;i(atures o) 3o'an "etters, the
e,ui-a"ent o) ind.runes, )or'er"6 #re-a"ent, ha-e no! (one
out o) use eBce#t in decorati-e ca""i(ra#h6 and )or'a" inscri#tions
deri-ed )ro' the ca""i(ra#hic tradition. In (enera",
ho!e-er, additiona" "etters !ere not added to the standard
3o'an a"#haet, a"thou(h accents, diacritica" 'arks and a )e!
-ariant "etters eBist toda6 in s#eci)ic Euro#ean "an(ua(es (such
as the 0er'an "etter '&', )or dou"e':'G. Man6 o) the "ater
'a(ica" a"#haets used 6 astro"o(ers, a"che'ists, !iDards,
!itches, !ar"ocks and the In,uisition incor#orated -arious o)
these "etters, arran(ed in s#ecia" !a6s. In ti'es o) (enera"
i""iterac6, it !as eas6 to create 'eans o) !ritin( that on"6 those
'in the kno!' cou"d inter#ret.
A"so, as !ith other a"#haets, there is a 'a(ica" di'ension
to the 3o'an a"#haet. The tradition o) usin( the 3o'an
a"#haet in an esoteric !a6 is attriuted to the :i6""ine 5rac"es
o) ancient 3o'e. The na'e ':i6"' !as (i-en to an6 #ro#hetess,
the !ord ein( deri-ed )ro' the 0reek !ords ':io', )ro'
'Ienteo', I consu"t? and 'ou"e', the !i"". Thus a si6" !as a
consu"ted o) the !i"" o) the (ods. Another inter#retation o) the
na'e is )ro' 'Theou.ou"e', 'the !i"" o) 0od'. The ear"iest
techni,ue on record is an interestin( s6ste' o) "etter di-ination,
su##osed"6 "earnt 6 the Tuscans )ro' E(6#tian tra-e""ers,
and taken o-er 6 the 3o'ans !hen the6 con,uered the
Etruscan nation. This is the oracu"ar techni,ue kno!n as the
Prenestine @ortune. A"thou(h Etruscan, it !as throu(h the
3o'an a"#haet that this s6ste' !as de-e"o#ed . Its na'e
co'es )ro' the sanctuar6 o) di-ination at the to!n o) Preneste,
set u# 6 :er-ius Tu""ius, siBth kin( o) 3o'e. This 'ethod o)
di-ination e'#"o6ed cues 'ade o) ;aure" !ood on each )ace
o) !hich "etters !ere en(ra-ed. A nu'er o) these dice !ere
thro!n into a si"-er urn and then taken out at rando' and
arran(ed in the order in !hich the6 !ere re'o-ed. The cues
!ou"d #roduce a series o) "etters, !hich !ere then inter#reted.
Accordin( to records o) his "i)e, the (reat sa(e A#o""onius o)
T6ana !as an ade#t at this )or' o) "etter.di-ination. 5ne
di-ination, done e)ore the E'#eror Eo'itian, #roduced the
"etters P : @ : E ;A8 T A A : 7 T I 7 : 7 7 I 7 I:. The
Prenestine s6ste' a"!a6s inter#reted these "etters 6 notarikon,
!here each "etter !as taken as the )irst "etter o) a !ord,
1/=
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
the !ho"e se,uence ein( an are-iation o) a sentence or t!o.
Eo'itian's eBa'#"e thus eca'e the ;atin 'raenestinae Sacris
;ortunae Sortibus 3lectum Lente Ascendit 4omen Tuum Ad
Alta1 Sed" Bndi:ue Tandem &nsi(nis" /ictor sine /ictoria" Brbis
&mperium" Bnus &mperator" Suscipies.' Trans"ated, this 'eansA
'Your na'e, #icked 6 the sacred )ates o) the Prenestine
@ortune, rises s"o!"6 to!ards the hei(ht o) the )uture? ut
)ina""6, e-er6!here ce"erated, a con,ueror !ithout -ictories,
6ou !i"" recei-e, as so"e e'#eror, the e'#ire o) the Cit6'. The
-eracit6 o) A#o""onius's Prenestine di-ination !as de'onstrated
ecause the "etters dra!n out !ere a"so the "etters o) the
e'#eror's )ather's na'eA Titus @"a-ius 7es#anianus. :uch a
re'arka"e 'coincidence' !as seen as certain #roo) o) the
-eracit6 o) the di-ination. A"thou(h rare"6 used toda6, the
Prenestine @ortune techni,ue had a "on( histor6 o) use. In the
'idd"e a(es, it !as e'#"o6ed 6 the ards o) 9a"es, a'on(
others. Then it en>o6ed a rene!ed -o(ue in @rance in the "atter
#art o) the ei(hteenth centur6. There, )"a'o6ant #ractitioners
o) the art de'onstrated this ancient "etter 'a(ic in #u"ic, and
a ne! interest !as kind"ed. This !as e-en 'ore e-ident a)ter
the 3e-o"ution, !hen the su##ression o) the Church "ed to a
'assi-e increase in interest in a"" ranches o) the esoteric
sciences.
Accordin( to Pau" Christian in his Histoire de la 'a(ie *<>QF)
*The History of 'a(ic)" on 1= Ma6 1$&2, the (reat 'a(us
Count A"essandro Ca("iostro (1$1*./2G de'onstrated "etter
'a(ic to an audience o) interested #eo#"e and sce#tics.
Ca("iostro took a sentence !ith +=* "etters as the teBt 6 !hich
the characters !ithin it !ou"d e nu'ered in se,uence.
Trans"ated )ro' the @rench, this !asA 'Is it #ossi"e )or the
hu'an s#irit to "ook )or and disco-er the secrets o) the )uture
in a "itera" state'ent o) the e-ent !hich has >ust ha##ened, or
in the de)inition o) a #erson 6 the na'es, tit"es and acts that
constitute his indi-idua"it6C'. @ro' this see'in("6 aritrar6
asis, he created a circ"e o) "etters, )ro' !hich -arious !ords
!ere taken unti" the !ho"e nu'er had een 'ade into a ne!
sentence 6 'etathesis, trans#osition o) the "etters o) the
ori(ina" teBt, 6 the 'ethod etter kno!n no! as an ana(ra'.
5n"6 ten "etters re'ained unused. The ne! teBt !asA 'The
hu'an !ord is a re)"ection o) the eterna" "i(ht, i""u'inatin( a""
"i)e here. The initiated :a(e can read and reco-er, in the stated
1/1
'a(ical Alphabets
!ords, a #ro(nostication re'o-ed not -er6 )ar )ro' the
destinies that 'ust e acco'#"ished in each indi-idua" s#here' .
5) the ten re'ainin( "etters, T (nu'er */G, C (24G , E ($=G,
E (&/G 8 ($4G , E (1+*G, P (11*G, 8 (11/G and P (21G, he used
the :6i""ine 'ethod o) notarikon. Thus, TCE8EEP8P
eca'e the ;atinA 'Tacentes 8asus 7enuntiat 4omen1 7ecreta
7ei er 4umeros roefantur'" !hich trans"ates asA 'The 8a'e
announces the ha##enin(s that re'ain 6et in the si"ence o) th~
)uture, and di-ine decrees are #redicted 6 nu'ers'. B6 this
de'onstration o) a"#haet 'a(ic, Ca("iostro #ro-ed to his and,
a##arent"6 , to his audience's satis)action, that na'es and
nu'ers "ie at the )oundation o), and are the ke6s to, 'the
sanctuar6 o) the orac"es'.
:acred a"#haet 'a(ic
:acred are-iations are another di'ension o) the 3o'an
a"#haet. C"ose"6 re"ated to the 0reek s6ste', the6 inc"ude the
na'es o) di-inities. The 'ono(ra' o) Christ, IH:, has een
discussed a"read6 in Cha#ter +. But in the 3o'an cataco's
are a nu'er o) inscri#tions !hich sho! the unroken
continuit6 et!een the #a(an and the Christian traditions.
These are the 1= or so inscri#tions o) the "etters E.M. and
E.M.:. In #a(an ter's, these in-oke the (ods, standin( )or 7is
'anibus and 7is 'anibus Sacrum . But !hen the6 !ere used
on Christian 'onu'ents, the6 re#resent 7eo 'a0imo or 7eo
'a(no (0reat 0odG , and 7eo 'a0imo Sal!atori (0reat 0od,
:a-iourG. :i'i"ar sacred are-iations in the 3o'an a"#haet
#"a6 an i'#ortant #art in 'an6 esoteric traditions u# to the
#resent da6.
The Trian(u"ar ;od(e at 3ushton in 8ortha'#tonshire is an
eBa'#"e o) this esoteric tradition. It is a uni,ue 3enaissance
ui"din( !hich incor#orates oth sacred (eo'etr6 and a"#haet
nu'ero"o(6 . .t !as constructed in 12/* to the desi(n o) :ir
Tho'as Tresha', a 3o'an Catho"ic de-otee !ho !ished to
continue his #ri-ate !orshi# in a hosti"e #o"itica" c"i'ate.
Tresha' !as #articu"ar"6 de-oted to the Ho"6 Trinit6 , and
conse,uent"6, he desi(ned the )"oor.#"an on the asis o) an
e,ui"atera" trian("e. Each side o) the "od(e 'easures ** )eet 1
inches (one.third o) 1== )eet, 1=.14 'etresG in "en(th . There
are three ;atin inscri#tions, each o) !hich has ** "etters. 5ne,
ho!e-er, is the a'#ersand, !hich , as a dou"e "etter, in(e.
1/+
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
nious"6 'akes u# the hundred. The roo) is )inished !ith three
(a"es a side, and a trian(u"ar.section )inia" sur'ounts the roo).
The eBterna" orna'ent is hi(h"6 s6'o"ic. Be"o! the !indo!s
o) the second store6, on the side o) the entrance, are the date,
12/*, and the initia"s o) the o!ner, T.T. Throu(hout the
ui"din(, the "etter T is used as s6'o"ic o) the Trinit6. 5ne
(a"e ears the nu'er *&/& in Araic nu'era"s, eneath
!hich is the se-en.ranched cand"estick o) the Je!s, the
'Menorah'. 5n the neBt (a"e, there is the ;atin inscri#tion
Respicite" and a sun.dia". The third (a"e ears the nu'er
*2=/ and a stone !ith se-en e6es u#on it. These nu'ers
re#resent certain as#ects o) the Christian doctrine as inter#reted
6 the #ersona" '6sticis' o) Tresha'. The Trian(u"ar
;od(e re'ains toda6 as a re'arka"e 'onu'ent to oth a
#ersona" -ision in #articu"ar and Christian ,aa"istic s6'o"is'
in (enera".
Esoterica""6, an6 a"#haet is a 'a(ica" )or'u"a in its o!n
ri(ht. Ear"6 inscri#tions o) the co'#"ete 3o'an or 0ae"ic
a"#haet on stones in Ire"and and Britain, kno!n as 'aecedaries',
are eBa'#"es o) this usa(e. A siBth.centur6 eBa'#"e eBists
at Hi"'akedar in Count6 Herr6, Ire"and. This is o) B6Dantine
character. The use o) the entire 3o'an a"#haet as a sacred
)or'u"a, re#resentin( the entiret6 o) 0od's creation, can e
seen in Christian ritua". In his se'ina" ook, 8hristian
+orship. &ts Ori(in and 3!olution" M(r. Euchesne descried
its #"ace in the 0a""ican usa(e )or the dedication o) churches.
This ritua", datin( )ro' around the ei(hth centur6, contains the
#recise rite kno!n as the Cere'on6 o) the A"#haet. @irst"6,
the church #a-e'ent is stre!n !ith ashes a"on( its t!o
dia(ona"s. The isho# then #roceeds to the eastern corner o)
the "e)t.hand side, and, #assin( in a dia(ona" "ine across the
church, traces on the #a-e'ent !ith the end o) his #astora"
sta)) the "etters o) the a"#haet. Then (oin( to the ri(ht eastern
corner, he re#eats the cere'on6 in another dia(ona" "ine across
the #a-e'ent.'
A "ater Catho"ic tradition !as to trace the )irst "ine in the
0reek a"#haet, and the second in the 3o'an one. This
cere'on6 !as eBc"usi-e to the 9estern church, ein( unkno!n
in the 5rthodoB churches. It a##ears to ha-e ori(inated in the
technica".'a(ica" #ractices o) "and.takin( and "a6in( do!n
oundaries e'#"o6ed 6 ancient 3o'an sur-e6ors, the A(ri.
1/*
'a(ical Alphabets
'ensores. Their techni,ues !ere #art o) the 'a(ica" 'Etruscan
Eisci#"ine', in !hich the correct #"ace )or a house, to!n,
te'#"e or to' !as chosen accordin( to #recise ru"es o)
(eo'anc6. The trans-erse cross, u#on !hich the isho# traces
the a"#haets, reca""s the #ri'ar6 "ines "aid out and 'easured
6 the A(ri'ensores. This "ar(e 'F' is, o) course, in itse") the
0reek "etter Chi, the )irst "etter o) the na'e 'Christ'. Chi has
the (e'atria -a"ue o) 4==, s6'o"ica""6 e,ui-a"ent to the
Cos'os, the 0odhead and the 8a'e (o) 0odG. The dra!n
a"#haet itse") is c"ose"6 re"ated to the 'a(ic s,uares and
"iterar6 "a6rinths e"o-ed o) the ear"6 Church, such as the EIAsna'
':ancta Ec"esia' dia(ra' (see Cha#ter 4G, the "a6in(.on
o) the a##ro#riate 'a(ica" #o!er to a #iece o) (round. A"so,
the entire a"#haet in 0reek is the "o(ica" eB#ansion o) the
Christian inter#retation o) A"#ha and 5'e(a. Traced on a
cross on the church #a-e'ent, it is seen as the i'#ression o) a
"ar(e si(num 8hristi on the "and, !hich a)ter!ards is dedicated
eBc"usi-e"6 to Christian !orshi#. A truncated -ersion o) this is
sti"" oser-ed in the An("ican Church. But instead o) 'akin(
t!o co'#"ete a"#haets, the isho# 'akes the si(n ofa6w,
A"#ha, a Cross (or ChiG and 5'e(a. This is 'in token that he
takes #ossession in the na'e o) Christ o) the (round u#on
!hich the Church stands'. In the Church o) En("and, the h6'n
'7eni Creator :#iritus' is sun( durin( 'the In-ocation and the
:i(n o) A"#ha and 5'e(a', as the cere'on6 is kno!n.
Esoteric corres#ondences and nu'ero"o(6
But des#ite its use in the Prenestine @ortune, sacred are-iations
and ecc"esiastica" ritua", the 3o'an a"#haet is sti"" )ar
"ess de-e"o#ed than Here!, 0reek, runic, 0othic or o(ha'.
A"thou(h the 'eanin(s o) the "etters can e in)erred 6
co'#arison !ith the 0reek, )ro' !hich the6 are u"ti'ate"6
deri-ed, this is rare"6 done, and there is scarce"6 an6 tradition
o) such !ork !ith the 3o'an a"#haet. This is a curious
ano'a"6 in 'a(ica" #ractice, as it !ou"d e re"ati-e"6 eas6 to
ui"d u# a #o!er)u" and coherent s6ste' usin( the 3o'an
a"#haet. But, )or !hate-er reasons, this has not een done.
Ho!e-er, there are so'e nota"e !orks that do dea" !ith the
3o'an a"#haet in 'a(ica" ter's. @or eBa'#"e, in his Occult
hilosophy" H. Corne"ius A(ri##a !rote that the -o!e"s in the
3o'an a"#haet corres#onded !ith the se-en #"anets, these
1/1
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
@i(. 22. A"#haetic !hee" o) H.C. A(ri##a. !ith 3o'an "etter corres#ondences.
ein( A, E, I, = <, J and 7. T!e"-e other "etters corres#ond
!ith the t!e"-e si(ns o) the Dodiac, these ein( the consonants
B, C, E, @, 0, ;, M, 8, #, 3, :and T. The other )our "etters,
H, %, F and I, re#resent the )our e"e'ents. H, the as#iration,
si(ni)ies the :#irit o) the 9or"d. This ascri#tion is the 3o'an
#ara""e" o) the Here! di-ision o) the ++ "etters into (rou#s o)
three, se-en and t!e"-e.
In addition to this, "ike o(ha' and the runes, the 3o'an
a"#haet has a s6ste' o) co"our corres#ondences. The "etters
A, I, J, J and Yare associated !ith oran(e, ta!n6 and dee#
ro!n? B, C, H and 3 are ascried !hite. 0, ;and :ha-e
scar"et as their co"our, !hi"st E, M and T are 'au-e and -io"et.
E and 8 ha-e a "ue.(re6, s"ate co"our as their o!n? #a"e "ue
is a))i"iated !ith the "etters <, 7, 9and F. = and I are (reen,
!ith dark "ue as the co"our o) the "etters @, Hand P.
But des#ite these corres#ondences, it is on"6 throu(h
nu'ero"o(6 that the 3o'an a"#haet has an6 si(ni)icant
'a(ica" connection. The s6ste' o) nu'ero"o(6, !hich is 'uch
etter esta"ished, !orks on a di))erent #rinci#"e )ro' either
Here! or 0reek. 5ne co''on -ersion o) 3o'an a"#haet
nu'ero"o(6 a##ears to ha-e ori(inated !ith the Her'etic
5rder o) the 0o"den Ea!n, a"thou(h it has een attriuted
,uite erroneous"6 to P6tha(orasK It !as tau(ht 6 Israe"
1/2
'a(ical Alphabets
3e(ardie, a'on( others, and is kno!n as the P6tha(orean
:6ste'. 9hate-er its ori(in, it is c"ear that in 'a(ica" ter's it
is a "ate de-e"o#'ent, ha-in( arisen a)ter the di-ision et!een
I and J and the in-ention o) the "etter 9. It is ased on a s6ste'
in !hich each "etter is (i-en a -a"ue et!een 1 and /, as )o""o!sA
1
A
J
:
+
B
9
6
*
C
:
8
1
E
!
B
2
"
8
9
%
F
o
I
$
U
P
Y
&
H
J
D
/
.
R
Israe" 3e(ardie considered the -a"ues o) the "etters H and 7 as
Master 8u'ers, !hich !ere not to e reduced i) at a""
#ossi"e. 3e(ardie stated that in 'akin( ta"is'ans, it !as not
#articu"ar"6 i'#ortant !hich s6ste' o) nu'ero"o(6 one used,
so "on( as it had interna" consistenc6, and !as done !ith correct
'a(ica" kno!"ed(e . A di))erent s6ste' o) nu'ers !as de-ised
or trans'itted 6 the #a"'ist and occu"tist Cheiro. This s6ste'
a##ears to ha-e no "o(ica" )oundation. The corres#ondences
areA
1 + * 1 2 & * 2 1
A B C = " @ 0 H I
1 + * 1 2 $ & 1 +
J 9 : M 0 * P J 3
* 1 4 4 4 2 1 $
: T 8 B 9 I Y I
Interestin("6, the )ate)u" se,uence 4.4.4 a##ears in this nu'er
s6ste', )or the three "etters <, 7 and 9. Another, re"ated,
nu'ero"o(ica" s6ste' !as descried 6 the '6stic author 5.
Hashnu Hara as used 6 the %aa"ists. C"ear"6, it has no
re"ationshi# !ith the Here! ,aa"istic "etter.nu'er corres#ondences,
and a##ears to e 6et another aritrar6 a""ocation
o) nu'er -a"ues, !hich areA
1
A
+

+
C
1
o
2
"
1/4
&
@
*
0
&
7
1
.
1
J
*
:
+
9
'a(ical and Alchemical Alphabets
-
6
*
:
4
8
1
!
4
B
2
8
4
W
$
o
4
I
&
p
1
Y
1
J
$
I
+
R
;ike the other t!o s6ste's, 5. Hashnu Hara's 'ust e #ost'edie-a"
ecause o) the eBistence o) the "etters J and 9.
9hate-er nu'er s6ste' one 'a6 choose to use, the #rinci#"es
o) 3o'an a"#haet nu'ero"o(6 re'ain constant. <n"ike the
nu'er s6ste's o) the Here!, 0reek and 0ae"ic a"#haets,
in !hich the nu'ers o) the "etters are added to(ether, and a
tota" reached, 'ost -ersions o) 3o'an nu'ero"o(6 si'#"6 add
the nu'ers to(ether and then reduce the' to a sin("e di(it.
@or eBa'#"e, 4& reduces to 2 (4 E & L 11? 1 E 1 L 2G, or +$
reduces to / (+ E $ L /G. The s6ste' is usua""6 a##"ied to a
#erson's na'e, !here a"" o) the nu'ers corres#ondin( !ith
the "etters are added to(ether, and then re"ated to s#eci)ic
,ua"ities. @ro' this, nu'ero"o(ists assert, one's #ersona"it6,
"o-e "i)e, )ortune and destin6 can e deter'ined.
Another, 'ore recent, s6ste', is kno!n as the <"ian
:che'ata, de-e"o#ed 6 E. Jason Coo#er. This uses a
techni,ue si'i"ar to the 0reek and Here! nu'er ascri#tions,
!here the a"#haet is di-ided into three sections. In the
case o) the 0reek a"#haet, these are the three o(doads, and
in the runes, these !ou"d e the three aettir. But in the +4.
character 3o'an a"#haet, the6 are t!o (rou#s o) / and one
o) &A
A B C T " @ 0 7 I
1 + * 1 2 4 $ & /
J 9 ; ! 0 * p J R
1= += *= 1= 2= %* $= &= /=
: T < B 9 I Y A
1== +== *== 1== 2== %** $== &==
C"ear"6, as there are at "east )our s6ste's o) "etter.nu'er
ascri#tions, the nu'erica" e,ui-a"ent o) an6 na'e de#ends
u#on !hiche-er s6ste' one chooses to use. As an eBa'#"e o)
1/$
'a(ical Alphabets
the -ariations one 'ust encounter, I !i"" take '6 o!n na'e,
8i(e" Ca'#e"" Pennick. In the )irst s6ste', the corres#ondences
are as )o""o!sA
8 I 0E ;
1 / $ 2 *
CAMPBE;;
* 1 1 $ + 2 * *
PE88I CH
$ 2 2 2 /*+
The tota" o) this ca"cu"ation is /+. Custo'ari"6, this is reduced
to the di(it +. AThe reduction !orks 6 addin( the )i(ures
to(ether unti" a sin("e di(it re'ains, in this case, / E + L 11?
1 E 1 L 2H3 The second s6ste' is as )o""o!sA
8 I 0E ;
& 13& 3
CAMPBE;;
* 1 1&+ & * *
PE88I CH
& & & & 1*+
The tota" o) this ca"cu"ation is $2. Coincidenta""6, this a"so
reduces to the di(it +.
%! Hashnu Hara's nu'ero"o(6, ho!e-er, (i-es a di))erent
resu"tA
8 I 0E ;
2 1*2 *
CAMPBE;;
+ 11& + 2 * *
PE88I CH
& 2 2 2 1++
This adds u# to $*, !hich reduces to 1, ($ E * J 1=? 1 E = J 1G.
@ina""6, the <"ian :che'ata (i-es 6et another nu'erA
8 I 0E;
2=/$2*=
CAMPBE;; PE88ICH
* 1 1=$=+ 2 3# 3# $= 2 &#&#" * +=
The tota" o) this is 1&/, !hich reduces to +1 and then to *. This
nu'ero"o(ica" techni,ue a"so takes into account the indi-idua"
di(its o) the nu'er, and their re"ationshi#, thou(h, "ike the
other 3o'an s6ste's, it does not a##roach the 'atter o)
(e'atria. Ho!e-er, the <"ian :che'ata does #ro-ide the
#ossii"it6 o) a 3o'an (e'atria! In this s6ste', '6 na'e
has the sa'e nu'er as the 0reek (e'atria )or Theseus
(ESE"AE5"AG, 'aster o) the ;a6rinth. C"ear"6, accordin( to
this s6ste', I a' inti'ate"6 in-o"-ed !ith "a6rinthine situationsK
5) course, the )unda'enta" #ro"e' at the root o) this t6#e
o) nu'ero"o(6 "ies not on"6 !ith the s6ste' that one chooses,
ut a"so !ith the na'e that one uses. :o'e nu'ero"o(ists
1/&
1agical an= 2lc;.<ical
2l:;ab.tA
clai< t;at on. can c;ang. on.$A
lucK by c;anging on.$A na<.
fro< on. t;at carri.A a l.AA
fortunat. nu<b.r
corr.A:on=.nc.
to a <or. auA:iciouA nu<b.r!
4ut' aA (it; t;. nu<b.r -alu.A'
t;.r. iA no g.n.rally acc.:t.=
co<<on -i.( of a :.rAon$A $tru.
na<.$! 7o<. nu<.rologiAtA
aAA.rt t;at t;iA iA t;. na<. (;ic;
on. ;aA born. Ainc. baby;oo= -
on.$A $gi-.n na<.$! 4ut
anot;.r Ac;ool of t;oug;t aAA.rtA
t;at on.$A $tru. na<.$ iA t;at
by (;ic; on. iA Kno(n .-.ry =ay'
Ao' for .La<:l. a nicKna<.
or contraction coul= b. on.$A
$tru. na<.$! $+.nny$ (oul= b.
:r.f.rr.= to +.nnif.r 5ut; +on.A'
$C;alKy$ to +o;n +a<.A
2rc;ibal= 6;it.' an= Ao on!
%-.rall' t;. (;ol. <att.r of
5o<an l.tt.r nu<.rology iA
fraug;t (it; =ifficulti.A an=
contra=ictionA!
2ccor=ing to C;.iro$A AyAt.<'
(;ic; iA :.r;a:A t;. <oAt
(i=.ly uA.= on. to=ay' t;. nin.
Aingl. =igitA .ac; ar. r.lat.=
to on. of t;. aAtrological :lan.tA'
fro< (;ic;' it iA Aai=' co<.A
t;. c;aract.r an= fortun. of t;.
:.rAon! 2A (it; <uc; 5o<an
al:;ab.t nu<.rology' t;iA AyAt.<
=o.A not follo( t;. tra=itional
:rinci:l.A t;at on. can r.cogniM.
in 0.br.(' Gr..K an=
1I#lLLC1 DII "IIN/0!
3ig! &6! 1agic :antacl. uA.= by
+o;n D..! inclu=ing 5o<an l.tt.r
corr.A:on=.nc.A!
1""
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
Ga.lic nu<.rology! /;. :lan.tA
in t;iA AyAt.< ar. not 7trictly
tra=itional' for t;.y inclu=.
8ranuA an= N.:tun.' (;ic; ;a-.
r.:lac.= t;. tra=itional
aAc.n=ing an= =.Ac.n=ing no=.A
of t;.
<oon 9Ca:ut DraconiA an=
Cau=a DraconiA' t;. Dragon$A
;.a= an= tail' r.A:.cti-.ly)!
C;.iro$A 4ooK of Nu<b.rA ;aA
t;.
follo(ing aAcri:tionAG t;. nu<b.r
on. r.lat.A to t;. AunO t(o
to t;. <oonO t;r.. to +u:it.r an=
four to 8ranuA! 3i-. iA
allocat.= to 1.rcury' an= AiL to
C.nuA' (;ilAt N.:tun. b.arA
t;. nu<b.r A.-.n! /;. final t(o
nu<b.rA' .ig;t an= nin. ' ar.
allocat.= to 7aturn an= 1arA
r.A:.cti-.ly ! /;. aAtrological
attribut.A of t;. $:lan.tA$ ar.
r.lat.= to t;. :.rAon t;roug;
t;.ir :.rAonal nu<b.r! 2ccor=ing
to t;iA Ayt.<' nu<b.r on.'
t;. nu<b.r of t;. Aun' <.anA
t;at t;. in=i-i=ual iA a :oAiti-.
:.rAon (;o ;aA an acti-.
int.llig.nc.' .L:r.AA.= in a
cr.ati-.
(ay! /;. AubP.ct iA Aingl.-<in=.=
in ;iA or ;.r a<bitionA! /;.ir
lucKy =ayA of t;. (..K ar.
7un=ay an= 1on=ay! /;.y ar. at
t;.ir <oAt ;ar<oniouA (it; ot;.r
:.o:l. (;o ;a-. t;. nu<b.r
t(o' four or A.-.n! /;.ir <oAt
lucKy colourA ar. gol= an=
y.llo(' an= t;.ir auA:iciouA g.<A
to:aM an= a<b.r!
4.ing of t;. <oon' nu<b.r t(o
:.o:l. ar. Au::oA.= to b.
artiAtically cr.ati-.' i<aginati-.'
:.rAiAt.nt an= ro<antic!
8nfortunat.ly' t;.A. a=<irabl.
traitA ar. oft.n t.<:.r.= by
:;yAical (.aKn.AA! Nu<b.r t(oA
g.tA along b.At (it; :.o:l.
(;o ;a-. t;. nu<b.r on.' an= to
a l.AA.r .Lt.nt (it; A.-.nA!
/;. b.At =ayA for nu<b.r t(oA
ar. 7un=ay' 1on=ay an=
3ri=ay! /;.ir auA:iciouA colourA
ar. gr..n an= (;it.' t;. 5oyal
ColourA of C.ltic 4ritain' an=
t;.ir g.<A ar. <oonAton.A'
:.arlA an= Pa=.!
/;r.. iA t;. nu<b.r of +u:it.r!
P.o:l. (it; t;iA nu<b.r ar.
aut;oritarian' b.ing u:;ol=.rA of
or=.r an= :rogr.AA' in a
:ractical an= (orl=ly (ay! /;.
<oAt fortunat. =ayA for +u:it.r
:.o:l. ar. /u.A=ay' /;urA=ay
9t;. =ay of +u:it.r) an= 3ri=ay!
/;. lucKy colourA ar. at t;. r.=
.n= of t;. A:.ctru<G :ur:l.'
<aroon an= cri<AonO t;.ir
auA:iciouA Aton. iA a<.t;yAt!
Nu<b.r t;r.. :.o:l. co-o:.rat.
b.At (it; ot;.rA (;o ;a-. t;.
nu<b.r AiL an= nin.! 3our iA t;.
nu<b.r aAcrib.= by C;.iro
an= ;iA follo(.rA to 8ranuA!
2ccor=ing to t;. t;oug;t of t;.
:.rio= (;.n 0.rAc;.l =iAco-.r.=
t;. :lan.t' 8ranuA iA
aAAociat.= (it; r.b.llion an= t;.
o-.rt;ro( of t;. .AtabliA;.=
or=.r! 4.cauA. of t;iA' nu<b.r
four :.o:l. ar. conAi=.r.= to
b. Atrong-(ill.= if lon.ly r.b.lA'
o-.r-A.nAiti-. an= unliK.ly to
2##
1agical an= 2lc;.<ical
2l:;ab.tA
3ig! &7! 7.-.nt..nt;-c.ntury
nu<b.r-l.tt.r-Aigil (;..l!
b. a Aucc.AA in con-.ntional
t.r<A! 7o<.ti<.A t;.y ar. =..:ly
l.arn.=' :.r;a:A in t;. Aci.nc.A!
/;. lucKy =ayA of nu<b.r
fourA ar. 7un=ay' 1on=ay an=
7atur=ay! 3ortunat. colourA ar.
turQuoiA. blu. an= gr.y' (;ilAt
t;. auA:iciouA g.<Aton. iA t;.
Aa::;ir.! 8nliK.ly to <aK. <any
fri.n=A' n.-.rt;.l.AA :.o:l.
of nu<b.r on. ar. t;. b.At
:oAAibility ;.r.R
1.rcury iA t;. rul.r of nu<b.r
fi-.! P.o:l. (it; t;iA nu<b.r
ar. Aai= to b. brig;t an= ra:i= in
t;oug;t' ani<at.=' =.ciAi-.
an= abl. ! /;.y <aK. goo=
buAin.AA<.n or Aucc.AAful
ga<bl.rA'
b.ing :o:ular (it; ot;.r :.o:l.
of all nu<b.rA! 2uA:iciouA
=ayA ar. 6.=n.A=ay 9t;. =ay of
1.rcury)' /;urA=ay an=
3ri=ay! /;.ir fortunat. colour iA
Ail-.r or (;it.' an= t;.ir
g.<Aton. iA t;. =ia<on=!
Nu<b.r AiL iA aAAociat.= (it;
C.nuA! /;iA :lan.t bringA
artiAtic' a.At;.tic' Qualiti.A!
P.o:l. aAAociat.= (it; C.nuA ar.
r.Aolut.' Ao<.ti<.A obAtinat. in
t;.ir b.li.fA! 4ut t;.y ar.
lo-.rA of lif.' an=' (it; t;oA. (it;
(;o< t;.y can li-. <oAt
;ar<oniouAly' :.o:l. of t;r..A
an= nin.A' t;.y ar. conAi=.rat.
an= lo-ing! 2uA:iciouA =ayA ar.
/u.A=ay an= 3ri=ay 9t;. =ay
of C.nuA) ! Nu<b.r AiL.A ;a-.
blu. aA t;.ir lucKy colour' an=
t;. turQuoiA. aA t;.ir g.<Aton.!
2#1
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
7.-.n iA t;. nu<b.r aAcrib.= to
N.:tun.' a :lan.t =iAco-.r.=
in 1D6! 2ccor=ing to t;iA AyAt.<'
A.-.nA ar. in=.:.n=.nt'
.Lcitabl.' :.o:l. (;o tra-.l
r.Atl.AAly acroAA t;. glob.!
/;. -ocationA of (riting an= t;.
gra:;ic artA ar. in=icat.= by
t;iA nu<b.r' :.r;a:A
acco<:ani.= by :Ayc;ical giftA'
but
financial Aucc.AA iA unliK.ly !
2uA:iciouA colourA ar. gr..n an=
y.llo(' (it; :.arlA' <oonAton.A
an= catA$-.y.A aA t;.
corr.A:on=ing
g.<Aton.A! LucKy =ayA ar.
7un=ay an= 1on=ay' an=
fri.n=A;i:A ar. <oAt liK.ly (it;
nu<b.r t(oA!
/;. .ig;t; nu<b.r iA alli.= (it;
7aturn' (;ic; bringA rugg.=
in=i-i=uality' an= int.nA. b.li.fA'
;.l= tog.t;.r by gr.at
:.rAonal inn.r Atr.ngt;! LiK.
:.o:l. (it; t;. nu<b.r four'
.ig;tA ar. conAi=.r.= liK.ly to
l.a= rat;.r Aolitary li-.A' b.ing
conAi=.r.= rat;.r col= an=
un.<otional! 2uA:iciouA =ayA ar.
7un=ay' 1on=ay an= 7atur=ay'
(it; fortunat. colourA of blacK
an= =arK blu.! Eig;tA$ lucKy
g.<Aton.A ar. blacK :.arlA an=
=arK Aa::;ir.A!
Nin. iA t;. final nu<b.r'
aAAociat.= (it; 1arA! 1artial
Qualiti.A ar. in=icat.=G
i<:ulAi-.n.AA' b.llig.r.nc. an=
courag.ouAn.AA' t.<:.r.= by
inn.r Atr.ngt;! Nu<b.r nin.A
=iA:lay l.a=.rA;i:' but (it; a
t.n=.ncy to <agalo<ania! Nin.A
<aK. t;.ir b.At fri.n=A;i:A (it;
t;oA. (it; t;r.. or AiL aA t;.ir
nu<b.r! 1arA :.o:l.$A lucKy
colour iA fi.ry r.=' an= t;.ir
g.<Aton.A ar. garn.t' bloo=Aton.
an= ruby! /;.ir auA:iciouA
=ayA ar. /u.A=ay 9t;. =ay of
1arA)' /;urA=ay an= 3ri=ay!
/;. tra=itionA conn$.ct.= (it;
t;. l.tt.rA of t;. 5o<an
al:;ab.t ar. frag<.ntary' an=
f.( :ractition.rA ;a-. (orK.=
to forg. it into a co;.r.nt <agical
AyAt.<! 8ntil A.riouA (orK
iA un=.rtaK.n to t;iA .n=' t;.
5o<an al:;ab.t (ill r.<ain t;.
o== on. out a<ong <agical
al:;ab.tA! 4.cauA. of t;iA :r.A.nt
lacK' it ;aA not for<.= t;. baAiA
for any of t;. <o=.rn Ac;oolA
of <agic! 2A in .arli.r ti<.A' t;.y
;a-. baA.= t;.ir tra=itionA
u:on t;. <or. Aacr.= al:;ab.tA'
<oAt notably 0.br.( an=
runic!
2#2
6
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn
8A.A
/;.r. ar. t;ingA t;at ar. Kno(n'
an= t;ingA t;at ar. unKno(nG
in b.t(..n ar. t;. =oorA!
6ILLI21 4L2KE
/;. ulti<at. A:iritual function of
.-.ry <agical al:;ab.t iA t;.
tranAfonnation of conAciouAn.AA!
2A a <.anA of co<:r.;.n=ing
t;. inn.r r.ality of .LiAt.nc.'
<agical al:;ab.tA can act aA
t;. trigg.r t;at alt.rA a(ar.n.AA!
/;. uA.r of <agical al:;ab.tA
can fin= ;.r or ;iA t;oug;t
:att.rnA =i-.rt.= Au==.nly fro<
t;.ir accuAto<.= c;ann.l into
n.( un=r.a<.=-of r.al<A! /;.ir
tranAfonnati-. natur. can
:ro-i=. t;. uA.r (it; a
co<:l.t.ly
n.( -i.(:oint on lif. an=
.LiAt.nc.! /;iA tranAfor<ation iA
PuAt
t;at =.Acrib.= in <o=.<
Aci.nc.$A CataAtro:;. /;.ory' in
(;ic; a Au==.n' =iAcontinuouA'
c;ang. iA trigg.r.= by a Alig;t
alt.ration in con=itionA! 6;.n
t;iA ;a::.nA' it iA liK. t;.
o:.ning of a =oor' at (;ic; a
co<:l.t.ly n.( -i.( iA r.-.al.=
Au==.nly an= i<<.=iat.ly in itA
.ntir.ty! It iA not for not;ing
t;at t;. l.tt.rA of <agic
al:;ab.tA ar. Kno(n aA $t;.
=oorA of
conAciouAn.AA$! /;roug; -ariouA
t.c;niQu.A of <.=itation an=
cont.<:lation' t;iA :roc.AA can
b. aAAiAt.=! 4ut (;at.-.r t;.
t.c;niQu.' t;. ulti<at. int.ntion
iA t;. .nlig;t.n<.nt of t;.
in=i-i=ual!
/0E 12GIC 7,825E 2ND
/0E 6%5D L24S5IN/0
In C;a:t.r 1' I =.alt (it;
0.br.( <agic AQuar.A! 4ut'
alt;oug; ;ig;ly =.-.lo:.= t;.r.'
t;.ir <yAt.ri.A ar. not
2#3
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
.LcluAi-.ly (it;in t;. r.al< of
+.(iA; .Aot.riciA<! /;.y .LiAt
alAo in t;. Latin tra=ition' (;.r.
t;.y ar. r.lat.= =ir.ctly to
anot;.r for< Kno(n aA t;.
lit.rary labyrint;! 2A l.tt.r
AQuar.A
an= gri=A' t;.y ar. lai= out by a
t.c;niQu. in (;ic; a c.rtain
arrang.<.nt of l.tt.rA can b.
r.a= in a nu<b.r of (ayA! /;.
b.At-Kno(n .La<:l. of t;iA iA t;.
Ao-call.= 7ator AQuar.! /;iA
for< iA Kno(n fro< a nu<b.r of
anci.nt 5o<an Ait.A'
inclu=ing Cir.nc.At.r an=
Po<:.ii' an= occurA to=ay in
<agical
illuAtrationA! ItA for< can b.
.it;.r of t;. follo(ingG
72/
25E
/EN
%PE
5%/
o 5
P #
E /
5 2
2 7
5%/
%PE
/EN
25E
72/
2 7
5 2
E /
P #
o 5
6;ic;.-.r (ay roun= it iA
(ritt.n' t;iA iA tranAlat.= uAually
aA
$7ator' t;. Ao(.r' ;ol=A t;.
(;..lA by ;iA (orK$! /;. .Lact
<.aning of t;iA iA =iA:ut.=' but it
;aA connotationA of f.rtility
an= control! It ;aA alAo a
C;riAtian int.r:r.tation' for it
can b.
r.arrang.= aA a croAA t;at r.a=A
$Pat.r NoAt.r$ 9%ur 3at;.r)'
(it; 2 an= # 92l:;a an= %<.ga)
t(ic.G
2
P
2
/
E
5
2 P2/E5N%7/E5 #
o
7
/
E
5
o
%t;.r <agic AQuar.A co<:arabl.
(it; t;. 7ator on. (.r. uA.=
in c.r.<onial <agic! 7.-.ral ar.
gi-.n in t;. <.=i.-al t.Lt'
2#D
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
/;. 7acr.= 1agic of 2bra<.lin
t;. 1ag.! 3or .La<:l.' t;at
int.n=.= to tranAfor< t;.
<agician Ao t;at ;. or A;. coul=
fly
in t;. air in t;. for< of a cro('
iAG
5 # L%5
o 4 83%
L 8 2 8 L
o 3 8 4 #
5 # L%5
8nliK. t;. 7ator AQuar.' t;iA' an=
<oAt ot;.rA' ar. co<:oA.=
of $(or=A$ (it; no a::ar.nt
<.aning' t;oug; cl.arly .-.ryon.
;aA itA o(n co;.r.nt
int.r:r.tation! It iA cl.ar t;at
fro< t;.
.arli.At ti<.A t;at -ariouA
co<binationA of l.tt.rA (.r. ;.l=
to
;a-. a <agical Aignificanc.! /;.
uA. of (;ol. al:;ab.tA in
conA.cration iA an .La<:l. of
t;iA! 3or<ula. .LiAt in all of
t;. <agical tra=itionA' but it (aA
in t;. lat. Gra.co-5o<an
tra=ition t;at t;. A:.cific for<
Kno(n aA t;. $l.tt.r labyrint;$
ca<. into b.ing! /;.A. labyrint;A
ar. arrang.<.ntA of l.tt.rA'
=.ri-.= fro< a (or= or a :;raA.'
(;ic; ar. arrang.= in Auc; a
for< t;at t;.y can b. r.a= in
<any (ayA' an= Ao t;at ot;.r'
un.L:.ct.=' co<binationA of
l.tt.rA an= (or=A .LiAt (it;in t;.
:att.rn! %-.rall' t;.y co<:riA.
<agical for<ula. (;ic;
.nca:Aulat.
not only t;. original <.aning of
t;. (or= or :;raA.' but
alAo <any ot;.r aAAociat.=
<.aningA' .L:licit an= i<:licit!
/;.r. ar. t(o baAic ty:.A of t;.A.
labyrint;in. for<A! /;. firAt
iA an arrang.<.nt (;ic; ;aA a
c.rtain A;a:. (it; a (.ll-=.fin.=
c.ntr.! %-.rall' t;.y <ay b.
circular' AQuar.' or can ;a-. a
A:iral :rogr.AAion of l.tt.rA!
2l<oAt in-ariably' t;. firAt l.tt.r
of t;.A. t.LtA iA at t;. c.ntr. of
t;. :att.rn! /;. ot;.r <ain
ty:.' call.= t;. $:rogr.AAi-.
labyrint;$ by t;. (or=-labyrint;
r.A.arc;.r Piotr 5y:Aon' iA
r.ctangular! 0.r.' t;. firAt lin. iA
t;. :ro:.r t.Lt' an= t;.
Aucc.AAi-. lin.A ar. for<.= in
tranA:oAition of l.tt.rA to t;. l.ft
or rig;t! /;iA iA a AyAt.< uA.=
in crytogra:;y Ainc. anci.nt
ti<.A' cloA.ly r.lat.= to t;. 7ator
AQuar. an= Ao<. runic AyAt.<A!
/;. tra=ition of l.tt.r labyrint;A
iA Kno(n to go bacK to t;.
Pagan :.rio= of I<:.rial 5o<.!
/;.r. (aA al(ayA a r.cogniM.=
conn.ction b.t(..n t;. lit.rary
labyrint; an= t;.
:;yAical labyrint; of t;. ty:.
Kno(n fro< 5o<an <oAaic
:a-.<.ntA! 2 goo= .La<:l. can
b. A..n in t;. /roPan /abl.tA!
2#&
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
/;.A. ar. AiL car-.= Aton.
tabl.tA' Kno(n coll.cti-.ly aA
$/abula. Iliaca.$ 9/roPan
/abl.tA)! /;.y (.r. foun=
aroun=
5o<.' an= =at. fro< aroun= t;.
b.ginning of t;. I<:.rial
:.rio= 9c! &# 4CE-C! &# CE)!
/;.y b.ar Gr..K l.tt.r labyrint;A
on on. Ai=.' an= ;a-. t;.<.A
fro< t;. /roPan Cycl. car-.= on
t;. o::oAit. Ai=.! 2<ong t;.
car-ingA ar. illuAtrationA of t;.
(allA of /roy' an= 2c;ill.A
carrying ;iA <agic A;i.l=' <a=.
by
t;. =i-in. A<it; 0.:;a.AtuA!
4ot; ar. Ay<bolA of :;yAical an=
<agical :rot.ction!
/;. Euro:.an (arrior tra=ition'
of (;ic; t;. Gr..K iA a
:ri<. .La<:l.' cuAto<arily uA.=
:rot.cti-. Ay<bolA on t;.
A;i.l=! /;.A. ;a= a (i=. rang.'
bot; o-.r ti<. an= A:ac.! /;.y
inclu=. t;. Gorgon$A ;.a= of t;.
Gr..KA' an= t;. lig;tning
boltA of +u:it.r on 5o<an
l.gionari.A$ A;i.l=A! In nort;.rn
Euro:.' King 2rt;ur$A A;i.l= iA
Aai= to ;a-. born. an i<ag. of
t;. Cirgin 1ary (;ilAt 7aLon
an= CiKing (arriorA r.li.= on
tot.<ic b.aAtA an= runic l.tt.rA!
3inally' t;.r. iA t;. co<:l.L
;.ral=ry of t;. ag. of c;i-alry'
(;ic; in itA c.ntral an= .aAt.rn
Euro:.an for<A inclu=. run.A'
;ouA. <arKA an= 5o<an
l.tt.rA! /;. l.tt.r conn.ction (it;
2c;ill.A$A i<:.n.trabl.
A;i.l= :arall.lA t;. og;a<
tra=ition of 3ionn
1acCu<;aill$A
l.tt.r-b.aring <agic A;i.l=! It iA
alAo r.lat.= to t;. <agical
.n.<y-=aMMling $liut;rin=i$
A;i.l=-:att.rnA of t;. Nort;.rn
/ra=ition <artial artA!
3ig! &! NorA. $luait;rin=i$
:att.rn ! 3igur.-<ounting fro< a
bucK.t in t;. A;i:burial
at %A.b.rg' Nor(ay!
2#6
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
2ccor=ing to t;. Gr..K l.g.n=' at
t;. c.ntr. of 2c;ill.A$A
circular A;i.l=' 0.:;a.AtuA
=.:ict.= t;. .ntir. coA<oAG t;.
Eart;' t;. A.a an= t;. AKyO t;.
Aun' t;. <oon an= t;. AtarA!
2roun= t;. c.ntr. of t;iA A;i.l=
(.r. four ringA' in (;ic;
(.r. A;o(n aA:.ctA of lif. on
Eart;! 3inally' t;. oc.an aroun=
t;. Eart; Aurroun=.= all! /;.
t(o /roPan /abl.tA A;o(ing
2c;ill.A$A A;i.l= ;a-. t;.
labyrint;-(or=A $/;.o=oruA
<a=.
2c;ill.A$A 7;i.l=$' an= $2c;ill.A$A
7;i.l= by /;.o=oruA accor=ing
to 0o<.r$! In ;iA 0iAtoria.
NaturaliA 9Natural 0iAtory)'
Pliny Atat.A t;at /;.o=oruA (aA
$cr.ator' of t;. labyrint; on
t;. IAl. of 7a<oA$!
In t;. C;riAtian tra=ition' l.tt.r
labyrint;A (.r. uA.= by
PubliuA %:tatianuA Por:;yriuA'
(;o flouriA;.= =uring t;. r.ign
of E<:.ror ConAtantin. t;.
Gr.at' aroun= t;. y.ar 32& CEo
/;. $Pat.r NoAt.r$ int.r:r.tation
of t;. 7ator AQuar. <ay b.
A..n aA t;. origin of t;iA tra=ition
! /;. ConAtantinian :.rio=
Aa( t;. incor:oration of t;.
l.tt.r labyrint; into C;riAtian
Ay<boliA<! 2 r.<arKabl.
inAtanc. of t;iA (aA to b. foun=
in
t;. c;urc; of 7t! 5.:aratuA at El-
2Ana<' 2lg.ria' 9for<.rly
t;. 5o<an to(n of CaAt.llu<
/ingitanu<' foun=.= aroun=
32 CE)! /;iA Aacr.= buil=ing
contain.= t(o .arly l.tt.r
labyrint;A in <oAaic! %n.' in t;.
c;anc.l' inclu=.= t;. (or=A
$1arinuA 7ac.r=oA$'
co<<.<orating a :ri.At$A na<.!
/;.
ot;.r (aA at t;. c.ntr. of a
AQuar. ! :a-.<.nt labyrint;
<.aAuring about 2!D <.tr.A 9
f..t) in =ia<.t.r' lai= out on
t;. aLiA of t;. nort; =oor to t;.
baAilica! 2t t;. c.ntr. of t;iA
:a-.<.nt labyrint;' lai= out in
t;. ty:ical 5o<an =.Aign' (aA
a lit.rary labyrint;! /;iA (aA an
arrang.<.nt of 16" l.tt.rA in
a AQuar.' co<:oA.= of t;. (or=A
$7ancta Ecl.Aia$ 90oly
C;urc;)! /;.A. (or=A can b.
r.a= in any =ir.ction' .Lc.:t
=iagonally! /;uA at EI-2Ana<
t;.r. (aA a labyrint;-(it;in-
alabyrint;!
In Ao<. (ayA' t;iA iA a =ir.ct
:arall.l (it; t;.
tra=ition of 2c;ill.A$A A;i.l='
b.ing a r.:r.A.ntation of t;.
coA<oA contain.= (it;in anot;.r!
2ccor=ing to C;riAtian
.L.g.AiA' t;iA labyrint;-(it;in-a-
labyrint; can b. A..n aA
r.:r.A.nting t;. int.rr.lation
b.t(..n t;. c;urc; 9Ci-itaA D.i'
t;. City of Go=)' an= t;. out.r
(orl= 9Ci-itaA 1un=i' t;. City
of t;. 6orl=)! It iA t;uA a
r.:r.A.ntation of t;. i=.aA in 7t
2uguAtin.$A (orK' D. Ci-itat.
D.i 9%n t;. City of Go=)! /;.
3urt;.r<or.' t;. 16" l.tt.rA
co<:oAing t;. $7ancta Ecl.Aia$
AQuar. !ar. an .La<:l. of Gr..K
g.<atria' for t;. nu<b.r 16"
2#7
1agical 2l:;ilb.tA
I 2 I G) E L .E C L 1-G 7I2 '
OE I 7 E L.E 2I E.L E 7 I !
iGT ELCE2/ 2ECLE TIG
$4LG42/C/2ECL4Gi
LCE21$CNC1$2ECLl
C E2/ C NI2 N./ 2 E C I
EI2 l$ .N 2I7I2N C /2lE
C E2/ C N 2IN C$1$ 2 E C
I
LCE2/CNC/2ECL
EITTTTTTOTTTTTT II $
' I7 4 L C EI2 E C L 4 G-O I
Gi 2 I TELCECLE7I 2
L !! JTTTJJJTTJJTR'=+
3ig! &"! $7anta Ecl.Aia$ labyrint;
fro< EI 2Ana<' 2lg.ria!
t-L'7"$"L$$$
LD8$/27 !!!
I2/I/ !! '
rILI'n
"I!TI!!
T.' .li
c!t to $c-
" $1$1$ !!
$If 1I1$" c-
ICOC !'')9!!! 12C
,S"IiII!$$$'''> U$$$ !!! # !!!! $$ !! $
"02 !!!!!! " Cil C)9*o !!!!!! !!
fli$$$ !! ' !! >-5c!a C>!o !!!! "
!! n !!!!!!!! >C5C>!o !!!! II !!
!! "nIL"" '>C)9 no !!!!!!!!! OG
8O" u>u "I.
-! !! /7$I/
,0/D!
-$Q!'D'C
!"! $'f''l'l !"!!"!
$"" !! 7
TN !!!! '
!! In !! ' ' "!"'
EP'"'PI
"""lIl2! o*'!!u!a!o
%a2P!!!-!!!!
Cy
%Il
3ig! 6#! $CruL$ l.tt.r labyrint; of
C.nantiuA 3ortunatuA 9&D#--6#1
CE)!
2#
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
iA .Qui-al.nt to t;. Gr..K (or=A
for $t;. 2<.n$ 9$# 210N)!
/;uA (it;in Ao<.t;ing A..<ingly
aA Ai<:l. aA a (or=-AQuar.
(it;in a labyrint;' a (.alt; of
Ay<boliA< iA .nco=.=!
/;. cr.ation of :.r<an.nt l.tt.r
labyrint;A (aA t;. concr.t.
<anif.Atation of t;. <any <or.
.:;.<.ral -.rAionA t;at
circulat.= aA =.-otional t.LtA an=
taliA<anA! /;.r. ar. A.-.ral
i<:ortant .La<:l.A of t;.A.'
(;ic; ;a-. b..n r.:ro=uc.= an=
uA.= o-.r a long :.rio=! %n. of
t;. b.At lo-.= (aA co<:oA.=
of C.nantiuA 3ortunatuA 9c! &D#-
6#1)! 0iA l.tt.r labyrint; iA a
fa<ouA -.rAion no( Kno(n aA 7t!
/;o<aA$A CroAA! /;iA iA a
crucifor< :o.< (;ic; ;aA t;.
(or= $CruL$ 9CroAA) at t;.
C.ntr.! /;. l.tt.rA fro< t;.
c.ntr. can b. r.a= into t;. four
ar<A aA CruL Do<ini 1.cu<
9/;. Lor=$A croAA (it; <.) '
CruL
.At Qua< A.<:.r a=oro 9I a=or.
t;. croAA al(ayA) O CruL <i;i
r.fugiu< 9/;. CroAA <y r.fug.)O
an= CruL <i;i c.rta AaluA
9CroAA <y c.rtain Aal-ation)! /;.
ing.nuity of t;iA ai= to
<.=itation iA r.<arKabl.! /;.
arrang.<.nt of t;. l.tt.rA
aAAiAtA t;. r.a=.r in arri-ing at
n.( <.aningAO a=oration iA t;.
Au::ort fro< $groun= l.-.l$ to
t;. c.ntr.' (;ilAt Aal-ation iA on
t;. ;ig;.r l.-.l' abo-. t;. c.ntr.!
It (aA in 7:ain t;at t;iA for<
A..<A to ;a-. b.co<.
.A:.cially lo-.=! 2 l.tt.r
labyrint; (aA car-.= u:on t;.
to<bAton. of Princ. 7ilo of
2AturiaA at t;. baAilica of Pra-ia
in
7:ain! In t;. .ig;t; c.ntury' ;.
(aA t;. foun=.r of t;. c;urc;
of 7an 7al-a=or at %-i.=o! /;iA
for<ula iA baA.= u:on t;.
(or=A 7ilo :rinc.:A f.cit 9Princ.
7ilo <a=. it)! Lat.r' Cigilan'
a 7:aniA; <onK fro< 7an 1artin
=. 2lb.=a in 5ioPa 9"7D CE)'
(rot. a lit.rary labyrint; in
;onour of 7t!1artin' t;. :atron
of
t;. <onaAt.ry ! /;iA 7:aniA;
tra=ition of <ulti:l. l.tt.r
corr.A:on=.nc.A <at.rialiM.=
lat.r into a n.( for< in t;.
(orKA of t;. <yAtic 5a<on Llull
9A.. b.lo()! LiK. Ao<. lat.r
Aaint in-oKing labyrint;in.
(orKA' Cigillan$A labyrint; (aA
baA.= on (or=A (;ic; r.lat.= to
7t! 1artin! 4y .L:an=ing t;.
na<.' it a::.arA' t;. :rot.cti-.
Qualiti.A of t;iA an= ot;.r
AaintA coul= b. call.= u:on!
2 :o:ular -.rAion of t;. l.tt.r
labyrint; iA Kno(n aA -.rAuA
int.Lti! In t;iA for<' t;. nu<b.r
of lin.A in .ac; -.rA. (aA fiL.='
an= Ao<. l.tt.rA (.r. obligatory!
G.n.rally' t;. :ag. (aA
=i-i=.= into a gri= <.aAuring 3&
by 3& AQuar.A' <aKing 122&
in all! /;iA nu<b.r iA .Qui-al.nt
by t;. rul.A of g.<atria (it;
t;. Gr..K :;raA. $/;. Lor= Go=$
9$# KSPI%lG $# E%lG)'
2#"
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
$Go=$A Cr.ation$ 9K/S212
E%S)' an= $/;. Plantation$ 9$0
VPS/El 2) ' all (it; t;. nu<b.r
122D! /;. latt.r (or='
$/;. Plantation$ iA r.lat.= alAo to
t;. Eig;t IfinA of t;. og;a<
al:;ab.t' an= t;. Ga.lic l.tt.r
Gart! It iA a <.ta:;or for t;.
Aacr.= gri=' t;at ;i==.n <atriL
(;ic; un=.rli.A t;. <at.rial
(orl=! %nc. t;. -.rAuA int.Lti
gri= ;a= b..n =ra(n ' a :att.rn
(aA <a=. of (or=A' an= aroun=
t;iA <ain :att.rn ' t;. -.rA.A
(.r. (ritt.n in A<all.r
c;aract.rA! /;. (;ol. :ag. (aA
fill.=
u: in t;iA (ay' (it; a==itional
l.tt.rA a==.= in t;. ga:A in Auc;
a (ay t;at t;.y a==.= <.aning to
t;. (;ol. co<:oAition!
D.-otional taliA<anA (.r. oft.n
built u: fro< a c.ntral t.Lt!
K.y (or=A or :;raA.A Auc; aA
0.Lig 90oly) ' D. DioA Aoy
a<a=o
9Go= lo-.A <.)' 7anctiA GLoria
C;riAtuA 9C;riAt$A 0oly Glory)'
an= Gott iAt <.in /roAt 9Go= iA
<y co<fort) ar. r.:.at.= in all
=ir.ctionA in a QabaliAtic acroAtic!
/;.y ar. arrang.= Ao t;at
A.-.ral lay.rA of <.aning <ay b.
:.rc.i-.= in r.a=ing t;.A.
grou:ingA of (or=A! /;.y ar.
c.rtainly not arbitrary' for t;.y
=iA:lay a r.<arKabl. ability for
Aynt;.AiA an= lat.ral t;inKing
in t;.ir cr.atorA!
2 co;.r.nt =.Acri:tion of t;.
r.lationA;i: b.t(..n t;.
labyrint; :att.rn an= t;. l.tt.r
labyrint; (aA gi-.n by t;.
1ora-ian :;iloAo:;.r Kno(n aA
Co<<.niuA' +an 2<oA
Ko<.nAKy 91&"2-167#)! /;iA
account of t;. Ay<boliA< of bot;
t;. labyrint; :att.rn an= t;.
l.tt.r labyrint; (aA gi-.n in ;iA
booK Labirant 7-.tla a 5ay
7r=c. 9/;. Labyrint; of t;.
6orl=
an= t;. Para=iAW of t;. 0.art)!
0.r.' t;. labyrint; iA A..n aA
an i<ag. of t;. :ilgri< $A
:rogr.AA along t;. corr.ct
:at;(ay
t;roug; a (orl= =iA<iAA.= aA a
falA. A:.ctr. of =.<onic c;aoA!
/;. labyrint; of t;. (orl= iA
.n-iAion.= aA a city co<:oA.= of
ba=ly <atc;.= (or=A an=
<.aningl.AA corr.A:on=.nc.A!
6;.n' aft.r <any turnA of t;.
labyrint; ' t;. :ilgri< r.ac;.A
t;. c.ntr.' .L:.cting ;.a-.n' ;.
fin=A t;.r. t;at it iA t;. :lac.
of t;. <oAt conc.ntrat.= .-il!
/;iA iA a C;riAtian -.rAion of t;.
Cr.tan labyrint; <yt;oA in
(;ic; t;. ;i=.ouA .-il of t;.
1inotaur lurKA' ;orn.= liK. t;.
C;riAtian D.-il! /;.n' ;a-ing
.L:.ri.nc.= t;. ulti<at. .-il'
Ko<.nAKy$A :ilgri< fin=A a =oor
(;ic; l.a=A ;i< to t;. $r.al
(orl=$ of C;riAtian r.-.lation !
2t
t;. c.ntr. of .-il' t;. (or= of
C;riAt iA .L:.ri.nc.=' an= t;.
:ilgri< iA tranAfigur.=! 0. t;.n
r.turnA to t;. (orl=' con-.rt.=!
/;iA c.ntral Euro:.an -iAion
A;o(A t;. <at.rial (orl= aA a
21#
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
labyrint; conAiAting of a <aAA of
.L:.ri.nc.A t;at r.<ain
unint.lligibl. to t;. :ilgri< until
t;. c.ntr. ;aA b..n r.ac;.=!
It iA cl.ar t;at t;iA iA t;. Aa<.
<.AAag. t;at (aA con-.y.= by
t;. El 2Ana< c;urc; labyrint; Ao
<any c.nturi.A .arli.r! If (.
.La<in. Aur-i-ing anci.nt
lit.rary labyrint;A' it iA cl.ar t;at
t;iA
ty:. of <agical arrang.<.nt iA
r.a= fro< t;. c.ntr. out(ar=A!
%nly fro< t;. c.ntr. ar. t;ingA
int.lligibl.! 7o it (aA t;at t;.
C;riAtian roa= to Aal-ation (aA
=.Acrib.= by t;. 2bbot of t;.
Paulit. <onaAt.ry of
CM.Atoc;o(a in Polan=' 2n=rM.P
Gol=ono(AKi
91&"6-166#)! 0. =.-iA.= a l.tt.r
labyrint; (;ic;
f.atur.= t;. :;raA. $2 Paulo
Pluto =.c.=it -ictiA ar.na$
f.atur.A! 0.r.' t;. :o(.r of t;.
Aaint iA in-oK.= aA o-.rco<ing
t;. :o(.r of t;. un=.r(orl= aA
:.rAonifi.= not by t;. C;riAtian
D.-il' but by Pluto! 6;.t;.r t;.
1inotaur' Pluto or t;. D.-il'
it iA fro< t;iA c.ntr. t;at lit.rary
labyrint; originat.A! /;iA iA
t;. <yAt.ry of t;. labyrint;'
(;.t;.r in itA :;yAical or itA
lit.rary for<!
During t;. 4aroQu. :.rio=' t;.A.
(or= labyrint;A b.ca<.
:o.tic =.-ic.A (;ic; .-ol-.= into
n.( for<A! 0.r.' t;. (or=A
ar. (ritt.n inAi=. gra:;ic A;a:.A!
Auc; aA gri=A! /;. or=.r of
r.a=ing t;.< b.ing t;. $ga<.$ or
.Aot.ric A.cr.t t;at coul=
unlocK t;. <.aning of t;.
labyrint;! 1any 4aroQu. lit.rary
3ig! 61! 0.br.( :o.< for t;.
7.:;irot; aA a (;..l of lig;t!
Na:;t;ali 4ac;arac;!
A.-.nt..nt; c.ntury!
211
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
labyrint;A ar. Aacr.= in
int.ntion' but ot;.rA (.r. =.-iA.=
to
;onour an in=i-i=ual' or PuAt for
:l.aAur. ! S.t ot;.rA ;o-.r on
t;. bor=.rlin. b.t(..n ort;o=oL
=.-otion an= in-ocational
<agic! %n. Auc; l.tt.r labyrint;
iA a taliA<an coll.ct.= in
0ungary aroun= 17## by IAt-an
L.:A.nyi for ;iA Po.AiA Lu=.nA
7.u 2rtificia Po.tica! /;iA iA in
t;. for< of a Latin :ray.r to
t;. arc;ang.l 1ic;a.l' calling for
t;. :oAA.AAor to b. grant.=
a long lif.! In Ao<. (ayA' t;.A.
<agical tractA r.A.<bl. t;.
Ic.lan=ic runic Kotru-.rA t;at
(.r. uA.= to .nAur. Aucc.AA in
c;.AA an= bacKga<<on ga<.A!
/;.A. for<A all att.<:t to
acc.AA t;. inn.r :o(.r of t;.
(or= t;roug; al:;ab.tic
for<ula. (;ic; .nabl. t;.
<.=itator to gain <ulti:l.
int.r:r.tationA!
2ccor=ing to t;. +.Auit
co<<.ntator +uan EuA.bio
Nur.<b.rg'
(;at.-.r for< t;.y <ig;t taK. '
t;. ort;o=oL =.-otional
t.LtA ar. an att.<:t to :.n.trat.
t;. :uMMling $labyrint; of t;.
(orl=$' by <.anA of $a t;ouAan=
of labyrint;in. (ayA born in
Di-in. 0ar<ony$! 4ut in <o=.rn
ti<.A' t;. A:iritual an=
<agical Quality of lit.rary
labyrint;A ;aA b.co<.
o-.rA;a=o(.=
by t;.ir A.cular Aucc.AAor!
7ignificantly Kno(n aA $concr.t.
:o.try$ ' t;.A. l.tt.r aAA.<blag.A
uAually r.:r.A.nt littl. <or.
t;an t;. ty:ical :oAt-<o=.rniAt
accu<ulation of c;aotic'
ran=o<' an= ;.nc. <.aningl.AA'
Ay<bolA! /;. barr.nn.AA of
t;. :oAt-<o=.rn (aAt.lan= iA a
far cry fro< t;. .Aot.rically ric;
tra=itionA of t;. lit.rary
labyrint;!
521%N LL8LL' 12GIC
7,825E7 2ND /0E
/2LI712NIC 25/
In ;iA 2rA G.n.raliA Ai-. 1agna'
t;. 7:aniA; <yAtic 5a<on
Llull 9ot;.r(iA. 5ay<on= Lully)
:ubliA;.= a A.ri.A of .Aot.ric
=iagra<A! /;.A. (.r. a
continuation an= =.-.lo:<.nt of
.arli.r <.=i.-al =iagra<A'
+.(iA; ' IAla<ic an= C;riAtian'
t;at
att.<:t.= to .<brac. t;. (;ol.
co<:aAA of ;u<an Kno(l.=g.
an= .L:.ri.nc.! It iA t;. Aa<.
b.li.f of t;. .nca:Aulation of all
t;ingA in t;. al:;ab.t t;at
un=.rli.A t;. (;ol.-al:;ab.t
<agic!
Llull$A int.ntion (aA to uA. t;.A.
(;..lA aA int.ll.ctual :roofA
of ;iA b.li.f in t;. trut; of
C;riAtianity ! 4y t;iA <.anA'
a=;.r.ntA to t;. +.(iA; an=
IAla<ic fait;A (oul= b. con-.rt.=
to C;riAtianity! /;iA :roc.AA (aA
to b. acco<:liA;.= by <.anA
of <.=itation on t;. <ultifarouA
:oAAibiliti.A broug;t u: by ;iA
(;..lA! Eac; (;..l conAiAt.= of a
A.ri.A of <o-.abl. conc.n-
212
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
tric circl.A u:on (;ic; (.r.
.ngra-.= or :rint.= -ariouA
l.tt.rA
an= (or=A (;ic; r.:r.A.nt.=
A:.cific aA:.ctA of ;u<an
Kno(l.=g. or =i-in. Qualiti.A!
2ft.r t;. Atu=.nt ;a= <.=itat.=
on on. A.tting' on. (;..l (oul=
b. <o-.=' an= a n.(
co<bination arri-.= at! 0a-ing
finiA;.= (it; t;at on.' anot;.r
<o-. (oul= :ro=uc. anot;.r
n.( A.t of r.lationA;i:A' an= Ao
on until all of t;. co<binationA
;a= b..n .La<in.=! 3urt;.r
(;..lA an= =iagra<A (.r.
:ro=uc.= by 5.naiAAanc.
follo(.rA
of Llull!
In itA conc.:t' Llull$A AyAt.<
follo(.= cloA.ly t;. co<:l.Liti.A
of .arly clocK<aK.rA liK. t;.
Italian g.niuA Gio-anni =.
Don=i 9131-")' (;oA. brilliant
t.c;nological ability :ro=uc.=
inAtru<.ntA t;at ;a= =ialA (;ic;
A;o(.= accurat.ly t;.
:oAition of al<oAt .-.ry Kno(n
aAtrono<ical <otion! /;.
Ao:;iAticat.= co<:l.L g.aring
an= =ialA of Auc; clocKA'
=.-.lo:.=
fro< .arli.r Gr..K an=
4yMantin. <.c;anical cal.n=arA'
:ro-i=.= a <o=.l for t;. Llullian
-iAion of t;. uni-.rA.!
/.c;nically' Llull$A AyAt.< uA.A a
co<binatorial analyAiA of A.tA
of t.r<A! 2ll :.r<utationA ar.
:oAAibl. in ;iA AyAt.<' an= it
(aA t;roug; t;. uA. of .-.ry
:oAAibl. :.r<utation t;at Llull
b.li.-.= .nlig;t.n<.nt coul= b.
gain.=! +uAt aA (it; t;. l.tt.r
AyAt.<A of 0.br.(' Gr..K' runic
an= og;a<' Llull$A <.t;o=
=i-i=.A .-.ry branc; of
Kno(l.=g. into a finit. A.t of
baAic
:rinci:l.A (;ic; can t;.n b.
r.co<bin.= at (ill! Lull$A (;..lA'
t;.n' ar. a =ir.ct :arall.l (it;
ot;.r al:;ab.t AyAt.<A' t;oug;
arrang.= in a t;.n no-.l an=
=iff.r.nt (ay Auitabl. for an ag.
of <.c;anical .L:.ri<.ntation!
/o t;. G.r<an :;iloAo:;.r
6il;.l< Gottfri.= L.ibniM 916D6-
1716)' t;. in-.ntor of calculuA'
Llull$A t.c;niQu. (aA a -iAion of a
uni-.rAal AyAt.< of
Kno(l.=g.' an i<ag. of t;.
cr.ation! In Ao<. (ayA' 8ull$A
QabaliAtic co<binatorial $.ngin.A$
(.r. t;. for.runn.r of t;.
<.c;anical co<:ut.rA of C;arl.A
4abbag. 917"2-171)' an=
;.nc. can b. conAi=.r.= t;.
occult origin of <o=.rn
co<:ut.rA!
4.cauA. t;. 0.br.( al:;ab.t
(aA ;.l= to .nca:Aulat. t;.
.ntir. or=.r of cr.ation (it;in itA
22 l.tt.rA' it (aA b.li.-.= t;at
any :;yAical or A:iritual Quality
coul= b. r.:r.A.nt.= gra:;ically
t;roug; t;.A. l.tt.rA! 6;.n t;.
l.tt.rA ar. lai= out on a
<agic AQuar. or Ka<.a' t;.n by
Poining u: t;. l.tt.rA by
Atraig;t lin.A' a g.o<.trical Aig0
can b. :ro=uc.= t;at
.nca:Aulat.A t;. Quality
=.Acrib.= ! /o:ogra:;ically' t;iA
iA
21D
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
al<oAt a r.ci:rocal -.rAion of t;.
Llullian t.c;niQu.! 2lt;oug;
t;.A. AigilA can r.f.r to lit.rally
anyt;ing' t;iA t.c;niQu. iA uA.=
<ainly to =.Acrib. an= in-oK.
c.rtain A:iritA uA.= in taliA<anic
<agic! /;iA ty:. of <agic (aA
=.-.lo:.= an= r.fin.= by a=.:tA
(;o' in t;. 5.naiAAanc. :.rio='
alli.= t;.<A.l-.A to t;.
5oAicrucian -i.( of t;. (orl=!
/;iA 5oAicrucian tra=ition iA
baA.= u:on t;. l.g.n= of t;.
a=.:t C;riAtian 5oA.nKr.uM
9C;riAtian 5oAycroAA)' (;o (aA
Aai= to ;a-. =i.= in 1DD! %n
t;. o:.ning of ;iA to<b 12# y.arA
lat.r' c.rtain A.cr.tA (.r.
Aai= to ;a-. b..n r.-.al.=! /;iA
l.g.n= an= itA i<:licationA for
;u<an conAciouAn.AA (.r.
r.-.al.= in a A.ri.A of G.r<an
:a<:;l.tA :ubliA;.= in t;. y.arA
161& an= 161&! /;.A. (.r.
=iAA.<inat.= (i=.ly' an= ra:i=ly
tranAlat.= an= :ubliA;.= in
ot;.r languag.A! /;. conc.:tA of
5oAicrucianiA< (.r. .Ltr.<.ly
i<:ortant in 5.naiAAanc.
<agical t;oug;t' an= continu.
to influ.nc. t;. 6.At.rn 1yAt.ry
/ra=ition to=ay! 2t :r.A.nt'
t;. <oAt influ.ntial .l.<.nt of
t;iA 5oAicrucian curr.nt =.ri-.A
fro< t;. nin.t..nt;-c.ntury
<agical organiMation Kno(n aA
t;.
%r=.r of t;. Gol=.n Da(n! /;iA
or=.r$A <agical AyAt.<'
brilliantly Aynt;.AiM.= by Ao<. of
t;. b.At <agical <in=A of
t;.ir g.n.ration' ;aA :ro-.= to b.
t;. foun=ation for al<oAt all
lat.r <agical :ractic. in t;.
6.At.rn /ra=ition!
/;. Ay<bol of t;. %r=.r of t;.
Gol=.n Da(n (aA a roAycroAA!
/;iA ba=g.' .<bl.<atical of t;.
C;riAtian ,abala;'
incor:orat.= t;. C;riAtian croAA
into a Ac;.<. (;ic; ;a= t;.
22-:.tall.= flo(.r of t;. 0.br.(
al:;ab.t! /o(ar=A t;. c.ntr.
of t;iA $inn.r roA.$ iA a ring of
t;r.. :.talA on (;ic; t;. t;r..
$<ot;.r$ l.tt.rA (.r. (ritt.n!
/;iA (aA Aurroun=.= by a
A.-.n:.tall.=
circuit b.aring t;. A.-.n $Ai<:l.$
l.tt.rA! %utAi=.' aA
t;. t;ir= ring' (aA a 12-:.tall.=
ring (;ic; bor. t;. 12 $=oubl.$
l.tt.rA of t;. 0.br.( al:;ab.t!
Incor:orat.= into t;iA anci.nt
Ay<boliA< (aA t;. AyAt.< of
colour corr.A:on=.nc.
:ro:agat.=
by 7!L! 1acGr.gor 1at;.rA!
Eac; l.tt.r ;a= itA o(n
corr.A:on=ing colour! /;iA inn.r
$roA.$' A.r-.= aA a baAic $gri=$
for t;. cr.ation of taliA<anA! 2A
(it; t;. <agic AQuar.A an=
:lan.tary Ka<.aA' t;. 22-:.tall.=
roA. A.r-.A aA a :oAitional
gri=! In t;iA (ay' a g.o<.trical
Aigil Ai<ilar in c;aract.r to
t;oA. for<.= fro< AQuar. gri=A
can b. :ro=uc.=! /;.
int.r:r.tation of Auc; AigilA t;.n
=.:.n=A u:on a Kno(l.=g. or
r.cognition of t;. $<ot;.r
=iagra<$ u:on (;ic; it iA baA.=!
/;iA brilliant in-.nti-.n.AA iA
c;aract.riAtic of t;. cr.ati-.
21&
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
:oAAibiliti.A in;.r.nt in t;. b.At
<agical AyAt.<A! Cl.arly' by
analogy' it iA :oAAibl. to cr.at.
n.( <agical AigilA baA.= u:on
ot;.r arrang.<.ntA of l.tt.rA'
an= ot;.r al:;ab.tA! /;iA
:ro-i=.A furt;.r :oAAibiliti.A for
.L:an=ing our un=.rAtan=ing
of runic' Co.lbr.n y 4.ir==' t;.
Gr..K an= 5o<an al:;ab.tA!
/;. only li<itationA to t;iA ar.
t;oA. t;at li. (it;in t;.
i<aginati-. ca:abiliti.A of t;.
:ractition.r!
E7%/E5IC 2LP024E/7 IN
/0E 1%DE5N 2ND
P%7/1%DE5N
E52
7o<. of t;. <oAt .Aot.ric
al:;ab.tA or Aign AyAt.<A ar.
t;oA.
onc. uA.= (i=.ly by tra<:A'
gy:Ai.A an= ot;.r itin.rant
:.o:l.!
/;.A. c;alK.= AigilA' int.n=.= to
b. unobtruAi-. to all but t;oA.
(;o n..=.= to r.a= t;.<'
Aignifi.= c.rtain infor<ation -ital
to
t;oA. li-ing on t;.ir (itA! C.rtain
AignA tol= t;. n.Lt tra-.ll.r
(;.t;.r or not ;. or A;. coul=
.L:.ct ;oA:itality or ;oAtility
fro< t;. ;ouA.;ol=.r u:on
(;oA. :ro:.rty t;. Aign (aA
<arK.=! /;.r. (.r. Ay<bolA
r.:r.A.nting' for .La<:l.'
=ang.rouA =ogA' t;. gullibility of
t;. ;ouA.;ol=.r' an= t;. l.-.l
of M.al of t;. local :olic.! 4y
uAing t;.A. AignA' t;. tra-.ll.r
coul= act in a <ann.r
a::ro:riat. to t;. con=itionA!
/;.y (.r.
an .La<:l. of <utual ai=
b.t(..n Atrang.rA (it; a
co<<on
cauA. - Aur-i-al in ;oAtil.
con=itionA!
2ny ti<. iA rig;t for t;. cr.ation
of n.( <agical al:;ab.tA'
an= Ao (;.n con=itionA =.<an=
it' t;.y continu. to ariA.!
7o<.ti<.A' t;.y ;a-. b..n
cr.at.= in or=.r to :ro-i=. a
A.cr.t
<.anA of co<<unication
b.t(..n <.<b.rA of a A.ct or
<agical
or=.r! 4ut' occaAionally' t;.y
;a-. <aAQu.ra=.= aA anci.nt
AyAt.<A' r.=iAco-.r.= or ;an=.=
=o(n a<ong a cloA.-Knit
;.r.=itary or=.r! E-.n =i-in.
r.-.lation' or itA :oAt-<o=.rn
count.r:art' A;a<anic inAig;t'
<ay b. clai<.= aA t;. tru.
origin of Auc; Acri:tA! %f courA.'
Auc; clai<A ar. i<:oAAibl. to
AubAtantiat.' .-.n if tru.' unl.AA
t;.r. iA uncont.Atabl.
=ocu<.ntary
.-i=.nc. in .LiAt.nc.! /;iA ty:. of
AyAt.< (aA <oAt
:r.-al.nt in t;. nin.t..nt;
c.ntury' (;.n' a<ong ot;.rA' t;.
(riting of t;. frau=ul.nt
$Princ.AA Caraboo$' t;. .nig<atic
tabl.tA t;at ga-. riA. to t;.
1or<on r.ligion an= t;. curiouA
3riAian (orK Kno(n aA t;. %.ra
Lin=a C;ronicl. (.r.
launc;.= u:on t;. (orl=!
In 117' t;. $tall Atory$ of t;. A.lf-
Atyl.= Princ.AA Caraboo
(aA t;. A.nAation of t;. ti<.!
2ccor=ing to 3.liL 3arl.y$A
216
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
4riAtol +ournal' an= a AubA.Qu.nt
booK' CarabooG a narrati-.
of a Aingular i<:oAition ' alAo
:ubliA;.= at 4riAtol' a (o<an
fro< t;at city .ngin..r.= a ;oaL
in (;ic; A;. <aAQu.ra=.= aA
t;. :rinc.AA of $+a-aAu$' an= (aA
f.t.= aA a c.l.brity! 2ccor=ing
to ;.r A.nAational an= co<:l.t.ly
fictional Atory' A;. (aA a
:rinc.AA fro< t;. EaAt In=i.A
(;o ;a= b..n Ki=na::.= by
:irat.A an= Ao<.;o( co<. to
4riAtol! 2tt.<:ting to r.turn
$;o<.$ by A;i:' by Ao<. <.anA
A;. <anag.= to b. intro=uc.=
to t;. .Lil.= Na:ol.on t;.n
i<:riAon.= on 7t! 0.l.na! /;.n'
A;. (aA broug;t bacK again to
4riAtol' (;.r. A;. continu.= t;.
<aAQu.ra=.! During t;iA ti<.' in
or=.r to continu. ;.r :ublic
lioniMation' A;. in-.nt.= an
al:;ab.t t;at :ur:ort.= to b. t;.
(ritt.n languag. of t;. .Qually
frau=ul.nt +a-aAu! 4ut aft.r
Ao<. ti<. of K..:ing u: t;iA
:r.t.nc.' an= li-ing (.ll by it'
A;. (aA .L:oA.=! It tranA:ir.=
t;at ;.r r.al na<. (aA 1ary
4aK.r' an EngliA;(o<an! 7;.
;a= onc. b..n <arri.= to a
Dutc;-1alay <an' fro< (;o<
A;. ;a= :icK.= u: .l.<.ntA of
t;. 1alay languag. (;ic; A;.
uA.= to ;oaL ;.r unAuA:.cting
=u:.A! In 1ary 4aK.r$A caA.' ;.r
Kno(l.=g. of an .Lotic
languag. an= Ao<. in-.nti-.n.AA
in (riting .nabl.= ;.r to li-.
(.ll for Ao<. ti<. at t;. .L:.nA.
of ;.r a=<ir.rA! Doubtl.AA
;.r +a-aAu al:;ab.t ga-. <any
.:igra:;ic Ac;olarA a gr.at =.al
of int.r.At an= troubl. b.for. it
(aA .L:oA.= aA frau=ul.nt!
2not;.r curiouA al:;ab.t
f.atur.A in t;. foun=ation of a
n.(
r.ligion - t;. C;urc; of +.AuA
C;riAt of Latt.r-Day 7aintA'
b.tt.r Kno(n aA t;. 1or<onA!
/;. foun=.r of t;iA r.ligion (aA
+oA.:; 7<it;' born in 1#& in
C.r<ont' 872! 0. clai<.= to
;a-. b..n -iAit.= by a non-
<at.rial .ntity t;at ;. call.= t;.
2ng.l 1oroni! /;iA b.ing' ;.
aAA.rt.=' (aA a Au:.rnatural
<.AA.ng.r fro< a loAt trib. of
IAra.l t;at ;a= .<igrat.= to
2<.rica in antiQuity! /;iA
Au::oA.= trib. ;a= built t;.
anci.nt
.art; <oun=A t;at 7<it; an= ;iA
coll.agu.A (.r. =igging u: in
t;.ir A.arc; for buri.= tr.aAur.!
1oroni tol= 7<it; of Ao<.
inAcrib.= gol=.n :lat.A buri.= in
on. of t;.A. <oun=A' (;ic;
;. =ug an= foun=! InA:ir.= in
Ao<. (ay to b. abl. to r.a= t;.
Acri:t on t;.A. :lat.A' (;ic; (aA
unint.lligibl. to all ot;.rA'
7<it; :ro=uc.= t;. t.Lt Kno(n
aA /;. 4ooK of 1or<on ! /;iA'
a==.= to t;. Atan=ar= 4ibl.'
b.ca<. t;. r.ligiouA t.Lt u:on
(;ic; t;. :r.A.nt-=ay C;urc; of
+.AuA C;riAt of Latt.r-Day
7aintA iA baA.=! 8nfortunat.ly'
t;.A. <yAtic :lat.A of gol=
=iAa::.ar.= <yAt.riouAly aft.r
t;. t.Lt (aA :ro=uc.=' gi-ing
217
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
3ig! 63! 2no<alouA inAcri:tionA
fro< Nort; 2<.ricaG 9to: l.ft)
4raLon County!
CirginiaO 9botto< l.ft) Cri::l.
Cr..K! Colora=oO 9rig;t) braAA
:lat.! Kin=.r;ooK!
IllinoiA!
i<:artial r.A.arc;.rA no c;anc.
of fin=ing out t;. origin of t;.
Acri:t or languag. t;at t;.y (.r.
r.:ut.= to b.ar!
4.for.' =uring an= AubA.Qu.nt to
7<it;$A $:.rAonal r.-.lation$
' <any inAcri:tionA (.r.
=iAco-.r.= or a::.ar.= on
2<.rican rocKA an= foun= on
art.factA! 2<ong t;.A. ar. t;.
curiouA :lat.A Au::oA.=ly
=iAco-.r.= =uring 2:ril 1D3 in a
<oun= at Kin=.r;ooK' IllinoiA!
LiK. 7<it;$A original 1or<on
:lat.A' t;.A. (.r. =iA<iAA.= by
arc;a.ologiAtA aA b.ing t;.
AubP.ct of a ;oaL.r! /;.y (.r.'
clai<.= t;. Ac.:ticA' <a=. by
a blacKA<it; (;o .tc;.= t;.
:lat.A (it; obAcur. l.tt.rA'
inclu=ing Ao<. C;in.A.
c;aract.rA co:i.= fro< a t.a
c;.At! /;.
InAcri:tion 5ocK' locat.= in an
arroyo (.At of 2lbuQu.rQu.'
N.( 1.Lico' iA anot;.r Auc;
al:;ab.tic art.fact =iA<iAA.= aA
a frau=! /;. l.tt.rA on t;iA rocK
ar. Aai= to ;a-. b..n <a=. by
a 1or<on in an att.<:t to
=.c.i-. criticA of +oA.:; 7<it;$A
clai<A! 1any ot;.r Atrang.
inAcri:tionA' aAcrib.= to
2tlant.an'
L.<urian' C;in.A.' Punic'
IAra.lit.' Ib.ro-C.ltic' IriA;'
7cottiA;'
6.lA; an= NorA. -iAitorA' aA (.ll
aA Euro:.an .Aot.ric
A.ctA of lat.r ti<.A' aboun= in
Nort; 2<.rica! N..=l.AA to Aay'
al<oAt .-.ry on. ;aA b..n
=iA<iAA.= aA frau=ul.nt by
Ac.:tical
r.A.arc;.rA' an= ;aA g.n.rat.=
.Qually f.r-.nt Au::ort aA to itA
aut;.nticity on t;. ot;.r Ai=.! It
A..<A t;at t;. only :.o:l.
o-.rlooK.= aA t;. origin of t;.A.
l.tt.rA ar. t;. Nati-.
21
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
2<.ricanA t;.<A.l-.A' =iA<iAA.=
by g.n.rationA of raciAt
aAAu<:tionA! 4ut an i<:artial
obA.r-.r <uAt r.A.r-.
Pu=g.<.nt'
for ;iAtory aboun=A (it; Au==.n
c;ang.A of .L:.rt
o:inion' an= to=ay$A ort;o=oLy
b.co<.A to<orro($A .rror!
2 co<:l.t. $anci.nt al:;ab.t$
fro< nort;.rn Euro:. can b.
foun= in :ublicationA conc.rning
t;. %.ra Lin=a C;ronicl.' a
(orK :ur:orting to b. a
t;irt..nt;-c.ntury 3riAian (orK!
2n
.=ition of t;iA (orK' (;ic; iA
(i=.ly b.li.-.= to b. a ;oaL' (aA
:ubliA;.= at L..u(ar=.n in t;.
N.t;.rlan=A in 176! It
# $1$2X TT $' $ 7 $T $7$ Y
o I) II H 2 +!+ 1! D T!& N 9Z 77
'1$ Y "
3ig! 6D! 2l:;ab.t fro< t;. %.ra
Lin=a C;ronicl. !
21"
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
contain.= a Au::oA.= anci.nt
al:;ab.t! LiK. t;. lat.r 2r<an.n
AyAt.< of run.A' t;.A. l.tt.rA
(.r. baA.= u:on t;. AiLfol=
=i-iAion of t;. circl.! /;. i=.a of
l.tt.rA b.ing :artA of a fiL.=
g.o<.tric for< iA =.ri-.=
ulti<at.ly fro< <.=i.-al
Aton.<aAonA$
<arKA an= fro< 1aAonic an=
5oAicrucian A.cr.t al:;ab.tA!
7o<. of t;. l.tt.rA of t;iA
al:;ab.t r.A.<bl. c;aract.rA
of runic an= co.lbr.n' but
ulti<at.ly it iA a -.rAion of t;.
5o<an al:;ab.t' <o=ifi.= to fit
(it;in a circl.! /;.r. iA no
tra=itional or arc;a.ological
.-i=.nc. for t;iA al:;ab.t ;a-ing
.LiAt.= b.for. t;. nin.t..nt;
c.ntury!
In for<.r ti<.A' .Aot.ric grou:A
oft.n cr.at.= t;.ir o(n
al:;ab.tA' an= t;. t(.nti.t;
c.ntury iA no .Lc.:tion! /;.
Aocall.=
P.cti-6ita run.A ar. an .La<:l.
of t;iA' cr.at.= for t;.
7cottiA; (iccan grou: of t;.
Aa<. na<.' ;.a=.= by 2i=an
4r.ac' an= :ubliA;.= by
5ay<on= 4ucKlan=! /;.y ar.
not
run.A' for t;.y b.ar no
r.A.<blanc. to any AyAt.<'
anci.nt or
<o=.rn! 7u:.rficially' Ao<.
c;aract.rA b.ar a r.A.<blanc. to
t;. corr.A:on=ing co.lbr.n
l.tt.rA! %t;.rA ar. cl.arly =.ri-.=
fro< t;. 5o<an al:;ab.t! /;.y
;a-. no conn.Lion .it;.r (it;
t;. Ga.lic l.tt.rA! /;iA AyAt.< iA
co<:licat.= by b.ing (ritt.n
:;on.tically' an= it a::.arA
:articuarly non uA.r-fri.n=ly
(;.n
a::li.= to t;. Ga.lic tongu.! It
=o.A not a::.ar to ;a-. any
<agical corr.A:on=.nc.A!
2not;.r' .-.n l.AA :lauAibl.'
al:;ab.t
iA t;. Ao-call.= PictiA;' (;ic; ;aA
alAo b..n uA.= by
c . b K A
+! L t 3; f 1ft " tit T n
[FTT31TTET
( ; P r M
3ig! 6&! P.cti-6ita $run.A$ 9aft.r
4ucKlan=)!
22#
1agic 7Quar.A! Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
5ay<on= 4ucKlan=' a<ong
ot;.rA! 4ut t;iA Acri:t iA not
anci.nt' nor PictiA;! It iA PuAt a
=.corati-. -.rAion of t;. 5o<an
al:;ab.t It ;aA no conn.Lion
(it; t;. anci.nt PictA' (;o uA.=
og;a< an= an .arly -.rAion of
t;. Ga.lic al:;ab.t on t;.ir
<onu<.ntA!
/;. -alu. of t;.A. n.( al:;ab.tA
iA Qu.Ationabl.' for t;.y
=o not Atan= (it;in t;. Aacr.= or
<agical tra=ition of' Aay' t;.
run.A or t;. tru. C.ltic
al:;ab.tA! /;.y ar. <ainly A.cr.t
Acri:tA (;ic; A.r-. aA a <.anA
for K..:ing <agical r.cor=A t;at
cannot b. r.a= by :rying .y.A! In
t;at' at l.aAt' t;.y r.A.<bl.
t;. A.cr.t al:;ab.tA of ol=! In
Ao<. (ayA' t;.y :arall.l t;.
A.cr.t al:;ab.tA cr.at.= by t;.
<aAt.r fantaAiAt +!5!5! /olKi.n
in ;iA A.<inal $7(or=A an=
7orc.ry$ fantaAy no-.lA
conc.rning
t;. <yt;ical anci.nt (orl= of
1i==l. Eart;! In /;. 5.turn of
t;. King' t;. final -olu<. of ;iA
<agnific.nt trilogy /;. Lor=
of t;. 5ingA' /olKi.n =.Acrib.=
-ariouA AyAt.<A of (riting uA.=
by t;. :.o:l. ;iA (orl=! 2A
b.fitting an %Lfor= :rof.AAor'
/olKi.n (aA t;oroug;' :ro-i=ing
a conAiAt.nt an= b.li.-abl.
linguiAtic =.Acri:tion of t;.A.
l.tt.rA! 0. cr.at.= t;. 3.anorian
l.tt.rA' t;. /.ng(ar' aA ;a-ing 2D
<ain c;aract.rA an= 12
Au::l.<.ntary on.A! In t;iA
nu<.rical (ay' t;. $al:;ab.t$
follo(.= t;. ol= Euro:.an
tra=itionA of Gr..K' t;. El=.r
3ut;arK an= Co.lbr.n! 3ollo(ing
t;. Gr..K-5unic-Got;ic
tra=ition' /olKi.n ga-. t;.A.
c;aract.rA t;. na<.A t;at
=.Acrib.= c.rtain <.aningA! 4y
t;iA <.anA' ;. built u: a
b.li.-abl. 9an= <agically uAabl.)
AyAt.<!
0iA ot;.r AyAt.< (aA baA.= u:on
t;. runic for<A' alt;oug;
non. of t;.< corr.A:on= (it;
any Kno(n ;iAtoric runic -alu.A!
/;.A. 2ng.rt;aA co<:riA. 6#
c;aract.rA' <any of (;ic; taK.
t;. fa<iliar for<A of aut;.ntic
run.A! 0o(.-.r' it A..<A t;at
/olKi.n (iA;.= to =iAAociat. t;iA
fantaAy al:;ab.t fro< g.nuin.
<.aningful run.A' an= ;.nc.
a=o:t.= a Quit. =iff.r.nt AyAt.<!
/olKi.n$A l.tt.rA ;a-. b..n uA.=
Ainc. in =.corati-. fantaAy art'
an= alAo' (;.t;.r or not ;.
for.Aa( t;iA uA.' in <agical
(orKingA by =.-ot..A of ;iA
1i==l. Eart; <yt;oA! /olKi.n$A
Aucc.AA (it; /;. Lor= of t;.
5ingA (aA t;. b.ginning of t;.
:r.A.nt int.r.At in fantaAy (orl=A
an= t;.ir cr.ati-. :oAAibiliti.A!
0iA al:;ab.tA can b. conAi=.r.=
t;. (.ll-t;oug;t-out
:rototy:.A for <any <or. r.c.nt
$A.cr.t al:;ab.t$ inAcri:tionA
in-.nt.= by Ao<. fantaAy
illuAtratorA! %n. can A.. Auc;
(riting
in t;. illuAtrationA of <any
<o=.rn fantaAy rol.-:laying
ga<.
221
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
3ig! 66! 1o=.rn-g.nr. fantaAy
illuAtration' uAing $Cictory$
gly:;A an= (or=A in
Got;ic' 5unic an= Co.lbr.n
Acri:tA' (it; a::ro:riat. .Aot.ric
AigilA!
booKA an= <agaMin.A! 2 ty:ical
.La<:l. iA illuAtrat.= in 3ig!
66!
3inally' a n.( flo(.ring of
:.rAonal A.cr.t al:;ab.tA ;aA
co<. Ainc. t;. 1"7#A (it; t;.
a-ailability of t;. :aint A:raycan!
/;iA iA in t;. for< of graffiti' a
:lagu. of (;ic; ;aA A(.:t
t;. citi.A of t;. (orl=! N.('
:.rAonal' Ay<bolA an= c;aract.rA
;a-. b..n =.-.lo:.= by graffiti
:ractition.rA' (;o l.a-. t;.ir
:.rAonal <arK or $tag$ (;.r.-.r
t;.y can! 4.ginning in N.(
SorK' (;.r. t;. trainA of t;.
7ub(ay (.r. lit.rally co-.r.= in
:aint.= graffiti' t;. uA. of t;.
$tag$ ;aA A:r.a= to all :lac.A
222
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
(;.r. yout;A can affor= to buy
:aint A:ray-canA! LiK. t;.
;ouA. an= ;ol=ingA <arKA of ol='
t;.A. tagA A.r-. to t.ll f.llo(
graffiti <.rc;antA t;at t;.ir
o(n.r ;aA b..n t;.r.! /;.y ar.
not A:iritually tranAfor<ati-.!
/;.A. tagA ar. uAually an
.nco=.= r.n=.ring of t;.
A:ray.r$A initialA or nicKna<.'
;ouA.
nu<b.r' or =at. of birt;! 4ut'
occaAionally' on. <ay .ncount.r
<or. g.nuin.ly $occult$ tagA'
(;ic; ar. r.lat.= in Ao<. (ayA
to t;. ol=.r <arKA uA.= by t;.
tra<:A an= gy:Ai.A of for<.r
ti<.A!
P%7/7C5IP/
/;. inn.r natur. of t;ingA'
.L:r.AA.= in <agical al:;ab.tA' iA
root.= in t;. coll.cti-. :Ayc;. of
all ;u<an b.ingA! /;.A.
.t.rnal trut;A of .LiAt.nc. ;a-.
b..n r.cogniM.= t;roug;out
;iAtory' t;oug; in Ao<. .raA' t;.y
;a-. b..n =iAr.gar=.=! In
:.rio=A (;.n t;.y (.r.
r.A:.ct.=' t;.y A.r-.= to gui=.
;u<an
actionA' an= t;uA ;a-. .nric;.=
:.o:l.$A li-.A i<<.aAurably!
E-.n to=ay' t;.A. .t.rnal trut;A
of anci.nt (iA=o< ar. not loAt'
t;oug; t;.y <ay ;a-. b..n
<arginaliM.= by t;. =.<an=A of
<o=.rn t.c;nological Aoci.ty! 4ut
(;.t;.r in anci.nt or in
<o=.rn ti<.A' all (orKabl.
Aoci.ti.A ;a-. n..=.=' of
n.c.AAity'
to b. baA.= on our co<<on
;u<an r.aliti.A! Cl.arly' our .ra
iA in =.A:.rat. n..= of a
r.aAA.rtion of t;iA anci.nt
(iA=o<!
/o=ay' t;roug; t;. a::ro:riat.
uA. of <agical al:;ab.tA an=
t;.ir aAAociat.= lor.' (. can
r.=iAco-.r t;. ;i==.n :oAAibiliti.A
of conAciouAn.AA b.yon= t;. l.-.l
of t;. <at.rial an= t;.
.LcluAi-.ly ;u<an! It iA cl.ar
fro< t;. t.ac;ingA of all A:iritual
tra=itionA t;at t;roug;out t;.
uni-.rA. ar. =iffuA.= t;.
fun=a<.ntal .l.<.ntA of
.LiAt.nc. t;at (. .L:.ri.nc. aA
conAciouAn.AA an= A:irit! %f
courA.' it ;aA al(ayA b..n
:oAAibl.
for any ;u<an b.ing to ;a-. a
=ir.ct .L:.ri.nc. of t;iA Quality
(;ic; (. call $t;. =i-in.$!
7o<.ti<.A' it ariA.A
A:ontan.ouAly'
but <or. uAually it iA attain.=
t;roug; t;. a::lication of c.rtain
.Aot.ric t.c;niQu.A' (;ic;
inclu=. <.=itation an=
A;a<anry!
7uc; .L:.ri.nc.A ar. :oAAibl.
only b.cauA. t;.r. iA no =.finit.
boun=ary b.t(..n t;. A.lf an=
t;. non-A.lf! Naturally' t;iA
;oliAtic natur. of t;. uni-.rA.
inclu=.A t;. linKA b.t(..n t;.
in=i-i=ual an= t;. $r.At of
.LiAt.nc.! It inclu=.A t;at (;ic;
(.
t.r< $t;. =i-in.$!
/;oA. (;o Atu=y t;. .Aot.ric artA
=o Ao :ri<arily b.cauA.
t;.y A..K a <or. ;ar<oniouA an=
cr.ati-. <.anA of .LiAting
223
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
(it;in t;. circu<Atanc.A in
(;ic; (. fin= ourA.l-.A - t;.
;u<an con=ition! 6;.t;.r (.
acc.:t it or not' ;u<an
.LiAt.nc. iA :art of t;. natural
or=.r of t;ingA! 6it;out Natur.'
(. can ;a-. no b.ing' :;yAical or
A:iritual! Natur. iA n.it;.r
a <.c;anical =.-ic. nor a
<onAtrouA =u<b organiA<' :ut
t;.r.
by Ao<. =i-in. int.llig.nc. PuAt to
b. tinK.r.= (it; for ;u<an
uA. an= :l.aAur.! 7uc;
<.c;anical an= organiA<ic
int.r:r.tationA
of Natur. ar. frag<.ntal an=
r.=uctioniAt' =.Acribing it
in Aol.ly t.r<A of t;. <at.rial
t;at can b. A..n by =iA<antling
it! %n t;. contrary' fro< bot;
<any anci.nt tra=itionA' an= t;.
.L:.ri.nc. of <o=.rn
.Aot.riciA<' it iA a::ar.nt t;at
A:irituality
iA in;.r.nt in Natur.! It ;aA not
gon. a(ay! It iA Atill t;.r.
to anyon. (;o A..KA it! EQually' it
iA cl.ar t;at (. can only
.L:.ri.nc. on.n.AA (it; .LiAt.nc.
if (. (orK in ;ar<ony (it;
Natur.! /;. Atu=y an= uA. of
Aacr.= al:;ab.tA ar. on. <.anA
of ac;i.-ing t;iA' for t;.y ar.
<anif.Atation of t;. A:irituality
t;at iA in;.r.nt in Natur.!
P;yAically' :Ayc;ically an=
A:iritually' ;u<an b.ingA ar.
:art
of t;. Eart;' an= our lif. iA li-.=
out (it;in t;. fra<.(orK of
ti<.! /;iA iA t;. abAolut. r.ality
(it;in (;ic; (. .LiAt! In our
lif.ti<.' t;.r. can b. no r.:.atA'
no $r.:layA$! %nc. Ao<.t;ing
;aA :aAA.=' it iA gon. for.-.r!
Eac; action t;at (. taK.' .ac;
.L:.ri.nc. in ti<. ;aA but a
Aingl. c;anc. to b.O ;o(.-.r it iA
con=uct.=' t;at (ill b. itA natur.
for all ti<.! It cannot b.
corr.ct.= or oblit.rat.=! 2lAo'
not;ing t;at ;aA co<. into
b.ing or :aAA.= t;roug; our
:;yAical' :Ayc;ic or A:iritual
conAtitution can .-.r b. .raA.=!
ItA .LiAt.nc.' in t;. :aAt or t;.
:r.A.nt' b.co<.A :art of our' an=
t;. 8ni-.rA.$A %r16g' t;at
co<bination of t;ingA' .-.ntA an=
:roc.AA.A t;at <aK. u: t;at
(;ic; co<:oA.A t;. $no($!
2lt;oug; t;. flo( of ti<. an=
.-.ntA iA a continuouA' A.a<l.AA
Atr.a<' n.-.rt;.l.AA (.
:.rc.i-. it aA b.ing co<:oA.= of
=iAcr.t. .-.ntA! /;.A. can b.
unitA of ti<.' actionA or
in=i-i=ual obP.ctA' b.ingA an=
:.o:l.!
/;iA :.rc.:tion' (;ic; originat.A
in our conAciouAn.AA' iA t;.
baAiA of our un=.rAtan=ing of t;.
uni-.rA.! It iA t;. origin of
languag. an= notation!
It iA c.rtain t;at any AyAt.< of
notation can only b. a
frag<.ntary <.anA of =.Acribing
r.ality' (;ic; <uAt' of
n.c.AAity' b. r.<o-.= at l.aAt on.
At.: fro< t;. :r.A.nt
actuality of t;at (;ic; iA b.ing
=.Acrib.=! 2lt;oug; <oAt
;u<an :.rc.:tion iA of a
frag<.nt.= natur.' .LiAt.nc. iA a
22D
1agic 7Quar.A' Lit.rary
Labyrint;A an= 1o=.rn 8A.A
;oliAtic continuu<! 4ut (it;in
t;.A. notational AyAt.<A'
(;.t;.r nu<.rical or al:;ab.tic'
for t;oA. (;o can fin= it' a
=..:.r r.ality iA .nco=.=!
4aAically' at t;. Ai<:l.At l.-.l'
<agical al:;ab.tA ar. t;.
.nca:Aulation of .Aot.ric
infor<ation!
LiK. co<:ut.r :rogra<A' (;ic;
ar. (ritt.n an= o:.rat.
accor=ing to t;.ir o(n int.rnal
logic AyAt.<A' .ac; anci.nt
notation iA a for< of =..:
languag. (;ic; containA (it;in it
t;. .AA.nc. of t;. <o=.A of
t;oug;t of itA in-.ntorA an=
uA.rA!
4ut' ulti<at.ly' .ac; <agical
al:;ab.t can tranAc.n= t;.
A:.cific cultural tra=ition in
(;ic; it ;aA originat.=! Eac; of
t;.< ar. but a :articular
.L:r.AAion of a Kin= of <agical
Atructur. (;ic; actA at all l.-.lA
in t;. <at.rial aA (.ll aA t;.
non-<at.rial (orl=A! /;. fl..ting
natur. of all .LiAt.nc. iA
ungraA:abl.' but n.-.rt;.l.AA t;.
.Aot.ric t.c;niQu.A t;at .LiAt
(it;in all ;u<an cultur.A can
:ro-i=. uA (it; a <.anA of
co<ing to a cr.ati-.
un=.rAtan=ing of it! %f t;. <any
<.t;o=A
of =.Acribing an=' ;o:.fully'
<aKing Ao<. A.nA. of our
.LiAt.nc. ' t;. inn.r <agical
A.cr.tA of t;. al:;ab.tA can
:ro-i=. uA (it; a =.gr.. of
illu<ination! In our li-.A' (. ar.
all (rit.rA on t;. unfol=ing blanK
:ag.A of .LiAt.nc.! 4.cauA.
of t;iA' (. A;oul= b.ar in <in=
t;. (or=A of %<ar K;ayya<$A
5ubaiyatG
/;. <o-ing fing.r (rit.AO an=
;a-ing (rit'
1o-.A onG nor all t;y :i.ty nor
(it
7;all lur. it bacK to canc.l ;alf a
lin.'
Nor all t;y t.arA (aA; out a (or=
of it!
22&
2::.n=ic.A
2::.n=iL IG /;. 1.aning of
0.br.( L.tt.rA
L.tt.r :;on.tic .-.ry=ay .Aot.ric
nu<.rical /arot
.Qui-al.nt <.aning <.aning
-alu. tru<:
2l.:; 2 cattl. fat;.r 1 3ool
4.t; 4 ;ouA. <ot;.r 2 1agician
Gi<.l G ca<.l natur. 3 0ig;
Pri.At.AA
Dal.t; D =oor aut;ority D
E<:r.AA
0. 0 (in=o( r. ligion &
E<:.ror
Cau C nail lib.rty 6 0i.ro:;ant
Hain H A(or= o(n.rA;i: 7
Lo-.rA
C;.t; C; f.nc. =iAtribution
C;ariot
/.t; / A.r:.nt :ru=.nc. "
7tr.ngt;
Co= I ;an= or=.r 1# 0.r<it
Ka:; K :al< of ;an= forc. 2#
6;..l of 3ortun.
La<.= L oL-goa= Aacrific. 3#
+uAtic.
1.< 1 (at.r =.at; D# 0ang.=
1an
Nun N fiA; r.-.rAibility &# D.at;
7a<.K; 7 :ro: uni-.rAality 6#
/.<:.ranc.
2yin # .y. balanc. 7# D.-il
P. P <out; i<<ortality #
/o(.r
/Ma==i /M fi A;-;ooK A;a=o(l "#
7tar
r.fl.ction
,o:; , bacK of ;.a= lig;t 1##
1oon
5.A; 5 ;.a= r.cognition 2## 7un
7;in 7; toot; Aacr.= fir. 3##
+u=g<.nt
/au / croAA Aynt;.AiA D## 6orl=
/;. /.n Co<<an=<.ntA ar.
baA.= on a nu<.rical :rogr.AAion
Ai<ilar to t;. t.n 7.firot;R /;.y
ar. aAAociat.= (it; t;. firAt
t.n l.tt.rA of t;. 0.br.(
al:;ab.tG
1! 2l.:;' t;. Cro(nG Go= iA firAt'
abo-. an= b.for. all!
2! 4.t;' 6iA=o<G (orA;i: of Go=
only iA :.r<itt.=!
3! Gi<.l' Int.llig.nc.G P.ac.'
;ar<ony (it; Go=!
D! Dal.t;' Lo-.G Aanctity of Go=$A
;ouA.;ol=!
7! 0.' +uAtic.G =o<.Atic or=.r!
6! Cau' 4.autyG forbi=A a :.rAon
to cut A;ort anot;.r
:.rAon$A =ayA!
7! Hayin' 3ir<n.AAG forbi=A a
:.rAon to =.Atroy anot;.r
:.rAon$A :.ac.!
! C;.t;' 7:l.n=ourG forbi=A a
:.rAon to At.al anot;.r
:.rAon$A li-ing!
"! /.t;' 3oun=ationG forbi=A a
:.rAon to =.Atroy t;. Aocial
;ar<ony!
1#! So=' 2ut;orityG conc.rnA
.t;ical r.lationA!
22"
2::.n=iL IIG Gr..K L.tt.r
1.aningA
L.it.r :;on.tic <.aning
nu<.rical corr.A:on=ing
.Qui-al.nt -alu. ;u<an organ
2l:;a 2 cattl. 1 ;.a=
4.ta 4 =.<on 2 n.cK
Ga<<a C =i-inity 3 A;oul=.rA
D.lta D fourfol= D br.aAt
E:Ailon E .t;.r & =ia:;rag<
H.ta H Aacrific. 7 b.lly
Eta E PoyFlo-. g.nitalA
/;.ta /; cryAtal A:;.r. " t;ig;A
Iota I =.Atiny 1# Kn..A
Ka::a K illn.AA 2# A;inA
La<b=a L gro(t; 3# anKl.A
1u 1 tr..A D# f..t
Nu N ;ag &# f..t
>i > fift..n AtarA 6# anKl.A
%<icron # Aun 7# A;inA
Pi P Aolar ;alo # Kn..A
5;o 5 fruitfuln.AA 1## t;ig;A
7ig<a 7 :Ayc;o:o<: 2## g.nitalA
/au / ;u<an b.ing 3## b.lly
S:Ailon 8 flo( D## =ia:;rag<
P;i 3 :;alluA &## br.aAt
C;i C; :ro:.rty 6## A;oul=.rA
PAi PA ;.a-.nly lig;t 7## n.cK
%<.ga # ric;.AFabun=anc. ##
;.a=
23#
2::.n=iL IIIG /;. 5unic
Corr.A:on=.nc.A
5lill. tr..9A) ;.rb colour :olarit)'
.l.lll.lll =.it)' Ay<bolic <.aning
IIalll.
3.o; .l=.r n.ttl. r.= f.<al.
fir.F.art; 3r.yl3r.yPa t;. :ri<al
co(! 2u=;u<la
Cr birc; Ic.lan= <oAA gr..n <al.
.art; /;orl8r= ;ornA of t;. oL
/;orn oaKFt;orn ;ouA.l..K r.=
<al. fir. /;or t;. t;orn!
;a<<.r of /;or
2A aA; fly agaric =arK blu. <al.
air %=inlEoAtr. t;. aA;
Sgg=raAAil
5a= oaK <ug(ort r.= <al. air
InglN.rt;uA (;..l un=.r cart
K.n :in. co(Ali: fir. r.= f.<al.
fir. 0.i<=all fir. of t;. torc;
Gyfu aA;F.l< :anAy royal blu.
rnIf air G.fn Aacr.= <arK
6yn aA; flaL y.llo( <al. .art;
%=inl3rigg (in= -an.
0agal aA;Fy.( bryony blu.
f.<al. ic. Cr=l0.i<=all
Atructural b.a<A! ;ailAton. !
Ny= b..c;Fro(an AnaK.root
blacK f.<al. fir. 7Kul= fir.-bo(
an= blocK
IA al=.r ;.nban. blacK f.<al. ic.
C.r=an=i icicl.
+.ra oaK roA.<ary blu. rnIf
.art; 3r.yF3r.yPa Aacr.=
<arriag. of ;.a-.nl.art;
Eo; y.(F:o:lar bryony =arK
blu. <al. all Cllr -.rtical colu<n
of t;. y.( tr..
P.ort; b..c;FaA:.n aconit. blacK
f.<al. (at.r 3rigg t;. (o<b! a
=ic. cu:
El;aM y.(FA.r-ic. A.=g. gol= rnIf
air 0.i<=all t;. .lK! t;. flying
A(an ! o:.n ;an=
7ig.l Puni:.rlbay <iAtl.to. (;it.
<al. air 4al=.r t;. ;oly Aolar
(;..l
/yr oaK :ur:l. Aag. fir. r.= <al.
air /yr t;. -ault of t;. ;.a-.nA
abo-. t;.
coA<ic :illar
4.orc birc; la=y$A <antl. gr..n
f.<al. .art; N.rt;uAl0ol=a
br.aAtA of t;. Eart; 1ot;.r
Go==.AA
E;(aM oaKFaA; rag(ort (;it.
rnIf .art; 3r.yl3r.yPa t(o :ol.A
boun=
1an ;olly <a==.r ti-.r r.= rnIf
air 0.i<=al8%=inl3 rigg ;u<an
b.ing
Lagu oAi.r l..K gr..n f.<al.
(at.r NPor=lN.rt;uA A.a (a-.!
(at.rfall!
Ing a::l. A.lfb.al y.llo( rnIf
(at.rF.art; lng 93r.y) t;.
g.nitalA
2::.n=iL IIIG /;. 5unic
Corr.A:on=.nc.A - cont$=
5un. tr..9A) ;.rb colour :olarity
.l.<.nt =.ity Ay<bolic <.aning
na<.
%=al ;a(t;orn clo-.r oc;r. <al.
.art; %=in lan=' :ro:.ny
Dag A:ruc. Aag. blu. <al.
fir.Fair 0.i<=all balanc.' 9nig;t'
=ay)
2c oaK ;.a: gr..n <al. fir. /;or
<arK tr..
%A aA; $<agic <uA;roo<$ =arK
blu. <al. air %=in <out;' A:..c;
Sr y.( bryonyF<an=raK. gol=
<lf all %=inI3rigg y.( tr..' bo(
lor lin=.nFi-y K.l: blacK f.<al.
(at.r NPor= +or<ungan=' t;.
(orl= A.r:.nt
Ear y.( ;.<locK bro(n f.<al.
.an; 0.la .an;-gra-.
C(.ort; baylb..c; ru. ta(ny
f.<al. fir. Log. fun.ral :yr.
Calc <a:l.Fro(an yarro( (;it.
f.<al. .an; NornA grail-cu:
7tan (itc; ;aM.8 Ic.lan= <oAA
gr.y <al. .an; N.n;uA Aacr.=
Aton.
blacKt;orn
Gar aA;FA:in=l. garlic =arK blu.
<al. all %=in A:.ar of %=in
6olfAang.l y.( (olfAban. bloo=
r.= f.< !! l. .an; Ci=ar (olf-
;ooK
Hiu oaK aconit. orang.-r.= <al.
airFfir. /yr lig;tning-bolt
Er=a .l=.rlbirc; <int bro(n
f.<al. .art; Er=a 1ot;.r Eart;
CI bucKt;orn t;iAtl. orang. <al.
air 6al=; turning-:oint
7ol Puni:.r Aunflo(.r Aunlig;t
f.<al. fir. 761 t;. Aun$A =iAc
2::.n=iL ICG 5un.A an= /arot
1aPor 2rcana
4.lo( ar. t;r.. =iff.r.nt -.rAionA
of corr.A:on=.nc.A b.t(..n
t;. run.A an= t;. /arot tru<:A!
accor=ing to t;. <o=.<
aut;oriti.A 7igur= 2gr.ll' E=r.=
/;orAAon an= 0.r<ann
0ain=lG
5un. na<. 2gr.Fl$A /;orAAon $A
0ain=F$A
-.rAion -.rAion -.rAion
3.o; 6orl= /o(.r 1agician
8r 3ool 0ig; Pri.At.AA 0ig;
Pri.At.AA
/;orn 1agician E<:.ror
E<:r.AA
2A 0ig; Pri.At.AA D.at; E<:.ror
5a= E<:r.AA 0i.ro:;ant
0i.ro:;ant
C.n E<:.ror C;ariot Lo-.rA
Gyfu 0i.ro:;ant Lo-.rA 7un
6yn Lo-.rA 7tr.ngt; 3ool
0agal C;ariot 6orl= C;ariot
Ny= +uAtic. D.-il +uAtic.
IA 0.r<it 0.r<it 0.r<it
+.ra 6;..l of 3ortun. 3ool
6;..l of 3ortun.
Eo; 7tr.ngt; 0ang.= 1an 7tar
P.ort; 0ang.= 1an 6;..l of
3ortun. 2.on
El;aM D.at; 1oon D.-il
7ig.l /.<:.ranc. 7un 7tr.ngt;
/yr D.-il +uAtic. 0ang.= 1an
4.orc /o(.r E<:r.AA D.at;
E;(aM 7tar Lo-.rA
1an 1oon 1agician
Lagu 7un 7tar 2lc;.<y
Ing +u=g.<.nt +u=g.<.nt
%=al 6orl= 1oon 1oon
Dag 6orl= /.<:.ranc.
Sr /o(.r
G.bo 8ni-.rA.
233
2::.n=iL CG %g;a<
Corr.A:on=.nc.A
l.tt.r na<. 9r.. colour bir=
.Qui-al.nr
4 4.t; birc; (;it. :;.aAant
L LuiA ro(an gr.yFr.= =ucK
3 3.arn al=.r cri<Aon A.agull
7 7aill. (illo( fin. ;a(K
N Nuin aA; cl.ar Ani:.
0 0uat; ;a(t;orn :ur:l. cro(
D Duir oaK blacK (r.n
/ /inn. ;olly =arK gr.y Atarling
C Coli ;aM.l bro(n cran.l;.ron
# %u.rt a::l. gr..n ;.n
1 1uin -in. -ari.gat.= tit<ouA.
G Gort i-y blu. <ut. A(an
Ng Ng.tal r..= gr..n gooA.
7tlH 7traif blacKt;orn brig;t
t;ruA;
5 5uiA .l=.r bloo=-r.= rooK
2 2il< .l< blu.F:i.bal= la:(ing
# %n gorA. y.llo( cor<orant
8 8r ;.at;.r :ur:l. AKylarK
E Ea=;a aA:.n r.= A(an
1 lo; y.( =arK gr..n .agl.t
Ea EalKoa= aA:.n gr..n
%i %i gooA.b.rry' (;it.
A:in=l.
8i 8i b..c;' ta(ny
;on.yAucKl.
la loIP. gu.l=.r roA. (;it. cran.
2. 2oI>i :in.' <ulticolour.=
Atarling
(itc; ;aM.l
23D
2::.n=iL CIG Ga.lic 2l:;ab.t
Corr.A:on=.nc.A
l.tt.r na<. <.aning nu<.rical
.Qui-al.nt
2 3;al< El< tr.. 1
4 4.at; 4irc; tr.. 2
C COGalltuinn 0aM.l tr.. 3
# Doir %aK tr.. D
E Eub; 2A:.n tr.. &
3 3.arn 2l=.r tr.. 6
G Gart Gar=.n' -in.yar= 7
I lub;ar S.( tr..
L LuiA 5o(an tr.. "
1 1uin Cin. 1#
N Nuin 2A; tr.. 11
# 6ir 3urM. 12
P 4.it;-b;og Po:lar 13
5 5uiA 2l=.r tr.. 1D
7 7uil 6illo( tr.. 1&
/ /.in. 3ir. 16
C C;r S.( tr.. 17
23&
2::.n=iL CIIG 1agic 7Quar.
Corr.A:on=.nc.A
nu<b.r <agic AQuar. =ay =.ity
=.ity tr.. c;aract.r
9claAAical) 9nort;.rn)
1 36 7un=ay 2:ollo 761 4irc;
Goo=
& 1 1on=ay 7.l.n.lLuna 1ani
6illo( 4a=
2 2& /u.A=ay 1arA /i(rryr 0olly
Goo=
6 6D 6.=n.A=ay 1.rcury 6o=.n
2A; Goo=
3 16 /;urA=ay +u:it.r /;or %aK
4a=
7 D" 3ri=ay C.nuA 3rigg 2::l.
4a=
D " 7atur=ay 7aturn LoKi 2l=.r
N.utral
236
2::.n=iL CIIIG /;. 72 Na<.A of
Go= 9fro< t;. Gri<oir. of
0onoriuA)
/rinitaA' 7ot;.r' 1.AAiaA'
E<<anu.l' 7aba;ot' 2=onay'
2t;anatoA'
+.Au' P.ntagna' 2gragon'
IAc;iroA' El.yAon' %t;.oA'
/.tragra<<aton' Ely' 7a=ay'
2Quila' 1agnuA 0o<o' CiAio'
3ioA' %rigo' 7al-ator' 2l:;a an=
%<.ga' Pri<uA' No-iAAi<uA'
Princi:iu< .t 3iniA'
Pri<og.nituA' 7a:i.ntia' CirtuA'
ParaclituA'
C.ritaA' Cia' 1.=iator' 1.=icuA'
7aluA' 2gnuA' %-iA'
CituluA' 7:.A' 2ri.A' L.o' LuL'
I<ago' PaniA' +anua' P.tra'
7:onAa' PaAtor' Pro:;.t a '
7ac.r=oA' I<<ortalitaA' +.AuA'
C;riAtuA' Pat.r' 3iliuA 0o<iniA'
7anctuA' Pat.r %<ni:ot.nA'
D.uA' 2gioA' 5.Aurr.ctio'
1iAc;iroA' C;aritaA' 2.t.<aA'
Cr.ator' 5.=.<:tor' 8nitaA'
7u<<un 4onu<' InfinitaA!
237
GloAAary
E-2G EaAt 2nglian
GG G.r<an
GKG Gr..K
0G 0.br.(
IG IriA;
NG NorA.
6G 6.lA;
a.tt
aiQ b.K.r
al:;ab.t
2 (.n
4ifroAt
co.lbr.n
co.l-ain
col.E
.billion
fut;arK
Ga.lic
g.<atria
;oAlur
grou: of .ig;t l.tt.rA in a run.-
ro( 9N)!
arrang.<.nt of 27 c;aract.rA in
a gri= of nin.
AQuar.A' 3 in .ac; 90)!
a A.Qu.nc. of AigilA or c;aract.rA'
.ac; of
(;ic; r.:r.A.ntA a A:oK.n Aoun=!
bar=ic Aigil for t;. na<. of Go=
96)!
t;. rainbo( bri=g. linKing Eart;
to t;.
;.a-.nA 9N)!
bar=ic al:;ab.t (ritt.n on (oo=
96)!
bar=ic al:;ab.t (ritt.n on Aton.
96)!
t;. nu<.rical -alu. of 1' t;.
=iAcr.:ancy
allo(abl. in t;. nu<b.r-
co<:utationA of
g.<atria 9Q !-) 90) !
l.tt.r.= Ata-.A in t;. 4ar=ic
tra=ition 96)!
na<. for a runic-ro(' baA.=
u:on t;. firAt AiL
l.tt.rAO 3' 8' /;' 2' 5 K!
t;. nati-. languag. of 7cotlan='
(it; itA 17-
c;aract.r al:;ab.t!
t;. t.c;niQu. of gi-ing (or=A
nu<b.r .Qui-al.ntA'
baA.= on (or=-nu<b.r
corr.A:on=.nc.A
9GK)!
Aacr.= .ncloAur. uA.= for Pu=icial
co<bat'
lit.rally' $t;. 0aM.ll.= 3i.l=$ 9N)!
23"
Ki.nA:an;alt.r
<.MuMa;
Nort;.rn
/ra=ition
notariKon
og=oa=
og;a<
:.it;yn.n
:laga(=
Qabala;
5oAicrucianiA<
run.
t.<ura;
ti-.r
tranA-olution
C.;<g.ric;t
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
tra=itional for< of lig;ting' uAing
a Atan= to
;ol= a (.g. of :in. (oo=' (;ic;
iA lit! /;.
origin of t;. run. K.n 9G)!
Acri:tur.-;ol=.r uA.= for
;ouA.;ol= :rot.ction!
2ttac;.= to t;. =oor-:oAt 90)!
t;. <yAt.ry tra=ition of Euro:.
nort; of t;.
2l:A' inclu=ing C.ltic' G.r<anic'
7can=ina-ian
an= 4altic .l.<.ntA!
t;. t.c;niQu. of cr.ating n.(
(or=A fro< t;.
firAt or laAt l.tt.rA of a na<. or
:;raA.' aA (it;
<o=.rn acrony<A 9GK)!
on. of t;. t;r.. -l.tt.r =i-iAionA
of t;. Gr..K
al:;ab.t 9GK)' ct' a.tt!
t;. C.ltic tr.. al:;ab.t 9I)!
fra<.(orK ;ol=ing .billion 9Q!-!)
96)!
an .arly for< of :a:.r uA.= in
anci.nt 6al.A
96)!
t;. +.(iA; <yAt.ry-tra=ition'
baA.= on t;.
$tr.. of lif.$ an= t;. 0.br.(
al:;ab.t 90)!
t;. Euro:.an <yAt.ry tra=ition '
baA.= on t;.
Au::oA.= t.ac;ingA of C;riAtian
5oA.nKr.uM'
C;riAtian ,abala;-ori.nt.=!
a c;aract.r fro< on. of t;.
G.r<anic-NorA.
fa<ili.A of fut;arKA 9Q! -!) or
al:;ab.tA!
.ncry:tion of Aacr.= na<.A or
:;raA.A by l.tt.r
AubAtitution 90) !
r.= oc;r. uA.= for <arKing
Aacr.= obP.ctA 9E2)'
fro< %l= NorA. taufr' <agic
colour!
t;. :roc.AA of $b.co<ing$O t;.
un=.rlying
<.c;aniA< an= outco<. of $t;.
(ay t;ingA
;a::.n$ !
t;. 7.cr.t /ribunal of <.=i.-al
G.r<any 9G)!
2D#
4ibliogra:;y
2bra;a<A! IAra.l! l.(iA; Lif. in
t;. 1i==l. 2g.A! P;ila=.l:;ia ! 1E
lV+6
2ngr.ll! 7igur=! 7.nantiK
<yAt.ri.rr.ligion orc; nor=iAK
r8lF<agi! 7tocK;ol< ! 1"31
- - La::t(<or oc; 5un<agi!
Lun=! 1"3D
2gri::a! 0!C! ! D. %cclFlta
P;iloAo:;ia! (it; not.A by Karl
2nton No(otny!
Lon=on! 1V+67
2non! /;. 4ooK of 4ally<ot.!
<anuAcri:t in t;. library of t;.
5oyal IriA;
2ca=.<y! Dublin
2rntM! 0.l<ut ! DaA %go<!
4.itriig. Mu. G.Ac;ic;t. =.A
=.utAc;. 7:rac;. lin=
Lit.ratllr! Col! &" 91"3&) :! 321-
D13
2A(ynn ! 3r.ya! L.a-.A of
Sgg=raAil ! Lon=on! 1"
4a;n! Paul G ! N C.rtut! +.an'
I<ag.A of t;. Ic. 2g.' L.ic.At.r'
1"
4oL' G!0! N C;arl.A! 5!0! /;.
2:ocaly:A. of 2bra;a< an=
2Ac.nAion of IAaia; !
N.( SorK! 1"1
4ran=on' +i<' /;. 5.birt; of
Pan' Dunla:' 1"3
4riL! 0! 7tu=i.r in nor=iAK
5un<agic! K#b.n;a-n! 1"2
4ro<(ic;! 5! /rio.== SnyA
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4ucKlan=! 5ay<on=! 4ucKlan=$A
Co<:l.t. 4ooK of 6itc;craft! 7t
Paul! 1"6
4uicK! 5.-.r.n= G.org. 5! /;.
5.c.nt DiAco-.ry of %ga<A in
t;. County of
2ntri<' Proc..=ingA of t;. 5oyal
7oci.ty of 2ntiQuari.A of Ir.lan=!
1"! :! 3"2-
"&
4ull;orn ! 3 !! Gra<<atogra:;yG
2l:;ab.tA of t;. 6orl=! Lon=on!
1"61
CaAano(icM! I!1 !! +.(iA;
2<ul.tA in t;. 8nit.= 7tat.A
National 1uA.u<' +ournal
of t;. 2<.rican %ri.ntal 7oci.ty!
Col! >>>CI 91"17)! :! 1&D-\)7!
CocKayn.! # !! L..c;=o<A!
6ortcunning an= 7tarcraft!
Lon=on! 16D
Coo:.r! D! +aAon ! 8n=.rAtan=ing
Nu<.rology! 6.llingboroug;!
1""#
Cott.rall! 2rt;ur! .= !! /;.
Encyclo:.=ia of 2nci.nt
Ci-iliMationA! Lon=on' 1"#
CroAA! /!P! an= 7lo-.r! C!0 !!
2nci.nt IriA; /al.A' Dublin! 1"6"
Da-iA! 6 !B /;. originA of i<ag.
<aKing! Curr.nt 2nt;ro:ology
27 91"6)! ::! 1"3-
21& ! 371! &1&-16!
D.nt! 2 !! LoAt 4.aAtA of 4ritain!
Lon=on! 1"6D
DicK.nA' 4 !B 5unic an= 0.roic
Po.<A' Ca<bri=g.! 1"1&
Dinn..n! PatricK 7! 3ocloir
Ga.=;lig. aguA 4.arla! 4ail.
2t;a Cliat;! 1"27
Diring.r! Da-i=! 2 0iAtory of t;.
2l:;ab.t! %l= 6oKing! 1"77
Duc;.An.! 1gr! L!! C;riAtian
6orA;i:G ItA %rigin an=
E-olution 9tranA! 1!L!
1cClur.)! Lon=on! 1"#D
Du(.l! KlauA! 5un.nKun=.!
7tuttgart! 1"6
Elliott! 5c6!C !! 5un.AG 2n
Intro=uction' 1anc;.At.r! 1"&"
2D1
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
E-anA-6.ntM' 6!S!' /;. 3airy
3ait; in C.ltic Countri.A'
%Lfor=' 1"11
3.ll' 4arry' 6in=<ill 0ill
2<ul.tA' E:igra:;ic 7oci.ty
%ccaAional PublicationA'
Col! 1& 91"6) :! 36!
3lo(.rA' 7t.:;.n E!' 5un.A an=
1agicG 1agic 3or<ulaic
El.<.ntA in t;. %l=.r
5unic /ra=ition' 2<.rican
8ni-.rAity 7tu=i.A' 7.ri.A I' No!
&3' N.( SorK ' 1"6
3ranK.' 2=ol:;.' /;. Kabbala; !
N.( SorK' 1"67
3ull.r' 1aPor-G.n.ral +!3!C!' /;.
7.cr.t 6iA=o< of t;. ,abala; '
Lon=on' n!='
c! 1"36
G.ttingA' 3r.=' Dictionary of
%ccult' 0.r<.tic an= 2lc;.<ical
7igilA' Lon=on'
1"1
GinAburg' C;riAtian D!' /;.
Kabbala;G ItA Doctrin.A'
D.-.lo:<.nt an= Lit.ratur.'
Lon=on' 1"7#
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t;. +.(A ' 7 -olA' N.( SorK' 1"#"-
3
GorAl.b.n' 5u=olf +! ' Di. 0oc;-
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1"3#
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;iAtoriAc;. 3aKt.n' 2;l.rAt.=t'
1""
Graf' 0.inM-+oac;i<' Di.
5un.nna<.n alA A:rac;lic;.
4.F.g. Mur 2uA=.utung
g.r<aniAc;.r 7innbil=.r'
G.r<ani.n ' Col! " 91"D1) ' :!
2&D-&"
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Go==.AA' Lon=on' 1"61
0ara' %! 0aA;nu' Nu<b.r' Na<.
an= Colour' Lon=on ' n!=!
0ar=ing' 1ary E!' 6o<.n$A
1yAt.ri.A' 2nci.nt an= 1o=.rn'
Lon=on' 1"3&
0att' + !+!' /;. 2nci.nt
Ci-iliMation of t;. C.ltA an=
Gallo-5o<anA' Lon=on' 1"7#
0.n=.rAon' G!' 7ur-i-alA in
4.li.f a<ong t;. C.ltA' GlaAgo('
1"11
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7.:t.ntrionaliu< /;.AauruA'
17#3"$9)&' Lon=on' 1"7#
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l.ll.r of t;. 2l:;ab.t iA Pr.A.nt.=
(it; a Colour an=
a 4ir=' Lon=on' 1"7
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Car=A - a catalog of car=A for
fortun .-t.lling'
5oAKil=.' 1"&
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Lon=on' 1"&"
K.ill.r' 2l.Lan=.r' 6in=<ill 0ill
an= 2-.bury ELca-ationA' 1"2&-
3"' %Lfor='
1"6&
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Lon=on' 1"3#
Ko;l.r' Kauf<ann' /;.
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P;iloAo:;y' Col! 191"#")' :! 1#-32
Laing' L!' C.ltic 4ritain '
Lon=on' 1"7"
L.;<ann' 6!' 1.iAt.r EcK;art'
G1@tting.n' 1"17
L.-i' Eli:;aA' /;. 1yAt.ri.A of
t;. ,abala; ' 6.llingboroug;'
1"1
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6.llingboroug;' 1"1
L.(iA' 3ranK' G(.rin 3friAtial 2
/;a(lb(r==' /ranAactionA of t;.
0onourabl.
7oci.ty of Cy<<ro=orion ' 1"D1'
:! 1&-2#&
L.(iA' 1!+ !/!' /.<:l.A in
5o<an 4ritain ' Ca<bri=g.'
1"66
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LuMMato' 5abbi 1oA.A' G.n.ral
Princi:l.A of t;. Kabbala;' N.(
SorK' 1"7#
1abillon' + !' D. 5. Di:lo<atica'
PariA' 171
1acaliAt.r' 5!2! 7t.(art 7tu=i.A
in IriA; E:igra:;y' 3 -olA'
Lon=on 1"7' 1"#2'
1"#7
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Ir.lan=' Ca<bri=g. ' 1"37
- - Cor:uA InAcri:tionu<
InAularu< C.lticaru< ' Dublin'
1"D&
1acCana' ProinAiaA' C.ltic
1yt;ology' Lon=on' 1"7#
2D2
1agical 2l:;ab.tA
1acCulloc;! +!2!' /;. 5.ligion
of t;. 2nci.nt C.ltA! E=inburg;'
1"11
1acN.ill! 1 !! /;. 3.Ati-al of
Lug;naAa! %Lfor=! 1"62
1cGaug;! 3ranK! /artan %ga<'
7ton.;.ng. Ci.(:oint! No! 71!
1"6
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%g;a< in EL:loring 5ocK 2rt!
.=! Donal= L!
Cyr! 7anta 4arbara! 1""#! :! 73-
77
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1"1&
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t;. 1yAt.ri.A of 4ritain' Lon=on'
1"7
1ic;.ll! +o;n! /;. Ci.( %-.r
2tlantiA! lon=on! 1"6"
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1"72
1oltK.! EriK! 5un.A an= /;.ir
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Co:.n;ag.n'
1"D
1urray' Colin N liM' /;. C.ltic
/r.. %racl.! Lon=on' 1"
No(otny' Karl 2nton! 5un.n un=
7innbil=.r' G.r<ani.n' Col! 7
91"3")' :! 21-2&
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7t.lla' 5un. Ga<.A' Lon=on'
1"2
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6ain' N.u:;ilologiAc;.
1itt.ilung.n'
Col! 1 91"#)! :! 3-"
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D.-.lo:<.nt an= 0iAtory of t;.
%g;a< 7cri:tG
3actA an= ConP.ctur. in
EL:loring 5ocK 2rt' .=! Donal=
L! Cyr' 7anta-4arbara'
1""#' :! 11-12
%$5a;illy' /!3 !! Early IriA;
0iAtory an= 1yt;ology! Dublin'
1"D6
P.nnicK' Nig.l' /;. 1yAt.ri.A of
King$A Coll.g. C;a:.l'
Ca<bri=g.! 1"7D
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6riting of %l= 4ritain an=
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4ar 0ill' 1"7
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G.o<ancy' Lon=on' 1"7"
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6.llingboroug;' 1"1
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7u=bury' 1"2
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0ill' 1"6
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1"7
- - Ga<.A of t;. Go=A' Lon=on'
1"
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Nort;.rn /ra=ition'
6.llingboroug;' 1""
- - DaA 5un.n %raK.l' 1iinc;.n!
1""#
- - 5unic 2Atrology'
6.llingboroug;' 1""#
Ponc.' C;arl.A' Kabbala;G 2n
Intro=uction an= Illu<ination for
t;. 6orl= /o=ay'
Lon=on' 1"7D
Po(.ll' /!G!E!' /;. C.ltA'
Lon=on' 1"#
5..A' 2l(yn' N 5..A' 4rinl.y'
C.ltic 0.ritag.' lon=on' 1"67
5;yA' Prof!' /;. %ga< InAcrib.=
7ton.A of t;. 5oyal IriA;
2ca=.<y an= of /rinity
Coll.g.' Dublin! Proc..=ingA of
t;. 5oyal 7oci.ty of 2ntiQuari.A
of Ir.lan='
Colu<. >>>II' 1"#2
5oAA' 2nn.' Pagan C.ltic 4ritain'
lon=on' 1"67
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