In the history of witchcraft, means of communication necessarily have a very special role. Magical and occult arts are by nature secret, not to maintain a certain mystery, but mainly to protect the essence of these practices. Our ancestors then developed several types of languages like Theban to transmit this magical knowledge only to those who can decipher it. Today, we will focus on another of these languages: that of the birds, symbols above all of unlimited freedom.
1. The roots of the language of the birds
1.1. A language associated with alchemy
The language of the birds apparently comes 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 a coded language to protect their knowledge from the uninitiated and religious authorities. This secret language allowed the transmission of esoteric concepts and alchemical formulas without directly revealing their meanings.
In the Hermetic texts, attributed to the legendary Hermes Trismegistus, the language of the birds is also present. These writings, which combine philosophy, theology, and science, use symbols and wordplays 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 some popularity through its use by Nicolas Flamel, Paracelsus, then by Dante Alighieri, author of the Divine Comedy and François Rabelais in Gargantua and Pantagruel.
1.2. The symbol of birds
There is also the entire symbolism of birds: they are seen as divine messengers, thanks to their ability to fly high in the sky, thus bringing the earthly world closer to the celestial realm. Birds also symbolize freedom and spiritual elevation, representing the release 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 evolution.
2. Principles and functioning of the language of the birds
2.1. Wordplays, homonyms, and phonetic associations
The language of the birds is essentially based on the creative and skillful use of words and sounds. At the core of this method are wordplays, homonyms, and phonetic associations that allow the discovery of hidden or multiple meanings. This language uses the sound properties of words to create links 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 having a distinct meaning, but which together form a coherent and rich whole. Homonyms also play a crucial role: two words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings can be used to evoke complementary ideas or images. Moreover, phonetic associations allow linking concepts by their similar sounds, thus creating unexpected and profound connections.
To make the decoding a bit more complex, each word or expression can have several levels of meaning, ranging from the literal to the allegorical, including the mystical. Symbolism allows users of this language to convey complex and esoteric ideas in a veiled way, accessible only to those who possess the key to their interpretation.
And for even more difficulty, the language of birds also mixes languages.
2.2. A concrete example?
I know it can be difficult to understand, so starting with an example: the breakdown of the word "alchemy."
If we break down this word, we get "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 breakdown can convey messages or alerts of capture or release.
Finally, let's end with a slightly more complex breakdown but one that will allow you to grasp the full essence of this language, namely Birds:
| HEAR | Represents the verb "to hear" (I hear), which means to listen or to 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 "birds" can be interpreted as follows: it is the language that allows hearing the heights, that is to say, to listen to and hear celestial messages, whether they are manifested or not. Using the verb "to hear" in the present tense (I hear), we get 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 to "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, wordplay, 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 the 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 emitted creates a vibration that spreads through the air and can affect objects, living beings, and even invisible energy structures like the aura or spiritual fields. Sorcerers use this property of sounds to create incantations and ritual chants aimed at harmonizing or disturbing these energy fields, thus producing desired changes in the physical or spiritual world.
5. Yes, you practice the language of the birds!
The famous puns of merchants or hair salons today can be attributed to the language of the birds. Yes, what is perceived today as humor or a witty remark actually comes from a coded language created to convey knowledge that remains well hidden even today...
[bloctwist]
