Magical Alphabets Part One
The History of the Greek Alphabet
The Greek alphabet dates to at least the 8th to 9th century BCE, having evolved from the Phoenician after the loss of Linear B. The Phoenician alphabet consisted only of consonants, which was not suitable for the Greek language, so the Greeks added vowels. Many linguists believe that the Greeks developed their alphabet in Euboea. Other possibilities include Cyprus - where they Fayum alphabet was discovered inscribed on four copper plates - and Thera. Both Cyprus and Thera are believed to have had Phoenician settlements.
There are variations of the Greek alphabet, with main centers being in Crete, Euboea (Western), and Corinth (Ionic, Attic). The Fayum alphabet represents a fourth outlier, where the letter Upsilon had not yet been added. In 403/402 BCE, the Athenians voted to abandon the old Attic alphabet and to adopt a standard alphabet, called the Euclidean alphabet. Once this was codified in Athens, it was quickly adopted in other city-states, standardizing the Greek alphabet.
Myths ties to the development of the Greek alphabet vary. According to one myth recounted by Herodotus, the Greek alphabet was brought to Greece by Cadmus, the legendary ruler of Thebes, who was a Phoenician:
"The Phoenicians who came with Cadmus—amongst whom were the Gephyraei—introduced into Greece, after their settlement in the country, a number of accomplishments, of which the most important was writing, an art till then, I think, unknown to the Greeks. At first they [the Phoenicians] used the same characters as all the other Phoenicians, but as time went on, and they changed their language, they also changed the shape of their letters. At that period most of the Greeks in the neighbourhood were Ionians; they were taught these letters by the Phoenicians and adopted them, with a few alterations, for their own use, continuing to refer to them as the Phoenician characters—as was only right, as the Phoenicians had introduced them. The Ionians also call paper 'skins'—a survival from antiquity when paper was hard to get, and they did actually use goat and sheep skins to write on. Indeed, even today many foreign peoples use this material. In the temple of Ismenian Apollo at Theba in Boeotia I have myself seen cauldrons with inscriptions cut on them in Cadmean characters—most of them not very different from the Ionian (Herodotus, Histories, Book V, 58)."
Herodotus' account places the development of the alphabet to approximately 2000 BCE. Could he have been referring to the development of Linear A or Linear B?
Another myth, put forth by Hyginus, states that the Moirai (Fates) created the first seven letters, particularly the vowels. Hermes is involved in the development of the alphabet as well:
"The three Fates created the first five vowels of the alphabet and the letters B and T. It is said that Palamedes, son of Nauplius invented the remaining eleven consonants. Then Hermes reduced these sounds to characters, showing wedge shapes because cranes fly in wedge formation and then carried the system from Greece to Egypt*. This was the Pelasgian alphabet, which Cadmus had later brought to Boeotia, then Evander of Arcadia, a Pelasgian, introduced into Italy, where his mother, Carmenta, formed the familiar fifteen characters of the Latin alphabet. Other consonants have since been added to the Greek alphabet. Alpha was the first of eighteen letters, because alphe means honor, and alphainein is to invent (Hyginus, Fabulae, 277)."
Diodorus Siculus believed that the alphabet was developed not from the Phoenician, but from the Syrian alphabet:
"But there are some who attribute the invention of letters to the Syrians, from whom the Phoenicians learned them and communicated them to the Greeks when they came with Cadmus into Europe; hence the Greeks called them Phoenician letters. To these that hold this opinion, it is answered that the Phoenicians were not the first that found out letters, but only changed the form and shape of them into other characters, which many afterwards using the name of Phoenicians grew to be common (Diodorus Siculus, Historical Library, Book V)."
Plutarch criticized Herodotus' account, believing that the alphabet developed in Euboea or Eretria:
"As for Aristogeiton, Herodotus puts him not forth at the back door, but thrusts him directly out of the gate into Phoenicia, saying that he had his origins from the Gephyraei, and that the Gephyraei were not, as some think, Euboeans or Eretrians, but Phoenicians, as himself has learned by report (Plutarch, "On the Malice of Herodotus")."
Plutarch believed Palamedes of Nauplion in Euboea to have invented the supplementary letters not in the original Phoenician alphabet. He also noted a distinction between Eta and Epsilon, and Omega and Omicron, and attributed this development to Simonides of Ceos (556-469 BCE). He also described an older Greek writing system, similar to Egyptian writing. He recounts a story where Agesilaus of Sparta (442-358 BCE) discovered Alcmene's tomb at Haliartus, which contained a brazen plate with an unknown script. The script was sent to Egypt to be translated. Most scholars believed this script to be Linear B.
Below, we discuss the symbolism of each Greek letter. Included in the discussion are the letters' meanings, gematria meaning, Tarot correspondence, planetary/zodiacal/element assignment, and Oracle meaning.
The Alphabet
Alpha (1) - Bull/cattle/head of cattle; material and mobile wealth. Derives from the Semitic word for 'ox.' On Orphic gold lamellae, Alpha was inscribed to represent the bull, which is sacred to Dionysus. With the numerical value being 1, this signifies the beginning, passion, ambition and design. Tarot correspondence - The Fool. Oracle meaning: “The God (Apollo) says you will do everything successfully.” Sacred to both Apollo and Dionysus; the monad, neus, pneuma, logos, Unmoved Mover. Planet: Moon.
Beta (2) - Duality, oppositions, polarities, the other/dyad. The Will of the Magician. In the PGM, many of the spells request an assistant daimon. Pennick stated that Beta, in Mithraic religion, represented the demonic. Tarot correspondence: The Magician. Oracle meaning: “With the help of Tyche (Fortune) you will have an assistant, the Pythian (Apollo).” Sacred to Tyche. Zodiac sign: Aries.
Gamma (3) - Synthesis, triplicities, earth and chthonic mysteries. The traditional gematria meaning for the number 3 is religion, destiny, the soul, and charms. Tarot correspondence: The Empress or The Priestess. Oracle meaning: “Gaia (Earth) will give you the ripe fruit of your labors.” Sacred to Gaia, Demeter, the Great Goddess. Zodiac sign: Taurus.
Delta (4) - The four elements, dynamis, strength. The numeric value is 4, representing solidity, wisdom, and power. Tarot correspondence: The Empress. Oracle meaning: “In customs inopportune, strength is weak.” Sacred to Zeus, Hermes, Artemis. Zodiac sign: Gemini.
Epsilon (5) - Quintessence, Aion. The number 5 the number 5 represents the Stars, happiness, graces, and marriage. Tarot correspondence: The Emperor. Oracle meaning: “You desire to see the offspring of righteous marriages.” Sacred to Eros, Hera. Planet: Mercury.
Zeta (7) - Offering, sacrifice, storm. In gematria, the number 7 represents the course of life, repose, liberty, and perfect happiness. Tarot correspondence: The Hierophant. Oracle meaning: “Flee the very great storm, lest you be disabled in some way.” Sacred to Agaios, Apollo, Michael. Zodiac sign: Cancer.
Eta (8) - Divine harmony, the Music of the Spheres, perfection, regeneration, sun. The extinct letter Heta represents similar characteristics. Tarot correspondence: The Lovers. The gematria meaning for 8 is justice and preservation. Oracle meaning: “Bright Helios (Sun), who watches everything, watches you.” Sacred to Helios, Planet: Venus.
Theta (9) - Crystal heaven, theos (deity), divine inspiration. In gematria, the number 9 represents imperfection, diminution, grief, pain, and expectation. Tarot correspondence - The Chariot. Oracle meaning: “You have the helping Gods of this path.” Sacred to all deities, especially patron deities. Element: Earth.
Iota (10) - Necessity, fate, hard work. In gematria, number 10 represents success, reason, and future happiness. Tarot correspondence - Justice. Oracle meaning: “There is sweat; it excels more than anything.” Sacred to Heracles. Planet: Sun.
Kappa (20) - Bringer of bad luck, disease, death, ancestral matters, time, endings. Tarot correspondence: The Hermit. The gematria meaning of the number 20 represents austerity and sadness. Oracle meaning: “To fight with the waves is difficult; endure, friend.” Sacred to Kronos, Proteus. Zodiac sign: Leo.
Lambda (30) - Plants, the soul, journeys and evolution, growth, something bad turning out to be good, tied to the Golden Ratio. Tarot correspondence: The Wheel. In traditional gematria, the number 30 represents fame, and/or a wedding. Oracle meaning: “The one passing on the left bodes well for everything.” Sacred to Psyche, Libera. Zodiac sign: Virgo.
Mu (40) - Trees, stability, protection, the Axis Mundi, double Lambda leading to illumination of the physical. Tarot correspondence: Strength. Oracle meaning: “It is necessary to labor, but the change will be admirable.” Sacred to Hephaestus. Zodiac sign: Libra.
Nu (50): - Strife bearing, underworld. Tarot correspondence: The Hanged Man. In traditional Gematria, the number 50 represents pardon and/or liberty. Oracle meaning: “The strife-bearing gift fulfills the oracle.” Sacred to Hekate, Eris, Nyx. Zodiac sign: Scorpio.
Xi (60) - The stars, withered, change, the ability to heal AND hex. Tarot correspondence: Death, The Star. In traditional Gematria, the number 60 represents widowhood Oracle meaning: “There is no fruit to take from a withered shoot.” Sacred to Demeter. Element: Water.
Omicron (70) - Enclosed power of the Sun, swords to plowshares, discipline. Tarot correspondence: The Sun. Gematria meaning of 70 represents initiation, science, and the Graces. Oracle meaning: “There are no crops to be reaped that were not sown.” Sacred to Karmetor, Demeter, Ares. Planet: Mars
Pi (80) - Sixteen rays of the sun, spiritual illumination, solar crown; sovereignty of light. Tarot correspondence: The Devil. In gematria, the number 80 represents a cure. Oracle meaning: “Completing many contests you will seize the crown.” Sacred to Sarapis, Mithras, Apollo, Phosphoros/Lucifer, Athena, Pythagoras. Zodiac sign: Sagittarius.
Rho (100) -Fruitfulness, reproduction, power of vegetative growth, the feminine, the rose, life force. Tarot correspondence: The Moon. The gematria meaning of 100 is divine favor. Oracle meaning: “You will go on more easily if you wait a short time.” Sacred to Prometheus, Aphrodite, Kore. Zodiac sign: Capricorn.
Sigma (200) - Bearer of the dead, psychopomp, serpentine (going between all realms, especially the chthonic), Axis Mundi, sacrifice. Tarot correspondence: Death. The number 200 in gematria represents irresolution. Oracle meaning: “Phoibos (Apollo) speaks plainly—Stay, friend.” Sacred to Apollo, Hermes Psychopompos. Zodiac sign: Aquarius.
Tau (300) - Microcosm, humanity, sacred to man, representing the more primal aspect. Tarot correspondence: The World. Gematria meaning of 300 is safety, belief, faith, and philosophy. Oracle meaning: “You will have a parting from the companions now around you.” Sacred to Persephone, Christ (Tau Cross). Zodiac sign: Pisces.
Upsilon (400) - The Hero's Journey, flow, water, long journey, Holy Grail quest. Tarot correspondence: Temperence. The gematria meaning is for 400 is a long, wearisome voyage. Oracle meaning: “The affair holds a noble undertaking.” Sacred to Dionysus and Ariadne, Zeus. Planet: Jupiter.
Phi (500): The phallus, generative principle. Tarot correspondence: Judgment. The gematria meaning is holiness. Oracle meaning: “Having done something carelessly, you will thereafter blame the Gods.” Sacred to Phanes, Priapus, Hermes. Element: Air.
Chi (600) - Signifies a 'golden oracle,' success at a soul level, perfection, empire/property, perfect dharma. Tarot correspondence: The gematria meaning is perfection. Oracle meaning: “Succeeding, friend, you will fulfill a golden oracle.” Sacred to Nike, Apollo. Element: Fire.
Psi (700) Heavenly light, Psyche (soul), psychology/intellect, clear sight, reason, divine illumination. Tarot correspondence: The Tower. The gematria meaning is strength. Oracle meaning: “You have this righteous judgement from the Gods.” Sacred to Themis, Zeus, Psyche, hyper-cosmic deities. Element: Spirit.
Omega (800) - Riches, abundance, but with extraordinary work, growing up before one's time, revolutionary action, alienation (Omega male). No Tarot correspondences. In gematria, the number 800 represents empire. Oracle meaning: “You will have a difficult harvest season, not a useful one." Sacred to Hebe, Planet: Saturn. Jupiter in Capricorn.
How to work with the Alphabet?
There are many things you can do to work with the mysteries of the Greek alphabet. One way to work with them is by divining with the Alphabet Oracle; you can use stones, and read like runes are read, or have the alphabet on cards and use as tarot cards. With regards to divination, you have several aspects to draw upon: the gematria meaning, the oracular meaning, and the symbolic meaning itself.
You can also utilize the alphabet in mantras, to draw forth energies you wish to cultivate, or honor deities associated with the letter. For example, in working with Aphrodite, I utilize Beta and Rho. There are endless combinations that can be found, and an area to experiment with. The letters can also be inscribed on sigils for the same reasons.
Given the variety of meanings with this alphabet, much exploration should be done when working with the letters, and personal gnosis will aid in the journey. What are some of your experiences with some of these letters? Let me know below!
Resources
Ferguson, Kitty. The Music of Pythagoras: How an Ancient Brotherhood Cracked the Code of the Universe and Lit the Path from Antiquity to Outer Space. Walker Publishing Company, 2008.
Flowers, Stephen, PhD. Hermetic Magic: The Postmodern Magical Papyrus of Abaris. San Fransisco: Weiser Books, 1995
Opsopaus, John. The Oracles of Apollo: Practical Ancient Greek Divination for Today. Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2017.
Pennick, Nigel. Magical Alphabets. San Fransisco: Weiser Books, 1992.
Bearing His Torch Wordpress Blog Post, "Greek Alphabet Oracle." 11/26/2016. Accessed on 4/20/2022.https://phosphorou.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/greek-alphabet-oracle/.
Divination Lessons Wordpress Blog Post, "Greek Alphabet Oracle Gyromancy Chart - Updated." 2/3/2022. Accessed on 4/20/2022. https://divinationlessons.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/greek-alphabet-oracle-gyromancy-chart/