Incantation

An incantation is a magical formula designed to trigger a specific effect on people or objects.

These formulas can be spoken, sung, or chanted during ceremonial rituals or prayers. In folklore and modern fantasy fiction, incantations are often referred to as spells, charms, or enchantments. This terminology has led to the titles of "enchanter" and "enchantress" for those who use them. The English word "incantation" was borrowed from Old French in the late 14th century. Its older English counterpart was "gealdor," which meant song or spell.

The way a person performs an incantation is vital to its success. The speaker often uses specific inflection and emphasis on certain words. The tone, rhyme, and placement of words within the formula may change depending on the desired magical outcome. Some traditions utilize "magic words" or "words of power." These are words believed to have specific, sometimes unintended, effects. In fantasy fiction, these are often nonsense phrases. However, they are frequently presented as parts of a secret, divine, or Adamic language.

Historical records show that different cultures used incantations for many practical and spiritual purposes. In ancient Babylon, rituals involving the burning of images were used against enemies. These practices are found in Mesopotamian series called Šurpu and Maqlû. In Mesopotamian mythology, the Udug-hul incantations were used to exorcise demons. These demons were believed to cause misfortune, such as anxiety, mental illness, or loss of property. In the Orient, incantations were used to entice snakes out of hiding.

Many written records of historical magic were lost over time. This occurred because the rise of major monotheistic religions, including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, led to some magical activities being labeled as immoral. Despite this, many traditions survived through oral history or specialized texts. For example, the Atharvaveda and Rigveda are collections of charms and hymns. The Merseburg charms are medieval spells written in Old High German. Other examples include the Greek Magical Papyri and the Hittite ritual texts.

Scholars have analyzed why language is so central to magic. S. J. Tambiah argued that the connection exists because of a belief in the inherent ability of words to influence the universe. Bronisław Malinowski suggested that magical language is an extension of how humans use language to describe their surroundings. He believed that knowing the right phrases gives a person power beyond their personal actions. Malinowski noted that magical speech is a ritual act. This makes it as important as, or even more important than, non-verbal actions in a magic performance.

Magical language is distinct from scientific language. According to C. K. Ogden and I. A. Richards, scientific language is tied to objective external reality. In contrast, magical language is emotive. It converts words into symbols for emotions and uses metaphors to link rituals to the world. Many traditions use sacred modes of language, such as prayers, blessings, or chants. These often use archaic words to invoke a sense of purity or a "golden age." An example of this is the use of Hebrew in Judaism.

Another factor in the power of magical words is secrecy. Much sacred language is incomprehensible to most people. It can often only be used or interpreted by specialized practitioners like priests, shamans, or Imams. Tambiah noted that while this violates the primary function of language—communication—adherents still find value in it. They believe in the inherent power of the words themselves. This creates a unique relationship between the speaker, the sacred words, and the meaning they provide to those who understand them.