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| In meditative practices, practitioners use the word to focus their minds, channeling its energy to connect with the divine and achieve mystical insights. The word's power lies in its ability to harmonize the practitioner's internal state with the universal forces it symbolizes.{{sfnp|Starr|2003}} | In meditative practices, practitioners use the word to focus their minds, channeling its energy to connect with the divine and achieve mystical insights. The word's power lies in its ability to harmonize the practitioner's internal state with the universal forces it symbolizes.{{sfnp|Starr|2003}} | ||
| ==Critical interpretations== | |||
| Scholars and critics have examined "Abrahadabra" from various perspectives, analyzing its role within Crowley's broader ] framework. It has been interpreted as a symbol of Crowley's attempt to synthesize different mystical traditions and as a key component in his reformation of modern ] practices.{{sfnp|Bogdan|Djurdjevic|2014}} | |||
| The word is seen as embodying Crowley's philosophy of Thelema, where the individual will is aligned with universal forces. Critics have also explored its implications in the context of Crowley's personal spiritual journey, noting how "Abrahadabra" reflects his ongoing quest for ] and transformation. These interpretations highlight the word's multifaceted significance, both as a practical ] and a theoretical concept.{{sfnmp|1a1=Sutin|1y=2002|2a1=Pasi|2y=2014}} | |||
| ==Description== | ==Description== | ||
Revision as of 01:08, 14 July 2024
Word This article is about the magic word. For the album by Dimmu Borgir, see Abrahadabra (album). | This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Abrahadabra" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
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Abrahadabra is a significant word within Thelema, first received and revealed by Aleister Crowley in The Book of the Law (Liber AL vel Legis), the central sacred text of Thelema. This magical formula represents the Great Work accomplished—the union of the microcosm (individual) and the macrocosm (universe). It is considered the key to the Aeon of Horus and a word of power that symbolizes the realization of True Will.
Crowley's revelation of "Abrahadabra" marked a pivotal moment in the development of Thelema, providing a symbolic foundation for its core teachings and practices. This word is not just a magical utterance but encapsulates the essence of the new Aeon, representing a shift in spiritual consciousness and practice.
Derivation and symbolism
"Abrahadabra" consists of 11 letters, a number of profound significance in Thelema. The number 11 represents the dynamic interaction between the microcosm and the macrocosm, bridging the finite and the infinite. Crowley referred to it as the Word of the Aeon, embodying the concept of unity through diversity.
The word is derived from the older magic word "Abracadabra", which Crowley modified to reflect the principles of Thelema. In The Book of the Law, it is stated: "The ending of the words is the Word Abrahadabra". Crowley replaced the 'C' in "Abracadabra" with an 'H', linking it with breath, life, and the god Horus.
Numerology and Qabalah
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Crowley emphasized the numerological and Qabalistic significance of "Abrahadabra." The numerical value of "Abrahadabra" is 418, which corresponds to the Hebrew word "Cheth", meaning "fence" or "enclosure", symbolizing containment and protection. This number also relates to the magical formula of achieving the Great Work and the unification of opposites.
"Abrahadabra" is also referred to as the "Word of Double Power". It reflects the integration of various esoteric principles, such as the union of the five-fold pentagram (microcosm) with the six-fold hexagram (macrocosm), resulting in the complete manifestation of the Rosy Cross. In "Commentaries" (1996), Crowley says that the word is a symbol of the "establishment of the pillar or phallus of the Macrocosm...in the void of the Microcosm."
Crowley explained the word in more detail using the qabalistic method of gematria, where the numerical equivalence of letters unveils deeper spiritual meanings:
- ABRAHADABRA = 418
- ABRAHADABRA has 11 letters
- ABRAHADABRA = 1+2+2+1+5+1+4+1+2+2+1 = 22
- The five letters in the word are: A, the Crown; B, the Wand; D, the Cup; H, the Sword; R, the Rosy Cross; and refer further to Amoun the Father, Thoth His messenger, and Isis, Osiris, Horus, the divine-human triad.
- Also 418 = ATh IAV, the Essence of IAO, translated from Hebrew as “Thou art IAO”
- 418 = BVLShKIN, or Boleskine
- 418 = RA HVVR, or Ra Hoor
- 418 = הרו-רא-הא, a Hebrew spelling of Heru-Ra-Ha
- 418 = ΑΙϜΑΣΣ, a Greek spelling of Aiwass
- 418 = The sum of all integers between 13 and 31 inclusive.
- Abrahadabra is from Abraxas, Father Sun, which = 365
- 418 = 22 x 19 Manifestation
Practical applications
"Abrahadabra" is often used in Thelemic rituals and invocations to signify the accomplishment of the Great Work. It serves as a powerful word of invocation, drawing upon the energies of the Aeon of Horus and aligning the practitioner with their True Will. The word appears repeatedly in the 1904 invocation of Horus that preceded the writing of Liber Legis and led to the founding of Thelema.
In meditative practices, practitioners use the word to focus their minds, channeling its energy to connect with the divine and achieve mystical insights. The word's power lies in its ability to harmonize the practitioner's internal state with the universal forces it symbolizes.
Critical interpretations
Scholars and critics have examined "Abrahadabra" from various perspectives, analyzing its role within Crowley's broader esoteric framework. It has been interpreted as a symbol of Crowley's attempt to synthesize different mystical traditions and as a key component in his reformation of modern occult practices.
The word is seen as embodying Crowley's philosophy of Thelema, where the individual will is aligned with universal forces. Critics have also explored its implications in the context of Crowley's personal spiritual journey, noting how "Abrahadabra" reflects his ongoing quest for enlightenment and transformation. These interpretations highlight the word's multifaceted significance, both as a practical magical tool and a theoretical concept.
Description
Crowley explains in his essay "Gematria" that he changed the magic word to include 'H' because of qabalistic methods. He appears to say that this happened before his January 1901 meeting with Oscar Eckenstein, one of his teachers. At this meeting, Eckenstein ordered Crowley to put aside magick for the moment, and to practice meditation or concentration. In "Gematria", Crowley says he took great interest in Abrahadabra, and its qabalistic number 418. In the Book of Thoth, Crowley refers to Abrahadabra as a 'cypher' of the Great Work.
The essay "Gematria" gives Hindu, Christian, and "Unsectarian" versions of the problem that Crowley intended this magick word to answer. He also gives a qabalistic equivalent for each phrasing, and a brief symbolic answer for each. The unsectarian version reads, "I am the finite square; I wish to be one with the infinite circle." Its equivalent refers to "the Cross of Extension" and "the infinite Rose." Crowley's numerological explanation of "Abrahadabra" focuses mainly on this last formulation and the answer to it.
See also
References
Notes
- Regardie (1989), p. 118: "Hiero: Is there any peculiarity in these names? Hierus: They all commence with the letter 'H'. Hiero: Of what is this letter a symbol? Hierus: Of life; because this letter 'H' is our mode of representing the ancient Greek aspirate or breathing, and Breath is the evidence of Life.
- Regardie (1989) links Horus with the letter 'H' on p. 345, and with the Hierus, p. 338, 352.
Citations
- Crowley (1997), "Liber Samekh".
- Sutin (2002); Kaczynski (2012).
- Booth (2000); Sutin (2002).
- Booth (2000).
- Crowley (1976), ch. III, v. 75; Pasi (2014).
- Kaczynski (2012).
- Crowley (1974); Pasi (2014).
- Crowley (1996b), p. .
- Crowley (1996), p. 24.
- Hymenaeus Beta (1995).
- The Equinox, I (7), 1912.
- Starr (2003).
- Bogdan & Djurdjevic (2014). sfnp error: no target: CITEREFBogdanDjurdjevic2014 (help)
- Sutin (2002); Pasi (2014).
- Sutin (2002), p. 85.
Works cited
Primary sources
- Crowley, Aleister (1974). Magical and Philosophical Commentaries on the Book of the Law. Montreal: 93 Publishing.
- Crowley, Aleister (1976). The Book of the Law: Liber AL vel Legis. York Beach, Maine: Weiser Book. ISBN 978-0-87728-334-8.
- Crowley, Aleister (1996). The Law is for All. Tempe, AZ: New Falcon Publications. ISBN 1-56184-090-4.
- Crowley, Aleister (1996b). "Commentaries on the Holy Books and Other Papers". The Equinox. IV (1). York Beach, Maine: S. Weiser.
- Crowley, Aleister (1997). Magick: Liber ABA, Book 4, Parts I-IV (2nd rev. ed.). Boston: Weiser. ISBN 0-87728-919-0.
Secondary sources
- Booth, Martin (2000). A Magick Life: The Biography of Aleister Crowley. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-71805-6.
- Hymenaeus Beta, ed. (1995). The Equinox: The Review of Scientific Illuminism. Samuel Weiser.
- Kaczynski, Richard (2012). Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley (rev. & exp. ed.). North Atlantic Books. ISBN 978-1-58394-576-6.
- Pasi, Marco (2014). Aleister Crowley and the Temptation of Politics. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-317-54630-6.
- Regardie, Israel (1989). The original account of the teachings, rites and ceremonies of The Golden Dawn (6th ed.). Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
- Starr, Martin P. (2003). The Unknown God: W. T. Smith and the Thelemites. Bollingbrook, Illinois: Teitan Press. ISBN 978-0-933429-07-9.
- Sutin, Lawrence (2002). Do What Thou Wilt: A Life of Aleister Crowley. Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-312-25243-4.
Other sources
- Thelemapedia. (2004). Abrahadabra. Retrieved April 16, 2006.
Further reading
- Crowley, Aleister (Autumn 1910). "The Temple of Solomon the King". The Equinox. I (4). London: Privately printed – via Sacred-texts.com.
- Crowley, Aleister (1973). 777 and other Qabalistic writings of Aleister Crowley. York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser. ISBN 0-87728-222-6.
- Crowley, Aleister (1991). The Equinox of the Gods. New Falcon Publications. ISBN 978-1-56184-028-1.