The Theban Alphabet is sometimes used by Wiccas to encode their texts. The Theban Alphabet or Witches Alphabet has its roots in the medieval period when Cabbalistic studies were used in the practices of European magicians. Wiccas believe that the alphabet is powerful, and it is often carved onto stone or wood as an amulet, or for candle spells.
The Theban alphabet is often called "The Runes of Honorius", although it is not a runic alphabet. It is reputed to have been invented by Honorius of Thebes, although its precise origins are not clear. There are links between the letters of the Theban and Latin alphabets (except the letters j and u). When the magical alphabet is used, during a spell or incantation Wiccas may include a stylized character at the end of a writing. This is the Greek Alpha and Omega.
The Theban Alphabet is reported to have appeared for the first time in Book III, Chapter XXIX of “The Three Books of Occult Philosophy” by Cornelius Agrippa, published in Latin in 1533. Here Agrippa tells us that the alphabet was indeed credited to Honorious by the magician Peter de Apono) who was an Italian writer who lived between 1250 and 1316.
Some Wiccas use the Theban Alphabet to write spells, inscriptions and other texts. The information written in a Book of Shadows, for example may be written using the Theban Alphabet. It is a kind of “code” that hides the true meaning of the spell or text from those who do not know its meaning. However the alphabet is not used by all Wiccas in their daily writings, instead being used on jewelry, amulets, charms and during rituals.
The Theban Alphabet is quite different to other alphabets and sometimes separates words using a dot. The letters of the alphabet are only in single case with no upper and lower case letter formats. The characters of the alphabet include only a full stop as punctuation. No other punctuation seems to be in evidence.
The Theban Alphabet does not contain any references to numerals. Most Wiccas use their own “invented” numerals or Roman numerals to denote numbers in their texts.
You may want to take the time to learn the Theban Alphabet if you want to keep your Wiccan writings away from prying eyes. It may be useful if you value your privacy as a tool to use in a daily journal or your Book of Shadows. While knowing the alphabet isn’t essential for a Wiccan it does lend a personal air to your work as a Wicca. Since some Wiccas believe that the alphabet itself holds immense magical power it may be an essential tool in rituals and incantations.
If you want to learn the Theban Alphabet you can find examples in books or on the Web that will teach you the different letter that make up the alphabet.
