In the history of witchcraft, methods of communication necessarily play a very particular role. Magical and occult arts are secret by nature, not to maintain a certain mystery, but above all to protect the essence of these practices. Our ancestors therefore developed several types of language, such as Theban, to transmit this magical knowledge only to those who could decipher it. Today, we will focus on another of these languages: that of the birds, symbols above all of limitless freedom.
1. The roots of the language of the birds
1.1. A language associated with alchemy
The language of the birds apparently originates from a specific art: the alchemical and hermetic traditions of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Alchemists, seeking to transmute base metals into gold and discover the elixir of life, often used coded language to protect their knowledge from the uninitiated and religious authorities. This secret language made it possible to convey esoteric concepts and alchemical formulas without directly revealing their meanings.
The language of the birds also appears in hermetic texts attributed to the legendary Hermes Trismegistus. These writings, which combine philosophy, theology, and science, use symbols and puns to express profound truths about the nature of the universe and humanity. The language of the birds, with its multiple levels of meaning, was perfectly suited to these cryptic works.
This language gained a certain popularity through its use by Nicolas Flamel, Paracelsus, followed by Dante Alighieri, author of the Divine Comedy, and François Rabelais in Gargantua and Pantagruel.
1.2. The symbol of birds
There is also all the symbolism of birds: they are seen as divine messengers, thanks to their ability to fly high in the sky, thereby bringing the earthly world closer to the celestial realm. Birds also symbolize freedom and spiritual elevation, representing liberation from earthly constraints and the aspiration to reach higher states of consciousness. Their migratory behavior evokes journeys, transitions, and natural cycles, recalling seasonal movements and the changes necessary for personal and spiritual growth.
2. Principles and workings of the language of the birds
2.1. Puns, homonyms, and phonetic associations
The language of the birds is based primarily on the creative and learned use of words and sounds. At the heart of this method are puns, homonyms, and phonetic associations, which make it possible to uncover hidden or multiple meanings. This language uses the sound properties of words to create connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.
Wordplay is one of the main tools of the language of birds. For example, a word can be broken down into several segments, each with a distinct meaning, which together form a coherent whole rich in meaning. Homonyms also play a crucial role: two words pronounced in the same way but with different meanings can be used to evoke complementary ideas or images. In addition, phonetic associations make it possible to link concepts through their similar sounds, thereby creating unexpected and profound connections.
To make the decoding somewhat more complex, each word or expression can have several levels of meaning, ranging from the literal to the allegorical and mystical. Symbolism allows users of this language to convey complex and esoteric ideas in a veiled manner, accessible only to those who possess the key to their interpretation.
And to make things even more difficult, the language of birds also mixes languages.
2.2. A concrete example?
I know it may be difficult to understand, so let us start with an example: the breakdown of the word "alchemy".
If this word is broken down, we obtain "al" and "chemistry". "Al" can be interpreted as a reference to the Arabic article "al", used in many alchemical terms, and "chemistry" as a reference to the science of transforming substances. Thus, the word "alchemy" can be seen as "the science of transformation", a hidden meaning behind its apparent form.
Another example is the word "spirit", which can be heard as "is taken" or "ex-taken". This phonetic decomposition can convey messages or warnings about capture or release.
Finally, let us conclude with a somewhat more complex breakdown, which will allow you to grasp the full essence of this language, namely Oiseaux:
| HEAR | Represents the verb "to hear" (j’ois), meaning to listen or hear |
| S | Symbol of the celestial, evoking the heavens and the spiritual |
| WATERS | Represents water, which is also associated with "O" (manifested celestial feminine) or "High" (the Spirit or the celestial Principles themselves) |
Thus, in the Language of Birds, the word "oiseaux" can be interpreted as follows: it is the language that allows one to hear the heights, that is, to listen to and hear celestial messages, whether manifested or not. By using the verb "to hear" in the present tense (j’ois), we obtain the root of the word "joy", emphasizing the idea of receiving divine and spiritual messages that bring joy.
2.3. The secret of vitriol in alchemy
The Hermetic motto "VITRIOL" is an acronym used by alchemists and Hermeticists to encapsulate a fundamental principle of their practice. Each letter of "VITRIOL" represents a word in the Latin phrase "Visita Interiora Terrae, Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem", which translates as "Visit the interior of the Earth; by rectifying, you will find the hidden stone".
| Visita | Visit |
| Interiora | Interior |
| Terrae | of the Earth |
| Rectificando | by rectifying (or purifying) |
| Invenies | you will find |
| Occultum | hidden |
| Lapidem | stone |
3. The alphabet of the birds
Unlike conventional languages, the language of the birds has no formal alphabet. It is not based on a fixed writing system, but rather on sounds and subjective interpretations. This makes the language highly flexible and adaptable, but also deeply cryptic and elusive to those who are not initiated.
The language of the birds is based on phonetics, puns, and auditory associations. The sounds of words, rather than their written forms, carry the true meaning. This means that intonation, pronunciation, and even the sound context play essential roles in communication and interpretation.
The key to mastering the language of the birds lies in knowing the hidden meanings and double meanings of words. This requires a deep understanding of the symbols, myths, and esoteric traditions underlying this language. Initiates must learn to listen beyond the apparent words to discover veiled truths.
4. The perceived power of words and sounds
In witchcraft, words and sounds are considered to possess intrinsic power. This power is based on the idea that sound vibrations can affect physical and spiritual reality.
Each sound produced creates a vibration that propagates through the air and can affect objects, living beings, and even invisible energetic structures such as the aura or spiritual fields. Sorcerers use this property of sounds to create incantations and ritual chants intended to harmonize or disrupt these energetic fields, thereby producing desired changes in the physical or spiritual world.
5. Yes, you practice the language of the birds!
The famous puns used by today's shopkeepers and hair salons can be attributed to the language of the birds. Yes, what is perceived today as humor or wit actually comes from a coded language created to convey knowledge that remains highly secret even today...
Par Olivier of Aeternum
Passionate about esoteric traditions and the history of the occult from the earliest civilizations to the 18th century, I share some articles on these topics. I am also co-creator of the online esoteric shop Aeternum.
