The Theban alphabets can be found in many traditional Wiccan texts today, sometimes called “Witch Letters”, used for carving, writing names, and the entire books of shadows.
The origin of the Theban alphabet is lost in the mists of time. After its famous inventor Honorius of Thebes, it is often called “The Rune of Oronius”. It is also called “Witch Alphabet”.
What are Theban Alphabets?
It is included in the Wiccan tradition and may be based on “Magic” published by Francis Barrett in 1801. They were first published in 1518 in the little-known Polygraphia, a magical alphabet book written by Trithemius.
The witch’s alphabet is often called the Theban alphabet, but it is also known as the Honorian alphabet or Honorius rune.
The exact origin is unclear, but many mysterious historians trace their work back to the 14th century, based on a reference in old legal documents.
It is attributed to Hoodius of Thebes, a figure of the Middle Ages, in a mystery, so that some people think his existence is a myth.
Others believe that the history of the alphabet can be traced back to the 11th century, and originated from the alchemy code with Avestan influence.
Avestan is the longest-preserved Indo-Aryan language and is closely related to Vedic Sanskrit. However, the latter theory is also not documented and proven.
Folklore and History
They are included in the Wiccan tradition, probably from Francis Barrett’s “Magic” published in 1801.
Barrett also drew information from Cornelius Agrippa’s “Three Books of Occult Philosophy“, which is usually regarded as the first written document in which the Theban alphabets was recorded.
However, Agrippa did point out in his “Three Books of Occult Philosophy” that the Theban alphabets were pointed out by Peter Apponus by Honorius of Thebes. This is a reference to Peter de Abano, the author of “Heptameron” and “Sworn Book of Honorius”.
None of these texts contain Theban alphabets or similar content, so this seems to be a case of trying to provide provenance to give it authenticity at the time, although it is likely to be recorded in the now lost manuscript.
Similar to the interesting methods used by some Wiccans today, Francis Barrett also copied the entire magic book into the Theban script for personal use in the early 19th century.
According to Professor Ronald Hutton’s “Triumph of the Moon” in his book, Valiente described Gardner wearing a silver ring and engraving his OTO name on the ring in Theban alphabets.
The term provides us with another interesting hypothesis, which may indicate that the use of term in today’s Wicca may come down to possible misunderstandings.
So far, we have determined that the Wiccan tradition draws some lessons and inspirations from the “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn”, but it is little known that the Enochian alphabet used in the system is sometimes called the “Theban alphabet”.
Significance and Understanding
The character shapes and corresponding curve styles that define the alphabets are no different from the characters in the Avestan alphabet.
The main difference is the fewer characters & the inclusion of a symbol in Theban to indicate the end of the sentence. This is necessary because Theban has only one case; no capital letters.
There is a one-to-one correspondence between witch letters and Latin letters, except for the letters j and u; these letters are represented by the i and v letters. Known as rune letters, but not.
The runes are characterized by straight lines and sharp edges, while Theban alphabets are mainly based on arcs and curls.
Why are Theban Alphabets known as the Witch’s Alphabets?
Practitioners of witchcraft, pagans, and Wicca have used it as a method of hiding magic or mantra works, but there is no exact date.
Many people have pointed out that Wicca is a relatively new discipline and it is a discount factor, but it is based on thousands of years of tradition and should be given due respect.
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There are many old books written in the letters of witches, but they are not available for public viewing.
Today, the alphabet is used in pagan rituals, with the title of amulet and recording of spells. These letters are usually carved on candles or amulets, affixed to sacred wood, or written on stones.
What are some notable features of the Alphabets?
| S.no | Feature | Description |
| 1 | Writing System | Alphabets |
| 2 | Direction of Writing | In Horizontal lines; Left to Right |
Apart from the above two notable features of the alphabets, we observe a one to one correspondence between letters of the Theban and Latin alphabets except for the letters j and u. These letters are represented by the letters for i and v.
It is used by witches to write spells, inscriptions, and other texts. It serves to disguise the meaning of a text and to give it a mystical quality.
How are Substitution Ciphers related to the Theban Alphabets?
In cryptography, substitution ciphers are very common. Fictitious letters or codes are associated with units or letters of existing letters.
Each letter has a corresponding letter or symbol in the new language and can be replaced when creating any written work.
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Those who know the secret language use a key to translate the work, and the key shows what corresponds to what.
Pagans throughout the ancient world used cryptographic language to protect the magician’s writings, spells, and ritual instructions to prevent being preyed away.
Throughout history, it is dangerous to own a “Book of Shadows“. The Christian Church spares no effort to eradicate all ancient religions and customs, so laws must be written to avoid persecution, even torture, and death.
Even if the book is captured by religious enthusiasts, the owner can argue over what is written inside.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have tried to shed light on the Theban Alphabets, what is the meaning of these alphabets, what is the history associated with it and why is it also called as the Witch’s alphabets.
For those who also want to get a deeper understanding of them, we have tried to decode them in the best way possible. These only exist in one case.
This is because its use in modern witchcraft and other forms of witchcraft is one of many alternative codes that can hide magic from shadows such as prying eyes.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Where did the Theban alphabet come from?
It was first published in Johannes Trithemius’s Polygraphia (1518), in which it was attributed to Honorius of Thebes “as Pietro d’Abano testifies in his greater fourth book”. However, it is not known to be extant in any of the known writings attributed to D’Abano (1250-1316).
Who is Theban?
Thebes (Ancient Greek: Θῆβαι, Thēbai), known to the ancient Egyptians as Waset, was an ancient Egyptian city located along the Nile about 800 kilometres (500 mi) south of the Mediterranean. Its ruins lie within the modern Egyptian city of Luxor.
What language is spoken by witches?
Spell language is the language used by most witches for various spells and rituals. The language is similar to Latin. Kat Graham calls it “the Pelican”. She says that it is a mix of Latin and some words that look like real words.
What is Witch code?
The Witch’s Code of Chivalry. Chivalry is a high code of honor which is of most ancient Pagan origin and must be lived by all who follow the Old ways. … A Witch’s word must have the validity of a signed and witnessed oath. Thus, give thy word sparingly, but adhere to it like iron.
What is the rule of three in witchcraft?
Rule of Three (Wicca) The Rule of Three (also Three-fold Law or Law of Return) is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans/Pagans and occultists. It states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times.
What is witch wind?
The Witch of November, or November Witch, refers to the strong winds that frequently blow across the Great Lakes in autumn. The “witches” are caused by intense low atmospheric pressure over the Great Lakes pulling cold Canadian/Arctic air from the north or northwest and warm Gulf air from the south.
How many witches are in a coven?
Coven, basic group in which witches are said to gather. One of the chief proponents of the theory of a coven was the English Egyptologist Margaret Murray in her work The Witch Cult in Western Europe (1921). According to her a coven consists of 12 witches and a devil as leader.