Hubble Bubble

…and other spells and hexes to use this Halloween!

In the world of magic, words hold immense power and significance. Whether it's the familiar incantations like "hocus pocus" and "abracadabra," or the more mystical phrases such as "alakazam" and "sim sala bim," each word carries a unique essence that transcends mere language.

Take, for instance, the ancient phrase "abracadabra," which dates back to the second century BCE. This reductive spell was believed to have healing properties, with each letter removed gradually alleviating pain or illness.

Similarly, "alakazam," a mesmerising word often used as the final flourish in magic acts, may have roots in an Arabic phrase meaning "oath." This powerful command invokes a promise made by higher beings to aid in miraculous feats.

As for "hocus pocus," the term may signify both an incantation and an act of deception, drawing from a Latin phrase from Catholic mass, Hoc est corpus meum (“here is my body”). Contrary to its mystical connotations, it has become synonymous with trickery and illusion.

Similar to abracadabra in popularity and structure, ‘calamaris’ is the word that Scandinavians would invoke to heal a fever. A reductive spell, meaning the full word would be written down on one line, then each successive line would have one letter removed.

The enchanting phrase "voilà" adds an element of surprise and satisfaction to magic performances, revealing wonders with a flick of the wrist. In contrast, "open sesame" hearkens back to folk tales, symbolising a key to achieving success or unlocking hidden potential.

"Miertr," a spell to ensure stealth in hunting, spoken aloud as one walked backward and then left the house. After reaching the forest to hunt, the spellcaster was advised to take three clumps of dirt from beneath the left foot and throw them overhead without looking. This will allow an individual to advance without making any noise and capture birds and animals.

Spells even appear in the Bible. When Moses and his brother Aaron were challenged by the Pharoh to perform a miracle as a sign of their god, according to the Semiphoras and Schemhamphorash, an occult text published in German by Andreas Luppius in 1686, the words “micrato, raepy sathonich” were the opening words Moses spoke before changing his staff into a serpent.

In the realm of magic, where belief and language intertwine, these words evoke a sense of wonder and possibility. Whether as tools for casting spells or keys to unlocking ancient wisdom, magic words continue to fascinate and enchant those who dare to explore their mystic realms.