Question about words of power...

[~Audra~]

i was reading a pretty old book last night, full of incantations and what-not...the book is so old that the pages are yellow...i've also been reading newer things...

question: are "older" words more powerful than newer ones? like the wiccan rede (for example) has been around for quite some time...so has pretty much anything that gardener wrote...by reciting these words, which have been recited many times, by many different people, for many different reasons, is there much more power in those words than there would be if you were reciting something from a book that was only a few years old, something that hasn't been used so many different times...

kind of like, when you speak, the energy from those words goes out into the atmosphere and is absorbed...

[*oonagh*]

i tend to believe that all words have power and intention. i don't think it matters if the words are old or new, but i think that words from your heart (not mushy, just deeply felt) are the most powerful of all.

[Shaedema]

i was reading a pretty old book last night, full of incantations and what-not...the book is so old that the pages are yellow...i've also been reading newer things...

question: are "older" words more powerful than newer ones? like the wiccan rede (for example) has been around for quite some time...so has pretty much anything that gardener wrote...by reciting these words, which have been recited many times, by many different people, for many different reasons, is there much more power in those words than there would be if you were reciting something from a book that was only a few years old, something that hasn't been used so many different times...

kind of like, when you speak, the energy from those words goes out into the atmosphere and is absorbed...


What *oonagh* said is true and something to keep in mind when reading other people's work.

Just because something is in Latin doesn't make it more powerful than say English. The intent behind it is what gives any spell its power.

From my experience Words of Power are used to trigger/signal a timed response both in groups and as individuals. Some words are even used to ward/protect.

But it all comes down to the intent and amount of belief/will you put into that word at that time.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

If one considers that at one time the knowledge of a things true name was power and inplied a power over the thing, then yes words have power.

I tend to think certain words or phrases resonate with a sonic frequency that can be used as a power element. It's sort of like in the movie "DUNE" certain words cause a certain resonating affect / effect to occur which creates a surging energy.

Where I think the affect / effect is apparent is that no two people will speak the words with the same focus and intent behind them. As such without some aid or process of training to focus the intent the resonace of power is simply to little to late to be effective.

I think those that are charismatic utilize word power and energy to influence those who witness them. Other's use it to enhance or refine certain physical abilities. I suppose some may use it more as a destructive or manipulating power to gain control over others. Yet I think in a sort of ironic way those that use it the most today have little to no understanding of the why, they just have figured out that it works for them.

I simply think most will not acheive it because they fail to apply the needed focus and practice to gain full control over it.

[skilly-nilly]

question: are "older" words more powerful than newer ones?

My answer is 'yes' although I would consider the Wiccan Rede to be modern.

The term for my belief is 'Use-Magic'. That is, the more something is used, the more power is attached to it. So, many people currently using something (as in the Rede) gives it Use-Magic. Using something very old (as in a folk-way from before Xianity) also gives it Use-Magic of a different flavour.

[sidhe]

Well, the "Words of Power", coming from the Thelemic context, have very specific qabalistic meanings. For instance, "agape," "thelema," "lashtal", and "aumgn" are all calibrated to equal ninety-tree, to create a link between love, will, the power of the Spirit, and creation. "Babylon" is respelled "Babalon" to make it equal to 156, and thus link it to "Tziun" or "Zion".

The notion is to link the words into the same current, and thus create more symbolic repetition within rituals to increase the force behind it.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Raven's article here , per parts on theurgic magic ,
should assist...as well , Sidhe , has made an excellent point...

Also , Black Lili , was the OP of a thread :

"Why Does My Spell Sound So Cool In Latin" ?

Check that out...interesting info...I believe you saw that ,
yet there are things in there , which apply here...

http://www.northernshamanism.org/nine/magic.html

[Nesta]

i tend to believe that all words have power and intention. i don't think it matters if the words are old or new, but i think that words from your heart (not mushy, just deeply felt) are the most powerful of all.

I agree. All words have power. I carefully consider what I say because I believe that energy directed with the spoken word can never be retracted.